[Psycho] The evening before, we could see in our parking lot that there were far fewer cars than on previous festival dates. That's how it should be on the following two days too...
:: pics :: MIDNIGHT RIDER ::
[Dajana] Koblenz-based metallers :: MIDNIGHT RIDER :: came a long way. Founded back in 2004, their acclaimed debut wasn’t released until 2017, followed by the sophomore, Beyond The Blood Red Horizon, last year in October. Wait, who mentioned Judas Priest? Um… okay, the voice, yes, from its approach. Otherwise that was nothing. And it wasn't because the guitarist had to sit uncomfortably with one leg in plaster...
[Psycho] It was the BRT (finger pointing...). In any case, the expectations were high and they were all the more disappointed. The band seemed totally slowed down, felt alienated from the big stage and didn't make a good impression technically. “Phlegmatic” circulated quickly on everyone's lips. You can also call it cultivated boredom. At least that's not how you get people going at the beginning of the day.
[BRT] Yep, unfortunately that was a bit lame. I like to listen to their records, but unfortunately MIDNIGHT RIDER's performance was very sluggish. Got better towards the end of the set but the band is probably better off in the small club.
[Sui] Was it the handicap of the guitarist, who had to complete the gig hanging on a stool due to a foot injury? Or the bad sound at the beginning? In fact, MIDNIGHT RIDER seemed overwhelmed with the big stage. The song material was a bit random at the beginning, the better songs followed in the middle part of the performance. What bothered me most was that the guitarist played very bumpy time and time again, which took the power off again and again.
Band: Wayne (Micha Baum - vox), Blumi (Jochen Blumenthal - git), Cliff Bubenheim (bass), Tim (drums)
Setlist: Your Parole, No Man's Land, Majestic Warfare, Beyond The Blood Red Horizon, Intruder, Spew My Hate, Opium Trail // Execution
:: pics :: KNIFE ::
[Psycho] :: KNIFE :: then showed how to do it better, leaving no doubt from the first second that they really wanted to let it all out. In fact, their mangy Motörhead meets Thrash Metal sound is also ideal for a midday kick in the ass. That inevitably caused more movement in the audience. Thanks, now I'm awake...
[Dajana] Yes, awesome. I always had to think of Louis Benjamin Falgoust II when I heard singer Vince. In general, Goatwhore came to mind time and time again. The band also made a statement against homophobia, warmongers and Nazis. Yes, very cool!
[BRT] KNIFE, I've seen them live several times and they always left a great impression. There's a rousing energy on stage, a likeable singer and mighty banging punk Speed Metal, or something like that. On CD I still miss a bit of recognition value or a cool melody, but I think there's still plenty of potential.
[Sui] At KNIFE there were the first mosh pits of the day. That's how a band comes across when they're hungry. A band full of action live on stage, with all guns blazing, and a shouter, who - calling himself Vince Nihil - did everything right even before the first note. I can't say that any riff or chorus particularly stuck with me. What remains is definitely a good impression.
Band: Vince Nihil (vox), Laz (git), Gypsy Danger (bass), Fernando (drums)
Setlist: Chromium Prayer, The Hallowed Chamber Of Storms, Inside The Electric Church, Black Leather Hounds, Sword Loser, I Am The Priest, K.N.I.F.E., Demon Wind, Sacrifice, Behold The Horse Of War, White Witch Black Death, Sacrifice (Bathory cover)
:: pics :: DEPRESSIVE AGE::
[Psycho] Since Nestor were still stuck in traffic, the next bands moved down a slot.
[Dajana] More or less since 1997 :: DEPRESSIVE AGE :: had disappeared from the scene. A short beep in 2005 and then silence again, with the band members being very busy in various other projects and bands. Then last year the reunion and now the first live performance since the official comeback.
[Psycho] To be honest, I had completely lost sight of the band. Yes, I like to put on old records, but DEPRESSIVE AGE weren't among them in the 27 years since their last release. The newly reformed Berliners showed some good musical approaches during the show, but didn't seem really well-rehearsed. But the biggest problem was the singing. It's not a good sign when the guest singer (Matthias of Post-Mortem) comes off as much more agile and powerful-voiced and at the same time provides more entertainment than the original singer. Might become a difficult comeback.
[Dajana] Yes, the glamour is pretty much gone. Well, quite a few years have passed. Musically, I found it very exciting, technically, well, there's still room for improvement, and in terms of fashion, I found singer Jan rather way-out. But it's just a question of taste ;) At least there was one new song with War (where Matthias von Post-Mortem was on stage for the first time) of the band’s upcoming new album. In addition, DEPRESSIVE AGE paid tribute to the late Tina Turner but also to Thomas "Quorthon" Forsberg, whose anniversary of death was this Saturday..
[Sui] DEPRESSIVE AGE left a somewhat mixed impression on me too. I actually find the mixture of rather melancholic parts and Thrash/Death interesting. Over long passages, the band also conveyed that quite well in terms of music. But the vocals then meandered rather aimlessly and powerlessly through the very diverse song parts, without a red line being discernible. Especially with the quieter parts, singer Jan sometimes was off-key. As Psycho already stated: The guest singer, who had a much stronger voice, made the weaknesses of the vocals blatantly clear. Even the somewhat strange theatrics didn't help anymore. A pity.
[BRT] "Ambivalent" hits it quite well. There were great ideas, definitely an original sound but overall a bit of an immature performance. However, I have to say that I only knew the debut album from back in the days, but like my colleague Psycho, I completely lost sight of the band. Unfortunately, they didn't advertise to try again. I expected a lot more...
Band: Jan Lubitzki (vox), Jochen Klemp (git), Markus Marth (git), Peter „Brutus“ Habermann (vox), Mario Prause (bass), René Jauernik (drums)
Setlist: Lying In Wait, We Hate Happy Ends, Berlin, World In Veins, Cairo Crabat, Electric Scum, War, Innocent In Detention, Eternal Twins
:: pics :: VOIVOD ::
[Dajana] Yes, sorry, of course I would have also liked to see the anarcho-punks from DISCHARGE, after all they've been around since 1977. Well, age obviously takes its toll. Get well soon & blessings from the NH HQ. But… BUT… if :: VOIVOD :: come for them instead, I'll be the very last person to nag ;) I was already hoping for it when Exodus canceled (who didn't do so? - Psycho). Synchro Anarchy instead of anarcho punk. You can do that ;) By the way, Away was wearing a DISCHARGE shirt :)
[Psycho] As already mentioned, DISCHARGE dropped out due to illness and were (fortunately) replaced by VOIVOD. Nothing against the long-serving punk veterans, but for me the Franco-Canadians saved the day. The set list was largely based on the Morgöth Tales disc, which will be released in July. This covered effectively all of the band's creative phases, but there were still songs to be heard that normally don't make it into the band's program. But that is absolutely no shortcoming given the overall quality of VOIVOD's work. Unsurprisingly, however, are the technical prowess, with Away and Chewy in particular making some fellow musicians' jaw drop - a lesson in how to celebrate complex material tightly and precisely. Snake was also in a good mood and even did some dance moves. All in all perfect entertainment and by far the highlight of this Saturday.
[Dajana] Yep, indeed a brilliant show! No ifs and buts! My fan heart was pounding ♥♥♥ But the way of communication about the show in Ulm, which was canceled on short notice due to their quick switch to RHF, should not go unmentioned, because it caused a lot of displeasure among the affected fans. Of course, during their show, VOIVOD once more honored their co-founder and guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour, who passed away from cancer in 2005. Was there ever a show where the guys didn't do that?
[Sui] VOIVOD were the first and probably the biggest highlight of the second day. Progressive Thrash at its finest! In addition, there are musicians in a good mood, even if singer Snake is the only original member in the current line-up. His good mood (sympathy values almost in the Phil Rind area) was transferred to the crowd, who appreciated a great performance with frenetic cheers.
[BRT] Nah, nah, Away, the drummer, has been there since the beginning and is the only constant member in the band, since Snake wasn't in the band in the 90s. But enough of the know-it-all. First of all, thank you VOIVOD! Even if I have hardly seen a band live more often in the last few years, the band always manages to inspire me again and again. The set list is never the same, there is always a cheerful band on stage who loves to play. The band gives their all every time. Positive energy to the max. Close to the fans, sympathetic and absolute experts, without making a big deal out of it. If there's a band here that embodies the Metal spirit 100%, then it's VOIVOD. And also here at the ROCK HARD FESTIVAL it was a lesson in what a short live gig should look like. Cool, cool, cool! After that you only saw satisfied grinning faces in the audience and a grateful band on stage. I would also like to break a lance for Rocky, the bass player. He's somehow never mentioned. He is an absolute live monster!
[Sui] Oops, BRT is right of course, "Away" is also a founding member, the drummers are sometimes overlooked..
Band: Denis „Snake“ Belanger (vox), Daniel „Chewy“ Mongrain (git),Dominic „Rocky“ Laroche (bass), Michel „Away“ Langevin (drums)
Setlist: Killing Technology, Obsolete Beings, Macrosolutions To Megaproblems, Rise, Rebel Robot, Thrashing Rage!, Holographic Thinking, Sleeves Off, Fix My Heart, Voivod
:: pics :: BRIAN DOWNEY'S ALIVE & DANGEROUS ::
[Dajana] Um... who? Sorry, I've never heard of them before. Of course, I know Brian Downey as Thin Lizzy's drummer and I realize that ALIVE & DANGEROUS is a borrowing from the first Thin Lizzy Live album, Live And Dangerous (1978). But beyond that...
Ok, so it is yet another (but very specialized) Thin Lizzy cover band. Do we need another one besides the original and the Black Star Riders? I don't think so. Admittedly, to see Brian Downey drumming like a youngster there was great! The band played tight, had fun and singer/bassist Matt Wilson seemed to be a child of Phil Lynott or Frank Zappa, very likeable. Nonetheless, off for coffee & food. There was a dancing lesson ahead; I had to be fit ;)
[Sui] No other band at the ROCK HARD FESTIVAL 2023 could come up with such a concentration of rock classics as :: BRIAN DOWNEY'S ALIVE & DANGEROUS ::. It's debatable whether it was basically just a cover band, especially since Brian Downey did not play a major role in Thin Lizzy’s songwriting. After all, he was named as a co-writer for five of the songs played tonight. Otherwise, the now 72-year-old original member of the Dublin hard rock legend has gathered a competent group of professional musicians who do absolutely justice to the legendary songs. Most notably, singer/bassist and Phil Lynott lookalike Matt Wilson delivered an outstanding performance. During one or the other song, I actually got goosebumps on my arms. The inevitable Whiskey In The Jar was then also cheered on by the whole circle of the amphitheater. Cover band or not? You decide! Anyway, I had a lot of fun with it.
[BRT] I didn't expect anything, nor did I read anything about this Thin Lizzy offshoot. I was all the more surprised that there was a really great band on stage. The singer must have been at least a son of Phil Lynott, he looked and sang the same. Awesome. All in all it was a rather relaxed performance, which shouldn't be meant in a negative way. After Voivod that was a very nice break. Great songs, conveyed in a sympathetic way, just right at the moment. And I would see them live again in a heartbeat.
Band: Brian Downey (drums), Matt Wilson (bass, vox), Michal Kulbaka (git), Joe Merriman (git)
Setlist: Are You Ready, Jailbreak, Emerald, Rosalie (Bob Seger cover), Warriors, Still In Love With You, Dancing In The Moonlight (It's Caught Me In Its Spotlight)/Massacre, Cowboy Song/The Boys Are Back In Town, Róisín Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend, Whiskey In The Jar
:: pics :: NESTOR ::
[Dajana] Yes, yes, YES! I was really much looking forward to :: NESTOR ::. Rad story behind the band and the Swedes really blew me away with their debut album, Kids In A Ghost Town, their one and only release since the band came into existence in 1989. Now I wanted to see this spectacle live. And I wasn't disappointed! For a moment I even thought that the Swedes brought Samantha Fox for Tomorrow... it turned out wasn't her, but a presumably a Swedish singer. I was still hoping for a new song from a possible new album, but no. All hell was let loose in the amphitheater, despite all the prophecies of doom.
[Psycho] The audience response was actually very positive, there was a full party going on in the round. To me it all sounded a lot like the (rightly) forgotten demo recordings from the 80s Van Halen period with all the keyboards. The embarrassing Whitney Houston cover at the end emphatically confirmed that from my point of view.
[Dajana] Well, well, well…but everybody was singing along, full-throated and lyrics safe. Just mentioning…
[Sui] Unfortunately, I didn't notice that much about NESTOR, but it must have been very entertaining. Whether the cover of the Whitney Houston song I Wanna Dance With Somebody was embarrassing or just entertaining is debatable. Anyway, the majority of the audience seemed to like it.
[BRT] Uff... nope. I've heard a lot about the band and was really curious about NESTOR, but that was a bit too much. I can relate to the sounds of Journey or Foreigner now, and new bands like Night Flight Orchestra, but here a band turned a good idea into more of a silly parody. Too much sugar is unhealthy. No thanks.
[Seb] NESTOR are riding the nostalgia wave really hard… well, their success speaks for itself. But then, there’s probably a reason why they didn’t have any success back then….
Band: Tobias Gustavsson (vox), Jonny Wemmenstedt (git), Marcus Åblad (bass), Martin Frejinger (keys), Mattias Carlsson (drums)
Setlist: Kids In A Ghost Town, Stone Cold Eyes, These Days, Perfect 10 (Eyes Like Demi Moore), On The Run, Tomorrow, Signed In Blood, Firesign, 1989 // I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me), It Ain’t Me
:: pics :: SODOM ::
[Dajana] :: SODOM :: were only billed shortly before the festival as a replacement for Exodus after the Bay Area thrashers had to cancel their European tour with Testament and Voivod.
[Psycho] There was no doubt that SODOM would be the first choice, just in case. And that's how it happened. From my point of view, the band has taken a few steps backwards with the realignment and the line-up changes. Whether you like the new songs or not is a matter of taste. The problem lies more with the live performances. Sometimes you get too often the impression that the band is playing much faster than they actually can. As a result, many details were lost and the thrash passages seemed interchangeable. It didn't matter to the people, because SODOM are still cult, and the frustration of relegation of the Schalke football team had to be vented. Or were they all so happy because Bochum held the league? ;-)
[Sui] SODOM are just SODOM. Rumbling Thrash Metal made in Germany. The mixture of high playing tempo and undifferentiated sound leveled all approaches of variety in the songs completely and beyond recognition. And so there is a good hour-long frontal attack on the ears. Of course, there are mosh pits when the local heroes play. And that was the raison d'être of this performance, not the music itself.
[BRT] In 1991 Sepultura once showed impressively how fast you can play your material too fast without looking stupid. Unfortunately, SODOM didn't make it that way. It might have been the frustration, or the lack of preparation time, whatever. I really wanted to like the show, since Tom is a quirky original and Yorck has remained sympathetically down-to-earth, but somehow, I could as well have listened to a freight train medley for an hour. Guys, you somehow and somewhere lost the groove...
[Seb] Limited to only three songs in 2022 (replacement set), local heroes SODOM once more took the stage for a full set at RHF 2023. Just what do you say after so many concerts in this venue alone? For eternities, SODOM have been a fixture in the German metal scene, and even despite many lineup changes and live replacements you just expect them to be able to pretty much sleepwalk through a gig: which they did to some extent, the songs actually did sound quite a bit "casual" at times. Anyhow: it screams, shreds and thrashes as usual, and the crowd loved it as usual.
I wouldn't listen to their music anymore, but I don't mind seeing them live...
Band: Thomas „Tom Angelripper“ Such (vox, bass), Frank „Blackfire“ Gosdzik (git), Yorck Segatz (git), Toni Merkel (drums)
Setlist: Silence Is Consent, Nuclear Winter, Sodom & Gomorrah, Outbreak Of Evil, Conflagration, Better Off Dead, Sodomy And Lust, Book Burning, Agent Orange, Don't Walk Away (Tank cover), Equinox, Caligula, Blasphemer, Incest, Ausgebombt, Bombenhagel, Steigerlied
:: pics :: TESTAMENT ::
[Psycho] And they've done it again: After :: TESTAMENT :: disastrous last visit to the ROCK HARD FESTIVAL 2014, not least because of the abysmally lousy sound (although it wasn't the only reason back then), the personified incompetence at the mixing desk was once again allowed to show his "skills". Must really be a very good friend of the band… Anyway, this time the bass drums were mixed way too loud and especially the guitars way too quiet. Consequence: during the double bass passages one could only guess what the rest of the band was doing. Luckily, this stylistic means is hardly ever used in Thrash Metal… Chuck Billy was chosen as an additional victim by the "pro" behind the mixing desk, probably because this time Chuck was simply in a too good mood and in a good voice. Unfortunately, various effects were repeatedly tried out on his singing and the volume varied, for whatever reason. As a result, the set was difficult to listen to. This was all the more regrettable as TESTAMENT appeared to be in top shape and well prepared this year, despite some rather short-term personnel problems. There was joy in playing, the choice of songs at least balanced, and Phil Demmel (who had just joined today as a replacement for Alex Skolnick - Dajana) was well integrated. So it wasn't the band's fault that the end of the day turned out so ugly.
[Sui] Will TESTAMENT manage not to disappoint me again in this life? After all, the band had a lot to make up for in relation to the RHF audience. And you could feel that too: the band was well rehearsed and very agile despite the absence of Alex Skolnick. Chuck Billy was in good voice (as far as one could hear). So it wasn't the band's fault that the gig turned out to be a fiasco again. The sound was actually just shit from the start. I don't even want to go into the song selection here, with which the band could hardly do anything wrong. You could hardly recognize even the great classics. I don't know what the band's soundman (or woman) does for a living; I can only hope he/she can do better. Hundreds of disappointed fans consequently left the round prematurely, shaking their heads at this acoustic bodily injury.
[BRT] Everything has already been said. It was nothing, absolutely nothing. Apart from the fact that I can't do much with the stylish high-gloss Thrash Metal of the last records, the band used to make one or the other great record that I like. But, apart from the shittiest sound ever, it just doesn’t captivate me anymore. If someone was pestering the sound man, he obviously didn't do it loud enough. Apparently, there were quite a few... If I observed correctly, people fled in droves...
[Seb] I did suffer through this until the end while people around me fled in droves. I've got to say: never in my 25 years of going to concerts and festivals did I witness more clueless fidgeting with the mixer console. Of course, the sound can be shit due to broken equipment or bad acoustics in the venue, but: Sodom had almost flawless sound just mere minutes ago! Considering that, it was almost impressive how they managed to botch the sound in multiple ways. The TESTAMENT set could have been really good (and was on paper), but there's no way when the sound is either way too faint and flimsy or (later) a massively distorted mess with a volume bordering on bodily harm.
Really disappointing, and I feel sad for the visibly dedicated band on stage.
[Sui] By now it has seeped through that the incompetent male sound mixer of 2014 had been replaced by an incompetent female sound mixer.
Band: Chuck Billy (vox), Eric Peterson (git), Alex Skolnick (git), Steve DiGiorgio (bass), Chris Dovas (drums)
Setlist: Rise Up, The New Order, The Preacher, Children Of The Next Level, Practice What You Preach, WWIII, D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate), 3 Days In Darkness, The Haunting, Night Of The Witch, More Than Meets The Eye, Over The Wall, Into The Pit, Disciples Of The Watch, Alone In The Dark
[Dajana] The second day of the festival ended earlier than we initially expected. Also good, there is more time at home to shower and look at the first photos ;) We also had the chance to sleep a little longer...
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