[Psycho] Please, can someone tell me why both identic festival days start at a different time? Good sleep is so important...
[Psycho] First band of the day I never heard of before. But I like to discover. :: THE SPIRIT :: play atmospheric Black Metal with many blast parts, or the other way around. Anyway, not that kind of music you want to start a festival day with if you are still suffering from a hangover and need some groove to get (slowly) started. It is quite empty down there. Well, 12am is pretty early, isn’t it?
But I liked THE SPIRIT. Song material was sophisticated, the band played tight and the sparse but classy stage setting suited the performance. More action would not have done any harm but maybe the band was not really awake either.
[BRT] Dissection-sound-alikes…Missed it. But have already seen them playing live. There is still room for improvement.
Setlist: Cosmic Fear, The Clouds Of Damnation, Cross The Brigde To Eternity, Illuminate The Night Sky, Fields Of The Unknown, The Great Mortality
[Psycho] After The Obsessed had cancelled their appearance on a short notice, freshly reunited Muenster-based band :: ZODIAC :: stepped in. Their rather traditional Blues Rock is not really my cup of tea. But they were ahead of many other festival bands: They loved their music and they loved to play. ZODIAC had a lot of fun on stage. The performance was genuine and convincing. Thumbs up!
[Terry] I agree. Musically not world-shaking but the guys around Nick van Delft (cool voice) did their best and were somewhat of the better fitting festival opener. But ZODIAC could not make us forget the cancellation of The Obsessed.
Setlist: Diamond Shoes, Rebirth By Fire, Free, Cortez, Animal, Coming Home
[Psycho] If you believe in the hype of some magazines, then :: VISIGOTH :: is the next big thing. To me they sound too much like Manowar to be good but I was curious of their live performance. Luckily, VISIGOTH emerged to be much more original and down-to-earth, so, nothing to nag about. They played songs from their two records and both tracks of the just released Bells Of Awakening EP.
Singer Jake Rogers did an awesome job but every time he was speaking between the songs, his voice appeared to be totally fucked up. If he does not get professional help or learns how to train his voice for extensive touring, his singing career might be soon over. Great show, as more surprising was the reserved feedback by the crowd.
[BRT] There are not many bands to convey energy and good vibrations the way VISIGOTH do. Grand Magus could do so too. Long time ago.
[Dajana] That was my first thought too. VISIGOTH is the new Grand Magus (their brand new album was so disappointing to me).
[BRT] VISIGOTH could not start any better than with Dungeon Master, a synonym for hymn-like, epic, classic US Heavy Metal. Jake Rogers is indeed an excellent singer, but his voice already paid the toll of touring. Perhaps, he should sing his banter and announcements? VISIGOTH were electrifying, offered tracks with hit potential and hopefully will soon release album number three. And now let’s go to the armory for shields and swords…
[Terry] I actually like the Utah-based metallers a lot. But after three outstanding shows earlier this year, the one at RHF was rather lame. Sound was weak, the band un-tight and the singing failing. Regarding a friend, Jake Rogers was already out of voice one week ago at another show. His fighting spirit is great but not healthy for his vocal chords. He should seek for help and training.
Setlist: Dungeon Master, Warrior Queen, Fireseeker, Abysswalker, Outlive Them All, Steel And Silver, The Revenant King, Traitor's Gate
[Psycho] Next up was another band from my hometown…
Instrumental Post Rock at ROCK HARD FESTIVAL was for sure the most out of the ordinary spot at this year’s edition. And to be honest, not what I would have written down on a RHF wish list. Anyway, :: LONG DISTANCE CALLING :: were there and did an awesome job. The guys had fun and kicked asses. And that mood got quickly transferred on the audience, so that, despite our concerns, the show was a full success. Much helpful is the fact that their song material is not as complex and arty-farty as the stuff of many other genre bands.
[BRT] To me, LONG DISTANCE CALLING is one of the most boring live bands I have seen so far. As more I was surprised that this instrumental Post Rock at 4pm in the afternoon under a blazing sun worked so great. Yes, they loved to play here and the crowd surprisingly quick followed them. Finally, the stuff that sounds so good on CD also works live on stage. Chapeau! I did not expect that!
Setlist: Trauma, Ascending, Black Paper Planes, Out There, Sundown Highway, Skydivers, Arecibo, Metulsky Curse Revisited
[Psycho] I was particularly looking forward to this :: FIFTH ANGEL :: show. And then I was kept from returning to arena on time due to some beer offers. It is a good reason to miss something but I missed something anyway. I’d say I caught the last third of the show and what I saw was top-notch! With the so far absolutely unknown Steve Carlson, the band has engaged a new singer, who did a great job and much suited the material of the band. Since the band focused on the two classic records from the 80s nothing could go wrong. Just the drum solo by Ken Mary was dispensable.
[BRT] Yes, I actually have expected more. But I have already seen them two years ago at Keep It True festival were they played a much stronger show. And their singer back then was more charismatic. The band’s musicianship is first class, no doubt, yet, the show left me cold. Might be due to the last festival day too.
[Terry] Yes, I agree with BRT. Nothing to add, except for the short break (bass amp broke), which was a downer and the new and young guitarist was a weak point too. This ongoing staff rotation is too bad, especially, when you just have released a new album with a different singer/guitarist (Kendall Bechtel).
Setlist: The Night, Cathedral, Seven Hours, Stars Are Falling, Dust To Dust, Wings Of Destiny, Call Out The Warning, Fifth Angel, The Third Secret, In The Fallout, We Rule
[BRT] I really like :: MAGNUM :: and I guess I’m the only one within the NH crew. Unfortunately, the band did not catch their best day. Bob Catleys voice was unsound and the kick-off with Wild Swan felt unwieldy. It took some time till the band found harmony and really took off with How Far Jerusalem a classic from On A Storytellers Night. Right after MAGNUM did their best but show felt somehow undone. Maybe, MAGNUM is band best enjoyed in a club or as a headliner. All England Eyes and Vigilante I liked most.
Setlist: Wild Swan, Sacred Blood “Divine” Lies, Lost On The Road To Eternity, Crazy Old Mothers, How Far Jerusalem, All England's Eyes, Vigilante, Don't Wake The Lion (Too Old To Die Young), Sacred Hour
[Dajana] Yes, yes, yes! I was especially looking forward to :: POSSESSED ::. I would have went to RHF for this band alone. Ok, I’m a fangirl since I heard Seven Churches first time, even more, since I saw POSSESSED back then in 2012 (reunited and playing live again) on the Barge To Hell. Also the band’s brand new record Revelations Of Oblivion adds massively to my fan-enthusiasm (review here), it is such a crusher and very much after my fancy.
Besides, Jeff Becerra is such a strong and positive guy, so likeable. First thing he did when he arrived at the festival area was to come out to the fans and to patiently sign whatever could be signed and took selfies. So I did. I could not resist. I hardly ever do so, but… well, I’m a fangirl. And the show? POSSESSED played the best show at ROCK HARD FESTIVAL 2019! Headliner by heart. That is it. And you better do not say anything else…
[Psycho] Exactly! I agree the new album is killer. Accordingly, the expectations were high and not disappointed. Contrary to Cannibal Corpse, POSSESSED wanted to play. And they loved to play. Ok, there was not much action on stage either, but in return we got precise and nasty riffwork, Jeff Becerras inhuman voice. Brutal as fuck. Special respect goes out to drummer Emilio Marquez, who really managed to transform those obscure breaks in Seven Churches to something that adds to rhythm and melodies. Song selection was great, combining the best from the new record with the classics. Ear-catching was the fact that the two songs from the much-maligned sophomore Beyond The Gates fitted the set without drawbacks in quality. I missed Swing Of The Axe and Séance in the set. Well, playing time was way too short.
[BRT] POSSESSED we already saw at Party San Open Air 2017 and it was a surprising killer show. Tonight they not only confirmed but excelled themselves. Jeff Becerra got himself some cool mates - L.A. Thrash/Death veterans Sadistic Intent, to play with him as the new incarnation of POSSESSED. And those guys nail it in every aspect. It feels like a real band, not like a one-man-show with some backing musicians, as it so often happens nowadays. This show here was awesome. Pure fun. I wish, POSSESSED would have had such sound on their previous records. That was killer!
[Terry] Wow! I went to see them without expectations and got steamrolled and thrashed soundly by this elemental force ;) Seriously, far ahead in the retrospective. That was mega!
Setlist: No More Room In Hell, Pentagram, Tribulation, Demon, Evil Warriors, The Heretic, Abandoned, Storm In My Mind, The Eyes Of Horror, Graven, The Exorcist, Fallen Angel, Death Metal, Burning In Hell
[Psycho] As already mentioned by Öko in the beginning, I had no expectations towards :: ANTHRAX :: yet was curious, if the bad run of headliners at this year’s edition of RHF would be continued. But… duh!
ANTHRAX repeated the Skid Row tactics and first let the crowd warm-up while singing Iron Maiden’s Number Of The Beast. Then the band broke in with the opening riff of Panteras Cowboys From Hell, a classic every metal head should be infected by it in a twinkling of an eye. No gasp and Caught In A Mosh crushed in, played in an enormously powerful way. Holy moly! Promptly, the crowd reacted frantic. And for the first time we got the feeling of a packed venue.
ANTHRAX was supported by an excellent sound, a great setlist and generally did not make prisoners. Especially songs from Spreading The Disease benefitted from the sound. The band played with overwhelming passion and acted wildly on stage. The lightshow was great too and even Joey Belladonna sounded acceptable. Eye-catcher were, of course, Scott Ian and Frank Bello, who delivered a crazy show. This show was absolutely thrilling and I absolutely did not expect that! Hats off!
After the standard song Antisocial, ANTHRAX closed with a barnstorming version of Indians, leading over to the last riffs of Cowboys From Hell, closing the circle they started with in the beginning. That was it. Ultimately. Extremely strong show of an actually worthy headliner. That way I like it to be surprised!
[Terry] Yes, band and crowd likewise fancied the show right from the beginning. After the flops the last two days we finally got a powerful headlining show. Unfortunately, only the last band at RHF gets a proper lightshow. Thanks to a cool setlist and an improving Joey Belladonna (who, in between, took over the cam) made this show memorable and the festival exhaustion was blown away one last time. Only the „brothers in Thrash Metal“ etc. blabber bothered me in view of their merch prizing (shirts 35 Euro). But that is nothing new to the ANTHRAX boys either…
Setlist: The Number Of The Beast (Iron Maiden, intro from tape), Cowboys From Hell (Pantera, live played intro), Caught In A Mosh, Got The Time, Madhouse, Be All, End All, Evil Twin, I Am The Law, Medusa, Now It's Dark, Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.), In The End, A.I.R., Antisocial, Indians, Cowboys From Hell (Pantera, live played outro)
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