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And again we got a band here from the chapter Wacken echo, a group, who has just played Europe's biggest Heavy Metal Festival and is doing some more dates naming it the Wake of Magellan tour. So this yet another european visit is worth while. Within my last review I have already mentioned, how lucky we people in Munich actually are. Because we hardly ever have to go anywhere for a concert, and we do get Germany's big open airs served on a plate in little pieces. Yeah well of course not everybody, but quite a few one, who we can enjoy here in Munich in a comfi livingroom atmosphere. Lately it's been Sepultura, Vicious Rumors, Ministry, Six Feet Under and Napalm Death, and tonight it's Circle II Circle, the band around the Ex-Savatage Frontman Zak Stevens, who are playing our Garage Club in this City. Unfortunately tonight we've got a huge soccer event going on as well here, and some music lovers, seem to luv soccer even more. The other thing is, after many weeks of unstable weather conditions and lots of rain, we've now got bright sunshine and Munich's beer gardens are more than crowded. the result evolving out of all these facts ain't no good at all for this here. And so only a few Hardrock fans and lovers of the symphonic-bombast Heavy Metal have come along to catch Circle II Circle closer to close, but therefore without any mud and dirt ala Wacken. - The band last played the Netherlands and needed 12 hours to get here, so at arrival these guys are pretty groggy. But they just have got about 90 minutes including Soundcheck to regenerate. Hope they are catching up at least a little bit. But before Circle II Circle is going on, a supportact named Sebatien from Czech Republic is introducing themselves here in Munich. |
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They travel along with Circle II Circle for seven shows and of course want to take the chance to promote themselves as good as they can. The outfit has started much earlier, but adapted their name Sebastien in 2008. They have one album named 'Tears Of White Roses' out since 2010. This by the way was produced by none other than Roland Grapow (Masterplan/Ex-Helloween) in his studios in Slowakia. Sebastien are: George Rain (Voc), Andy Mons (Git), Petri Slakainen (Bass), Victor Mazanek (Keyb.) und Radek Rain (Drums). The fivesome is taking quite of an effort to get some attention from Munich's audiance. Their musical style lies somewhere between Melodic Rock and Power Metal, nothing really new, but performed with a lot of heart blood, as we say so. |
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At some points Sebastien still seem a little inscecure. But I'm not sure, whether this is due to their (still) youth or beeing the first time here.. But as I always use to say: what is not there, can still be there...That's I'd advise our czech boys to stick to their balls and go and play your butts off as much as you can. So the audiance will remember the name. Further band infos at: http://www.sebastienofficial.com To be honest, I didn't put too many expectations within the live appearance of Circle II Circle, because of beeing pretty sceptical in how far this band can translate the Savatage concept album ‚ The Wake of Magellan’ live on Stage. |
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But once again, the saying: life is full of surprises becomes true, as this show turns out as an absolute brilliant unit, where no single second is wasted. Next to Zak Stevens (voc), we find bassist Mitch Stewart on Stage, guitarist Bill Hudson and Christian Wenth and drummer Adam Sagan, and last but not least we got Henning Wanner on keyboard, who we all know from his work with Jaded Heart. He, by the way is in our case here, also the road manager, and boy for everything and takes responsibility that everyone feels fine on this tour. |
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The Show almost seems like a de ja vu into old Savatage times, if we didn't know it better. Only the vocal parts usually handled by Jon Oliva in the past, are now handled by Henning next to the keys. The good thing on 'The Wake Of Magellan' is, that all songs, though they are combined within an ongoing concept, show a certain individuallity and stand for themselves. These tracks stick in your ears and almost got some sort of hit single potental. Meanwhile our Garage here has turned into a Party Dancefloor temple - yeah well sort of...:-)))) |
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Although there is a small audiance, the mood is absolutely phantastic and infecting everyone including the band, who slowly change over from water to beer up there on stage, And Zak once more is telling us his philosophy about Jägermeister. (I will never understand, what these Americans find so good about Jägermeister :-)) Never mind, and it is okay, if this is increasing the mood in here even more, and all this despite the fact, that Circle II Circle are actually supposed to be dead by now because of exhaustment pf the past days. But there is no sign of it up there on Stage, and the adrenaline is still exploding up to the moon and beyond. |
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Guitarist Bill Hudson leaves a very positive impression on us as well. And for his 25 years of age only, he shows such a talent, some fifty year old can't put up with. By the way, Bill has replaced Evan Christopher some while ago in Circle II Circle.
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Piano wizard Henning is handling the epilog for a good bye in german in addition to the two Circle II Circle song 'Revelations' and 'Watching The Silence'. But somehow this still doesn't seem to be the end, something is still missing. And there it is the famous dot on the i - and this is named 'Edge Of Thorns' Well, this has been nice, very nice
indeed... And to everybody, who had not been here tonight, I can only
say - you certainly missed out on something. Tonight Circle II Circle
have shown, that they are a true diamond. And although I've seen this
lot on Stage before, I have not really discovered the sparkel
completely so far. |
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Aftershow -
Snapshots can be found at the Diary
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