 Second year in a row for March Metal Day Festival and naturally the expectations are high. Let's see if they managed to live up to the hype… The festival started at 12:30 p.m. and logically many people (including me) couldn't attend the venue from the very beginning. De Profundis set off with their attractive doom death sound, followed by Overgarden's atmospheric death, with the female singer of the Italian's Macbeth lending a helping hand. From there the baton was passed to a more known Greek metal band named Hannibal whose highlight was the closing of their set, a cover on the well-known "Du Has" from Rammstein.
 And this is where I entered the arena, a familiar site, but at the same time full of bad memories due to the bad sound it re-produces, though there was a noticeable change for the better in the various t-shirt and X-box stalls (some couldn't just pull themselves away from the latter) and of course the essential beer stands. On the opposite corner there were sport areas where you could climb walls and watch some scenes of the American Gladiators (for those who remember it). Cutting to the chase, it was about time for the first "battle on stage" the one between Metallica and Iron Maiden, given by the cover bands The Iron Maidens and Orion, each in a different stage ("Angel's Stage" and "Demon's Stage") almost at the same time. There's nothing better than listening for the beginning a song that'll always hunt the mind of the Greek Maiden fans and this is no other than Alexander the Great, with everybody singing along with the band. By the end of it everybody is running to the opposite stage, where Orion are ready to kick off, ready for their "reply". Blackened it is and an endless moshing bursts out. The sound could be way better, but nobody seemed to care, or at least shut their ears to it. More "hymns" followed up from both bands such as The Trooper (The Iron Maidens) / Flight Of Icarus (The Iron Maidens) / Number Of The Beast (The Iron Maidens) / Phantom Of The Opera (The Iron Maidens) / Battery (Orion) / Master Of Puppets (Orion) / (Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth (Orion) / For Whom The Bell Tolls (Orion) / Seek And Destroy (Orion) / Hallowed Be Thy Name (The Iron Maidens) / Run To The Hills (The Iron Maidens). In the unofficial sms contest the winners were Orion, but as far as I'm concerned nobody lost that day.
 Since these where the days of the Greek Halloween it was a good opportunity for Anorimoi to present their stuff. Simply fantastic on stage and interpretation they made as laugh until we cried. They opened with the super hit "Καριόλα" and moved on to "Ένα Κεφτεδάκι Τόσο Δα", "Στο Πρώτο Ραντεβού", "Ο Πανίσχυρος Μεγιστάνας Των Νίντζα", "Ο Κάλος", "Η Χοντρή Με Γουστάρει", and the closing song "Σπάσε το σπυρί". More power to your elbow guys for the future. Trust me you don't want to miss them live so grab the chance when given.
 Next up, pure, virgin(?) German thrash by Sodom that literally tear the roof off and messed all of us up, the poor sweaty and bruised from headbanging and moshing fans, despite the short set that roughly lasted an hour and the changed order of the billing list that also effected them, but that's how things work with festivals and we couldn't do nothing but put up with it. They've chosen a set of many old songs like "Outbreak Of Evil", "Sodomy And Lust", "The Saw Is The Law", "Blasphemer", "Agent Orange" and "Remember the Fallen" giving a good lesson to all those emo bands what pure thrash is about. Near the end of their show the routine cover to Motorhead's "Ace of Spades" was heard and they closed the set with the stunning "Bombenhagel".
 The worst by far band of the festival was Tristania. I really believe that there's no point being a sextet since a quartet would work just fine and even better. I may lay it on thick, but the male and female vocalists had no reason to be on stage that night. Only the poor guitarist was trying hard with his good brutal vocal delivery, but the sound was so bad that even him couldn't save the day. Definitely a smaller stage would be more helpful, but I doubt it could earn them a single fan with a performance like that, quite the opposite, it would cost them some, if you take into account that they entered the stage just after Sodom (this is where we laugh).
After that shock and all these tiring hours of standing I parked myself at the bar for some booze and food only to find out that they were out of the latter. What the f… guys. Shouldn't you bring some more food for a 14 hours fest? The fans took the rap for their … neglect and found shelter at the canteens outside the place to eat a filthy and miserable souvlaki.
 Leaving our hunger aside, we waited for at least 1 hour for Annihilator to storm the stage, due to Edguy's soundcheck. The entire situation created a tense atmosphere, but thankfully Annihilator saved the day. The Canadians were in high spirits and gave everything on stage, unleashing a breathtaking show. "King of the Kill" was the kick off track and as far as I'm concerned they did the right thing to play few new tracks since there's no comparison between those and the hymns of the past. Waters was headbanging all the time calling the people to join the fun and start moshing. What's better than that? Russel Bergquist was very good with his vocal delivery so no wonder that "Phantasmagoria", "Fun Palace", "I Am In Command", "Never Neverland", "Alison Hell" (with our lad Bob Katsionis on the guitar), "WTYD" and for the end "Human Insecticide" where simply skull-crushing. Thank you very much gentlemen and please don't make us wait too long till you visit us again.
 After the Canadians I realized that Eurovision came earlier to Greece this year, talking about Edguy, who according to my tastes what they presented that night had nothing to do with metal, but it was amusing as hell (Editor's Note: You must be kidding Giannis. Maybe you should redefine the word Metal in your dictionary). It's a pity that Tobias Sammet didn't follow a pop career. I believe he would be quite successful, not only vocal-wise but as a performer, too. Beyond doubt a solid band, a natural outcome by virtue of their live experience, they threw in a setlist constisted mostly of new and recent song with the exception of "Vain Glory Opera" from the homonymous album. Again the sound was not the best it could be and like before it deprived the audience of full joy. Their closing track was "King of Fool" that accordind to Edguy was meant to be a super-hit, but in vain.
 The main reason I attended this fest was the appearance of the divine Nevermore, as I wasn't impressed from their previous concert in Greece. On the contrary this time the band was in great form, even without a second guitarist, since Steve Smyth's slot wasn't replaced in time. Most impressive was Warrel that heaved in sight red-haired, with a red beard and a coat. That guy is definitely from outer space!!! He lived every moment of the show, every lyric he sang. An uplifting frontman, passing the mic to the crowd, becoming one with it and so on. A true Metal God!!! Same with the rest band. Jeff Loomis made it just fine, Jim Sheppard was the most relaxed one (should I say self-conscious?) and Van Morrison was a human machine. Only drawback the absence of the masterpiece "Dreaming Neon Black", but no harm done. The fans gave just about everything neglecting the long-drawn-out tiredness and standing, but just as Warrel said Greeks are Nevermore's best fans. Let's go now to the sad news. Surprise, surprise!! The sound was awful!! Are you serious out there you Greek arrangers? Especially on the first 5-6 songs the only instruments heard were the bass and drums. Is that the respect you show to the fans? The worst sound I've heard ever. If it's the place to blame, then do it some place else next year.
The last in line were Nightwish, for the second time in Greece. The majority of the people was naturally there only to see them, that's why the front was over-crowed. Unexpectedly the sound was improved and it's quite logical since Nightwish aren't that dynamic (to put it politely) and since I'm not their fan let's see what Maria has to say:
 "Greece had shown before how much loves Nightwish and again this was more than obvious, judging by the people mounted in front of the "Angel's Stage", namely the headliner's stage and while our tiredness made us drag our feet all the way there from "Demon's Stage" leaving behind the fiery performance from Nevermore I was ready to burst in tears as a result of their short-lasting setlist. But that's past, Nightwish were here with a new album and a new singer, kicking off with "Bye Bye Beautiful", a common opening track since Anette Olzon replaced Tarja Turunen. Obviously this track and generally "Dark passion Play" is more "pop" and based on Anette's voice, compared to their previous efforts. I guess this is their way of leaving Tarja behind and welcoming their new Swedish recruit. Her great start didn't last long since the follow-up "Dark Chest of Wonders" revealed her inexperience. By the time "Whoever Brings the Night" was filling the air we went to grab some food outside the place before I faint, hence we lost "Siren" and "Amaranth". Entering the place again with "Islander" on the speakers, the scenery was dramatically altered. Everybody inside was like a wet blanket, not having the courage to participate anymore and most of them preferred to sit down and watch. Nightwish continued with "Poet and the Pendulum", "Sacrament of Wilderness" and "Last of the Winds". Personally I was ready to fall asleep by that time and I saw many feeling the same. Then the band announced they only have time for two more songs and the first notes from "Nemo" were enough to fan our flame of interest, until Anette started to sing and everybody had a heart attack. She was way off-key!!! Nonetheless, they moved on to the closing "I Wish I had an Angel", a powerful track, but again "she" was nowhere to be found. As for their performance on stage, Anette was jumping around without sense and totally out of rhythm, Marco Hietala was very good and his vocals as well and the rest of the band was very good, interpreting also in a very good manner. Even so, their show is one of the worst I've ever seen live. Perhaps the fact that Tristania were even worse may comfort them."
Well that's about it for MMD this year with all its goods and bads. The most important aspect to look after in the future is the sound. Do something right away for this unbearable situation.
Hope for the best next year.
p.s.: Thanks to Maria and Giannis for keeping us company, the rides and the hospitality. |
