On The Road Featured Concert: On a Dark Winter’s, Night December 28, 2004 König Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen Germany

by Edwin Van Hoof Staff Writer

After Forever Picture appears courtesy of Edwin Van Hoof

Due to a heavy and very sudden snow storm, we missed the two opening bands. Luckily enough we did get there in one piece and just in time to see one of metal’s finest from The Netherlands: After Forever!
This band simply has it all to make it big. The awesome vocal and stage performance of Floor Janssen is a sight for all to see. Tonight, the band made clear why I rate them higher than headliners Nightwish.

The set list consisted of the finest they recorded thus far, with never a dull moment. From the immaculate “Yield to temptation,” up to the brilliant “My pledge of Allegiance.” They never let down the fans. And today they deliver one of the best shows of the festival. With new keyboarder Joost van den Broek, (Star One, Sun Caged, Ayreon, etc.) they also seem to steer a bit more toward a melodic metal approach of their music but caught in the gothic scene due to Floor’s voice. But without doubt, this band is one of the best live acts in the scene, and we need to keep our eyes peeled for them in the future

Next up are underground heroes Suicide Commando with their heavy industrial metal with dance beats. Their performance, however, doesn’t do it for me. A vocalist that rages on stage, puts up his middle finger and showing hardly any interest in the audience simply isn’t my cup of tea. The feedback is OK, but nothing special, which underlines my opinion.

Tiamat Picture appears courtesy of Edwin Van Hoof

Tiamat was up next and impressed me with an intimate and gloomy performance. The deep dark and damp music from Johan and his men roared through the giant arena, and it looked as if all their fans had gathered for this show. It was impressive, and the sound was crisp for the first time today. Add to that the sober and effective light on stage, and you have a setting for this dark dream brought to life by Johan and his band. Though the main focus of the band is on their current release “Prey,” I was enthusiastic to be able to experience the marvellous live versions of “So much for suicide,” an immaculate version of “Brighter than the sun,” “Vote for love,” and the breathtaking and gloomy “The sleeping beauty.” An excellent and inspired version of “Gaia,” ended the fine show for tonight. Tiamat really did well tonight and lived up to their status. But as always, it is the intimate performance and bewitched glazed look of Tiamat motor Johan Edlund, that makes the difference. He is Tiamat! What a show!

Apoptygma Berzerk is, again, a band that I am totally not familiar with. And man, how surprised was I when I heard these Danish rockers’ fine blend of rock/metal with keyboards and beats. This must be the perfect synthesis I have heard since the Waltari “Space Avenue” CD. The show was energetic, inspired and full frontal. A large silver screen added some sights to the spectacular gig. The return of founding member Anders Odden on guitar, was celebrated by the large number of die hard fans in the arena. But it was without the quality of songs that were delivered. Songs that nested in my brain instantly: “Love never dies,” the German chartbuster “Until the end of the world,” the moody and driving “Deep red,” and “In this together.” They have been humming in the back of my head since. The ultimate highlight was the widely anticipated hit single “Eclipse,” that set the arena ablaze. This song is the embodiment of what Apoptygma Bezerk stands for; a lush syntax of rolling electro and defining dance floor beat, boosted by a hard driving riff in the best Metallica tradition. This is one of those bands that make you rush to the shops, whether you like it or not.

Oomph! Picture appears courtesy of Edwin Van Hoof

Oomph! has been around for 15 years and are finally making the big break. Their new CD “Wahrheit oder pflicht,” is a chartbuster that makes Rammstein’s latest look bleak. Prior to this gig, the band has been voted ‘Best Live act of 2004’ in Germany. Their shows are packed with energy and vocalist Dero is perhaps one of the best performers around. Dressed in doctor’s uniforms, guitar-players Flux and Crap escort their deranged fronter to the stage. Within seconds, the band explodes into full gear, and the crowd is again going insane. Hardly ever have I experienced this enthusiasm!

Nearly all hit-potential loaded songs from “Wahrheit oder pflicht” come by full throttle. “Tausend neue lügen,” the heavy and hard hitting “Sex hat keine macht” (sex has no control), “Dein feuer,” and the excellent live hymne “Der strom,” are perfectly laying down the feel for power and perfection on stage. Dero running around like a mad man, Flux and Crap with glass guitars, neon lit guitars, creating an illusion. Live, the trio gets assistance from Leo and Hagen that lay down a heavy and driving groove. More of their older hits now come by like “Das weisse licht,” and the underground hit single “Gekreuzigt,” that receive a warm welcome. The English “Nothing,” “Im licht,” and their current chart single “Augen auf!” wrap up a 90-minute explosion of heavy metal with electro beats. This band is a must for fans of Rammstein, but be warned: This one will take you by the throat!

With all this excellent performances, it will be a task for Nightwish to stand their ground. And unfortunately they do not succeed. Although celebrated by the now sold out arena of 15,000, their headliner status is something that is never is lived up to.

Nightwish Picture appears courtesy of Edwin Van Hoof

Opening with tons of explosions and fireworks during the rest of the show, I already frown upon it. Not only is Nightwish a band that doesn’t need this charade, the songs in which it all occurs are not enriched by this. Add to this the fact that Tarja is not giving her best performance and seems to sing at only high pitch, and we have a night that I easily forget. The entire first part of their gig was a promotion of the latest CD “Once” with the finest pick of hymns: “Dark Chest of wonders,” “Planet Hell,” “Deep silence complete,” and “Ever dream.” An intimate version of “Sleeping sun,” wraps up the first part and is perhaps the first true highlight.

Tuomos is playing his keys and audience as always while Erno is running around like crazy, but they play on automatic. Only Marco seems to be truly enjoying himself tonight. He is always smiling and easy going, but it just ain’t enough. I have seen so much better today. The Megadeth hymn “Symphony of destruction,” is sung by bass player Marco. Not too bad, but a band with this many releases can do without and it didn’t add up! Same goes for their version of Maiden’s “Phantom of the Opera”?! After this strange intermezzo, Tarja returns for OK versions of “Bless the child,” and the obvious “Kinslayer,” “Wishmaster,” “Nemo,” and “Slaying the dreamer.” Only during “Dead Boy’s Poem,” I get the shivers. It is just too little for a band like Nightwish, whom I have seen before doing it a whole lot better. The pressure was on tonight.

Loan - Mortgage Calculator - Homeowner Loans - Credit Card Consolidation