Fields of Rock - Biddinghuizen 2007 (Day 1)

After Forever (JC)

Probably one of Holland’s best Export products next to the famous Beer which-shall-not-be-named is probably After Forever. Key board player Joost van den Broek has about 20 fan sites just for himself. Also the rest of the band is getting the fame they deserve. Floor Jansen takes care of the lyrics all by herself since the departure of Mark Jansen. Found in 1995, After Forever has worked their way up, and in April they released their fifth self titled studio album. During the CD presentation George Oosthoek took care of the vocals for Sander Gommans who couldn’t be there, due to illness.

Instead of the temple of rock After Forever was performing second on the Mean Stage. This because the original band, papa roach was stuck somewhere in Austria will an ill busdriver. They wouldn’t be able to make it so early. This was the first switch of the day. The stage was set quite fast, putting up the After Forever boards and the higher stages for Joost and Andre. After the release of their fifth album titled After Forever (the CD-release was on the 17th of April in Utrecht. You can read its review also on this website). They are touring to promote the album. Still Sander Gommans is absent due to his illness. Today George was here to join in. And they were here on time to set foot on the Mean Stage.

Music
After Forever’s  last album can be described as an mix between mainly the new progressive sound of ‘Remagine’ with more of the classical vocals of Floor Jansen as on ‘Prison of Desire’ and ‘Deceipher’. Because this isn’t just a club performance, the band decided to play a good mix between their older and newer stuff. They started out with 2 new tracks after a short intro. George join in for a few tracks. Then soon the band switched to playing their successful songs: ‘The Pledge of Alliance #1’ and ‘Monolith of Doubt’. Also ‘Digital deceit’ was played. With the second guitar on tape the band managed to still sound full, and ready. I didn’t hear many mistakes. As usual the band played ‘Follow in the cry’ as the last track.

Performance
After Forever knows its audience just as well a the audience knows them, and they know how to play them. With a huge Dutch fanbase that can sing along to almost every song that is played, its no problem to maintain their own energy levels en enthusiasm on stage. Even having George there only half of the time, the band fills the mean stage very well, by now they are used to the bigger stages, and this is quite noticeable. Floor was rearing a red latex top en jeans with cowboy chaps. The rest of the band was dressed quite neutral. With their cheers and enthusiasm they got the crowd to join in quite good. Of course during the last track, the audience especially up front went crazy. This has been the same for years, its fun to see how much impact this track has on people. The lights were, like with Lauren Harris not very clear since is was quite a bright day.

Sound: 7

Performance: 8

Lights: daylight

Total: 8

In this Moment (JC)

In this Moment is busy touring. On their Myspace they say to be just five individuals who pursue their own destiny and will do what it takes to become the biggest band in the world. With a huge touring list on their website, it shows they are working on this goal right now. On tour with bands like Life of Agony, Drowning Pool and Devil Driver they re lucky. Vocalist Maria Brink writes most of the lyrics herself and with her tattooed body and blond hair she seems to be the dream of many hardcore metal men. Right after the show, their debut album will be in stores.

Music
Fast emocore with a melodic touch is basically what In this Moment is about. They walk on stage, introduce themselves, and ask how the Fields audience is doing. The crowd upfront cheers happily, this noise is lost completely when the strong and screaming guitars are set and the group starts banging. Maria screams from the top of her lungs, some sometimes she sings small parts of the tracks. She’s not the best singer in the world but it gives an impression if a variety of her vocals talent. Most of the screams seem to come from the top of her voice, which makes the entire setting very emotional, but I do wander how long she will be able to keep doing this.

Performance
The bands al dressed in black and quite simple, they don’t want too much attention to themselves. Only Maria, the singer is dressed in a babyblue Shepherdess dress showing a little cleavage. With short sleeves she shows her tattooed arms. She keeps running around on the stage urging audience to join in with her enthusiasm. The lights were bright and flickering, supporting the fast en nerve wrecking tracks very well.

Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 6
Performance: 7
Lights: 7
Total: 7

Fastway (JC)

The founder of Fastway is known quite well within the metal audience. The man behind the ‘Ace of Spades’, guitar player ‘fast’ Eddie Clarke left Mötorhead quite some time ago already and started his own project. In 1983 he and Pete Way of UFO started their own project. Fastway has released quite some albums and went through just about as many line-up changes. Somewhere in 1997 Fast Eddie decided to stop with the band, after the big flop of ‘Bad Bad Girls’, and ‘Say what you will LIVE’. In March of 2007 some rumours were going round whispering that Fastway would reunite to do a festival tour this summer. And well, where you see smoke there is usually fire. It was also the case here and now Fastway met up, for one more tour.

Music
This is old school Rock ‘n Roll! The tracks aren’t to fast, have quite some melody in them and an extremely talented singer, Dave King. With a voice that can drown just about everybody in ecstasy, this band was the first for me, easy moving, easy listening and easy enjoying. With a simple drumbeat to start out, the band build is music into a nice grooving element, with no overrated drum of guitar solos.

Performance
Maybe it’s the old age, maybe it’s the experience, and maybe it’s that they know themselves better then most people, but their performance was really nice. Not to much hassle, knowing how to make the right move at the right moment without making it look fake or trained. The Dave King was dressed in jeans and a shirt, with a leather gillet over it. With its wide poses and broad gestures i thought the stage was a bit too small for them. They did their best to make contact with the audience. Most of the crowd was the older generation, and they acted like real adults, which equals, not really moving. After a while the crowd warmed up a bit, but this really didn’t match the effort of the band.

Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 6
Performance: 8
Light: daylight
Total: 7

Machine Head?

Note from the reporter: After this it would have been time for Machine Head to perform, but their bus broke down in Germany. Such a waste. The audience was told of this unforeseen obstacle by somebody on the Mean stage. Most people reacted very disappointed. The field’s audience was looking forward to this gig for sure so it was really sad this happened. Because of this the Dublin Death patrol was moved from the Rage Stage to the Mean stage to fill up Machine heads time.

Happy Emocore…I’m not to sure if that really exists. Not very famous in Holland yet, in the US, where they are based, the band is compared to A.F.I. and My Chemical Romance. This is their chance. The fact that they were all right with switching with Papa Roach, to make sure their colleagues also had a chance performing, makes them not only a talented band, but also a friendly band.

Dublin Death Patrol (JC)

What do you so when your friends but you all play in different successful bands? You just start your own! The Dublin death patrol performed in Eindhoven Yesterday, and now they are on the Fields of Rock. With band members from Exodus, Laaz Rockit and Testament the DDP has a total of eleven members. Except for Eddie Billy (on of the 3 bass players) the rest of the band also features other bands. With this baggage and a very enthusiastic audience… this will be promising.

Music
With 8 people in stage I think it will be the biggest band on stage this edition of Fields of Rock (later on it turns out Korn has brought almost as many people). Yesterday they performed a killer show in the Dynamo venue in Eindhoven. Today Steve "Zetro" Souza seemed to be very stoned. The vocals were crap; sometimes he stopped singing for no reason. The rest of the band did their best to cover this up. While playing the old Testament track ‘Alone in the Dark’ it would have been better if Souza left his band mate Chuck Billy up to the vocals. The strong dark and massive music was played very well, it was quite a waste that only one person on stage could hurt the performance this much. After a few tracks I left. The tracks seemed to be recognisable to the real fans, but I wasn’t the only one walking.



Performance
As there were seven of eight people on stage really trying I cannot be only negative. Without to much working around it, after seeing and hearing Steve Souza, everybody could tell he wasn’t sober. He also decided to tell about 3/4 times within 15 minutes how great Amsterdam and the Dutch weed is. The rest of the band focused on his music, and not directly on showing off. I cannot say I was very enthusiastic today. And with the sound being really loud, I had quite enough.

Rating
Music: 6
Sound: 4
Performance: 4
Light: daylight
Total: 4 (4.4)

Because of an ill bus driver Papa Roach called the festival organisation they weren’t going to make it on time. After Forever switched with them. At 15.00 it was clear Papa Roach wasn’t going to make it on time for After Forever’s playtime either. Aiden performed instead. Papa Roach was to start at 17.00 hours. Then it turned out they weren’t going to make this either. I waited for 15 minutes to see if I would be able to see anything of the show at all. At 17.15 the roadies just brought out the flight cases. That was when I decided to leave and watch Heaven and Hell. Thanks to a very dedicated photographer, there are some pictures available.

Heaven and Hell (JC)

Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice will reunite for the first time in 15 years as Heaven and Hell Live to cast a dark spell over spring as the quartet tours the U.S.  So there you go. Ronnie James Dio just can’t get enough. He loves being on stage and doing his thing. When not touring, Ronny James Dio seems to have a shot at acting, like he did last year in Tenacious D’s ‘The Pick of Destiny’. With this reunion tour Heaven and Hell features tracks from the three studio albums, Heaven and Hell, Mob Rules, and Dehumanizer.

Music
Classical and dramatic heavy metal. Heaven and Hell is basically Black Sabbath with Dio as a singer. Heaven and Hell can only be described as heaven and hell. Maybe you cold say that Dio had its strongest influences on the four man formation. The different band members al have had their best years, and on stage they more or less just did what they had to do, they played beautifully together, with lots of drum or guitar solo’s. With this they gave all the band members their own moment on the stage, showing off what they still could do. Dio’s voice still sounded really well. They stuck quite well to the announced tracks they would play, although I heard some Dio tracks as well. 

Performance
The stage was dressed up with the Heaven and Hell Logo in the back, the three smoking angels where posted so big in the back there was no way going around it. On the stage itself, the band had its drummer posed in the middle of the stage on a higher platform. Next to the platform there were two authentic looking gate with pillars situated to live out the Heaven and Hell theme. I think they could have elaborated more on this theme, which could have been an awesome stage. But since they didn’t, I won’t either. Because of the few decorations the focus was more on the band members. Except for Dio I don’t think there were moving much, they were just doing their thing. Dio would talk to the audience every now and again, telling them something about what they were doing, and which track they were playing. But it could just have been my position: I couldn’t understand a thing. Some people really are better at singing then talking! While he was performing Dio walked around a lot on the stage, making wide gestures to support his vocals. As he was standing a lot in the back of the stage, some people up front will have had some trouble actually watching him, but this was made up for with the other members, who stayed more up front, and closer to the audience. Although the performance looked very smooth and the slower movements supporting the music, I could help but thinking is the band was up there just for fn, or did they start to tour for the money?

Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 6
Performance: 7
Lights: daylight
Total: 7

Mastodon (JC)

Mastodon was the next on the Rage stage. Soon people were gathering before the stage trying to get a spot in the front. I must say I was not expecting much of this. I know Mastdon for some time and on CD sounds not to bad, I’ve only heard negative stories of this band live. I decided to first take a look for myself, and then I will judge. Mastodon has released their third studio album Blood Mountain not so long ago. The band says about them selves they don’t become mainstream because they signed a record deal, and that they remain heavy and strong. Well then, its just so you know.

Music
Musically I find Mastodon a mix between all sorts of different techniques from the fast beats form Strapping young lad up to rage against the machine melodies. All of these elements are used back ant fourth trough most of the tracks that mastodon played during their almost an hour they had. Without any intros or opening the crowd is just slammed into their own world, having to experience the beauty and the ugly. The problem with using so many different influences it is hard to make sure that one of the elements in the tracks is the basis to make it clean. All the different bits and pieces put together make the blend misty and indefinable. I reckon that this is the problem what makes Mastodon live a messy problem. The different techniques don’t fit onto one PA system making the rest sound like an espresso machine. With CDs there is a moment to mix everything together and balance the sound better.  

Performance
Take 5 unwashed alternative looking men on stage, a whole lot of microphones and a black drum kit with white polka dots on it. Then you have Mastodon. The performance is energetic and these four men let see the rage stage is actually a bit too small for them. With some marching sounds people in the audience start joining in and they seemed to fit their movements and cheering well into the huge low beats. Singer and bass player Troy Sanders voice was strong and with him keeping urging the crowd to move with them (whilst including a whole lot of fucks) and with the hard banging of his head I’m really curious to know what my neck would have felt like acting out like that. Tracks are played fast after another. Because the sun was shining I could only see parts of the light, but they didn’t influence the show.

Rating
Music: 6
Sound: 5
Performance: 7
Lights: daylight
Total: 6 (5.6)

Kamelot (SD)

There is something special between Holland and Kamelot: every time their show is sold-out and for the seventh time the band returns to European ground to promote their last amazing album ‘Ghost Opera.’  A few months ago you could hear some new songs on their own tour and now they are back, full force with a new and surprising show. Spain and Japan are waiting, but the band is willing to make a pitstop, luckily they have all the time to unfold their new material.

Music
When you thought you had it all, there is always an unexpected element. That is why festivals are always hard for the crowd and the bands as well. Due to some changes in the morning the whole schedule in the ‘Temple Of Rock’ tent is a mess: the organisation tries to inform the crowd, but not always manages to be on time. Pain of Salvation and Kamelot changed places, so more than a hour earlier on schedule the band enters the stage. During the first song ‘When The Lights Are Down’ the sound isn’t that well, but soon enough frontman Khan gets more volume. Standing in the front you have a close look on his face and it is amazing to see his expressions changing sentence by sentence during the song. He isn’t tall, but compares it with his convincing voice or standing on the boxes on the side of the stage. The whole set is strong and up-tempo: Kamelot shows his fast and still detailed sound to the fans. Khan sometimes moves to the back to give more space to guitarist Thomas Youngblood or Glenn Barry on the bass. He doesn’t give himself a lot of rest: running around and between the songs when he makes contact with the audience. Than you can hear his breath going faster and faster. He goes down on his knees during ‘Center Of The Universe’ with behind him female soprano Anne-Catrin Märzke (more about her on: http://www.anne-catrin-maerzke.de/).

Halfway the set there is an intermezzo: Roy Khan disappears on the side of the stage with the other crew and the whole stage is for the other men. Thomas Youngblood fully takes his time for a fast classical rock solo with passion. In compare with the other artists he knows when to stop and than Oliver Palotai on the keys comes in with a high and classical piano sound. With his two keyboards on stage you hear a more detailed and open sound: is perfect that Oliver gets all the space to show his talent and make people aware of his role in the band. Never heard such a clear sound in a festivaltent. Fluently it goes over into a more dynamic part with drummer Casey Grillo to build a bridge to the next song.

New songs are played in well balance with the more familiar ones. Khan shows a new side of him during ‘The Human Stain’ where his spoken parts and lower voices are creating a darker song. There is a guest appearance from Simone Simons (Epica) on the vocals during the duet ‘The Haunting’ but her voice isn’t strong enough. She is a charismatic vocalist, but this time her sound is weaker than in Zoetermeer: Khan seems to get confused a bit, but he continues and brings it to a better end.
The highlight is definitely ‘Ghost Opera’ with Anne-Catrin behind a mask, playing the violin and creating a very intense atmosphere during the intro. Than suddenly the fast progmetal kind of structure: the new single is an eye-catcher and the crowd is reacting on that immediately: many people can sing along and with a big smile the whole band says goodbye with Fireworks and leaves the crowd in a energetic mood.

Performance
A huge grey backdrop is a detail in the new show from Kamelot. During a ‘Star Wars’ instrumental intro the members one by one enter the stage, suddenly the familiar song sets in with Khan in the centre. All the fans in the front are surprised by the high pyro-fireworks. Three huge flames are spread on the frontline of the stage. Khan and Thomas standing in between; when that isn’t a charismatic entrance. The whole audience is awake again. Khan goes on his knees, having a dilemma during the second song, runs around and stands in the back: the whole band is moving and is changing positions. A sign that they are getting more and more professional without being automatic. Sometimes Khan closes his eyes and the fans like it: it is soon also very crowded in the back and with a big smile the frontman says hello:,, We gonna make a party! Are you ready? It is good to be back again, it feels like our second home!” That makes the audience even more excited and when he returns during the second part of the gig in a long dark coat the crowd knows what follows: ‘Karma.’ There is a short discussion between Thomas and Khan during the gig, but it all goes well and with their solopart everyone gets a moment of fame. Thomas is the second face of the band and he knows how to grab the attention, sometimes moving from the left to the right and than suddenly hidden in the back besides background vocalist Anne-Catrin to give her more attention. During ‘Ghost Opera’ Khan makes a huge impression: sensible, strong and giving his last energy. Kamelot is ready to climb the bigger stages and with such a natural attitude that they only can make friends. The chemistry between them and us is there again.

Rating
Music 8
Performance 9
Sound 8
Light  7
Total  8 (8.2)

Slayer (JC)

Well, which self respected metalhead in this world doesn’t know Slayer? The band that created the unofficial anthem ‘Angel of Death’. To this day the album ‘Reign in Blood’ is considered to be a metal forming album to this day. Found in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King, Slayer toured with the great names on this planet. The Unholy Alliance and also Ozzfest were some of the experiences this band had. With their latest album Christ Illusion Slayer is touring now. The album was scheduled to be released at June 6, 2006. The release was delayed because, as is turns out: half the bands in the metal scene were releasing their album on this date. Of course, metal hasn’t got anything to do with Satanism what-so-ever, and so Slayer decided not to be part of the "half-ass, stupid fucking loser bands", and postponed their release.

Music
Keep in mind I just told you that if you respect yourself and the metal, you will know slayer. Maybe you will only know about slayer. Then I will be able to tell you Slayer creats harsh trash metal. With 4 people on the stage the Mean Stage was totally filed with raw riffs and screams from singer Tom Araya, who boomed out such a noise every now and again I could hear my eardrums shiver. They started out with the ‘God hates us all album’ ‘Disciple’. Also the more well known tracks, ‘Captor of Sin’ and ‘Mandatory suicide’ were well received by the audience. Though the volume was turned up a somewhat to much once again, because of the huge amount of people that were singing and shouting it didn’t bug me so much. The tracks were tight; the band was on a tight schedule as well, so they didn’t have much time to hang around. Closing off with ‘Angel of Death’ I heard from a distance, because I was already on my way to the next gig.

Performance
The performance of slayer, compared to how they did musically wasn’t as good as one would expect from the band of this level. Slayer is getting old. The aggression that you find in the music and the lyrics didn’t show on stage. I saw most people also just standing still, and waiting to see in anything was going to happen, later on I found out there was a huge pit in the middle of the stage. The band brought their own extra PA set to make sure the crowd wouldn’t be able to hear anything after Slayer. The band took quite some time in between the tracks; this was a waste, because for me it stopped the rush and the need to join in. there wasn’t to much time or effort from the band to urge the audience to cheering with them. The band members didn’t move around to much, so in the end, the big backdrop featuring the album cover of Christ Illusion was the most interesting part to look at.

Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 7
Performance: 7
Light: daylight (still!)
Total: 7

Dragonforce (JC)

This year Herman and Sam of Dragonforce won 4 different awards for their skills and talent used in Dragonforce. Herman Li, the founder of the band decided starting his own band would be the only way he could use his creativity, and skills to make the music he wanted to. He found the rest off the band in London where he lives. The band finds its roots in different parts of the world, from Hong Kong to Ukraine. They have released their third studio album, Inhuman Rampage not so long ago. Before this Dragonforce has shown off their technical powermetal with Sonic Firestorm (2004) and Valley of the Damned (2003).

Starting over half an hour late because of the delays in the Temple of Rock people were getting impatient soon. Most people that were there also wanted to see Iron maiden. So halfway during the gig people started walking away, on their way to the Mean Stage. This didn’t do the performance of Dragonforce justice, because they did their very best.

Music
The band is created to make sure to get all the guitar talent of Li gets all the space it needs. The powermetal is overrated although this is done with much care. The singer ZP Theart is dressed in leather pants and a tight shirt, standing in the middle of the stage on an extra platform so he higher then the rest. He has quite a high voice and uses this very well to express himself. Before the gig really starts, the lights in the tent go out. A tape is set with some rock music on, that sounds like you hear is through an closed door. Then a voice yells to the audience that is it time for the fantastic and amazing Dragon force, this keeps going until al the members are on stage. Then all hell breaks loose. Everybody is playing its own parts, mixed together into full power metal music, with an extra touch because of the long guitar solo’s. Some of the tracks start sooner, other take time for an intro. Only problem was the same the entire day, the sounds really were too loud, it hurt my ears trough my earplugs, and because of this the balance was lost. I was standing directly before the sound engineer, and I don’t really think this was just because it was the tent.

Performance
The performance of Dragonforce is wild and full of energy. The band members run around on the stage, jumping up the platform with ZP and have fun with each other as well. When its Li’s turn he stands on the middle of the platform to show of, not only playing but also licking the snares of his guitar, playing with his tongue, he lifts the guitar over his head several times. While this is going on the rest of the band is walking back and forth on the stage. ZP jumps up from the back. They have small trampolines in the back of the stage so ZP can jump a bit further. Because this gig was inside the tent the band had the possibility to use the lights to its fullest. That was done with little white spots turning, and making different figures on the roof and the backdrop. The backdrop featured the Dragonforce logo and the new album  name, In human Rampage. Furthermore different colours of light and some spot for the different spots of the band members made the party complete. ZP was really showing of when being on the platform, doing his metal moves, and singing at the same time.

Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 6
Performance: 9
Lights: 8
Total: 8 (7.5)

Pain of Salvation (SD)

Each album is so different that you can’t put a label on the band. It doesn’t matter if it progmetal or not: Scarsick surprised the whole metal scene. When the album came out there happened a lot with Pain Of Salvation. A new live-dvd recording in Paradiso, some line-up changes and still the dynamic period isn’t finished. With their natural perfection and energy they are flying over for this special summer tour. Having advance from the cancelling from Machine Head, the band is closing the ‘Rage Stage’ on the Saturday: suddenly headliner together with Iron Maiden. Only because Kamelot couldn’t get all their equipment and fireworks on the side stage. Sometimes there is just luck.

Music
It is a fact that women change their hair when they are ready for a new period in their life. Maybe the same counts for vocalist Daniel Gildenlöw. It is an eartshaking experience to see him suddenly with short hair. Aware of the rumours he laughs and says: ,, We are in our fifties period now! “and without changing anything ‘Scarsick’ sets in with that typical groovy sound what fills the air with adrenaline and new energy. A warm welcome after such a hectic long day. It is a bit strange to see this band in the full daylight on a small festival stage: that doesn’t create that special intense atmosphere. It doesn’t make a difference to all the fans standing there supporting their band; singing along every phrase. The sound is the whole set much too loud, but in balance and that is such a difference in compare with the other bands. It is hard to create a good sound during those gigs, but in the end the intensity is finally there.

It get’s more fragile during the ballade of the day: Undertow. Now I know that it helps when you scream a lot.  Daniel was fair enough:,, Scream when you choose ‘Undertow’  and now when you want to hear ‘Second Love’ yes I know it is a hard decision.”  The first one I haven’t heard before, so apparently the screaming helped and suddenly Daniel stands there alone, closing his eyes and bring that sensitive soft phrase and he knows how to touch the audience with his sound: it is silent for the first time today. It is hard to describe what a song can do to you, but Pain Of Salvation is one of those bands who can touch you deep in many ways: sometimes they bring the adrenaline like during ‘America’ and than the fragile emotional side like during the last song from the BE dvd. Daniel says about it: ,,I gonna screw my voice with this last song, but I want to do it!” and that is the spirit! With that last bonus he brings the whole gig to such a high intense level that it fates away all the previous things: it is pure, and touches me deep: silently I have to switch over to Iron Maiden, but impressed me the most of the whole weekend. The frontman standing there with his green sport shoes, finally seeing his eyes better with the short curls, impressed a lot and than makes the whole hectic day forgotten!

Performance
The opposite from the complex sound is the natural performance. Daniel is the eyecatcher in the centre of the stage, but the other band members are also very much involved. Simon is the new face in the band and he totally fits there: during the songs he is not only playing bass, but also doing some very high backing vocals.  On the right of the stage there is Johan with his strong body and fast guitarlines and that typical sound of him: making a party on his own side. A bit more in the back there’s keyboardplayer Frederick: focused on his parts and more introvert. Almost disappearing in the backdrop drummer Johan Langell: playing his final tour with the band. ‘Foreward’ is a complex song with many vocal changes, but Daniel stands there so natural that it almost seems to be too perfect: it is all so relaxed and perfect. It also a song where everybody has an interaction with each other.

"I have to thank Machine Head for the longer set, so the songs you get now are a bonus. They are not on the set list, so Simon are you ready?”  Daniel makes the crowd even more excited and during ‘Disco Queen’ the whole crowd is dancing and moving on ABBA tunes meets progmetal: with the flair that it so typical for this band.

Rating
Music 9
Performance 9
Sound 7
Light  6
Total  8 (8.4)

Iron Maiden (SD)

An intro area for Iron Maiden: than it is enough to say that Bruce Dickinson and ‘his’ men are still going strong: having the energy to tour around the world, produce new albums with a fresh sound and create a live show where everyone moves along. And that since their beginning in 1975: building bridges between generations.

Music
With their last album ‘A Matter Of Life And Death’ is for the real fans not something new anymore. The band played in November 2006 the whole new album in a sold-out Den Bosch. This time the band will take some time to play much older songs on their ‘Matter of the Beast Summertour '07’ due to their twenty-five jubilee. Mixed with the new ones Iron Maiden brings a new refreshing show. The sound is for the first time today really perfect on the Mean Stage: well balanced, nice for the ears (without getting the pieeeeep in the end of the day) and with enough power to hear Bruce loud en clear. Sometimes Nico on the drums is a bit far in the mix and well with that many guitarists the sound is a bit too heavy, but it is Iron Maiden. You always know what you get and still it is special. It is the new set list and the honestly of the band what makes them worldwide so respectful. It is the atmosphere, the power and the beautiful show what makes generations coming over to see them. ‘Brighter than a Thousand Suns’ with the army entourage is easily mixed with old ones like ‘Wrathchild.’

Bruce says about that last song:,, It’s been a long time since we played this song life, but it is time now to get it on the list again.” His condition is still perfect: running from side to side, enjoying every second of the show. After all those years you deserve respect for that. When ‘Iron Maiden’ is played the little frontman sounds a bit hoisted, but it is forgiven. For someone who’s second passion is being a pilot, making documentaries for the Discovery Channel, there is more in life than sing a clear tone all the time. Those little details makes the show more unique and live as well.

Performance
It is totally packed on the Biddinghuizen field and when the band sets in ‘The Trooper’ with the well known flag and army jacket: the whole crowd is singing along. It is Bruce who makes the show a perfect one: he is the one who runs around, makes jokes with the audience and still has that warm voice. Now and than with a little raw undertone, but after all with such an energy that it even after five times stays interesting. ‘Fear Of The Dark’ is the highlight: the whole field is moving their hands in the same rhythm, singing and screaming. This is what Iron Maiden always wanted: to unite fans all over the world. To create an intimacy even on such a huge area.

When during ‘The Number of the Beast’ the real beast is revealed, there is a bigger surprise when Eddie suddenly enters the stage in a huge tank during one of the new songs ‘The Reincarnation of Benjaming Breeg.’ Without Eddie there is no show: a golden rule that never will be broken. When the dark is there, and the people finally get tired after a long day Iron Maiden was the perfect headliner of the day. There is no band who can measure this unique and special performance and again the band makes a clear statement: it is possible to be refreshing after all those years. And we all like it.

Rating
Music 9
Performance 9
Sound 9
Light  9
Total  9

To conclude the day, I was Happy with the bands performing. Not so happy about the big line up chances, but its really wasn't anyone's fault.

Note from the photographer:
We were givien a non-frontstage photopass by the organisation, this means all photos of the festival had to be taken from the audience. In some cases this means the pictures are not as good as they could have been otherwise. But still, they are there. This could all not have been possible without the help of so many of the good people in the audience. The people that have let me pass by in order to take a good position have made all these photos possible. Let me thank you all, you have shown again that metal people are just great people to have around!

{jos_sb_discuss:18}

More photos on page 2