Reviews Archiv 515

Just a little statement in advance about the generell heavy metal philosophy, which is split into different chapters. Well, there is the good old Hardrock of the Seventies of even from before, those Evergreens and cultsongs - never getting out of fashion. Then there is this typical german powermetal, or like many people use to name it - True Metal. That sound, wich developed sometime in the Eighties and nowadays is still struggling throughout nowadays musicscene with aprox. 3 - 400 visitors at concerts and some 5 or 10.000 units in sales what's up to their CDs. And of course there are these very young musicians, who are doing quite well right now, but you never know and can be sure, whether they're still here tomorrow. Apart from that I do spare out all these other varieties of the metal art.
In each case, tonight we have got artists of the the second kind here ,
Finnish band Stratovarius can look back at 12 albums within 26 years. Respect indeed within all this shortliving time. Yeah well, this time did reach a certain status over the years and their name is known, but they are still far from becoming a rocklegend or even have reached superstar status. . And this maybe also due to the fact of their true metal style.
Don't worry, each musical style has it's right to be here. And if anybody moves in power metal circles or even worse in Melodic Rock, then you've got to be aware, that you never fill the size of a Olympic hall or O2 Arena.
But as most artists use to say: we don't care - we just want to make our music, nor more and no matter what. Yep okay, - then no problem ain't it?! And we are happy in our little living room at the Backstage (Halle) in front of aprox. 400 fans... mind me, that's anyway quite good for one of these kind of bands.
The prologue is done by Tracedawn, who come from the land of 1.000 lakes and even more elks, like their collegues of Stratovarius.

Well, the boys of the opener are one generation ahead of the headliner. And they throw themselves into the battle with little light and little energy, like the toreros in Bizet's opera Carmen, just not as bombastic and monumental. Apart from the fact, that I've experienced this band live on stage before a while ago at the Backstage Werk (not Halle), Tracedawn are the only One's within this band threesome, drifting a little away with their more thrashy note. Their advantage is mostly the youthful enthusiasm, a bonfire of metal art, but a very young bonfire, who still have to go for more much more. Disadvantage - 35 minutes, not really time enough to show their complete potential....

Okidok – next strike comes from Dream Evil from Sweden, whereby my first thought goes to the singer who is an almost look a like of a famour german TV actor.

No kiddin... this boy named Niklas Isfeldt truly could be a double of this actor Hardy Krueger jun... but of course we know better...
Howver, Dream Evil ain't that unknown anymore with an existance of 11 years on the metal sky. These Swedes now really stand for power metal. No don't get me wrong. This has nothing to do with a lack of talent or so, but rather with working off the pasttense. if this is the right description. In each case Niklas and Co. are presenting us in first place their new CD 'In The Night'.
I have to confess, I'm not really familiar with Dream Evil. By the way, they had on guitarist named Gus G 'till 2004. And this name is now has truly become familiar since his collabaration with Ozzy Osbourne. However, and back to here, - these guys don't get into my ears in the beginning. But after a while I can go at least a little conform with the rhythm of this group. And it seems the audiance feels pretty much the same. There is not much more to say. It's one of many Power Metal gigs, not bad, but not sticking out either.

Well, I have calculated back and seen, that the current release of Stratovarius - entitled 'Polaris' celebrates already it's first birthday in 4 months time.

Jesus wept, or better, incredible how fast time passes by. That's what I can say. It feels like, the older we get, the faster one year after the other passses. And the fins have already 26 years behind them. Some of the fans in here tonight weren't even born, when this band started off twittering like the sparrow out of the nest.
Since my last meeting with the Suomi Power Metal heirs, not much has changed, apart to the fact, that timo Tolkki left in 2008 and in came Matias Kupiainen. But does it really matter within the countless line up changes showing off in their biography. On the other hand it was Tolkki who showed much responsibillity for their music and carried the rights for the band name.
And there has been an invisible question sign in the air, whether this band would go on or not. but as you can see, they did catch up again and carry on like they used to... yeah well almost the same....

Indeed it is Timo Kotpeltos impressing voice , giving the music of the band an individual brand. And don't forget, that this man has studied singing. He can really cope with all situations,whether it's in high or low keys.
The setlist you can study yourself, and you will see, that next to the popular standards lik 'Speed Of Light' and 'The Kiss Of Judas' or the catchy 'Forever Is Today' there are also tracks from the current release 'Deep Unknown' and 'Winter Skies' . Everybody is served well including some solos of bass and guitar.

I've gotta say one thing. If you didn't know, that Stratovarius are finnish, the you could easiyl believe, that they are germans. Maybe it's due to the beat of the drums, reminding me so much on german rhythms. No surprise though, as german drummer Jörg Michael sits behind the drumkit since 1995. So as we say - everything stays within the big family.

In the end, the band praises our german, or better bavarian beer, on stage as well as off stage. So one more reason to come back soon ain't it.And who knows how long our beer tastes so delicious.
http://www.stratovarius.com/