343



I often ask myself, how come, that some bands of this genre have gonne a long time ago again, and some of them seem the owe the eternal life, although going through an extensive line up change in between,  like in Judas Priest. And don't forget, some of their great hits are older than 30 years, Songs like ‚Living After Midnight’ , ‚Hell Bent for Leather’ or ‚Breakin’ The Law’. Okay, Judas Priest certainly belong to the inventors of classic Heavy Metal, who have written music history. But other artists have done the same, and are already past tense. Not Priest, who have got the Metal God Rob Halford back again after some exchanges. And now they seem to do better than ever, according to the present standards of course.
No matter about new albums including the very new one  named 'Nostradamus'. But let's face it, Judas Priest belong to this sort of band, who actually don't need to do another album. Because at a liveshow the old fans from the past and the young freaks still wanna hear most of all ‚Turbo Lover’, ‚Breakin’ The Law’ und ‚Another Thing Comin’.I

It's the same situation tonight at the Zenith in Munich, which ain't sold out. The back part of the venue is hidden behind a black curtain. And the audiance might count a aprox. 3.500 people gathering here in nostalgic feelings and expecting the high priests of metal and their performance. Some years have past since the band have been here last time. And we all don't get any younger, do we?... But it is the Rock'n'Roll keeping us young in the end. And K.K. says with a smile on his fact just before showtime: „The Best has yet to come“.- So what....?

Iced Earth start of with a little delay in here...

It's not that long ago, I've seen this band with their big boss Jon Schaffer live on stage here in Munich. But there have been some major changes inbetween, or should I rather call it reincarnation. Because after a short inbetween stint of singer Ripper Owens, now the long lost son Matthew Barlow has found his way back to his beloved one's. It's pretty funny, because on stage, you can't deny some visual similarities between him and Ripper. But for all those true Iced Earth fans this circumstances are more than just welcome. - However, despite this fact, Matt Barlow doesn't mind singing tracks from the Ripper era as well, like ‘Ten Thousand Strong’  or ‘Declaration Day’.
Although the magic of the band doesn't spread out too far tonight, which ain't a surprise, as they are no headliner but only supportact with less power and light. Not so nice for us photographers - 'The Dark Saga' - in the truest sense of the word. 
Okay, to get it straight, Iced Earth are first of all Jon Schaffer, then there is nothing for a long time, followed by (back again) Matt Barlow. The rest is exchangable. Looking forward, what's coming next. For now I won't judge 'em too much 'till the point, I'll see 'em playing a headliner set again. Good Luck 'till then - and the times are burning.....


http://www.icedearth.com/






... after another 30 minutes, the prophecy appears in the sparkling Limelight. 

Now to get it the right way, it's the band beeing first on the spot tuning their cords to Nostradamus and prophecy, before our Metal god appears at the top of the sideboard in his silver cloak. A true theatrical take off Robby is presenting us... And he takes his time to celebrate the prologue. Apart from the main focus which is Halford, nothing really has changed including guitarist Glen Tiptons leather jacket, which might be quite have a certain value now after so many years.  Never mind... it is the recognition most of all, and we get that first of all through the high priests voice. Soon after he got rid of his merlin fur, it takes another song length to finally appear in the front of the stage. Inbetween he is only hearable. Not good for us photographers, as worthful time runs off quickly. In the end we get one more full song to get enough pics of the frotnman - thanks god for that.

That's better than nothing, as we say so. The rest of the show we watch from a distance, without our cameras of course. We are heading straight to the back and the mixing pult. Because only for there we get a decent acoutic within this walls. 

But who cares. You just can't hold back the true fan, because right at this moment up there, the gods of the one and only true heavy metal are celebrating their music. 
Though they present us only 2 tracks of the new album. On the other hand I also miss 2 standard tracks on the setlist, which is 'Turbo Lover' and ‚Livin’ After Midnight’.
Dun' know, why they leave those out tonight....


At least at the first encore, Sir Robert rolls in like usual with his bike to the cords of 'Hell Bent For Leather. And watch out, he finally can manage, to get off this machine without any effort. Last time he needed 5 trys to get off. Maybe having received some fresh cells or vitamins, who knows... But don't worry, it's accepted and no problem, as the whole club counts more than 55 years of age meanwhile and just receives their 3rd spring. - Only Robs grey little cells don't seem to work that well anymore, as he needs some kind of help for lyrics, nicely hidden in a monitor box. But he ain't the only artist who helps himself by using this. He should only try not to look too much and tight onto this thing, otherwise it's to obvious. But like I use to say: rather well read, than a full playback...

No, I actually can't complain about this visit of Judas Priest here in Germany. It's a solid heavy metal show going for the slogan: keep it true, keep it metal, very close to the fans, even after the official show. Imagecare rules, thought the reality looks a bit different. But who cares... Let the music do the talking, it's as easy as that...
And.... they do still look so youthful??? K.K. knows the answer: "because I'm still single".... 
Yeah well, that's Rock'n'Roll as well, ain't it????
Judas Priest we luv' ya'....

http://judaspriest.com/

                                                                    click 
Diary for some  Backstage- & Aftershow Snapshots