what!!!.... 27 years this band with the impossible name does exist already?! Never, I don't believe it. Or do I? Oh, please excuse me, but I'm talking about Napalm Death.
This certainly a name for all friends of the posh and sophisticated Grindcore, and they are the flagship of this musical style. A british one by the way, what you can make out straight away, when frontman Mark Greenway opens his mouth for some friendly words inbetween the songs. Because when singing, his cockney slang gets lost inbetween the dephts of psychological and ferious paranoia what's up to the  destruction oh the individual ego. Whereby Mark rather looks like a well behaved boy with a neat haircut and slight tendencies to a bigger body volume. - Hope you forgive me Mark! On the other hand, he wastes himself so much during a show , that he must loose at least 5.000 calories, which have to be put on again.-)) Yeah of course, we don't have soapy popsongs here but rather extrem Hardcore Heavy Metal.
 

Anyway, I've been a bit ahead in my review now, but I don't wanna miss out to explain what kinda event we got here tonight. This thunderstorm is named 'No Mercy Festival', and rolls over Europe right now. Within the package is  Moonspell from Portugal, Napalm Death from England, Behemoth come from Polen, Dew-Scented are german and  last but not least Root who are czechs. Holy shit, this is truly a international association of all thrash cultures in Europe... okay almost all....
 
                                                                                              
Fact is, that such an event doesn't nessecarely pull masses of fans. It's not quite clear, whether this musical style is currently outta fashion, Munich is a bad place or another popular happening is going ahead somewhere else in town tonight. 
Fact is also, that five chapters in a row of this Hardcore philosophy is just too much for me. Not that I'm not interested in new bands of every kind of taste. But a five hourse concert marathon is not very nice to my feet. So I dismiss the first three bands of swinging spring melodies, and I get to the spot just right for Napalm Deaths big bang to explore those creator of grindcore and the Dark metal guys of Moonspell. I must admit, I've seen 'em both live on stage before. But it's quite a few years ago now, I've checked out exspecially Napalm Death last time. And my memory is suffering. But despite the fact these guys are going on for quarter of a century, like I mentioned before, they have nothing lost from their all destroying madness. 

The pressure is enormous, and the Napalm Death shouter could easily jump in for Jack Nicholson in Shining. Because the madness is about the same. And the name Napalm Death doesn't come from nowhere and has to fight it's reputation.  The aprox. 200 souls in the audiance luv the band. I can see that.
'Smear Campaign' is the title of the current album of the poisoning gas specialists. And they do promote it very well with the hint for the merch stand in the back to purchase it. And there is something else, this dancing combo with the intense stage presence and the new album is gonna put out. It's simply 20 years of provocation and non compromise, which builds up the foundation of their existence. Napalm Death certainly got something about them. How shall I say? This special littel something.which catches your attention for the sound orgie and psycho party on stage. So please don't concentrate too much otherwise you tend ot get mad. (Sorry no setlist available 

www.napalmdeath.org

The Napalm big band has jsut gonne, when Moonspell start with the headliner intro and some mystic light and dry ice. And almost immidiately you'll be aware of the bitter fact, that there are only about 30 fans left from the orgiginally 200. I do not believe this is due to the tireing cercumstances of this marathon event, but more to the truth, that most of the headbangers, who came here, have shown up for only Napalm Death. And now they have left not wanting anymore musical art.                      
                                          

Just within this musical style, people are sometimes very stubborn. And this case it seems, Napalm Death are god and the rest can go where pepper is growing. And this is a true shame. Moonspell are indeed a very interesting variety of gothic metal, mixed with many different timeless styles. The portoguise bring out the dark side with a mystic touch of our existence and reflect it  in a rather frightening way. With the right atmosphere, they do pretty well to transfer the right feeling to the audiance. Exspecially Band boss Fernando Ribeiro puts out this certain aura in this special light conditions. 

To name it straight... heavy metal is heavy metal, although Moonspell sound much more melodic, than their collegues from before. Unfortunately the band can not put out their reputation as the metal heroes number one of Portugal. But that's not due to their talents, but rather to the sad number of audiance. To be honest, I've hardly ever experienced such a thing. And next time they should really thing about to let Moonspell play in such a package, or at least let them play first before Napalm Death
Because then,all those grindcore freaks are forced to watch Moonspell as well, who are a very good band indeed. And that's before the god of the supergau come up. And maybe some kids start to like some other stuff than just their very own thing. Moonspell and Napalm Death  own both a certain potential  in different ways. And one thing is for sure.... The true kings of the road, sorry - the night, are non other than Napalm Death. That's a matter of fact. 

And now let's get rid of the hearing problems afterwards.... eh did you say something????


www.moonspell.com