Matrix, Bochum, Germany
17th September 2013
Pretty Maids, Pink Cream 69, The Claymore, Distance Call
It was quite early on that Tuesday evening when the doors of the Matrix opened. Having all in all four bands on the bill, the first of them already started 18:30. Not being very crowded at the beginning, later around 650 were celebrating with PINK CREAM 69 and PRETTY MAIDS.
Distance Call
Local band DISTANCE CALL were opening the evening at the Matrix. As teh band states on their Facebook site, they are influenced by such bands as WHITESNAKE, GOTTHARD or MR. BIG. Add a little DORO, at least when it comes to the voice of singer Korry Schadwell, then you get an impression what you were delivered. The band came into being in 2009 and released the self-titled debut album in autumn 2011. Currently, the quartet is working on a new album. With catchy melodies and pushing sounds they made up for a good start of the evening. And since singer Korry is, as she stated, a big PRETTY MAIDS fan, it was a special honour for them to open this evening. // http://www.distancecall.de / https://www.facebook.com/pages/Distance-Call/138989672840908
Setlist
01. Bricks
02. Way to your Heart
03. Can’t get enough
04. Set me on Fire
05. Sharp Tongue
06. Prisoner of the Past
07. Paradise
Rating
Music: 7
Performance: 7
Sound: 7
Light: 6
Total: 6.8 / 10
The Claymore
With THE CLAYMORE, we now got another band from the area to warm the crowd up for the two main acts of the evening. Founded in 2000 by guitarist Sebastian Busacker, the band released a first album, ‘Monument’, in 2003. Shows with well-known bands like AXXIS, RAGE or DEW SCENTED followed. After ‘Sygn’ in 2008, third album ‘Soulseeker’ was out in 2010. After 12 years in the band and three studio albums, singer Andreas Grundmann left the band in December 2011. After a long search, the band found replacement with Mike Krush, who played the first show with the band at that night in Bochum. With five people on stage, it got really crowded now, but still there was a lot of movement on stage. Mike tried to connect with the audience but I thing he has to practice his announcements a little. Anyway, the band got the growing crowd going with their timeless mix of Power and Speed Metal. With ‘Soulseeker’ and a guitar staccato, the show found a furious end. // http://www.theclaymore.de / https://www.facebook.com/TheClaymore
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 8
Sound: 7
Light: 5
Total: 7 / 10
Pink Cream 69
GERMAN band PINK CREAM 69, founded in 1987 released after several years without an album their latest piece, ‘Ceremonial’ earlier this year. The previous album, ‘In10sity’, dates back to 2007. After a highly successful tour with HELLOWEEN and STRATOVARIUS, this album was the second output on Frontier Records. This album is also the first one with new drummer, Chris Schmidt. With ‘Ceremonial’, PINK CREAM 69, today consisting of David Readman (vocals), Alfred Koffler (guitar), Uwe Reitenauer (guitar), Dennis Ward (bass) and Chris Schmidt (drums), probably delivered the freshest sounding and most diverse album to date. When the five-piece stormed the stage in Bochum’s Matrix after an intro containing snippets from several well-known rock songs, they were welcomed with loud cheers. Right from the start, there was a strong connection to the audience, lots of interaction and already first song, ‘Keep Your Eye on the Twisted’, saw people loudly joining in the chant.
People from different countries were travelling to this show, there was even a couple from Sofia in the first row, who was especially welcomed by singer David, proving – even if originating from Britain – his good German language. Well, after so many years in a German band, he should have learned some German anyway. PINK CREAM 69 presented an experienced show and new drummer Chris, who of course was introduced especially during the set, was well integrated into the band. The setlist was providing mostly older songs, but there were also some little gems from the current album, like the contemporary rocking ‘Wasted Years’ or ‘The Tide’, being presented as acoustic version when the voice was only accompanied by acoustic guitar and reduced percussions. Especially during this acoustic piece, David proved his perfect vocal abilities. With lots of power, afterwards the set continued. 
When David asked after ‘Welcome the Night’ if people want more, loud screams answered and so, the audience was rewarded with the final piece, ‘Shame’. This was a really energetic warming up for the final band of the evening. // http://www.pinkcream69.de / https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pink-Cream-69/126594344094399
Setlist
01. Keep Your Eye on the Twisted
02. Hell's Gone Crazy
03. Special
04. Lost In Illusions
05. Talk to the Moon
06. Break the Silence
07. Do You Like It Like That
08. The Tide
09. The Spirit
10. No Way Out
11. Livin' My Life for You
12. Wasted Years
13. Welcome the Night
14. Shame
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 8
Sound: 7
Light: 7
Total: 7.5 / 10
Pretty Maids
PRETTY MAIDS are probably the best-known Danish Heavy-Metal band. Originally, the band was founded 1981 as cover band, but son started writing own songs. The full-time debut album, ‘Red, Hot and Heavy’, was out in 1984. Over the years, the line-up changed, but two friends and founders of the band, Ken and Ronnie, are still the centre of PRETTY MAIDS. Over the years, the band has sold hundred thousands of records, but still they did not have a major breakthrough. In March 2013, 13th studio album, ‘Motherland’ was out. When PINK CREAM 69 had ended their set, people in the heated matrix had to wait quite long for the headliner. And when short before ten finally THIN LIZZY’s ‘Boys are back in Town’ sounded through the speakers, followed by another intro, the tension in the hall was nearly unbearable. 
But when finally Ronnie Atkins (vocals), Ken Hammer (guitars), Morten Sandager (keyboards), Rene Shades (bass) and Allan Tschicaja (drums) had entered the stage and fired ‘Mother of All Lies’, the first song of the current album, towards the audience, tension exploded in loud screams and huge applause. The hall was now boiling. The following set presented only four songs out of the current album, all in the first half of the set. The rest remained to lots of classics and fan favourites, like ‘Back to Back‘, ‘Queen Of Dreams’ or ‘Love Games’. Ronnie Atkins still is, after more than 30 years on stage, a very good front man with lots of charisma and a very good vocal performance. Also Ken Hammer could totally convince on six-string. Even though the rest of the line-up changed a lot in course of time, all five musicians were very well acting together, playing an experienced show.
With a three song encore and a final Monty Python song, the band from Denmark ended the evening and their show of traditional Heavy Metal and Hard Rock. The audience was satisfied and stormed the merch stand after the show. // http://www.prettymaids.dk / https://www.facebook.com/prettymaids
Setlist
01. Intro: Thin lizzy - Boys are back in town
02. Intro
03. Mother of All Lies
04 I See Ghosts
05. Needles in the Dark
06. Love Games
07. Sad to See You Suffer
08. Why So Serious
09. Yellow Rain
10. Queen Of Dreams
11. Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi (Carmina Burana - Carl Orff song)
12. Back to Back
13. Rodeo
14. Please Don't Leave Me (John Sykes cover)
15. I.N.V.U.
16. Red, Hot and Heavy
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17. It Comes at Night
18. Little Drops of Heaven
19. Future World
20. Sit on My Face (Monty Python song)
Rating
Music: 9
Performance: 9
Sound: 7
Light: 8
Total: 8.5 / 10
All pictures by Daniela Vorndran (http://www.vorndranphotography.com / http://www.black-cat-net.de/ / http://www.facebook.com/blackcatnet)
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