Czech Metal Fest - Plzen, Amfitéatr Lochotin 6th June 2015 ⋆ Ave Noctum

Day 2

Underestimating the time taken to get to the amphitheatre arena meant only catching Czech band Stroy’s last song though we could hear them whilst walking down the hill to the festival in baking sunshine. Distinctly modern in flavour there were plenty of people watching even though they were on stage at 10:15AM. Arriving to the last throes of Stroy meant a merch check and a mooch around the site to see what caught my eye, I was after a wallet if I’m honest, so bought an Amorphis one, my sister got a Sabaton one. The classical style intro piece to Czech band Seven was good, well suited and dramatic enough to turn heads as the band hit the stage to a cheer at 11:20. Taking root half way back on the seats meant we had a makeshift table for drinks and could relax which we did for most of the day. Seven’s brand of metal was hardly stellar but home-grown talent is always welcome to these ears despite the plodding nature of the music on offer. Parts of the sound had a power metal feel with chug driven riffs pumped out by the guitarists and bassist competently if a little lacking in energy. Quite why the singer decided to mess around with some fire torches I have no idea as it looked plain silly as my attention wandered. As midday was breached solar output was off the scale as the temperature must have hit 85+ in the shade causing many to scurry for shade wherever possible.

I stuck it out with beer, pen and pad at the ready for Italian power metallers Elvenking whose pompous metal was well defined initially but started to suffer from muddied dynamics due to the speed being propelled by the drums. The bands brand of Dragonforce and Rhapsody (either version) was interesting and flowed well from song to song giving the singer plenty of opportunity to move around on stage and engage the crowd which they did with no persuasion. I wasn’t keen on the bouncy folk that was incorporated but it made for a party atmosphere and they should be commended for that at least. “Pagan Revolution” stood as testament to a band ploughing the well worn furrows of power metal but offering a little taste of their own with catchy explosive riffing as they dedicated the next tune, “Elvenlegions”, to their horde of fans being roasted alive in front of the stage. Choral vocals were tight, displaying practised experience and resolute confidence they continued with “Through Wolf’s Eyes”. Loading songs with double kick is a sure-fire winner as they add depth and melody when done well as the band closed with “The Loser” and went down extremely well with the knowledgeable Czech crowd. Time for a beer and a dousing by the fire service and gratefully received as they got a better cheer than some of the bands at times over the weekend.

As the ambient temperature threatened to melt my plastic glass and boil my beer a great many had now succumbed to the heat as even I was breaking into a sweat at this point but wanted to catch German epic metallers Majesty. Running like clockwork over the entire weekend the stage changeovers were faultless with most acts hitting the stage on time or within a few minutes of their allocated slot, no mean feat when only one stage was in operation throughout. Gratefully receiving a beer and water from my companions I covered my burnt knees with a wet towel and awaited some exquisite Teutonic metal of epic proportions. Possibly the most versatile musicians of the day the Majesty guys were heavy metal personified right down to the classic Judas Priest posing as the vocalist came to the front to stand with the crowd. As cheesy as it gets the band displayed enough cheddar to stack out a supermarket with songs like “Generation Steel” and “Thunder Rider” as the synchronised headbanging continued practically unabated during their set. At this point I decided to catch a breather in some shade and listen from a distance and could hear “Metal Law” being laid down on the masses gathered at the front being spit roasted. Competent, charismatic and thunderingly good fun Majesty enabled fists to be raised in proud salute to heavy metal. Horns aloft my friends.

I expected stellar things from Swedes Civil War the band formed by three ex-members of Sabaton as they have released their second album of rousing power metal copyrighted by Sabaton many years ago. Not quite a carbon copy of world acclaimed Sabs but riding parallel as they burst on stage with “War Of The World”. Probably not as urgent as I expected the bands refined power metal was lapped up by their fans which had swelled since Majesty. Jollity and frivolity came deluging off the stage but if I’m honest it felt a little forced and lacking a genuine attitude of we really want to be here playing for you guys compared to other bands of the weekend. However “Gods And General” was warmly welcomed as was the Manowar inspired “Gettysburg”, slower more purposeful the song was epic laden with plenty of fist pumping being requested from the audience; they obliged of course. Not quite sure how many songs have been written about William Wallace but the bands “Braveheart” tune was a solid pounder, thrusting beats and rousing choral breaks are the staples of power metal but it was nothing to get too excited about as my attention waned on “Bay Of Pigs” and was already thinking about Tankard due on in 20 minutes or so.

My shooter was seeing Tankard for the first time and was incredibly excited about the prospect, as was I as it had been a while since I saw them play. Good fun, references to beer continuously were expected and fulfilled with diploma like qualifications the moment the band came on stage and barraged the crowd after a silly intro with “Need Money For Beer”, yeah who doesn’t! The seasoned thrash veterans were in immaculate form as they played a searing set that continued with “The Morning After”, a favourite of my shooters as Gerre (vocalist) decide to flash his sizeable mid riff to the crowd much to my cringing and the creaking of the shooters camera; it was not pleasant I can assure you as he even resorted to playing drums on it during “Rapid Fire” using his mic that was preceded by fan favourite “Zombie Attack”. Nigh on 30 years old the tune has stood the test of time like a vintage ale as hands were raised aloft in tribute to the iconic German thrashers. With a pit erupting the band milked the crowd remorselessly as a ball was seen being flung around the pit that ended up on stage and was booted back off by Gerre. Asking the crowd if they could play a slow one had language translation issues as Gerre asked for a girl to come on stage and I did cringe at what he would do next. However the gentleman that he was, except his beer belly antics, decided to waltz with the girl at the start of “Rectifier” which was hilarious before switching the set for “Chemical Invasion”. Relaxed to the point of being horizontal the band was in incredible form as they obviously closed the set with “(Empty) Tankard” as the bass line signalled the ramping up of the pace with vicious finesse. Chanting the lyrics the audience was gorging on the demands for beer and whisky during the chorus. Possibly the best band of the festival so far Tankard were spectacular.

I admit to disliking most folk metal music and bands, it’s just not metal to me as Dutch band Heidevolk came on stage and initially pepped my interest as they were more aggressive than I anticipated. However the jiggery flouncy bounce bollocks was quickly around the corner as the twin vocalists worked the crowd extremely well as I made a quick getaway to the back to listen and not watch. With a guitarist missing due to a family bereavement the single guitar set was performed well ably compensated by the bass work and drums but the false starts mid way in their set made for a broken performance marred by those technical hitches as I parked my skinny butt on some grass and stopped writing to take a breather.

Hot on the heels of the Dutch band were German Viking marauders Equilibrium who I was looking forward to immensely as whilst they do inject the folk like touches the whole structure of their music is centred around pulverising death metal beats. The teething issues during the intro piece deflated me somewhat but was eventually corrected as they bludgeoned the crowd with juggernaut double kick and rampant melodies ingrained into their song writing that started with “Was Lange Währt”. With heaviness locking horns with supreme catchiness the Germans thundered through their set utilising good samples when needed but I would prefer that they used a live keyboardist as I couldn’t see one during the symphonic moments of their set. “Are you ready for some epic German metal” was asked as they cruised into “Waldschrein”. Potent and addictive the tune was party like due to its phenomenal mid keyboard break even though the song was rattled out a battle speed. The vocalist had an epic fail, as he put it, as he nearly fell down some steps onto the concrete platform as the interaction with the band and crowd was devotion like, the devotees worshipping the band’s music with godlike stature as he announced a song about beer which I think was “Wirtshaus Gaudi”. The double kick was thoracically imploding at times but felt good as my ribs rattled to it in fine cadence. Asking for a wall of death was obliged on “Karawane” as by now and noticeably so the crowd had swelled with thrashers amassing for Testament on next but joined in the Equilibrium party all the same. Concluding the sonic debauchery with “Blut Im Auge” Equilibrium was a standout of the festival and enslaved the Czech crowd with their undoubted Viking metal bravado.

Possibly the most anticipated band of the day Testament continue to gather fans throughout their career with album after album of unrivalled brilliance balanced by a poise and experience most bands can’t even dream of. With the stage decked out fully an air raid siren signalled the start of sonic warfare on “The Preacher”. Probably due to my vantage point the sound was a little tinny initially as Gene Hoglan set about his percussive annihilation on “Rise Up”. Chuck’s voice was in impressive form as I wished they hadn’t cancelled their signing session at the fest before their show. Hailing and paying tribute to indigenous populations worldwide “Native Blood” allowed the band to venture towards the crowd onto the concrete platform much to the delight of the voracious horde at the front still sizzling in the dawn sun. “Do Or Die” from the debut was meted out on the crowd every hungry for more speed as “First Strike Is Deadly” followed . My shooter showed me a picture of DiGorgio’s bass which was a custom three string affair and looked fantastic just as his bass playing was and always is as “Souls In Black” celebrating its 25th anniversary was aired. “The New Order” was succinctly followed by “Trial By Fire” as the songs lashed the thrashers with murderous glee as billowing stage smoke engulfed the band regularly. As always “Into The Pit” was huge as Chuck came to the front to stand near the rabid crowd as Alex joined him too, as awesome now as it was 27 years ago. Chuck had a brief chat stating the band had been playing Europe for 30 years now and hit them with “Practice What You Preach” before absolutely bludgeoning with “D.N.R.” the vocal bellow in this was colossal as was Hoglan’s drumming. This could have been a headline performance as the band played “3 Days In Darkness”. Closing with “Disciples Of The Watch” the band was a thrashing machine feeding off the energy of the crowd like a dynamo; phenomenal show.

For the many thrashers the sugary sweet power metal of headliners Edguy was probably more than they could take but the workmanlike Germans always put on a fantastic show fronted by the inimitable Tobias Sammet and his affable stage banter and antics. As the intro started dusk was upon the amphitheatre and flashing lights and sirens could be seen and heard before striding into “Love Tyger”. Edguy’s music is tailor-made for a festival audience the anthemic choral bursts are addictive as Sammett stated it was good to be back in Plzen. The band’s stage presence was vast, each member playing his part to engage the crowd at every opportune moment as “Ministry Of Fools” was played and a little boy behind me was playing air guitar stood on the seat behind me. At this point Sammet announced a song that was from a Czech based cartoon series I think and was called “Včelka Mája” a cover originally by Karel Gott. The song was sang in Czech much to the roaring delight of the crowd who sang it with him. Announcing that after some real metal “we’re gonna play some pussy metal” was understood by everyone as Toby stated that this evening was the anniversary of the first ever Edguy show performed 23 years ago and played “Rock Of Cashel” with its Irish styled lead work. Ever the comedian Sammet said this is from the bands Braveheart period even though the song is an Irish one! “Superheroes” was a consummate display of syrupy metal laced with lashings of candied choruses that everyone sang including me. Dedicated to the record crowd of 7000 advance ticket sales “Defenders Of The Crown” was uplifting with its terrific harmony lead breaks and classic Maiden woah woahs being incorporated to good effect. Venturing back to their old material “Vain Glory Opera” had the band in Judas Priest and Status Quo posing and accompanying guitar movements as the crowd were in full voice by now chanting the chorus with no prompting. The drum solo was exceptionally good fun, as it was performed to backing tracks that included the Star Wars theme. As the band arrived back Tobias shouted “on the drums is the… drummer”, always a comedian but it got the crowd laughing anyway as they went into “Fucking With Fire (Hair Force One)”. At this point “Space Police” started up and as it gained momentum so did a gigantic inflatable of the space cop that adorns the latest album cover. It was huge and immensely fitting with the catchy song before playing the ever popular “Save Me” as even my shooter knew this one. “Babylon” and “Tears Of A Mandrake” ended the main set leaving only the cheesy but completely necessary tunes of “Lavatory Love Machine” and “King Of Fools”. With so many quality bands today Edguy had a big job but they breezed past all obstacles to a triumphant success and ended day two exquisitely.