of storytelling with his lyrics, Clarkin has few equals some years back. So when I had the chance to get up H.E.A.T, SUPERCHARGER, NEW DEVICE Zeppelin’s ‘’. We were also treated to an DORO was the first hint that things weren’t well; roadies in Rock music; poignant and evocative and in Catley and personnel with the guys in a live environment, I : Garage instrumental version of ‘Danger Road’ as prior to all madly fiddling with cables as sound check began a he has the perfect partner to deliver the message. jumped at the chance. 16 May 2014 the microphone’s failing, there had been some awful sequence of worried looks and to-ing and fro-ing that A tough trio of songs followed, but before you start The Forum was filled to capacity, and at times crackling feedback, so in exasperation Gronwall just would become the theme of the night. ‘Symphony Of Sin’ thinking Magnum are all serious and sombre, such is looked like the “2014 Best Lumberjack Beard New Device are a London Melodic Rock band getting ripped off his t-shirt and revealed his toned torso which announced the band’s arrival and it has to be said that the strength of ‘...Garden’ that another newie in ‘Falling Convention”! Clutch hit the stage dressed workmanlike the local support slot to H.e.a.t, and came on stage at a caused an audible scream from the girls in the audience Photo: James Charlwood with a rather cool backdrop and (questionable topless For The Big Plan’ raised the pace with ease, bouncing and tore into new song ‘Earth Rocker’ from the latest about 6.45pm to a pitifully third full auditorium. However, and did an impromptu dive straight into the crowd and lady adorned) side panels, the Curse were pulling out along enthusiastically. And don’t overlook Clarkin’s of the same name. the local lads brewed up a storm at the front of the went on a surf ride through the fans throughout the all the stops. However with Ivory Blacks being, shall guitar work either; from the Hard Rocking of ‘…Tattoo’ Neil Fallon, he of the beard and aggressive moves, stage, tightly packed with a lot of punters familiar with entire duration of the song. That was one of those “you we say, “snug”, the overall effect was to almost push through to a delicate version of ‘The Spirit’, it was tore around the stage, punching the air and beckoning them. ‘Here We Stand’, the first single from last year’s had to be there” moments – marvellous stuff! Encoring keyboard player Steve Williams off stage (where the precise and faultless. for our undivided attention, with a look in his eye of album of the same name, was as good a contemporary with ‘Address The Nations’ fan favourites ‘Breaking The keyboard sound would in fairness reside most of the ’s keyboards are an integral but man on a musical mission. ‘Gone Cold’ had Fallon Modern Melodic Rock song as you’ll hear today as was Silence’ and ‘Living On The Run’, H.e.a.t topped off a night) and limit the already small performance-space not intrusive part of the Magnum sound, taking up an acoustic guitar and he delivered a vocal the spirited and classy ‘Save Your Life’. They hit the superlative performance that surely cements their place to shuffle left, shuffle right, stand still proportions. Still, stalked the stage, grinning hugely throughout, whilst like a man in the depths of despair. With the audience audience with a four song salvo from their latest release at the very top of the Melodic Rock tree. none of that would have mattered had everything else his rhythm pairing with Harry James underpinned reduced to silence at times, the haunting melody rang before giving us the punchy sing-along ‘On Fire’, the Catch them at Firefest in October when they headline been tip-top, but with the bass, keys, vocals and guitar everything faultlessly. ‘All ’s Eyes’, ‘Vigilante’ around the hall. ‘Raise Your Hands’ Bon Jovi riff of ‘Until The End’ and on the Friday night – it’s going to be epic! I had a great time at Doro’s last London show but all taking turns to drop out of earshot and the whole and ‘Kingdom of Madness’ brought the main set to a The remaining band members were there to do the powerful melodic fast-paced title track ‘Takin’ Over’ Carl Buxton tonight was even more amazing and I had an absolute thing being so quiet that ignoring the annoying twonks close in triumphant and enthusiastic style. Again it’s a job and never detoured from the task. Leaving all from their debut release. This is a band that should be blast watching this first class show from a first class who laughed and joked their way through the entire was a tribute to the strength of ‘...Garden’ that another the interaction to Fallon, he smiled like a man on a going places. performer. Doro was sensational tonight and long may set, became impossible, neither tip nor top appeared. new song ‘Too Many Clowns’ kicked off the encore, moonshine run, and at other times, wild eyed and Due to technical difficulties ’s Supercharger DORO, NULLDB she rein and continue to put on such fantastic live Even with a home crowd urging bassist Paul Logue and swiftly followed by another classic in ‘Sacred Hour’. ready to kill. started late. They’ve been supporting H.e.a.t on their Islington: O2 Academy shows. his cohorts on, the constant fiddling with monitors and Magnum were just quality tonight. I don’t think The new album was well represented which European tour and opened with the Bluesy Punk-edged 19 May 2014 Dave Scott audio equipment became the main focus, which with one person would or could have left the venue tonight meant anyone hoping for a “greatest hits” set was ‘Hold On Buddy’ from new album ‘Broken Hearts And mighty material like ‘Fly Away’, ‘Judas’ and ‘Time To without a smile on their face and that includes the disappointed. Sadly ‘The Incomparable Mr Flannery’ Fallaparts’ and segued straight into the Honky-Tonk I would been keen to attend a Doro gig at anytime Breathe’, was a real shame. Guitarist Thorsten Koehne band who seem genuinely appreciative of the support was omitted from the set, though a tough-as-nails piano of ‘Rise And Fall’ from 2011’s ‘That’s How We Roll’. but given “The German Queen Of Heavy Metal” was EDEN’S CURSE, ESTRELLA, FAHRAN proved his worth with a classically inspired solo slot and from the audience. Sure they have got one of the most ‘10001110101’ more than made up for that. Vocalist Mikkel Neperus had an immediate rapport with touring to commemorate her 30th Anniversary; Glasgow: Ivory Blacks it has to be said that recently-ish added singer Nikola loyal sets of fans around, but when you’ve been this Considering the band was formed in 1990, it is the audience whilst bassist Karsten Dines Johansen cut this tour was a no brainer. 19 May 2014 Mijic also convinced much more than he did at Firefest good for this long it’s well deserved and on this sort of about time Clutch were awarded the success they a striking figure with his hoody pulled right up and his Opening act this evening was NulldB who were on songs new and old. showing, they’re going to be around for a lot longer yet; deserve. After witnessing this show I, for one, will be instrument low slung. Combining with furious drummer performing in the U.K. for the first time. They happen The resurgence of three band tour packages The night closed with energetic smacks of if you ever get the chance, let Magnum show you just paying them a visit on the live front again. Benjamin Max Funk they played a powerful, loud and to also hail from and are a four-piece act roaming these shores has resulted in some real treats ‘Judgement Day’, ‘Evil And Divine’ and ‘Angels And how it should be done. Ray Paul heavy ‘Supercharged’ with its Punk angst being spat whose musical style could be described as Nu-Metal, for U.K. Rock fans, but I’d wager that at £6 a head, you’d Demons’ and much though Logue and Mijic both Ian Parry out by Neperus. The high energy of 2011’s ‘Are You albeit a quite accessible type. They played eight songs be far pushed to encounter a better value night out than thanked the audience for turning a Monday evening into Satisfied?’ and the harmonica infused ‘Hungover In in total with the majority of the vocals in German and the trio of Eden’s Curse, Estrella and Fahran. However a Saturday night, a quick look round the now half empty , ’ (think Hanoi Rocks) continued with Neperus mostly delivered in a shouty, raucous fashion, but never across the dates on this tour the line-up was an ever venue revealed that many had already departed with Islington: O2 Academy gaining plenty of audience participation. The mid tempo too hostile so as to be unpleasant. The rhythm section evolving one, with Tainted Nation and Stormzone also Tuesday morning on their mind. For the second time now Islington: O2 Academy 08 May 2014 and even more Hanoi-influenced Rock ‘n’ Roll of ‘Five was thumping and at times so powerful it felt like being appearing and while I’ve never seen S-zone or TN I’ve encountered Eden’s Curse with great expectations; 27 April 2014 Hours Of Nothing’ preceded the final song as they had repeatedly punched by Mike Tyson. Guitar wise there perform, there’s no denying that we initially got the best hopefully it will be third time lucky... Last year ’ Sound of Contact (SOC) to skip the penultimate ‘Blood Red Lips’. They finished was some corking solos and lead guitar work from the end of the deal. Steven Reid Patti Russo, the Italian-American singer famous toured in support of Spock’s Beard on a Prog dream with the fast and energetic ‘Hell Motel’ from their painted up Mischa Matveev and some massive riffs Fahran were fantastic; twin guitarists Jake Graham for sharing the stage with Meatloaf for many years, ticket and this was another such pairing, however debut ‘Handgrenade Blues’, a very apt description of that growled and churned from vocalist/guitarist Frank and Chris Byrne exploded ‘Take This City’ into life through recently toured around the U.K. at various club venues despite that, the London crowd numbers were their music as it happened, where guitarists Thomas Juhnlein. ‘Kinder des Zorns’ was one title that I caught dual solos and killer riffs, as drummer JR Windsor IAN ANDERSON culminating at the O2 Academy, Islington. The venue disappointing. Where were all those people who Buchwald and Dennis Samaras blazed away in furious mid set and it featured a mixture of chiming lead notes twirled and hurled his sticks in all directions. Melodic to London: O2 Shepherds Bush Empire was packed and there was a sprinkling of showbiz and packed the Forum a matter of weeks earlier to see fashion. They definitely have that Danish D-A-D vibe and a rumbling progression. It was followed by my the core, Fahran are a much heavier beast than singer 24 May 2014 Rock celebs there. As a result, this is probably the first ’s other band, Transatlantic? Shame on going on so I’m sure we’ll hear more from this band as favourite song (title unknown) which had a lush techno Matt Black’s previous outfit Serpentine and through the time Lorraine Chase, Cheryl Baker and Doogie White you! they deliver a raucous performance with high energy on background matched by a colossal riff and lead solo pumping ‘Cased In Steel’ and cleverly poised ‘Some Kind This tour was billed as “Homo Erraticus And The Best have been mentioned in the same sentence! More fool the stayaways I say, because they stage, and are very engaging off of it. combination. They also featured Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Purple Of Family’, there’s no denying that his voice is much more of Jethro Tull”, and was to feature the aforementioned Russo entered the stage looking very youthful missed an absolute treat, three hours of Prog Funnily enough, that’s a description that can be Haze where Kuhnlein decided to show off by playing at home here than trying to mimic the piercing tones of album played in full as well plus various JT favourites. (considering she admitted she is facing the big Five-O greatness. The only dampener on the evening being his guitar behind his head. They closed out with two previous Serpentiner Tony Mills. ‘Ashes’ brought a set The show began promptly with a large back soon) and unleashed a voice of astonishing power the only remaining Flower Kings t-shirts would have H.E.A.T more rampant and energy fuelled songs before a large crammed with showmanship to a close as the rapidly projection, featuring an amusing sketch based around in ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ (the connection being she looked tight on an anorexic. With several dates left on applause the crowd. Despite not really being into Nu- filling venue showed huge enthusiasm for a band I’d Ian Anderson dead in bed. The band, kitted out in appeared in the Las Vegas ‘We Will Rock You’ show the tour it looks like a severe case of under-ordering. Metal, I quite enjoyed this thunderous performance. venture few had heard of before. As it turned out we’d doctors white coats, surround him, before then arriving as the Killer Queen). The second song was probably SOC hit the stage at 7:30 sharp and proceeded to Doro’s band strolled out one by one and as the music just witnessed Fahran-away the best performance of the on stage in the same outfits. the most musically impressive, being a solo version deliver an almost hour long set of tracks culled from started up, she could be seen grinning broadly from the night... Ian Anderson took to the stage as the band begin

of Diane Warren’s ‘I Would Lie To You (And That’s The their terrific debut album, ‘Dimensionaut’. Changes Photo: Stuart Westwood side of the stage. As the music hit its stride and they Aberdeen’s Estrella have been making a name for the first song ‘Doggerland’ and back projections gave Truth)’ which Russo originally duetted with Meatloaf have occurred since the last tour with kicked into Warlock’s ‘I Rule The Ruins’, Doro herself themselves in recent times and tonight it was easy to fleeting images related to each songs lyrical content. on his album ‘Welcome To The Neighbourhood’. and being replaced by Bill Jenkins bounced out to an enormous roar. Her voice sounded see why, although maybe not quite so easy to hear it; Anderson’s backing band really were first rate It was refreshing that by the end of the show, Russo (keys) and Randy McStine (guitars) respectively, both fabulous from the start and it rolled out of the speakers for while this four-piece have all the moves, there are musicians, and all had ample stage time to display had only relied on one other Meatloaf song, namely of whom shine. Young gunslinger McStine is a great like an aural red carpet of power. Of the first fourteen decidedly less grooves. Front-man Paul Gunn (a blonde their own musical personalities. Keyboard player ‘’, which was done as a solo (a player, his solo on ‘Omega Point’ is sensational. I songs, ten were from her days with Warlock. These Jizzy Pearl if ever there was one) knows how to grind John O’Hara resembled a musical “mad professor”, hard one, due to the number of words!). Russo wisely suspect these boys will be big. included ‘Burning The Witches’, ‘Fight For Rock’, ‘Metal his hips, while Luke, his brother on guitar, knows how to guitarist Florian Opahle was all smiles as he played interspersed her own material, notably ‘Bring Me A Since TFK returned from their five-year hiatus I Tango’, ‘East Meets West’, and ‘Für Immer’. Given it was throw out tricks. However no amount of crotch thrusting, some splendid guitar, whilst Anderson still competently Bible And A Beer’ with a range of covers (including an think they’ve reignited their fire and produced two a celebration of her thirty years in the business, it was or fret flinging while the guitar itself was on Luke’s head managed his trademark party trick of balancing on one impressive version of ‘Baby Love’ originally performed of the best, most consistent of their career. no surprise to hear so many Warlock tracks and to be or behind his back (or the free beer which the band leg whilst continuing to be the consummate entertainer by Mother’s Finest). Fittingly therefore they opened their set with three equally applied to Swedish sensations H.e.a.t. The honest they were all a joy. Throughout every song, Doro handed out from the stage) could disguise that the songs he always was. John Partridge (best known as Christian from tracks from their latest release, ‘’, venue had started to fill up during Supercharger’s bounced around the stage from one side to the other, themselves were all a bit throwaway and the vocals I believe he has produced one of his most Eastenders) joined the stage towards the end along which were full of vigour, melody and superb playing. set and it was practically sold out by the time H.e.a.t encouraging every ounce of support from the audience. basically a rasping yelp. ‘Shout (I Wanna Hear You)’ accomplished works with ‘...Erraticus’; he wisely with Queen’s keyboard player Spike Edney and they ‘Tower ONE’ was a wonderful song with repeated launched into the quick-fire salvo of ‘Point Of No Return’ She was often mid-stage, mic and hands outstretched opened things in a convincing 1980s U.K. AOR fashion, decided to let the album speak for itself, with no performed a rampaging ‘Mustang Sally’ with Russo’s themes and the brilliant use of their dual vocal and ‘A Shot Of Redemption’. What more praise can be in encouragement as she head-banged away. She but from there the Hair inspired ‘Party’ and ‘Come Out To unnecessary in-between song banter. voice going into overdrive. prowess and dynamic of Stolt and Hasse Fröberg. Talk heaped upon these Scandinavian marvels that hasn’t really was a bundle of energy and enthusiasm. I don’t Play’ (complete with Gunn (whose odd North of Scotland The addition of actor and singer Ryan O’Donnell The band were tight and professional throughout about starting on a high. The album’s title track and already been done so? Erik Gronwall had the girls in the know about the term pocket rocket, more like a pocket meets L.A. accent was most disturbing) clinking empty brought a wonderful sense of theatrics to the show, as but very clearly it was Russo’s show and she was in ‘The Resurrected Judas’ followed in equally breath- palm of his hand as with more moves than Mick Jagger nuclear reactor; when she is in full flow, Doro is truly beer bottles during the intro) simply came across as he mimed out scenes to accompany each song. His role very good spirits throughout; between songs there taking fashion before, as Stolt announced “the long and a mesmeric headshaking of his quiff-like hair, he a sight to see and witness. There was plenty of chat overused ideas with underwhelmed results – simply ask as a singer has greatly helped Anderson, who at the age was a smattering of vaudeville style jokes and a one” (all twenty-five minutes), ‘Numbers’ from the stomped and spun his way across the stage with a fizzed with the audience and you could just feel the warmth the guy behind the merch stand if you don’t believe me. of sixty-seven has limitations with his voice. They sang stories referring to her Italian roots and admiration of previous album ‘The ’ was delivered up energy and a puffed out chest with his T-shirt sporting and honesty in her voice. In between all the Warlock He appeared to be asleep during most of the set... together and exchanged versus, leaving Anderson more . It was nice to see Russo in the limelight and out supremely well. the legend ‘I Don’t Trust Me Either’ underneath a denim entries there were other offerings like ‘The Night Of The The last time I witnessed EC on stage was at Firefest time to deliver his exquisite flute playing. of Meatloaf’s shadow, which was quite few years back Sat in the photo pit I could only marvel at the quality waistcoat. Eric Rivers has really shone since becoming Warlock’, the awesome ‘Raise Your Fist In The Air’ (one 2013, where sound issues overshadowed an otherwise After a short intermission the band return, complete anyway. of the playing, being particularly transfixed by the bass the sole guitarist and his effortless riffs and engaging of my highlights) and ‘Burn It Up’. No Doro show would impressive performance. Unfortunately for EC, lightning with back projections of a young Anderson in all his The final song was ‘River Deep, Mountain High’, playing of . Tomas Bodin’s keyboards smile coupled with exciting lead breaks carried the be complete without a Dio cover and she gave us an was about to strike twice. A delay of well over an hour guises, and there was a year clock to originally date which interestingly Meatloaf used to sing back in the seem to be more prominent these days and drummer H.e.a.t express train forward. Drummer Crash, looked emotional rendition of ‘Egypt (The Chains Are On)’. After each song. We got all the Tull classics – ‘Aqualung’ day but it was a good choice to show off her voice. Felix Lehrmann was both skilled and powerful. As for mega fit with his high energy performance, and super- ‘Out Of Control’, the audience were “treated?” to the EDEN’S CURSE ‘Locomotive Breath’ and ‘Living In The Past’ etc – and it Russo then left the stage to an adoring audience. This Stolt his guitar playing was simply sublime. friendly bassist and rhythm meister extraordinaire sadly predictable drum solo that I am sorry to say I am was now that Anderson cheerfully chatted to us, linking was a great night out, an entertaining event and one A medley of older material followed which didn’t Jimmy Jay, with shorter haircut, kept their end Rock now bored with, the fact I had chance to visit the toilet together the well-loved back catalogue. to remember. quite match the dizzying heights achieved thus far but solid. Keyboard ivory tinkler and cap-wearing Jona Tee and get a drink before it finished says plenty about the A quite breathtaking ‘Farm On The Freeway’ and the Rob McKenzie was still tremendous, and suddenly the set was over. was almost hidden at the side of the stage but his bursts length. The show closed out with a further seven tracks classic ‘Songs From The Wood’ really made my evening, Naturally they returned for an encore which slightly of melody were the sparklers to all the other fireworks including the covers ‘Wacken Hymne (We Are The while ‘Teacher’ returned like a long lost friend. And

bizarrely, given an extensive catalogue of their own to going off on stage. Metalheads)’ from Skyline and Judas Priest’s ‘Breaking Photo: Steven Reid for the die-hard fans, even a section from the opinion- CLUTCH promote, took the form of two covers. McStine joined H.e.a.t treated us to their full repertoire with no The Law’. There was also ‘All We Are’ from Warlock, dividing ‘A Passion Play’! Kentish Town: The Forum them for Pink Floyd’s ‘Echoes’ and he remained for fewer than nine of the nineteen from the recently ‘Love Me In Black’ and my other highlight ‘Revenge’ The evening’s mixture of Folk Rock theatrics and 01 May 2014 Genesis’ ‘Cinema Show’ which he sang before Collins released ‘Tearing Down The Walls’. Dragonforce’s which was a belter. Suitably, the show closed out with humour has really given Ian Anderson and his musical reappeared to play the dual drum section. Herman Li was brought on stage to guest solo with another Warlock offering in ‘Evil’ after which Doro had merry men a whole new lease of life, and hopefully this My introduction to Maryland’s Clutch was a review A great band that deserved a bigger audience. Rivers on ‘In And Out Of Trouble’ and during ‘Beg Beg to be all but dragged from the stage to a resounding imaginative presentation will reach a new audience. of the quite impressive ‘Robot Hive/Exodus’ album Gary Marshall Beg’ H.e.a.t spontaneously broke into a version of Led applause. Ray Paul

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