KIT DAY 2
After recovering from the US metal attack the day before, it was time to get back to the hall. The first band was the Italian Sign Of The Jackal. One of the better, if not so original newcomers to the scene of heavy metal they had good energy in their set. Which just had to be admired by yours truly and his old bones… I really got strong early Warlock vibes from their stuff. Good band, check ‘em out.
Enforcer has already stomped their boot-marked to international heavy metal scene with two excellent records but I still don’t think they fire their guns at full power at stage. Maybe too much trying or then Enforcer have managed to polish and perfect their records way too much. Band lineup has changed little from last album as Olof Wikstrand has also taken guitar on stage with vocals. A mysterious band, nearly perfect albums, but to me they just lack something live. Still they have bright future ahead of them. I would claim that they are one of those bands that have to take the spotlight when old legends retire.
Roll The Dice
Mistress From Hell
On The Loose
Katana
High Roller
Diamonds
Scream Of The Savage
Midnight Vice
Running in Menace
Take Me To Hell
If Enforcer has gone to more melodic direction with their second album Diamonds, next band Saracen have always gone down that road. If it would have been an open air gig I would have just lay down on the grass and closed my eyes, but not this time? Saracen or not, my siren of the moment were drinks at parking lot.
If the cards dealt earlier were almost AOR’sh there was nothing more than pounding sing-along and fists in the air choruses in the next hand we been dealt. This lineup was 2/5 Japanese and the rest teutonic (Desaster+Metal Inquisitor). As few days earlier in Helsinki, Metalucifer lit up whole audience in Lauda-Konighshofen. Gezol spent most of his time in photopit than on stage rallying the audience like a real heavy metal dictator. I could easily say that Metalucifer is a combination of Japan-Germany axis in heavy metal, militaristic, exact and making audience to pound their fist in union. Perfection. Neil Tanaka? Yes, he was there also almost falling to his chainsaw and ripping up posers.
Heavy Metal Ironfists
Heavy Metal Drill
Heavy Metal Bulldozer
Heavy Metal Revolution
Heavy Metal Samurai
Warriors Ride On The Chariots
Heavy Metal Chainsaw
Heavy Metal Hunter
There were still some cards left in the deck and the next draw was made by the Canadian Death Dealer. Speedish heavy metal, more flowing than previous Metalucifer but for my disappointment hall became almost empty during their set. Death Dealer is more or less perfect heavy metal to my ears and their set was a killer. Perfectly blend of melodies, choruses, scorching riffs and great rough vocals. Constant cold shivers down the spine!
No Color
I Still Don’t Remember
Sherry
Overshoot
Cross My Way
Mind Game
The Screamer
Nothing Inside
Under to Over
The Faddist
Coercion To Kill
So what about Sledgeleather? One of my favorite female vocalist’s Leather Leone on vocals and bassist and drummer of Malibu Barbi (Joanne Rebel b, Sandy Sledge d) plus unknown (male) guitarist in their ranks. Set was build around Chastain classics (Ruler Of The Wasteland, For Those Who Dare, Angel Of Mercy, Voice Of The Cult) and one Malibu Barbi cult classic, ”When The Lightning Strikes”. Some other unknown songs were also played and that was about it. Nothing to tell about those songs.
And to top that, guitar player was really out of place. But thanks to Leather Leone’s still powerful voice it was enjoyable overall.
And then something completely different: Sacrifice. One of the ultimate thrash acts to ever hail from Canada. I think their set started little slowly but around "Cyanide" things were getting better. The younger part of audience did not seem to care, they had their pits going on all the time. Maybe watching a thrash gig from the stands is not the way, banging in front row and breaking bones would have been better away. Nice gig, not a flush but still a winning hand compared to many thrash gigs I have seen in my life.
Forward to Termination (FtT)
We Will Prevail (TOIC)
In Defiance (SoM)
Cyanide (FtT)
Hiroshima (TOIC)
Soldiers of Misfortune (SoM)
Infernal Visions (Torment In Fire)
The Great Wall (TOIC)
Afterlife (FtT)
Burned at the Stake (Torment In Fire)
Pyrokinesis (FtT)
Re-Animation (FtT)
One the most anticipated acts of the whole festival was of course Satan. Old nick himself finally made it to Keep It True, this time in "Court In The Act" lineup (G. English b, B. Ross v, S. Taylor d, S. Ramsey/R. Tippins g). And they did deliver. Period. Just look at the setlist and dare to say otherwise. Most underrated guitar duo ever, legendary heavy metal voice and pounding bass/drum section equals NWOBHM perfection. Go see their other bands, buy their records and worship.
Into the Fire
Trial by Fire
Blades of Steel
No Turning Back
Broken Treaties
Break Free
Hunt You Down
The Ritual
Dark Side of Innocence
Alone in the Dock
Opression
Kiss of Death
Pull the Trigger
And then, something for all the US metal maniacs, Crimson Glory. I had no idea what to except, a glorious heavy metal show, or just another lame reunion without the original voice of the band. But hell no, this really could be described as a tribute to Midnight who sadly passed away 2009. Not a lame pub tribute but a real heavy metal tempest that took the whole packed audience into it’s grip from the beginning. First thing people would ask is if the new vocalist, Todd La Torre filled Midnight’s shoes? Yes he did, nothing to complain here. Opening their set with Valhalla&Dragon Lady was enough to make this one the best gigs ever. Looking at the setlist now later, I still feel the shivers down my spine. Jeff Lords, Ben Jackson, Jon Drenning, Dana Burnell and already mentioned Todd La Torre, thank you.
Valhalla
Dragon Lady
Angels of War
Azrael
Mayday
Queen of the Masquerade
Lady of Winter
Where Dragons Rule
Painted Skies
Masque of the Red Death
In Dark Places
Burning Bridges
Red Sharks
Lost Reflection
Lonely
Eternal World
Crimson Glory deserved their place as headliners, best gig ever for me at KIT? Perhaps. We’ll see if I’m back next spring. Depends strongly on lineups of certain bands, I’m getting really pisses about these "three penny reunions". More young & hungry bands! (And better beer for sale.)
www.keep-it-true.de
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