KEEP IT TRUE X FESTIVAL - RISE OF THE TYRANT
LAUDA KOENIGSHOFEN, GERMANY - 04&05/04/08
This is the tenth Keep It True festival held in southern Germany. Apart from being so tired from driving through the night for 10 plus hours and going straight to the venue (following a short stop at our hotel), the thought of the great German beer was all that was keeping me awake, never mind, I am keeping it true!
Upon arriving at the venue, the mostly German crowd were already in good spirits due to alcohol consumption and the make-shift camp site out the back of the venue did not look that pleasant. It was good to see that there was a very small contingent of British based fans in attendance too.
Keep It True Website
‘Battleroar’ open the proceedings and immediately set the tone for the rest of the day. Their epic/traditional metal approach goes down well with the crowd. And right from the start it is clear that the mainly German audience have far more appreciation for this style of music (as was apparent with all the bands on the bill) than anything seen in the UK, even when the fans did not know the bands music, they got behind them every step of the way. The sound system was also excellent, something that is apparent whenever you go to anything music related in Germany. They seem to employ professional sound engineers and something that the UK festivals should take note of. Every band was treated to a good sound mix (although there were a few exceptions!).
Battleroar Website
‘Strikemaster’ from Mexico are up next. I have wanted to see these guys are a while, as their music has impressed me. Sadly on this occasion, they could not pull it off live. A wall of noise really, and prove that their brand of dirty thrash is best suited in the studio. However, once again, the crowd headbang relentlessly and support them all the way.
Strikemaster MySpace
‘Merciless Death’ are another band that I have been eagerly wanting to see live. Again, how disappointed I was. Their ‘Venom’-inspired thrash metal was just too much of a mess, and would most likely be a lot better if they had twin guitarists. The single guitarist just did not work. A complete barrage of high-end noise, which was a shame and the fact that they only brought medium and large t-shirts with them proved frustrating for a lot of festival goers.
Merciless Death MySpace
‘Sentinel Beast’ was next to play. This band only ever released one album in the 1980’s then disappeared. This show represents the first ever played in Europe. Although a very good live set, it was clear that singer Debbie Gunn was one of the only original members, with a very young looking group running around behind her. Eagerly anticipated by the crowd and this showed. Enjoyable, but a little weird!
Sentinel Beast MySpace
‘Metal Inquisitor’ graced the stage. The home crowd greeted them from the first note with high enthusiasm and high regard. Missing their usual lead singer, the lead guitarist took over on vocals. This proved the get the first proper mosh pit of the day going, the crowd were on fire! Think a German Judas Priest; you can imagine what these gents were like. Tracks such as ‘Star Chaser’ and ‘Doomsday for the Heretic’ were very well received. Guest vocalist from NWOBHM band ‘Blitzkrieg’ (Brian Ross) got the crowd going and provided the first encore of the weekend. It’s amazing what the power of a chanting crowd can do. It was a thoroughly enjoyable set and the best of the day so far.
Metal Inquisitor Website
‘Attacker’ come on stage to a massive crowd reception. These New Jersey metal titans are performing their classic debut album ‘Battle of Helms Deep’ in its entirety; this is the stuff that legends are made of. ‘Attacker’ are blessed with a fantastic live sound and the whole band are running around in absolute delight to be on stage playing for the enthralled punters. Bob Michell’s vocals are perfect and very strong. ‘The Hermit’, ‘Slayers Blade’ and ‘The Wrath of Nevermore’ are classic tunes played at full volume. Then they pay homage to their heroes and British Metal in general, and start a crowd-pleasing cover of ‘Saxon’s – Denim & Leather’. Apart from the organisers cutting the sound during this track (soon to be restored!) this was a truly legendary show and the best of the festival thus far.
Attacker Website
Attacker MySpace
Once ‘Omen’ joined the stage, it was all too much for me. I had to retire to get some proper food and go to my bed so I missed the sets of ‘Omen’, ‘Helstar’ and ‘Titan Force’.
The next day dawned, feeling much more alive today after a proper nights sleep, entering the venue is a pleasure today!
‘Battle Ram’ from Italy opens the second day. Their brand of epic heavy metal proves a good start to the day. Having only released one demo, these guys had a small crowd gathering, but by the end of the set, things were quite busy down the front. The stage was slightly dwarfed by their huge stage backdrop, the mark of a proper metal band!
Battle Ram Website
‘Fueled By Fire’ from the USA, is a band I have wanted to check out for a while. And it is true that they do not disappoint. Drawing one of the biggest crowds of the festival (apart from the top three bands of each day), there is a huge circle pit in progress from the first note of classic bay area thrash. More a-kin to the ‘Exodus’ and ‘Dark Angel’ sound, these lads show the other bands what they have to follow. Admittedly, I did get bored towards the end of the 45 minutes set (all of the bands sets for the whole weekend were 45 minutes plus!), however, I have to say that by the end of it, I was a fan!
Fueled By Fire MySpace
The next two bands (‘Demon Eyes’ and ‘Crescent Shield’) just simply pass me by. I just thought they were not good enough so I did not watch the remainder of the set. ‘Demon Eyes’ could best be described as an average band you might see playing in pub somewhere in the middle of nowhere having been let out for the weekend by their wives.
‘Pharaoh’ from the USA presents their brand of ‘Hammerfall’ inspired power metal to ‘Keep It True’. Although not a huge fan of this, it has to be said that these guys put on a great show and powerful vocal performance (even if the singer wore a strange black and white tank top tucked into leather trousers!).
Solar Flight Website
‘Cage’ bound on stage like a full force hurricane, having heard this band before; I was looking forward to this. They did not disappoint. The home crowd were singing away note for note with the band and it was greatly received. Singer Sean Peck was holding his hand on his heart between songs thanking the crowd for their support. The title track of their latest album ‘Hell Destroyer’ is a welcomed tune. ‘Philadelphia Experiment’ from their third album ‘Darker Than Black’ is another fine tune. Thundering bass and pounding drums were all present and correct, and it could be said that this band would do great things in the UK with their Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens era ‘Judas Priest’ traditional heavy metal sound.
Cage Website
Cage MySpace
The mighty Italian Vikings ‘Doomsword’ open up things with powerful doom laden epic metal masterpiece. ‘Shores of Vinland’ is a classic tune and the stage presence of this band is immense. Dressed in attire not that much different to ‘Amon Amarth’, the thundering bass gives the PA a good workout.
Doomsword Website
Doomsword MySpace
Thrash titans ‘Heathen’ come on stage with great confidence and excessive crowd support. Chants of the bands name ring out long before they start playing. I was interested to see if Lee Altus would play guitar with these guys (he wrote most of the material anyway), but he is (thankfully) having moonlighted away from the current ‘Exodus’ tour. David White (vocals) is truly taken a-back by the crowd response, and the grin on his face from ear to ear just makes the set even better. ‘Open the Grave’ is a classic thrash tune and is played to perfection.
Heathen Website
Heathen MySpace
‘Manilla Road’ having got up on stage with the original guitarist (Mark Shelton) still in the band after 31 years and 14 plus albums, display their brand of epic metal with the full support of the entire venue. Whilst I am not a great fan of this band, it is hard not to appreciate the quality of music that is only display. Their 75 minute set does not get tedious in the slightest, and the word for word singing from the Keep It True faithful keep the band on top form. ‘Necropolis’, ‘Flaming Metal Systems’ and the closer ‘Avatar’ are all damn fine tunes.
Manilla Road Website
Manilla Road MySpace
By the time the festival headliners ‘Jag Panzer’ get up on the stage, I am feeling slight worse for wear due to alcohol consumption. Never the less, these American heavy metal gods prove just why they are the headliners, pure quality from beginning to end. It was disappointing that there was no merchandise on sale for this band, but with recent problems trying to record a live album due to lack of funds, it was not surprising.
Jag Panzer Website
Jag Panzer MySpace
Apart from the expected customs inquisition at Calais, this was a great festival. Not the easiest of places to travel to compared to other German festivals, but well worth the trip. The next instalment in November this year was sold out in January, so if you want tickets for next years festival in April, tickets go on sale January 1st 2009.
Keep It True \m/
Paul Maddison
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