live

(6/10) Since snow and winter aren't reliable signals anymore for announcing the x-mas period another sign needs to to take over - it's the rising amount of compilations, 'best of...' albums and live releases. This one belongs to the latter and it's the capturing of a 2016 live show of Berlin-based cowboys called The Bosshoss.

It was many many years ago when I saw them live for the first time. It was in the beginning of their career when they toured through smaller clubs and venues, playing shows in front of maybe 150 people. It was a time when they haven't had their own songs and only focused on playing cover versions of pop and rock songs, all with a country and western touch.

Then I have seen them many years later in Amsterdam when they played the smaller room of the Melkweg and each of these gigs was a great one with power, energy and sweat. Pure Nashville rock'n'roll.

The reason why I'm telling all this is because this is my reference and when I got the new live DVD/CD, expectations have been high. Unfortunately those haven't been met with "Dos Bros Live".

Actually the latest studio album foreshadowed it already and it finds its continuation on this live album. The songs, the vibe, the image ... all feels like the same thing only different. The last record didn't containing anymore the density of hits from the earlier longplayers and a view on the tracklist of this release shows a clear focus on the "Dos Bros" album. Not a too good signal. There are hits like the title track that has been played, but there are also too many of these trivial numbers on the list that doesn't help for creating excitement. Fortunately tracks like "Do It" and "Don't Gimme That" at least partly compensate.

Another thing that doesn't give me the shivers is the sound and the vibe that's captured. I can't say if the concert itself was the same but the sound on this release feels lame. Where are The Bosshoss that rocked the small clubs with unbound energy and real 'horse power'? At that time the band was like the engine of a Mustang, running on all cylinders while this album doesn't get much further than to the 2^nd gear. To me it feels like Sascha and Alec having to many balls in the air right now. With all the TV appearances it seems like the guys having to many thing that run in parallel which is maybe a reason for standing still and losing focus when it comes to their music.

Anyhow, I guess there are many people that might see it different and fans will probably love this release. For me it was more the trigger to "Rodeo Radio" again and put this album back in the box.

(6/10)

Tracklist:

CD:

1. A Cowboys Work Is Never Done - Live aus Leipzig
2. Wait For Me - Live aus Leipzig
3. Do It - Live aus Oberhausen
4. I Like It Like That - Live aus Leipzig
5. She Is A Little B - Live aus Leipzig
6. My Personal Song - Live aus Oberhausen
7. What If - Live aus Leipzig
8. Jolene - Live aus Leipzig
9. Today Tomorrow Too Long Too Late - Live aus Leipzig
10. Dos Bros - Live aus Leipzig
11. Don't Gimme That - Live aus Leipzig
12. Lady JD - Live aus Leipzig
13. Shake And Shout - Live aus Hamburg (featuring Samy Deluxe)

DVD:

1. A Cowboys Work Is Never Done - Live
2. Wait For Me - Live
3. I Like It Like That - Live
4. She Is A Little B - Live
5. Jolene - Live
6. Bullpower - Live
7. Dos Bros - Live
8. Don't Gimme That - Live
9. Lady JD - Live
10. Credits / Dos Bros - Live

12.01.2017 DE - Wiesbaden / Schlachthof
13.01.2017 DE - Cologne / Palladium
14.01.2017 DE - Ludwigsburg / MHP Arena
16.01.2017 CH - Geneve / Salle des Fetes de Thonex
17.01.2017 CH - Zurich / Volkshaus
18.01.2017 IT – Milan / Live Club
20.01.2017 DE - Munich / Tonhalle
21.01.2017 AT - Vienna / Gasometer
22.01.2017 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra Music Club
24.01.2017 PL - Warsaw / Progresja
25.01.2017 DE - Berlin / Huxleys
27.01.2017 DE - Oberhausen / Turbinenhalle
28.01.2017 CZ - Prague / Forum Karlin
29.01.2017 DE – Hannover / Capitol
31.01.2017 DE – Hamburg / Mehr! Theater
01.02.2017 BE – Brussels / Ancienne Belgique
03.02.2017 UK - London / Shepherds Bush Empire
04.02.2017 FR - Paris / Zenith

"(sic!)" is the title of Broiler's upcoming longplayer that will be released on February 3rd, 2017 via their own label Skull & Palms Recording.

Broilers will also promote the new longplayer with a tour through Germany plus two shows in Switzerland and one gig in Austria. Some of the shows are already sold out. However, here are the dates:

23.02.2017 – CH-Zürich, Volkshaus

25.02.2017 – CH-Bern, Bierhübeli

02.03.2017 – Münster, Halle Münsterland

03.03.2017 – Münster, Halle Münsterland

04.03.2017 – Trier, Arena

07.03.2017 – Hannover, Swiss Life Hall

10.03.2017 – Berlin, Max-Schmeling-Halle

11.03.2017 – Leipzig, Arena

16.03.2017 – Hamburg, Sporthalle

17.03.2017 – Hamburg, Sporthalle

18.03.2017 – Rostock, Stadthalle

24.03.2017 – Erfurt, Messehalle

25.03.2017 – Köln, Lanxess Arena

31.03.2017 – AT-Wien, Gasometer

01.04.2017 – München, Zenith

06.04.2017 – Nürnberg, Arena

07.04.2017 – Stuttgart, Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle

08.04.2017 – Kempten, bigBOX

13.04.2017 – Bremen, ÖVB-Arena

15.04.2017 – Frankfurt, Festhalle

Eventhough winter didn't even start yet, the coming summer isn't that far away, at least when it comes to the first summer festival news.

One of the earlier festivals is the tradition-rich Rock Hard festival in Germany that will take place between June 2nd and June 4th, 2017 - the Whit weekend.

As usual also the 2017 billing is quite diverse. Bands that are confirmed already are:

• Behemoth
• Blues Pills
• Fates Warning
• D-A-D
• Exodus
• Candlemass
• Ross The Boss
• Asphyx
• Skyclad
• Secret Of The Moon
• Mantar
• Night Demon

When Swedish black metal dinosaurs Dark Funeral hit the road for touring through Europe you better take the chance and visit one of the shows the guys added to their darkened roadmap.

After having released a new album, the first one in a six years period of time, Dark Funeral embarked on a tour through quite some European countries, an endeavor they put under the banner of “Shadows Over Europe”.

From the beginning it was planned to have a three bands package on the road. Next the headliner, Brazilian Krisiun and Deserted Fear have been announced as being the support for those shows. A few days prior to the tour start the news was announced of the German death metal gang not being part of the this package anymore, something the guys from Eisenberg heavily regretted, since it was, according to them, a decision that was out of their area of influence.

So it was up to Krisiun to open this evening and the trio did a great job, using the 60 minutes they got very well. During the first songs there was quite some space left in the venue, but with each note played the Gebr. de Leiden got more filled up with fans.

Krisiun felt like a musical steamhammer that night. This death metal machine worked like a clockwork with a sound that was nuanced, loud and clear. Also the setlist didn’t leave much space for unfulfilled wishes. The songs performed the night covered the entire era of the Brazilians, including “Black Force Domain” and “Forged in Fury", but also the very early “Apocalyptic Revelation” release. And on top of all this Krisiun played with “Ace of Spades” a brutal version of the Motörhead classic, a moment when the venue turned into a real madhouse.

After such a heavy introduction into the dark side of live the stage was prepared for the headliner. Dark Funeral started their shows with an extensive intro that created a creepy vibe with the guys entering the stage one by one. Hell broke loose with the first song played. “Unchain My Soul” from the latest album “Where Shadows Forever Reign” kicked it off, followed by pitch black 90 minutes. This musical inferno was embedded into a stage set of downside crosses, lit by candles, and a huge backdrop, all kept in cold blue light. The musical journey brought fans back to the early nineties when the band released with “The Secret of the Black Arts” their first album. Two songs of the debut have been performed that night and Dark Funeral actually did a very equal split with two song from each of the longplayers from the past. The exception was “Where Shadows Forever Reign” which of course stood in focus as being the newest hellish output from the Stockholm-based band.

Looking on such a setlist means ferocious riffs, a thumping bass and pounding drums, all supporting the malicious screams of Heljarmadr that have been vicious and bloodcurdling. Dark Funeral delivered the soundtrack for an enthralling night in Leiden, opening the gates to hell with a live show that made clear why this band belongs to the spearhead of the second wave of Swedish black metal.

Setlist Dark Funeral:

1. Unchain My Soul
2. 666 Voices Inside
3. The Dawn No More Rises
4. The Arrival of Satan’s Empire
5. Stigmata
6. As I Ascend
7. The Eternal Eclipse
8. Ravenna Strigoi Mortii
9. Shadows of Transylvania
10. Goddess of Sodomy
11. As One We Shall Conquer
12. Thy Legions Come
13. My Funeral
14. Nail Them to the Cross (Encore)
15. Atrum Regina (Encore)
16. Where Shadows Forever Reign (Encore)

Location: Gebr. de Nobel, Leiden, The Netherlands

Date: November 3^rd, 2016

Chris Barnes and his gang are celebrating 21 years of 'Haunted', the milestone debut of SIX FEET UNDER, and will be playing the album in it's entirety!

Comments Chris Barnes: "Hard to believe it's been 21 years since the release of our first album Haunted…we have wanted to do something special for the past year to celebrate the release of our epic first album and do something special for our fans. Also it's something we have never attempted, play entire one of our albums from beginning to end live, it will definitely be challenging and a whole bunch of fun! if you are going to be anywhere near to these shows…run, jump, crawl…do whatever you have to do and come and see these shows motherfucker, it's gonna be sick!"

(8/10) I guess that Saxon was one of the bands I have seen live most during the last years. It was always a pleasure to this fivepiece live on stage. Next to excellent new studio releases Saxon shows their real strength when they play live

To capture this live energy, Saxon decided to film some shows of the last tour, material that is now available as DVD and CD. Saxon has released numerous live albums and there might be the question of 'why'. Now, this is easily answered: because this is one of the best live recordings I have seen from the band. Maybe this is more of a subjective view on this album, however, it is what it is.

What I really like with "Let Me Feel Your Power" is the excellent sound, a weaker part of some of the former live records. A good sound in this context doesn't mean that it's over-produced. Saxon captured the live atmosphere of the three shows in an authentic way.

Three shows? Yes. The release contains material from Munich, the core of this release, with some additional tracks taped in Brighton. What is mentioned as bonus material is actually a full show Saxon played in Chicago. The sound of this recording is a bit more basic, which means that it's still very good, just a bit 'more live' than what you get from the Munich show.

In this sense the DVD brings some Saxon into your living room, supported by the visual part that comes dynamic and entertaining. 

The choice of song for the setlist of these three shows leaves nothing to be desired. "Denim and Leather", Crusader", "747 (Strangers in the Night)" and Princess of the Night", all classics of the NWoBHM dinosaur. Some of them are even twice on this release. But also newer songs have been performed and its amazing to see/hear them together with the old stuff. Saxon stands for a consistency of quality that's amazing. While some bands are mainly focussing on their 'old' hits the guys from the UK can easily place old and new next to each other without one being better than the other. They're just all good.

The funny part of the album happens in the beginning of the Munich show when Biff Byford as well as guitar legend Paul Quinn got some denim jackets, wearing them for the entire show.

Maybe some of you will miss some 'behind the scene/interview' material. However, "Let Me Feel Your Power" is what the title states, Saxon lfilling the venues with their unleashed power and the fans giving back their powerful enthusiasm for a band that never seems to get old. That's true rock'n'roll.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

Live in Munich (November 2015)

1. Battering Ram
2. Motorcycle Man
3. Sacrifice
4. Destroyer
5. Power And The Glory
6. 20000FT
7. Devil's Footprint
8. Heavy Metal Thunder
9. Queen Of Hearts
10. Princess Of The Night
11. Wheels Of Steel
12. Denim And Leather
13. Crusader

Live in Bighton (January 2016)

1. Eye Of The Storm
2. Battalions Of Steel
3. Requiem

Bonus Material (Live In Chicago) (September 2015):

1. Motorcycle Man
2. Battering Ram
3. This Town Rocks
4. Sacrifice
5. Power And The Glory
6. Solid Ball Of Rock
7. Dallas 1 PM
8. Heavy Metal Thunder
9. Rock The Nations
10. The Eagle Has Landed
11. Wheels Of Steel
12. Backs To The Wall
13. Just Let Me Rock
14. Strong Arm Of The Law
15. 747 (Strangers In The Night)
16. Princess Of The Night
17. Crusader
18. Denim And Leather

Label: UDR Music

Genre: Heavy Metal

Release Date EU: October 7th, 2016

Iron Maiden will continue with their "Book of Souls" world tour by adding more European dates. Here are they are and it looks like at this stage that no additonal European shows will be added:

22. April Belgium – Antwerpen / Sportpaleis
24. April Germany – Oberhausen / König-Pilsener-ARENA
28. April Germany – Frankfurt / Festhalle
02. May Germany – Hamburg / Barclaycard Arena
04. May England – Nottingham / Motorpoint Arena
06. May Ireland – Dublin / 3Arena
08. May England – Manchester / Arena
10. May England – Sheffield / Arena
11. May England – Leeds / First Direct Arena
14. May England – Newcastle / Metro Radio Arena
16. May Scotland – Glasgow / The SSE Hydro Arena
17. May Scotland – Aberdeen / AECC The GE Oil and Gas Arena
20. May England – Liverpool / Echo Arena
21. May England – Birmingham / Barclaycard Arena
24. May Wales – Cardiff / Motorpoint Arena
27. May England – London / o2 Arena

Iron Maiden’s The Book of Souls World Tour has been on the road since late February, playing to over 1.5 million fans with 72 shows in 36 counties and six continents. They will play the final show on Thursday, 4 August in Germany at Wacken Open Air Festival. ARTE Concert is going to feature the entire iconic performance on Livestream. The spectacular gig will get lavish camera attention and can be accessed anywhere in the world – a sensational experience for anyone who cannot get to show.

Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood says: "We decided to finish the tour at Wacken as it is the ideal way to end this magical tour playing to 80,000 core metal fans at this legendary Metal festival. Wacken has become such as international event with many thousands of fans from many other countries around the world joining and celebrating with the German fans so it is perfect for the final show of a memorable tour. Everywhere we’ve played the fans have been amazing and the reaction to the new songs and stage show has been phenomenal. The band has loved every minute on stage. So when Wacken and ARTE asked us to consider a live stream of our performance there we jumped at the chance to give our fans an end of tour gift. Streaming this final show live globally allows us to thank the many fans we played to so far, and, for those who couldn’t get to see us this time round, a chance to see just how spectacular the live concert is and what they missed! ”

Wolfgang Bergmann (ARTE): “The festival summer by ARTE concert is heading for an exceptional highlight, showing a live stream of British legends Iron Maiden performing their final show of an incredible tour at the Wacken Open Air. An audience of millions, in Europe and for the first time worldwide, know by now that ARTE is taking the festivals to anywhere you are.”

Holger Hübner/Thomas Jensen (ICS/Wacken): “We are incredibly happy to be able to give all these Iron Maiden and Wacken Open Air fans, worldwide, this highlight at the close of the spectacular ‘Book of Souls’ Tour. Heavy Metal fans are the best fans in the world, and Iron Maiden fans are unparalleled. It is so brilliant that everybody who could not get a ticket for the W:O:A, will be able to enjoy this ‘Night To Remember’.”