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If you'd ask me, who's the most luvable big rocker on this planet, I have to say without hesitation, that this is Jon Oliva, next to Meat Loaf maybe. Although our big boy Jon can be pretty cynical and occassionally moody. But on the whole it is easy to get on with him. I can tell, at least  what's up to the past 25 years. And back in the eighties Jon had still been halt the lot, he's now. But Jon and skinny??? We can't imagine that, can we? His body shape belongs to him the same, as his voice does, the voice which became a brand for Savatage. - 
And yes of course, he's still a fan of the Dallas Cowboys.
For you fans out there, I don't have to describe Jon's bio anymore. He himself takes it easy nowadays and says: "never mind what I'm doing, whether it was Savatage, Pain or TSO. It's all somehow Savatage. Because Savatage is me." And same time he provides this statement, everybody was waiting for anyway:"Yes, there will be a Savatage reunion next year(find more about this in the interview) .
However, right now Jon Oliva's Pain are on tour in Germany, their second home country. Past summer the band had been here for some festivals, now they are doing a few more club events in Europe. 
In recent reviews I have already explained the problem about these kind of bands,who are very often called - True Metal Bands - back from the 90s aund 80s, who are doing so hard in Southern Germany and sometimes not counting more than about 50 people in the audiance. In Memmingen at The Kaminwerk Big Jon is rather lucky to count 250 souls.
He gets supported by 2 bands. The opener is named Need.



Need are a so called Heavy Progband from America, who are on their way sinde 2003  

Bandmembers are singer Jon V., Ravaja (Git), Peter (Drums) and K.K. (Bass). Dun have much more infos about this lot, as their official website doesn't seem to get updated, and the linked my space page doesn't even exist.  Need have put their focus on style breaking elements. And that again goes from very melodic, across alternativ 'till Metalcore.  It is rather difficult to recognize a red line, and there is a certain risk to loose the structural cocktail and flavour. I personally have got some problems with this. .And I presume I'm not the only one tonight, who thinks so. There is only no doubt about the brilliant voice condition of Singer Jon V. . More about this outfit  you can find on:  http://www.needband.com/


Number 2 are  Neverland, a turkish - greek Co-Operation, who have formed from the ashes of the  Band Dreamtone 

The focus on Neverland are definately the turkish singer Oganalp Canatan and greei female singer Iris Mavraki. The band also consists of: Ozkoc (Git),Burak Kahraman (Git), Guney Ozsan (Keyboards), Can Dedekarginoglu (Bass) and Emrecan Sevdin (Drums). Also this band I did not know until now, although they have already 4 albums and 2 singles out so far. Musically they are going for a turkish-greep friendship (hardly ever can be found in normal life) - a extroverted cross over bowl. And as with Need, I can't discover a a clear note out of the performance. But maybe it's only the rather strange jargon, which doesn't meet my middle ear nerve. So I don't wanna do any more critics on them. Go out and check 'em yourselves. 
Also fans of the classic metal flavour  like Jon Oliva's Pain have got some problems with the 2 supportacts. And although I'm always very open to all kind of styles and music, I have to admit, those two bands haven't met my ear really.

http://www.neverlandofficial.com/


And there he is our  Heavy Metal bubbly teddybear swith his partly new  Combo Pain.

Yep, there are some changes, carrying the name Jason Gaines on Bass and Jerry Outlaw on guitar. And yes Jon has gone for the right choice, as we realize very soon during the live show. 

Honestly you have to like him. Jon Oliva is the incarnation of the Mountain King, the father of Savatage and it's follow up's. And his voice, though a little handycaped tonight, have become a brand for the metal genre. Physically Jon seemt to be in a better form  than some times before. So he exchanges his position between front row and piano stool constantly. 

And anyone ever shall say, that Jon ain't no poser. Halleluja, it's a hell of a party to catch his straight glimpse into our lenses. Well not to neclect the rest of the gang, there is of course longtime guitarist Matt LaPorte, who's body index now gets close to the one of Jon. Never mind, as he does play  his guitar very well indeed. And that's the point, ain't it....?!!
Everything else is a pure visuall aspect. Last but not last on drums like always - Chris Kinder, who we do know from many times before. 

Funnily it's the new guys, who draw most of our attention exept on Jon. And it goes well down to see Jerry playing the hell outta himself as much as he can. This is absolutely fantastic. Bassists on the other hand often stand more or less in the back and get the least notice. Their abbillities only get noticed by doing extended solos usually. But Jason takes at least care to increase the visual aspect for about 150%. It's the first time in Europe for this boy, and some Metal Queen in the front row gets glossy eyes by watching him.

Well, getting back to the music.... Five songs of the new album Festival are included on the setlist. The rest is a mixture of Jon Oliva's Pain best of and well known Savatage hymn.

The encore is also the highlight of the show with Savatage's 'Gutterballet' and 'Hall Of The Mountain King', though Jon is already battling with his tortured voice. No clue, whether it's because of a cold or simply exhaustment. So at the final song Mountain King, Need singer Jon V. comes on stage again to help our big boy to come to a still glory end of this concert. Some people here might have noticed this weak spot, but won't complain, as this band obviously has played with all their heart blood giving everything....And that's how it should be.... 

I always say it that way, what sense does it make, if you got a 150% perfect band on stage with no aura at all and making you sleepy And I can only repeat myself: A concert is great when your feet don't hurt and you don't watch the time, and you hope it'll never ends with one more song and one more and one more ...... And that's the case tonight. Just leave the perfection where the pepper shoots to the moon. - Jon we luv' ya... and we are looking forward already for Savatage 2011.  
http://www.jonoliva.net/  

At the Diary you find some off stage snapshots.