Thirst quenching is accompanied by all girl Swedish band, Vision, performing
in the tent adjacent to the bar, who provide an entertaining set of 80's
hard rock influenced material - with a slight punk feel in places. They
could be one to watch for the future. The beer, combined with a long day's
travelling, takes its toll. A good night's sleep is required, as 4 long days
lie ahead…
The first day of the festival dawns, and rain falls! The weather forecast
promises more of the wet stuff over the next 3 days - so the tents should
get a good wash. In 7 previous years of visiting this festival, we have
hardly seen any rain at all, so the law of averages had to impose its
authority at some point, and this appears to be the year for payback.
Waterproofs are packed into day sacks and away we go. The Swedish Air Force
sends a couple of Saab Griffin interceptors over to welcome everyone to the
festival, and we are underway.
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
First use of the Zeppelin stage (smallest of the 4 main stages) falls to
Innocent Rosie, a young Swedish outfit clearly influenced by the US West
Coast metal scene of the 80's. They have already built a solid live
following and debut album 'Bad Habit Romance' was released earlier this
year. Well worth checking out if Crue style sleaze-metal is your thing, and
they had enough talent to keep those of us not into that style interested as
well. A good start to the day, but the rain returned shortly after.
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
Stockholm's Deathstars get first use of the Sweden stage (only 2 main stages
are in use on the opening day), bringing their own brand of industrial glam
metal with them. Very Gothic in appearance, their music is best described as
similar to Rammstein, but with obvious influences from 80's Goth masters
such as The Mission. Lots of catchy hooks and a vibrant stage presence
ensure a large enthusiastic crowd stays put throughout the intermittent
showers.
The Gibson tent stage sees a large crowd assemble next - partly due to the
rain, but I suspect mostly due to the arrival of 5 warrior maidens in the
form of Hysterica. The feminine equivalent of Manowar has adopted somewhat
less than delicate stage names… Anni De Vil, Bitchie, Rockzilla, SatAnica
and Hell'n, and their music follows in the same vein. I split the set time
between them and Torch on the Zeppelin stage - one of Sweden's pioneering
metal bands in the eighties that reformed in 2005. Neither band really
grabbed my attention though.
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
Sevendust now break the run of Swedish acts, with the US band bringing a
high octane set of alternative metal to the party. Not really my scene, but
you can't fault them for effort - especially frontman Lajon Witherspoon. If
you like the alternative genre (e.g. Disturbed), then this band are well
worth a look.
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
Next, it is back to the tent stage for a late addition to the line up -
Covered Call. This band is fronted by Thomas Vikstrom, and you never know
what to expect from the ex-Candlemass man - he really has done it all in his
career. One thing is for sure though… he can sing! What we get is classic
AOR that is right up there with the best, and had me searching for their
debut album 'Money Never Sleeps' as soon as the set had finished. Highlight
of the day so far.
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
The first pyrotechnics of the festival herald the arrival of Viking
death-metal band Amon Amarth. Their 7th album, 'Twilight of the Thunder God'
achieved some chart success in Sweden, Germany, and the US, and they are
renowned for their spectacular live shows. Johan Hegg and his band do not
disappoint on this occasion for their fans - not for the faint-hearted!
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
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Ex Wolfsbane and Iron Maiden frontman Blaze Bayley is up next, only
marginally reducing the intensity following the Viking invasion. With a
selection of songs from his former bands and his own solo career, Blaze can
still compete with the best on stage. Highlight of the set is undoubtedly
"The Clansman" from his Maiden era, although others like "The Tenth
Dimension" are also well performed and received.
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
The headline act of the day are Uriah Heep, and unfortunately the sound crew
got it wrong… they could hardly be heard from back of the sound stage. The
band themselves are in great form, performing their new album 'Wake The
Sleeper' in it's entirety. This would normally be a disappointment from a
band with nearly 40 years worth of back catalogue to choose from, but this
album is so good from start to finish, every song fits well alongside such
classics as "Gypsy", "July Morning", and "Stealin'".
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
The highlights of the set are "What Kind of God" and
the ever present encore of "Lady In Black". If only it had been a bit
louder, it would have been perfect, but it was still a great way to finish
the day before returning to a slightly damp and cold tent.
