The second day of the Sweden Rock Festival and a great set from UK
melodic rockers Thunder, a disappointing Meat Loaf, and the debut of Heaven
& Hell, otherwise known as Dio and Iommi...
Dark Tranquility, photo Ian Pollard
Thursday promises
to be a real non-stop stamina test, so the hot sun and cloudless sky are not
as welcome as they might have been. A seat in close proximity to a liquid
refreshment tent is found that affords a good view of the first act of the
festival on the Rock stage, Dark Tranquillity. Melodic death metal,
or "The Gothenburg Sound" are how they are billed, and they bear more than a
passing resemblance to "In Flames" in reality. Lots of electronic effects
used in their music, and new album "Fiction" is worth checking out based on
what I heard here.
As it turns out, resting legs for the first performance was a good idea as
it is over 12 hours later before I get the chance again. This marathon
starts with the opening act on the largest Festival stage, and Sweden gets
Thunder-struck.
Danny Bowes (Thunder), photo Ian Pollard
A healthy,
but not huge, crowd is initially in attendance but this is soon increased as
the opening bars of "Loser" turn a significant number of unenlightened
heads. I don't believe it is possible to not enjoy a Thunder
performance, or even to keep your feet on the ground for the duration, and
Danny Bowes works the crowd brilliantly as usual to ensure everyone has a
big party! New songs, old songs, every one is top drawer (and they've got
plenty more they could have used in the closet too).
Just about enough time to recover from Danny's aerobic class before German
axe master Axel Rudi Pell arrives on stage, with Hardline's Johnny
Gioeli on vocals.
Another of the heavily-influenced-by-Ritchie school of guitarists, ARP is as
skilful and artful as any of his contemporaries but without the excessive
ego some display. With the somewhat eccentric Ferdy Doernberg on keyboards,
and the totally manic Mike Terrana (also currently of Masterplan) on drums,
this band are hugely entertaining, and exceptionally talented. Highlight is
undoubtedly a cover version of Rainbow's "Temple of the King".
Oxymoron time, in the form of Quiet Riot! First chance I've had to
see Kevin Dubrow and friends, including long time member Frankie Banali on
drums, as I somehow managed to completely avoid them in the 80's (not at all
deliberately). They do not disappoint, and deliver a solid set of good-time
hard rock'n'roll. Kevin still has the distinctive raspy voice, and works the
crowd well. As expected, both Slade covers get a much appreciated airing
along with the excellent "Metal Health". Tracks from the new album "Rehab"
fit in well too, and show the band are still rocking.
Michael Romeo (Symphony X), photo Ian Pollard
The
somewhat imposing frame, accompanied by the very imposing voice, of Russell
Allen appears on stage next with his band Symphony X, to give us
their brand of symphonic / progressive metal. Very much in the Dream Theater
mould, for some reason this band has never held the same appeal for me.
It is clear though, that apart from Mr. Allen's fantastic
vocal ability, he is also an excellent front man and is backed by some very
talented musicians. With their first studio release for 5 years, "Paradise
Lost", they look to be back on track as a band full time following a period
of side project work.
Just time to check out recently reformed Point Blank for some bluesy
Southern rock. With Buddy Whittington (John Mayall's Bluesbreakers) joining
them on guitar, this band were one of the unexpected highlights of the
festival, treating a very appreciative audience to some masterful blues
guitar work.
Meat Loaf, photo Ian Pollard
And then to Meat Loaf.
Well…the big stage production and overtly theatrical performance was there;
the great Steinman-penned songs were there; the all powerful, perfect-pitch
voice however, was missing in action, presumed dead. As the man himself
might try to tell us (although mercifully he didn't include it in the set
list), two out of three ain't bad - but in this instance, unfortunately, it
was bad… very bad, and very disappointing.
Credit has to go to the band and especially the backing
singers, who did their level best to carry the set - but there was no
disguising the dreadfully poor state of the Loaf's vocal capacity. I just
hope that Jim Steinman never gets to hear a recording of this set - it would
destroy him to hear his songs butchered in this way.
Thin Lizzy photo Ian Pollard
After that huge
disappointment, normal service is resumed in the form of John Sykes & Scott
Gorham's Thin Lizzy. No surprises here, just great tunes played by
great musicians, with Sykes doing a very good job on vocals.
For some reason, they were confined to the 10,000 capacity
Sweden stage, which was far too small - a slight scheduling error on the
organisers' behalf there, but it made for a great atmosphere throughout the
set, especially during the "Cowboy Song".
One complaint… Tommy Aldridge insists on doing the same
drum solo at every gig, no matter which band he is playing with, and it is
getting a little stale!
Tony Iommi, photo Ian Pollard
The day is completed by
another live show that has been 25+ years in the making (and waiting) for
me. The anticipation is huge, the stage setup and backdrop is dark and
gloomy (as it should be), and the atmosphere is positively electric as
25,000 people anxiously await the arrival of Ronnie, Tony, Geezer and Vinnie.
Appearing under the name of their first classic album release, Heaven and
Hell do not disappoint on any front. From the opening chords of "Mob
Rules", they are on top of their game, rolling through the songs and owning
the crowd throughout. The set reaches its peak with an epic 13 minute
version of the song they are named for, and we can all retire to the tents
happy to have witnessed true masters of their craft at work!
See
http://www.swedenrock.com for more details.
Our Man with tent: Ian Pollard
Text and all photographs
© 2007 Ian Pollard. All rights reserved.
Day 1
Day 3/4
Swedish Rock Festival 2005
Sweden Rock Festival 2009
