Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany15th December 2009
U. D. O., Dezperadoz
One of the rocks on which the German heavy metal scene was founded had announced its appearance at the Colos-Saal on 15th December 2009: Former ACCEPT front man Udo Dirkschneider, Stefan Kaufmann (guitar), Igor Gianola (guitar), Fitty Wienhold (bass) and Francesco Jovino (drums) are on `Dominator´ tour which had been named after the most recent long-player that was released in this year’s August. Completed by German rock band DEZPERADOZ, the evening’s line-up was a very promising one for many metal heads who had come to the Colos-Saal. As didn’t experience both formations before, I was quite astonished to see that the audience finally consisted of mainly male listeners whilst there were very few women.
It was some minutes past 8 pm, when the lights went off for the first time and the four-piece of DEZPERADOZ entered the way too crowded stage that had already given an insight into the instruments to be used.
Dezperadoz
They frankly confess to be influenced by the Wild West: Alex Kraft (vocals, guitar), Markus Kullmann (drums, vocals), Alex W (guitar) and Nils Stuerzer (guitar) are DEZPERADOZ. Before starting the project, lead singer Alex Kraft had been the former guitarist of TOM ANGELRIPPER. According to their self-presentation as modern western heroes, their most recent album entitled with `An Eye for an Eye´ was released in 2008. Previously, they had recorded the concept album `The Legend and the Truth´ (2006) they had dedicated to the legendary marshal Wyatt Earp. It was TOM ANGELRIPPER himself who had contributed his vocals to the debut album `The Dawn of Dying´ DEZPERADOZ released in 2000. After that, Alex Kraft became responsible for the lead vocals. http://www.myspace.com/dezperadoz / http://www.dezperadoz.com/
Music & Performance
The stage was still empty when the well-known harmonica-instrumental taken from the famous western movie `Once upon a Time in the West´ resounded through the hall and made clear that the guys doesn’t do things by halves, as the show totally based on the motto “Wild West”. Therefore, the musicians looked like cowboys wearing black dust coats, western boots and cowboy hats. Their soundscape can be compared to a mixture of AC/DC and roadhouse-like music including raw guitars, energizing drums and roared vocals. Moreover, front man Alex Kraft, who seemed to be the band’s spokesman, told some humorous anecdotes and introduced his colleagues to the firstly restrained audience that soon got warmed up. Besides own stuff, the set also contained `Riders on the Storm´ (originally sung by THE DOORS) and `Ghostriders in the Sky´, a cover version of a STAN JONES song, that was well received by the listeners in particular. Suddenly, Markus Kullmann (who had been introduced as “The Animal” after the crazy drummer on “The Muppet Show”) fired an old-fashioned pistol at the audience - a funny interlude but also a quite shocking, because I hadn’t expected something like that.
Setlist
00. Intro - Harmonica
01. Wild Times
02. Hate
03. OK Corral
04. Riders on the Storm (THE DOORS cover)
05. March to Destiny
06. Hellbilly
07. Rattlesnake
08. Gomorrha
09. Ghostriders in the Sky (STAN JONES cover)
Rating
Music: 7
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 5
Total: 7.5 / 10
U. D. O.
U. D. O. was founded in 1987 after lead singer Udo Dirkschneider had left the popular heavy metal formation ACCEPT. Together with Mathias “Don” Dieth (GRAVESTONE) and Thomas Franke (SINNER), Peter Szigeti and Frank Rittel, who had been former members of WARLOCK, Dirkschneider recorded the debut album `Animal House´ that should attain cult status in the heavy metal scene. Over the years and by releasing 12 studio albums such as `Faceless World´ (1990), `Holy´ (1999), `Man and Machine´ (2002) or `Mastercutor´ (2007), the line-up has been changed many times. After `Timebomb´ (1991) had hit the stores, the formation was broken up and Udo Dirkschneider joined ACCEPT until 1996 again to be back with U. D. O. and the long-player `Solid´ one year later. However, he was touring with ACCEPT in 2005 and 2006. In this year’s summer, U. D. O. released `Dominator´ and went on the same-titled tour in autumn. http://www.myspace.com/udoonline / http://www.udo-online.de/
Music & Performance
The change over soon revealed a huge drum set that almost looked like a castle and attracted the listeners´ attention immediately. It was striking that there were many long-term fans in the first rows that proudly talked shop about the releases and were craning for a glimpse of the set list. When the lights went off again, hell broke loose and the people around me instantly started to bang their heads, even before the master had come on stage. Firstly, Igor Gianola (guitar), Fitty Wienhold (bass), Francesco Jovino (drums) and Stefan Kaufmann (guitar) marched in and positioned themselves with their instruments cheered on by the crowd who highly anticipated the appearance of Udo Dirkschneider.
Finally, the charismatic front man with the peroxide blonde hairstyle and army-trousers walked on stage grabbing his microphone - it was time for the first song `The Bogeyman´ the fans passionately sang along. Though the formation’s name giver was in the spot light of the show, his band mates also struck expressive poses I really appreciated, as it was pure fun to take photos. Furthermore, I have to praise the light engineer who provided a breathtaking light show during the entire concert. The set was an appropriate mix of older stuff and new material taken from `Dominator´. Naturally, some ACCEPT-songs shouldn’t be missing as well and I guess that many listeners were particularly waiting for pieces such as `Metal Heart´ or `Princess of the Dawn´. The latter one came as a bombshell and animated the crowd to chant along for minutes.
When I went to the rear part of the hall, I noticed that the Colos-Saal was nearly filled to capacity. While I was watching the performance, I understood why Udo Dirkschneider and his guys have been in the business for so many years. It’s the unmistakably high and raspy voice of the lead singer that makes this formation stand out from the crowd. The excellent vocals in combination with the powerful soundscape due to heavy guitars and drums resulted in melodic heavy metal songs which are catchy and aggressive at the same time. After the band had delivered an extensive concert including 23 songs, the sweaty guys thanked the audience for coming and said good-bye. Thus, I experienced an impressive show leaving a happy crowd exhausted and wanting for more.
Setlist
01. The Bogeyman
02. Dominator
03. Independence Day
04. I don’t wanna be like you (ACCEPT cover)
05. Thunderball
06. Mission No. X
07. Vendetta
08. In the Darkness
09. Princess of the Dawn (ACCEPT cover)
10. Guitar Solo
11. X-T-C (ACCEPT cover)
12. Infected
13. Living on a Frontline
14. Drum Solo
15. Man and Machine
16. Mastercutor
17. Animal House
18. Metal Heart (ACCEPT cover)
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19. Holy
20. Balls to the Wall (ACCEPT cover)
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21. Burning (ACCEPT cover)
22. I’m a Rebel (ACCEPT cover)
23. Fast as a Shark (ACCEPT cover)
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 10
Total: 8.3 / 10
All pictures by Katrin Renner (http://www.creavision-webdesign.de/)
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