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20.
02. 2005 Munich 8 p.m. (Elserhalle)
Megadeth / Diamond Head
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Diamond
Head |
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You
gotta give Dave Mustaine at least one thing above all his lack of
symphaty. He is a real professionell in each way. If it's the
punctuality, th eoverdone security action or his superstar ambitions,
which get us photographers out of the pit after only 2 songs and not 3
like usual. And we're forced to leave our cameras and stuff at the
wardrobe. Our good old little Elserhalle slowly get the flair of
the Olympichall and it's big events. Yep, we do like that, don't we!!!
Sh... But let's get back to the scenery, which starts exactly at eight o'clock with the support band "Diamond Head". Okay, I have to confess, that I often do neclect supports in my reviews. But this one is worth to mention, starting with the comment of many of us: "what!!! They are still existing?" And yes they are indeed. But I do bet my beloved camera, that 99% of all fans don't even know, that this group comes from the Eightees. And that the guitarist is the only surviving original member. And most of the kiddies in here, don't even know a single song of the band. And last but not least, Diamond Head suit to the music of Megadeth as well as Journey to Slayer. Respect! They really get the echo of all these fans. Diamond head are put in the Melodic Rock draw. And they start their set extremely melody lasting. But towards the end, they're getting harder and harder. In the end, they sound almost like the headliner. Only almost.... what's up to metal. |
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Megadeth |
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and Megadeth...?! Alright, the individual is placed in the centercourt, and acts rather sophisticated with a Designershirt and pretty simple jeans. Also his hairstyle is not as metal as it used to be, but rather posh. And over all Dave Mustaine rather makes the impression of a calmed down man compared to the rough past. maybe older or wiser, who knows?! I can't tell, because I've been refused a personal date with him this time.But I have to admit to my own excuse, that I don't regret this fact. Because Mustaine is not what you call the most open and friendly person in the biz. And his cooperation is always depending on his current mood. Let's put it this way. I met him so and I met him the other way in the past. Sometimes ways which are not really enjoyable. Anyway, I know the guy, and today he rather seems in a good mood, because he even makes conversation with the kids in the audiance, and this is not always the case. His schedule includes a so called Greatest Hits package... "Holy War" is on the list as well as "Peace Sells, But Who's Buying" and all those other overworked songversions from "The System Has Failed". All Together I can say, Dave kept himself in shape, what's up to his look as well as to his performance, which is still powerful and voluminous, like in the old times. The crowd show him affection. But there's one thing, what convinces me, that time did also not stand still with him, is the fact, that the Megadeth set does not include a naked chest anymore (what a shame for us very few girls in the audiance). And I discover this little piece of paper behind the boxes, not showing a setlist, but the whole lyrics of a song. Gottcha Dave - ha ha! And believe it or not, but the timelimit of ust one and a half songs of taking pictures in the front, is enough to catch all these circumstances. One more look straight into each others eyes, without emotions and no sign of recognizion of mine is the very last contact. Mustaine quits exactly by time. One more encore and he walks straight off, without any hesitation, - like always at the end of a Megadeth show. Oh yes, before I forget, of course he does not do a one man show up there on his reunition tour, or should I say fairwell tour again after so many years of abstinence. There is another guitar, a bass and a huge drumkit accompaning him on stage. But necessary units don't usually get mentioned by names, or do they?! I guess, one over dimensional ego ala' infant terrible is enough to take care about the ego, the fans and the own spirit. . But over all, I have to say thank you to Dave's exact time schedule, which makes it possible to make a big jump from one end to the other of the city to catch Gravediggers gig as well on the same night out. Yep, it's true.... long live Rock'n'Roll.... MercīDave. |
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2 hours later
at midnight 20. 02. 2005 Munich (Backstage Club)
Gravedigger
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Yippiieehh
and thank you boys for your late night show. Otherwise I would not have
made it the long way from the Megadeth show to your stint in munich as
well. Now you know, how much I adore you boys. I get straight to my
usual spot next to the stage right hand side and most of all next to my
behated amp box, just to hopefully get a few good shots here as well.
And yes, I get them, and even more than only pics, but also the enormous
visuall aspect up there. Hey, Manni, I do luv every gramm on you for the
past 15 years. But you taking my sight what's up to the rest of
your family. And after the sprint from one gig to the other I now have
to do kinda high tension sports to get a pics. from the others now and
then. Just to mention it on the edge, Boys, you really mean it too good
with us concerning the clear sound, measured in decible. Jesus wept! Our
ears are vibrating and riding a ghosttrain. However thanx for an
imaginary gathering of a 1000 bees with at least three days lasting
garanteed. So what, image care it's called. And Heavy Metal is loud and
not a mild summerwind. Don't get me wrong. Megadeth were noisy too. But
the point is the difference of a 2000 unit venue or one, which fits just
about 500 fans. God thanx my fear about a too small crowd in here is
wrong. And once again we got the prove, that Heavy Metal has not cooked
it's last supper yet, but just started tasting the main menue. No
matter, if it's Megadeth or like here and now Gravedigger. Even you
can't compare these two groups at all. One is an individual with a more
than difficult character and a non compromising way of RR, who expects
from the audiance either total devotion or - gives'em a kiss my ass
attitude. The other one's are more a kind of unit, who put a lot of fun
in the seriousness of Hardrock and transfer it to the crowd with a party
feeling. Yes, the last supper is there to nibble, tastes deliciously and
5 stars kitchen boss Chris Boltendahl give the musical highlights the
last spice including chilly pepper and sexy timbre. What a shame, that
here as well as at Megadeth's gig, the number of femme fatale of
Rock'n'Roll is rather pur. And I'm beyound the competition and only the
quiet reviewer of this show. |
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18. 02. 2005 Munich
Nick Woodland
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If
there is something really interesting in music, then it is the
contrasts. I mean not the generell differences between musicians and
musical styles in first place. But more the internal contrasts, which
every artist follows in his own personal way. Nick Woodland, an
englishman, but living in munich for quite a few decades, is such a
musician, who puts himself in such contrasts. Contrasts that are as
much different as they possibly can be. I can't help but drawing
comparison with his collegue Rev.Rusty & The Case, who just
recently played a local gig, and who moves - in liturately the same
genre. Only liturately because, what Rusty is almost a bit too rocky
for the Blues, Woodland is a bit too lyrical - for my taste at least.
Not, that this is a disadvantage, no of course not, everybody
has his own way to perform the Blues. And Nick is a brilliant
guitarist as well. But by playing also two sets like most
Blueser do so, the first one is a bit too heavy on the scale with it's
folkelements. Boredom is maybe the wrong word, but a can't deny a
touch of monotony getting so much soft Blues. I miss a little the
edges and cuts in the music, the up's and down's or should I say, the
pepper in the a... However, within one single second the whole strategy develops from mellow to energetic by starting the second Go, whereby Woodland remembers his Rock'n'Roll roots and gives his blues the energy, which has been missing in the first capture. Forget Bob Dylan, long live Stevie Ray Vaughn. That's how to discribe this slot now. Mr. Mojo from Munich has woken up finally. He luv's it, and the famous spark jumps finally over to the audiance, who storm in front of stage to dance away with the rhythm . The party has been delayed, but it's starting right now. And Mr. Woodland must feel well finally himself by that much affection in the end. He moves in the post spirit of Woodstock,- in the spiritual as well as in the visual aspects. You start feeling the flowerchild mentality of the early Seventees in the aura, which has been developing during the last half hour. And yes, of course, most of the audiance has already been on this world in the Sixtees and is now sailing in holy heigths of their past youth. Last but not least, Nick Woodland wins the battle, due to the fact, that the Blues is a timeless, not to be killed, and always returning music. Or should I rather say a life philosophy for nostalic trendsetters. Only next time please, - let Bob Dylan play golf and spread some more pepper in ... okay, okay,.... we had that before.... Good night and sweet dreams. |
