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Review
MARIO'S METAL MEETING 2008

METAL TO INFINITY

I missed the First edition of the MMM Festival last year. Not that the bands weren't attractive enough to make this short travel. Anyway; this year I found time to travel to Holland for this little true Metal festival with five bands announced; COURAGEOS (GER), ARCTIC FLAME (USA), SHADOW KEEP (UK), WOLF (SW), VICIOUS RUMORS (USA). Organizer is the ultra friendly Mario from Tilburg. Like me he's a child of the eighties Metal movement. He's as addicted to Metal with the big 'M' as I am and I suppose his connection with it will never disappear. Often we meet at true Metal festivals in Germany or at other gigs in Belgium or Holland and it's always fun seeing him back. I also know he's a major fan of US Metal, often a subject in our chitchats. Be sure we are bonded by Metal forever...

This year Mario chose once more for some bands that are at least influenced by the Metal scene from the eighties, the headliner VICIOUS RUMORS is even a legend from that era. 013 where this venue was taking place, is a fantastic concert hall in Tilburg (the south of Holland near the Belgian border) with little clubs. It was in one of those clubs this festival took place...

We had some trouble finding a parking place but were still able to pick up the latest part of the COURAGEOUS gig. I've seen this band before, also as a support act from VICIOUS RUMORS but they couldn't impress me then. I admit I never heard the albums of this German band, although I was told they are pretty good. On stage COURAGEOUS is at least an energetic band. Front man Chris Staubach has flair and a pretty good voice. The song 'Yellow submarine' was pretty funny but it was way too early to make the crowd go wild.

The next band in row was the US Metal band ARCTIC FLAME. This band released an EP and an album called ''Primeval Aggressor''. The album received decent reviews in the Metal underground scene and it was a reason to be invited to Europe before. I remember I saw them at the Keep It True VII festival. Weren't they present at one of the editions of the Swordbrothers festival too? I suppose so... Nevertheless ARCTIC FLAME was on the bill of the MMM festival too and US Metal on stage is always unique, especially in the lowlands. What I remember from the last time I saw these guys on stage was the fact that they're not exactly an energetic band. Although their album contained several good and dynamic songs these guys weren't able to convince me back then. Their gig today confirms my thoughts... Once again I hear several good, even awesome songs but I don't see a good show. Not that these guys from New Jersey weren't enthusiast but their presence on stage is a point of weakness. If I compare ARCTIC FLAME with other bands today I must say that their stage presence was the weakest. These guys are like statues on stage and although all are good musicians they never had a moment that electrified me. Dave Lowe often showed he has a good voice, including great high screams, but it wasn't enough to impress me.

The main reason I was making this trip was to see SHADOWKEEP again. I saw this band at the Keep It True festival a few years ago and I remember they blew me away back then. It was a fantastic gig with an extraordinary Ronnie Stixx as their front man. Rogue M. just departed and I remember I was looking forward to hear this Ronnie Stixx at the new Shadow Keep album. SHADOWKEEP changed plans and Ronnie Stixx joined VICIOUS RUMORS. No worries because Richie Wicks (Tygers Of Pan Tang) joined forces and he's an incredible singer too! It took several years for SHADOWKEEP to make a new CD but it will be released soon. It was at least another good reason to be anxious to witness this gig. SHADOWKEEP is to me one of the best Progressive Power Metal bands of Europe and the fact one of the guitarists is feminine is a remarkable point. Nikki Robson is a very gifted musician and one of the leading forces of the band. Talking about this gig I can tell you I was a bit disappointed somewhat afterwards. Not musical wise because these English lads proved again to be extremely talented and one after another musical highlight was shown to the crowd. I've seen and heard plenty of fast fingered riffs and guitar solos and Chris Allen is an unbelievable shredder. Also Richie Wicks seems to be a fantastic singer; his high pitched strong vocals are impressive and mind blowing. The problem was that the vocals were, as a matter of fact during the entire festival, not mixed strong enough. Especially for this kind of music strong vocals are needed on stage. Too many times the instruments were too loud, compared with the vocals and I was bit irritated because of it. Not that Richie Wicks was responsible for it and I'm glad SHADOWKEEP decided to take him as their new front man ...

                                                  


Although I didn't hear the new album yet SHADOWKEEP made me learn more about this release. Several new songs were played and that made me miss 'classic ones' from the previous CD's. No 'Dark Tower', 'Seventeen' or 'I Believe'. It was one of the reasons I wanted to see the band again and I don't know the reason why these tracks weren't performed today. I was waiting for a good moment to meet Nikki but it didn't work out this way. That's a pity because I had a few questions for her, including the reason no 'oldies' were played. What I became aware of is the fact that the new album will be another masterpiece, just as ''A chaos theory'' was. At the merchandising stand of SHADOWKEEP the new album was already available and I promise you ''The Hourglass Effect'' sounds fantastic. We will make a review about it as soon as possible. SHADOWKEEP did a good job but to bring ignorant Metal heads under their spell another set list is needed if you would ask me.

Another band I saw several times before was WOLF from Sweden. This band, formed in the nineties, is also influenced by the mighty eighties and they released about four full CD's and an EP. This atypical Scandinavian band plays true Heavy Metal and they don't care at all about hypes. Based on the very early Heavy Metal roots they created a sound that, although it is not at all original, still works. I admit I don't own any releases from these Swedish guys, although their latest album is for sure worth spending my money on. Especially in Germany this band is wanted and I suppose they were the reason why several German Metal heads made the trip to Tilburg. WOLF is a very dynamic band, especially on stage. These Swedish guys know how to convince the crowd and it's no coincidence that their performance was successful. 

                                           
Although I'm not into this band they easily proved that they deserved a place on this bill. These guys are making fun and anyone could witness these guys are enjoying their own music. Their energetic live performance easily makes the people in front of the stage enthusiast. It didn't take long before people left the bars in 013 to see WOLF. A good example of the fact that WOLF is a fantastic live band was when bass guitar player Anders Modd stepped of stage to make a walk amongst the fans. These fans were invited on stage too and it is always cool to see people banging their heads along with their idols. These Vikings came, saw and conquered... I didn't spot many youngsters among the crowd but that doesn't mean this kind of music isn't able to reach the newest generation. A good show...

VICIOUS RUMORS is since the very beginning one of my all time favorite bands. They released several superb albums and ''Digital Dictator'' can even be considered a milestone in the history of Heavy Metal. This band also suffered a great loss; Carl Albert died way too early and was one of the best Metal vocalists this globe ever contained. VICIOUS RUMORS' career waned somewhat after his death and it took years for a comeback although the success from before never came back. James Rivera was a good tryout but to be honest James' voice wasn't actually meant to be for VICIOUS RUMORS. Nowadays VICIOUS RUMORS has a new singer, Ronnie Stixx who we know from Divine Ruins and SHADOWKEEP.

What do you expect by playing tracks like 'Abandoned', 'Soldiers Of The Night', 'Lady Took A Chance', 'Ship Of Fools' and 'Don't Wait For Me'... Also a few newer songs blew out of the speakers but the fans also know these lyrics by heart. VICIOUS RUMORS was energetic and dynamic as in the old days. Yes! VICIOUS RUMORS proved to be alive and kicking again. I really can't wait for a new release and I'm pretty sure it will be one in vein of the old ones.

This was my first MMM festival but certainly not my last. I'm sure Mario will deliver us more true Metal next year. I can only hope more people will visit the festival, although a lack of advertisement can be the reason only, I suspect, two hundred Metal fans showed up. Don't forget to surf to http://www.mariosmetalmania.com for more reviews, pictures etc. See you next year! (Review by Officer Nice)

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