Zeche, Bochum, GermanyApril 4th 2005
Kamelot, Kotipelto and Epica
"We're siiiinging in the rain" - I sure expected a different soundtrack standing in line (and in the rain) together with about 60 heavy metal fans, waiting for the doors to open. The rain did not make the doormen open earlier, so that we finally entered the small hall of the Zeche wet, grungy and full of anticipation. As the first band started to play at 7 p.m. the room was not even halfway filled, the starting time of the concert being communicated as 8 p.m.
Epica
Epica is a Dutch band that is not very well known in Germany yet. But,they prove that Within Temptation are not the only great export from the Netherlands. Epica also follow the "female singer + male band" pattern. Simone, voice of Epica, admits that actually Nightwhish made her feel like singing, when she was younger. Tarja might have indirectly trained her competition there.
Music
In spite of the small room the sound in the Zeche was great from the beginning. Simone might not have taken classical singing lessons, but her voice is very clear, with good body and volume. This great voice gave a purposely hard contrast to Marks screams and grunts. The mix of instruments and singing was that good that some people around me actually suspected that they were listening to a tape (which they were not). The bands songs do not appear as magical and mysterious in their live version as they do on tape. But, in return they got a lot more power, mixed with the charisma and enthusiasm that the musicians
radiated.
In spite of the small room the sound in the Zeche was great from the beginning. Simone might not have taken classical singing lessons, but her voice is very clear, with good body and volume. This great voice gave a purposely hard contrast to Marks screams and grunts. The mix of instruments and singing was that good that some people around me actually suspected that they were listening to a tape (which they were not). The bands songs do not appear as magical and mysterious in their live version as they do on tape. But, in return they got a lot more power, mixed with the charisma and enthusiasm that the musicians
radiated.
Performance
Epica entered the stage one after another and unfortunately before even half of the about 200 spectators entered the Zeche to watch them. Simone wore an ensemble of a black holder neck top and leather or vinyl pants with a sexy leg décolleté. But, the real thing to look at was her hair: wonderfully long, straight and red. It was flowing through the air (aided by a fan) as if she was moving under water.
Epica entered the stage one after another and unfortunately before even half of the about 200 spectators entered the Zeche to watch them. Simone wore an ensemble of a black holder neck top and leather or vinyl pants with a sexy leg décolleté. But, the real thing to look at was her hair: wonderfully long, straight and red. It was flowing through the air (aided by a fan) as if she was moving under water.
Although all of the musicians really seemed to have fun on stage, thei rperformance was a little timid, including little extreme movements. In spite of that, the small room and the few spectators gave the gig an intimate feeling to it. The light was not an advantage to the band, as it left them in the dark as soon as the moved a little further forward, for example to interact with the crowd.
Rating
Music 8
Performance 7
Sound 7
Light 4
Total 7 (6,6)
Music 8
Performance 7
Sound 7
Light 4
Total 7 (6,6)
Kotipelto
Kotipelto is side project of the Timo Kotipelto, the Finnish singer of the band Stratovarius. With Lauri Porra (base), Tuomas Wäinölä (guitar), Mikko Kaakkuriniemi (drums), and Robert Engstrand (keys) he gathered some really fit musicians around him.
Music
Clear, loud and powerful. Compared to Stratovarius, Cotipeltos music is a little slower- but good and catchy anyway.
Performance
When Kotipelto entered the stage; the venue was finally packed. In Timo's stage presence one notices the schooled singer and musician. The crowd was with him as soon as he sat a foot onto the stage. His musicians did not stand back after him and impressed with solos during the show. As an extra the band also showed some Stratovarius songs like "Black Diamond". Some serious jumping, head banging, and singing along gave the proof of Kotipelto's stage abilities.
Rating
Music 7
Performance 7
Sound 7
Light 4
Total 7 (6,5)
Music 7
Performance 7
Sound 7
Light 4
Total 7 (6,5)
Kamelot
Kamelots melodic metal is based on the charismatic voice of Roy Khan and powerful guitar abilities of Thomas Youngblood. The singer has a relatively high pitched voice that masters powerful metal and ballads equally well. In their very diverse work Khan and Youngblood are supported by Casey Grillo at the drums and Glenn Barry with his base. Their music does not only consist of metal, but includes Arabic and orchestral influences.
Music
The Sound was great and also supported by a vast number of singing fans. In the second part of the show Khans voice seemed a little strained. Especially the high keys were hit in a little rough or quiet way.
The Sound was great and also supported by a vast number of singing fans. In the second part of the show Khans voice seemed a little strained. Especially the high keys were hit in a little rough or quiet way.
Performance
Kamelot entered the stage after the epic Intro "Centre of the Universe" from the album "Epica". They mastered the concert professionally. During some passages of the new CD "The black Halo", for example "Nights of Arabia", Kamelot were supported by a mysterious female singer in a white dress. Keeping the people on stage constantly changing Simone from Epica supported Kamelot in some passages of "The black Halo" later on during the concerts. All in all the songs performed were a good cross-section of Kamelots four CDs.
Kamelot entered the stage after the epic Intro "Centre of the Universe" from the album "Epica". They mastered the concert professionally. During some passages of the new CD "The black Halo", for example "Nights of Arabia", Kamelot were supported by a mysterious female singer in a white dress. Keeping the people on stage constantly changing Simone from Epica supported Kamelot in some passages of "The black Halo" later on during the concerts. All in all the songs performed were a good cross-section of Kamelots four CDs.
Finally, relatively close to the end of the concert, Khan conquered the hearts of the ladies with a wonderful ballad that he did not perform from the stage, but from a balcony right over the heads of the crowd.
Rating
Music 8
Performance 8
Sound 7
Light 5
Total 7 (7,4)
Music 8
Performance 8
Sound 7
Light 5
Total 7 (7,4)
Zeche Bochum
The "Zeche" in Bochum, Germany, is one of several institutions that situated themselves in the buildings that belonged to a mining company during the industrial era of the Ruhr area. It is used as club, concert, café and restaurant area. There are special goth events at least once a month.
During the concert, café and restaurant were closed. The prices for drinks were okay, but a little above usual level, also regarding the deposit system that really got onto one's nerves after some time in the crowd.
The stage is not big, but it was just big enough.
The audience area grasps about 400 people I guess. In the back it consists of some stairs one can sit on and can actually see from the back also. The bar is situated on the right above which there is a balcony (good for VIPs and photographers).
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