10.08.2004
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 EARTHSHAKER
FEST 2004
SECOND
DAY 24 july 04
Autohof
Strohofer area - GEISELWIND - GERMANY
IN
FLAMES - HELLOWEEN
-U.D.O
DESTRUCTION
-SODOM
-(MANTAS) - ROSE
TATTOO -DEW
SCENTED -
LEAVES'
EYES - (JUSTICE)
DREAM
EVIL -PSYCHOPUNCH
www.earthshaker-fest.de
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INTRO PSYCHOPUNCH DREAM
EVIL LEAVES
'EYES DEW
SCENTED ROSE
TATTOO SODOM DESTRUCTION U.D.O. HELLOWEEN IN
FLAMES
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reviews
by dalia "gryphon_spirit" di giacomo
- all pics
©
by Stefan Vogelaar
The public
use of these fotos is strictly prohibited without written
permission
IF YOU WANT MORE
PHOTOS OR IF YOU WANT THESE ONES IN ORIGINAL SIZE, WRITE
HERE
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| INTRO
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And here it is!: the second day of the festival that shakes the Earth! and it's right: yesterday was just an aperitif,
today the earth will be shaken many times by mighty riffing's and drumming's! But "aperitif yesterday" left us with a major cloudburst, remember? Today we emerge from a stressed camping place that has suffered wet tents and a certain quantity of mud into which every meadow turns after such a
downpour. Anyway already in the first morning the works in order to make the entrance to the camping good passable by feet and wheels were in full gear. The weather is still warm but the tail of the crying clouds persists. Therefore we will have a variable sky with sun and short passages of rain, which will affect in different ways the many concerts of today. Many concerts indeed: 12 bands will hit the stage following a revisited schedule that is imposing a kind of marathon to
the acts and t the crowd also due to the inclusion of Rose Tattoo's gig in an already full bill. Many shows must be shortened to create a window of
opportune length for the glorious Rockers. For the rest...we are the people of
boots, steel and claws: the rain didn't switch off any enthusiasm and good mood: the number of visitors, many of them are here since two days just for attending Helloween and/or In Flames, is bigger than yesterday. The Fest area opened at 10:00 h
and the number of visitors grows... But, like just mentioned, Helloween and In Flames' "ghosts" flutter in the air so much that the crowd , anyway attentive and involved in the cool concerts of today , could have been even more generous with the previous bands, while, on the contrary the
maximum enthusiasm will explode in front of the headliners only. Today my targets are 2 interviews: with Leaves' Eyes and Helloween
+ the concerts of Dream Evil, Leaves' Eyes, Destruction, Helloween and in Flames. I'm interested in
Dew-Scented and Sodom too, but we will see that the interview with Helloween will take place in the same moment of
Sodom's gig. Anyway the photo-gallery will feature so many bands.
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PSYCHOPUNCH
psychopunch
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We reach the area at 11:20 when Psychopunch are still playing. Monitors are enveloped in a
cellophane-like protection: the stage is ready for any eventuality. Here the photos.
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DREAM EVIL
dream
evil 
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I'm very curious to see the Swedish act of Heavy Metal (and of the beautiful
dragon logo) live. Their album "The Book of Heavy
Metal" has been greeted by GM with a remarkable appreciation. Let's see now their ability in flesh and blood. Dream Evil start off with the title track
The Book of Heavy Metal indeed: effective opener, the best choice. They win immediately the attention, an attention well placed from the moment that the concert has no downs at all, remaining alive and pounding from the first till the last note. Their look, a bit eccentric,
somehow "in the middle" between Rock and extreme Dark metal, represents a good way of expression of this Heavy rockin' cadenced music, seriously proposed. Dream Evil are after all severe on the stage, nevertheless agreeable. They are absolutely compact and
resolute with grit. Lead solo's are well executed, the mobility is good.
 The rain becomes to drop over
The Sledge that appeals with its refrain "by the sledge of Rock". Spontaneously
the audience claps hands and sings "..by the sledge of Rock!" at the face of the climbing
humidity. Niklas Isfeldt 's vocals are constantly strong with a timbre
that reminds of Scorpions' Meine, pleasantly and (fortunately) not always highpitched showing even more depth, like we can admire in the very solid and catchy
Crusaders' Anthem. The drummer, dressed like a medieval executioner, provides for a good rhythm while the solo's become more and more
sparkling. The song M.O.M makes the audience sing along a lot unleashing warm applauses and a good numbers of horns up. The rain
calms down, while Niklas finds time and athletic spirit in order to spring down the stage in 2 jumps, getting a more direct contact with the fans. When the show ends, it seems it has flown away in one minute. Extreme Rock in the colour of the 80's has morphed into
Heavy Metal, opening a real march of the Metallians, with hard hooklines but also touching melodies, making
honor to the name of the festival. The encore is asked in a sincere way though not through an oceanic chorus. You can see them like a combination of many famous groups that have their roots in the
80's, but, for me, they can mainly become the new Scorpions...and sorry if this is a small thing ;)!
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LEAVES'EYES
liv
kristine 
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Leaves' Eyes arouses a lot of attention here at the Earthshaker . You can tell what you want, but the mix Atrocity
+ Liv Kristine has created a band able to put in chains even the hardest bangers. Supported by a very good album
that it is casting a spell a bit everywhere, the result is that this presumed softer gothic ethereal fraction of
the fest gathers a noticeable answer, beyond any curiosity. We defy the unsettled weather, but
this "new" Liv Kristine must be seen. Moreover it's high interesting to listen to Lovelorn stuff live.
The surprise is that Lovelorn is not only sweet and melodic, indeed some tracks, that
appear stronger already on CD, sound totally mighty live, thanks also to a
sound mixed and directed with care. But let's proceed with order: the first hit is Liv's appearance.
She looks like a fairy lady, so beautiful and gentle with such a nice voice, speaking so good in
German, a voice that becomes perfect vocalism during the songs. Our magic fairy from Norway
and band mates must take the stage at 12:35 among inviting smells of roast pork, yellow-red lights and an
uncertain sky. The intro reminds immediately of the typical Lovelorn atmosphere. Smoke effect, guitars and bass start off with an unmistakable arpeggio, she hits the stage like a sea blue enchantment, smiling. The password is: good taste. Atrocity yesterday have not played: so double attention. Though
Leaves'Eyes is a band "per se" and not a project like confirmed
by Mr. Lukhaup too, the Atrocity component competes with Liv's charism. Therefore already at the first chords the
"spotlight" is directed over all members of the band on the stage, while a major thought pushes its way in
everybody's mind: "Alex , where is he"? heheh just wait, and exactly the
chapter III !
The arpeggio introduces Norwegian Lovesong with which we begin (chapter I), followed by
Tale of the sea made (chapter II). The substance of the sound perfectly gives the idea of the
album, i think that obviously the base of the more symphonic part is used, but the participation of the whole band on the stage is flawless.
Then, with Ocean's Way Leaves' Eyes push such a potency of
instruments . Alex hits the stage and it's a break out, it's a burst bringing aggressiveness and grit in the melodic sweetness with just thin opera flavours.
Now there is a duet, there is the low evil rasping male attack that instigates to action.
Herr Krull, with his experience and ability, knows how to shake the mesmerized crowd. I could add that i
think he has found also his personal proper image.. Chris Lukhaup
plays with an impressive and varied technique of playing; also guitarists and drummer
are brilliantly expressing the sound. Unfortunately the weather has nothing better to do than pouring out another shower. Though less intense than the thunderstorm of yesterday, it is quite impossible to remain here in front of the stage without getting wet
till the bones. before my notebook dissolve, i must leave when the band plays
The Dream. Nevertheless many persons remain, the show can go on. Liv
said that she is sorry for this rain, hoping that it's not her fault :).
From the event hall i can only hear that also the track Temptation with
its old- fashioned charme is proposed. After the concert i had the possibility to interview bassist Chris
Lukhaup taking the occasion to ask questions about Leaves' Eyes and Atrocity,
about composing and science, about projects and way of playing. Thank you a lot Chris!
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DEW SCENTED
dew-scented
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After the wide and very interesting interview with Chris , done during the turn of Justice, i relaxed a bit. I am interested in
the following Dew Scented, but i think that for observing Dew Scented another occasion can be more suitable. Stefan is ready with the
camera. Me, on the contrary... i need a short pause . But somehow Pinocchio's Jiminy Cricket and his
"let the conscience be your guide" goes on whispering: "Dew Scented - Dew Scented
, go and see them!!" I went out from the hall in time for attending the last part of Dew Scented 's concert, this is to say the last 2 songs. Dew Scented play a brilliant
, very extreme, fast Thrash with neckbreaking loops , i prefer them to Slayer. Period. And to underline even more the concept i 'd really suggest to support this fresh young
German fast Thrash. The first of these 2 songs is Soul Poison from the latest album Impact. Played like a bomb. When the
track is finished, singer Leif Jensen tells to the audience " well there is time for another song: we have played too fast!!" ...
"wir haben zu schnell gespielt!" hehehee these words picture well the band! The crowd approves and , if i 'm not wrong, Acts of Rage is presented. Eh yes it is not my fav
Cities of the Dead.. but very probably they have already shot this track. I only had to move my ass before... Jiminy Cricket is always right, sigh!
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ROSE TATTOO
rose
tattoo
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The old rockers are unbelievable. They are not only charismatic guys,
no, they are old young boys that still have a lot of fun playing their classic American Rock with Blues
and Country influences. Both organization and band have not disappointed
the fans. Rose Tattoo are here and unstoppable like the hot temperature that still rides
around. In the meanwhile a bright sun definitely smiles in a sky that is becoming more and more blue. Rain, bye bye. Unfortunately i don't like at all this kind of Rock, i cannot even stand it, matter of pure personal taste, but i cannot help to notice the strong vocals and the enthusiasm in making the concert. Rose
Tattoo, bye :)
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SODOM
sodom
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Sorry, there will be another occasion. The interview with Helloween's bassist,
Mr. Markus Grosskopf, is important. Nevertheless Stefan comes impeccable with his photos!
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DESTRUCTION destruction
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Destruction, presented by Ezpharess from Mystic Circle deliver one of the best
"earthshaking" concert of the day. Destruction show their teeth, concentrated , implacable. But the first
impression in me impacts into a theoretical question: where is Schmier? And not because it's imposing silhouette and his vocals were not immediately
recognizable, but less blonde than the usual and so highly concentrated , straight to the point ,
so determined seems different and even better than the Schmier seen at the
Metal Dayz one year ago.
The new album Metal Discharge is represented, as well as tracks of previous era's,
empowered by a good sound. The trio Schmier, Mike and Marc of The Butcher strikes back is an earthquaking machine from
Thrash till Death to Metal Discharge, from The ravenous Beast till
Curse the Gods. Just look at the pictures! The only flaw goes to the crowd that could have been
more enthusiast.
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U.D.O. udo
our interview in
Greece
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Here the photogallery.
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HELLOWEEN helloween
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It's evening with the schedule shifted toward late hours :Helloween will end their show around
11:30. The naughty pumpkins are a great attraction here at their home Germany, where they count on faithful fans.
The pit is really crowded, total presence for them and In Flames. Announced by a sinister spoken intro, Helloween
are acclaimed and warmly welcomed. well well...eh surprise surprise, the push
and dynamism put on the stage is impressive, the bands seems re-born with a new effective energy. From the first mood of the concert i can see that some things are not changed from the gig in Zürich of the last
autumn, and maybe will never change: Weikath's eternal cigarette, Deris 's total personal way of taking wrong notes, the typical stage acting of a "Power" show
. All things that are a torture for my ears and eyes, but with my great pleasure something is, on the contrary, changed and for the best. Helloween are more energetic less
disorganized, more concentrated, Andi Deris makes mistakes and always appear like an Ibiza tourist, but much is sung well, while his gestures a la
master of puppets are less recurrent and exaggerated: he is really more focused
on the songs. Guitarist Sasha plays well he appears a lot more mature. The smiling and always good mooded
Grosskopf offers a big contribution to the rhythmic session that is simply
a pillar tonight, again... The drumming, like in Zürich, is absolutely great, even more
resolute tonight with bass drum -compressions that are the gear the makes
the difference. Tonight again we attend the long version of the mythical The
Keeper of the Seven Keys part II, during this track the bands speeds up and slows down like a race-car. Weikath launches many picks
to the fans but every time after having played with them, he smashes even some touches of class. Sasha's solo after
The Keeper finds a pumped up and excited audience. Hey Lord announced by Deris as being a special important song for him (he is the author too),
though completely out of tone in its first part is a relief for me , being one of my fav's.
Open your Life is extracted from the latest album, followed by
Eagle fly free. If i could fly , with its
unforgettable piano notes and its enthralling hookline, is sung well!
(miracle) and so well performed that is a pleasure to listen to it. Therefore i'm very disappointed to see that the audience doesn't express all the enthusiasm that this
If I could fly deserves. Power is proposed with the same interactive intermezzo seen in
Rome. So pathetic for me:
i have a complete black out i disconnect from the right or left part, which is the best, who sings better: the right part or the left one? the linksträger or the rechtsträger?
When Helloween greet the Earthshaker and receive the many applauses and approvals,
with the launch of the sticks and the presentation of the band members, piano/key player
too, i can only deduce that so many beautiful songs are constantly ignored and not included in the set list. All in all a good show, that
however has lost me along the way ... from Power.
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IN FLAMES in
flames 
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Supercrowd ready for headbanging, moshing and crowd surfing. The image of the cover art of
Soundtrack to your Escape will bless a concert of Melodic Death arranged with Modern of
excellent manufacture. A long queue of photographers is waiting to burst into the
photo pit . Oh yes and all this blessed by the music of Paradise Lost coming out
in low volume from the giant boxes . Aha aha setlist from the background soundtrack of this turnover:
Mouth, Fader, Look at me now, Something Real, Sell it to the World..
this BIN repertoire cannot be ignored by me.
Only few maybe care about this background, but i cannot let it flow away unnoticed.
We wait In Flames listening to PL, and we will leave the fest again at
the sound of the new PL.
But back to In
Flames, welcomed by the super joy of the audience. They look like a
small battalion, a small commando: all dressed in syntony, showing
mobility and self confident dynamism. Though so successful, they play tight without haughtiness,
earth-quacking, giving at times a feeling of cosmic vertigo. After midnight is fire in the pit
thanks t the crowd gone crazy, and on the stage thanks to recurrent pyro
effects and thanks to a band that is up to the task. Fire with songs like The quiet
Place, or Touch of Red, or Trigger, Only for
the Weak, Like
you better dead, My sweet Shadow (that closes the show). Anders Friden smashes there a super vitaminic
acting, supported by a band that works hard all the time, guitarists Strömblad and Gelotte included. No one remains in his corner alone with an inspired expression
in a "divus" role. " Alright my friends! are you ready?" We are all crazy,
banging like mad. In Flames are also still able to communicate with the people and to be interactive though in a different than
Helloween. "Applauses for John!" after that this John (?), taken from the crowd as one who learns drumming, got the honour to sit behind In Flames skins for a short solo. The negative side: an horrible sound, that has penalized many songs among which Touch of red too. You can imagine how
able is the band if the result is so satisfactory in spite of this awful pasta- sound, sticky and not clear.
In Flames say goodbye telling " see you next year"! but we of gryphonmetal will find them very, very soon again at the PDOL (Piteå Dansar och Ler)
in Sweden. The encore requests fade away slowly into Nick Holmes' voice.
Good night.
dalia di giacomo 
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