Sunday may 11 2008

This last day of the Rockhard festival has such a packed bill that it starts an hour earlier than on Saturday. First band of the day Enemy of the Sun takes the stage around noon. Besides producer and ex-Grip Inc. guitarist Waldemar Sorychta, this band comprises of female bass player Alla Fedynitch (ex-pain, Leaves Eyes and more), Misery Inc singer Jules Näveri and drummer Daniel Zeman. Early this year they released their debut album entitled ‘Shadows’ which was voted album of the month by Rockhard magazine. It’s no coincidence that the band is playing here today. Due to the early hour and the number of alcoholic beverages we had last night, we arrive only just in time to witness a couple of songs. The easy to digest thrash with speedy drums and guitars is complemented with clean singing and brutal grunts. We hear “Weak”, “Satisfied By Ego Purposes”, “Twenty Three Feet” and finale “Lost In Time”. Even though we were able to witness only 15 minutes of the show, we are convinced of the qualities of this band and we will definitely check them out again when we get the chance.

 
Sieges Even is the second band on the bill today. This German progressive rock/metal formation has a long history. The band was formed in the early 80’s and they went on to release a number of classic albums. In the late 90’s the band split up and although they did release a few albums under a different name it took until 2005 for the band to release a new album: ‘The Art Of Navigating By The Stars’ which can rightfully be regarded as one of the most memorable comeback records of that year. The biggest surprise of all was the vocalist featured on this album; Arno Menses from Rotterdam, Holland. Today Sieges Even open with the first two tracks on their most recent release ‘Paramount’: “When Alpha And Omega Collide” and “Tidal”. They continue to play the oldie “The Walung Hours” (off the 1991’A sense of change’ album). Sieges Even is the only progressive metal act on this year’s bill and it appears that many onlookers are having a hard time concentrating on the music, the crowd remains rather mellow during their show. The band, however, is not bothered in the slightest and they proceed to play an excellent show with an exceptionally good sound. We hear the new songs “Duende” and title track “Life Cycles”. The set is ended with the solid track “The Weight” taken from the comeback album ‘The Art Of Navigating By The Stars’. A fine performance by one of today’s interesting progressive acts. It is a pity that the main part of the audience did not take the trouble to watch this show!
 

It’s Mothers’ day, it’s hot and it’s time for the Dutch band Asphyx to entertain the crowd with some top notch death metal! Last year the band made a fresh start with a new line-up  with Bob Bachus on drums, frontman Martin van Drunen, Hannes Gubbels (Pentacle) on bass and Paul Baayens (Thanatos, HOB) on guitars. The Amphitheatre has filled up when these men take the stage and they crush the crowd with the first song “Vermin”. This band radiates energy as they play a number of songs taken from the first two albums ‘The Rock’ and ‘Last one on earth’. We hear “Food For The Ignorant”, “M.S. Bismarck” and “The Sickening Dwell”. This old school death metal with it’s powerful drum parts and ample guitar schredding wakes up the last dozers in the crowd and a vast moshing mass gathers before the stage. Singer Martin van Drunen proceeds to announce the Celtic Frost cover “Os Abysmi Vel Daath” in fluent German which is most appreciated by the crowd. We hear a number of classics: “Wasteland Of Terror”, “Asphix (the forgotten War)” and this excellent show is ended with the song “The Rack”.

Before former Masterplan frontman Jorn enters the stage, he is introduced as “the best hardrock vocalist of the last twenty years” by Rockhard mainman Götz. To us this seems a little over the top but there is no denying  Jorn’s vocal qualities. (What happened to David Coverdale and Ronnie James Dio?). Jorn reaped fame playing in Masterplan which he has left several years ago. At this point in time, Jorn has surrounded himself with experienced musicians such as Pagan’s Mind guitarist Jorn Viggo Lofstad, Bass player Sidd Ringsby, ex-Arcturus guitarist Tore Moren and drummer Willy Bendiksen. Jorn kicks off with a number of songs taken from his first solo album ‘The Duke’: “We Brought The Angels Down” and “Blacksong”. Jorn is obviously pleased with Götz’s praises and he goes on to sing the new track “Lonely Are The Brave”, the title track of Jron’s soon to be released album. Later on in the set Jorn will sing the epic song “War Of The World”, also taken from this future record. Jorn and his band give a rock solid performance, the only thing that never seizes to amaze me is the fact that we always have to put up with tedious drum solo’s at festivals where the stage time is relatively short… The set is ended with the songs “Stone Crew” and Thin Lizzy cover “Are You Ready To Rock”.

After a relatively mellow hardrock show, the English band Napalm Death is here to shake things up again with a bit of grindcore. Although Asphyx and Napalm Death were the only two real “hard” bands today, they certainly managed to score well with the public. Many people have come out to see Napalm Death who, after 20 years, still still part of the grindcore top list! For today’s set they have mainly taken material off the first two albums ‘Scum’ and ‘From Enslavement To Obliteration’ and so we hear “Instinct Of Survival”, the extremely short track “You Suffer”, “Deceiver” and “Mentally Murdered”.  Their more recent works are also taken into account when they play “Sink Fast Let Go”, “Well All Is Said And Done” and “Fatalist” off the 2006 ‘Smear Campaign’ album. Singer Mark “Barney” Greenway seems to possess a never-ending supply of energy. This man just doesn’t stop moving on stage! No critique concerning the rest of the band, although the volume was cranked up a tad too loud. The varied set list comprises of classics such as “Suffer The Children”, “Silence Is Deafening”, “Scum”, “Siege Of Power” and Dead Kennedy’s cover “Nazi Punks Fuck Off”.  An enjoyable show, after 45 minutes of moshing it is over. Respect to Napalm Death who are not the youngest band around, but always perform with amazing energy and enthusiasm.

Volbeat is up next and we know we’re about to party. In the last couple of years this band has grown and progressed rapidly. Two years ago, Volbeat served as one of the opening acts here in Gelsenkirchen, where they played a superb show to a small crowd. Today the Amphitheatre is packed tot the roof (well, it would be if it had one). Volbeat kicks off with the song “The Human Instrument”, “Mr & Mrs Ness”, and the hit single “Radio Girl”. From beginning to end, these Danish gentlemen capture the crowd. We hear my personal favorite and perpetual Johnny Cash tribute “Sad Man’s Tongue” followed by “Caroline Leaving” and “Danny & Lucy”. They go on to play a song off the new Volbeat album ‘Guitar Gangsters and Cadillac Blood’ which will be realeased later this year. They also play the catchy Dusty Springfield tune “I Only Wanna Be With You”. Most of the crowd joins in singing the lyrics. The catchy songs and front man Michael’s fine voice made this show one of today’s cheerful highlights. The Danes are having a ball on stage and they effortlessly manage to win over the crowd. Vocalist Michael Poulsen has the crowd eating  from the palm of his hand. Before the stage there is one big churning mass off partying metal heads who sing along so loudly they drown out Michael’s voice more than once. We can only conclude that Volbeat is a festival band pur sang! We hear “Pool Of Booze”, the sweet song “Garden’s Tale”, “Rebel Monster”, another new song and finally, “River Queen”. Today, Volbeat has certainly lived up to its reputation and it looks like this Danish band has won some souls here today. Compliments to a band that knows how to party on a high musical level.
 

It’s now time for Paradise Lost to come out into the pleasant evening sun for an hour of entertainment. In its hayday, this band released the albums ‘Shades of God’ (1992), ‘Icon’ (1993) and ‘Draconian Times’ (1995). They changed direction with the 1999 album ‘Host’ which cost them a sizable amount of fans. In 2005 the band went back to its musical roots with the album ‘Paradise Lost’ which was happily embraced by fans and the press. The last time I saw this band play live, approximately 10 years ago, I remember being hugely disappointed; musically they didn’t sound bad but it was probably the least animated show I ever saw. Needless to say I am curious to see what today’s show will be like. When they enter the stage, I notice that the singer is looking much better than before and his hair is long again. They open their set with the song “In Enemy” taken from the album ‘In Requiem’ and thankfully they really seem to be making an effort today. We actually behold some movement on stage and vocalist Nick Holmes manages to amuse the crowd. Relieved as I am, I decide to stay and watch the show which is continued with the new song “Ash And Debris”, “No Celebration” and the classic “As I Die”. Although this show is better than the last one I witnessed, singer Nick’s voice is not all that today! We hear “Pity The Sadness” and the brilliant song “Gothic”. Nick seems confused whether this song was recorded in 1991 or 1992, “well it was fucking years ago” he decides. We are treated to the classic “Embers Fire” and “One Second”. Although it has been a messy performance with a number of false notes, this is not a terribly disappointing show. The set is ended with decent renditions of “Never For The Damned” and “Say Just Words” off the 1997 album ‘One Second’. This was not at all a bad show by the founders of today’s Gothic genre.

Before today’s headliner descends upon us, we are entertained with a Karaoke-all-star-jam featuring a number of A-listers from the metal genre. The cover band Rokken provides musical assistance. During the last couple of days it was possible to take part in the karaoke competitions at the beergarten and all the winners are given a chance to shine on stage today. First up is Tanja who sings Dio’s “Holy Diver” followed by Dennis who manages to rape the AC/DC song “Highway To Hell” quite professionally. The special continues with Jorn guitarist Tore Moren who plays his own version of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”. The most remarkable part of the show is a duet by Destruction singer Schmier and Vocalist Jorn Lande. Together they sing the Priest hit “Breaking The Law”. Exciter front man Kenny Winters and Hellstar singer James Riviera do a fine attempt at Priest’s “Painkiller”, Winters, however, has not quite mastered the lyrics. Despite the fact that the Rockhard Organisation had managed to recruit a number of other artists for this super jam. (Martin van Drunen for instance), the show is ended quite suddenly. It was later explained to us that the Iced Earth crew needed more time to build their set on stage. The karaoke idea was alright but it might have been more ludicrous to have given bands such as Volbeat and Paradise Lost a little more stage time instead.

At half past nine the moment many have been waiting for has finally arrived: Iced Earth with old vocalist Matt Barlow back in its regiments. After a bombastic intro on tape, the band kicks off with the songs “Dark Saga”, “Vengeance Is Mine” and “Burning Times”. Front man Matt Barlow blows us away with his vocals and the Amphitheatre erupts. This is Matt’s third live show since his return to Iced Earth but it feels like he has never left. His voice sounds as clear and passionate as ever. Iced Earth continue to play “Declaration Day”, “Violate”, “Pure Evil” and “Watching Over Me”. Goosebumps all over! I have never seen so many people crammed into the Amphitheatre in Gelsenkirchen . Iced Earth have a grasp on us all at this point. The crowd can’t get enough and with thousands of hands in the air they sing along to “10.000 strong”, the classic “Dracula”, “Coming Curse” and “Travel In Stygian”. The sound from the stage is loud but clear and musically we have not a single complaint. Each member of the band displays a great deal of vigour and passion on stage. The official set is ended with the song “Question Of Heaven” and the band steps off stage, only to return shortly after for an encore of three songs: “Melancholy (HolyMartyr)”, “My Own Saviour” and, of course, the band’s hymn “Iced Earth”. Today the band has lived up to every expectation, just like they did at the last show I saw in Tilburg 013 this year with former vocalist Tim Owens. All this has made me quite curious of the soon to be expected new album with Matt Barlow on vocals. We are hoping they will play a couple of club shows in support of the new record! Suppose it’s too much to ask for a full rendition of the complete “Something Wicked” saga……

Iced Earth was definitely a worthy final act for this fantastic weekend. Just like the past years we had a great time here.  The atmosphere couldn’t have been any better, we met lots of friendly people, including the festival security crew, who did another great job catching the multitude of crowd surfers. We’d also like to mention the weather gods who blessed us with a warm and sunny weekend. Compliments on the bill with top acts such as Exodus, Immortal, Asphyx, Volbeat and Iced Earth!!! Although the sound was far from perfect during the Testament show, this was compensated by a killer set list. A big compliment for the Rockhard crew for taking care of every detail, just like we’re used to by now. In the past we have complained about the lack of toilets, this year there was an abundance of them and what’s more, they were kept clean! The sound and technics over the last 3 days are also definitely worth mentioning, an arduous task.

It has become a tradition for Rockhard chief Götz Kühnemund to express his appreciation for all the Rokhard volunteers on stage and when he does so it is apparent that he had the time of his life. Of course we hope to be a part of the festival again next year, the 2009 edition of Rockhard. We would once more like to take the opportunity to thank the entire Rockhard organisation and all those who made the festival possible, for all their hard work and hospitality. To this date we have not had any news of next year’s edition but we definitely hope to see you all again at Rockhard 2009!

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