Reviews Archives 71

.. and there he is – the mighty Mr. Robert Plant, Frontman of the legendary cult legend Led Zeppelin.- And all that in the middle of the Amazonas jungle. No sorry, I mean of course in our good old venue Tonhalle here in Munich. But apart from visual aspect, the local temperatures truly remind us on the southamerican rainforests. And over all it's squashed with bavarian original inhabitants and other Rock'n'Roll animals. The first one protesting against these conditions is my baby, my camera. It drives crazy and almost colapses because of the too wet atmosphere and is denying it's funktion inbetween. But it's not only my problem as all the other photographers suffer the same inconveniance. Another difficulty, which doesn't make things easier, it the fact, that we are only alowed to take shots from the far right and left of the stage. So stay behind the white line. At least 100 smoking sticks are placed around the stage, and it smells so intensivley that we almost feel sick. However, - we sacrify a lot for a legend, don't we?! Robert Plant probably did not calculate with an excellent zoom. Because my one for instance discovers also the last wrinkle, even from far away.

But enough talking about the circumstances. Fact is, Percy has still not forgotten about anything. Okay, he doesn't show his bare breast anymore, but with his black, rather sophisticated clothes in contrast to his - still blonde curly long hair, he still makes an excellent figure and shape. He brought us his band "Strange Sensation" along with him and of course his current album "Mighty Rearranger". On guitar Porl Thompson, who was already on tour with Page/Plant then. Justin Adams, guitar as well. JOhn Baggott handles the keyboards, Charlie Jones plays the bass and Clive Deamer on drums. But despite the high quality musicians here on stage, it's still Robert Plant himself who draws the main attention of the audiance.

He presents himself fit and close to the fans, but still seems to fly in upper spheres, when he sings his sound cascades. The repertoire includes of course the single of the current album "Shine It All Around", but also tracks like 'What Is And What Should Never Be' or 'Four Sticks' belong to the setlist. A rather interesting version of "Hey Joe" comes along, and of course Percy hasn't forgotten about his roots. Yep we gettin' it, 'Black Dog' and 'Gallows Point', and the last encore is 'Whole lotta Love'- This is what the freaks wanna hear. And Robert knows it.

So over all, if there wasn't this almost unbearable heat within this temple, the heavy smell of thealt least 250 smokey sticks and the aprox. 3.500 Led Zeppelin fans and next generation hippies, who take my view to the stage, this gig would be a 15 out of a scale from 1 to 10. And over all the spirit of Zep is flying and providing the energy Robert Plant still has got to pass on the magic and the brilliance of a first class musician he is. Long live Stairways To Heaven with a whole lotta love from the mighty rearranger.
And this most probably for the next 10, 20 or 30 years.....
at least what's up to the music.

my god, what a long time ago, I've seen Anvil live last time. It's been more than 15 years. But this canadian Heavy Metal flagship is still alive after 25 Years. Unfortunately it has become pretty quiet around the band, at least what's up to Europe. And the young next generation don't even know the name anymore. What a shame, because they are still better than some of the new acts. To be honest, they are still brilliant fuckin' good.

Okay, and there we go again... Four band at once and only about 50 fans. Does this have to be? Apparently it has! And the whole trail starts around 9 p.m. starting with a group names "Listeria", followed by belgian rockers "Iron Mask" which include the reinkarnation of Yngwie Malmsteen - at least his lookalike. And the third and last supportact are called "Phantom X", who are canadians like Anvil. All three of them follow the true heavy metal clichee, looking serious and angry with a lot of bombast. Musically it's more or less a matter of taste and we could discuss over it. But surely there is the one or the other interesting aspect about those guys.
Thanks to the rather low mood inside the venue, we rather gather round the bar, having some beer and vine and waiting for the main band tonight. To get it straight, four bands in one evening on a weekday, where we have to get up early again for work on the next morning, is just too much. But they pull it through and it seems they rather play for their own pleasure and taking at as an additional rehearsal.

The question why there are so few people tonight will not be answered. But I guess it's most probably due to a lack of promotion and ads, but also due to the fact, that there is simply too much going on right now here in munich. And the average fan can't afford to pay three concerts a week. But however, after all those supportslots last but not least we get what we are here for and what I think we deserve.

Anvil are good. - Very good indeed. Jes... it's not only the explosion of the nuclear bomb which let the few fans go nuts. It's also the wit, and the funny way of entertaining, which makes the performance to something special. Anvil ain't no dead serious Heavy Metal band, who cares for the image. This here are some guys in the end of their fourties, who play for a quarter of a century, who are experienced enough but still love doing what they are doing. And they are still full of energy and power, so within minutes the bar is empty and everyone is up at the front.
'Metal On Metal' is the motto straight through the eye, very heavy but with a lot of humour and a constant smile on Lips face. He's rippin' us off and searches for the constant contakt to the audiance and presents us the complete spectrum of 25 years of Anvil music.

I could really cry now. What a hell of a band. And how less resonance here in europe. Hey chaps, we gotta do something about it. There is so much shit out there at the front and in the charts, which is pushed up by corupt business people. And so many real good musicians drown in the ocean of nothings. -
I can only advise you, please have a listen to Anvils music. It's clear hard rhythm, without bombast and angry attitude. It's mainstream american Heavy Metal stickin into everybody's ear and let you dance on the spot. I have only one complain to Lips and the band. - you didn't play my alltime favorite song 'At The Appartment' from the very first album 'Hard&Heavy' from 1981. Yeah, it's a long time ago.

siehe auch Diary für Aftershow Pics.