Amon Amarth (Carcass)

Vikings in Vienna, they greet us in polished German. Loud music in a packed Gasometer, more than enough cigarette smoke and three decent beer douches - in other words: a metal concert as it should be :-)

Buddies: Stolli, Harald, Tom
Score: 3.5 out of 5
Merchandize: I was too late for a great-looking Carcass t-shirt :-(
Another Gig? One is just fine.



Unfortunately we miss out Carcass and head straight into the main act. It's a shame that I am not much prepared musically, but it doesn't matter that much. It becomes immediately clear to me why Amon Amarth can easily fill Gasometer tonight. It's a professional, yet entertaining gig without flaws. A very energetic start, then some length in between, and a very powerful ending. Knowing the music a bit more would have helped a bit - but I am not so much into this Viking stuff :-).

Queens of the Stone Age

Queens of the Stone Age 

The band has become hugely successful, so they invite into Stadthalle Wien. This has little in common with my favourite locations, such as Arena or Gasometer. 

 

Buddies: Schnee Weißchen, Tom, Rainer

Score: 4 out of 5

Merchandize: nope

Another Gig: not as long as the band is so hyped

I must complain of the ticket price, but it's just as every time in Stadthalle Wien: You pay more for less view and less acoustic. But that's what big music business is apparently about.

Similarly to Them Crooked Vultures some time ago, sometimes also this band is a bit too relaxed on stage. They just let you know that they made it. Don't get me wrong, it's a good gig with great music - hey, I needed to see QOTSA live! 

Crystal Castles

Another retrospect review - a tough one. About a year ago, Crystal Castles very much impressed with their particular performance. Still when I try to put the music into perspective, it gets a bit harder to rate this ... Gig? Performance? Dance Party? Whatever ...

Buddies: David Z., Michael M.-W.
Score: 4 out of 5
Merchandize: nope
Another gig? Another tough question :-)



Probably it's exactly how it should be. Crystal Castles perform literally. In everything they are doing, they somehow refuse to be categorized. Nearly all of their public statements end up in negation. So what can I say of this night?

Carmina Burana (Altonaer Singakademie - Hamburger Symphoniker)

The sheer power of 'O Fortuna' makes it tricky to follow the rest of the five sections. 

Score: 3.5 out of 5 (due to the tickets)

Buddy: Täubchen

Again? Probably inevitable

This is a must-hear for everybody with an interest in music. The instrumentation alone, including two choirs and soloists, two pianos, three glockenspiels, an extended percussion section, three harps, a lot of horns etc etc, is breathtaking. The music as such phenomenal.

It was very nice so be in Hamburg's Laeiszhalle once, though seating could have been better (did not see a lot, impeccable acoustics though).

Slash feat. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators

Gasometer was packed and the gig was just as expected. And one line given in this interview (German) the day before tells it all: "On stage, my whole damn existence is focused around playing before my audience. It is the ideal form to express myself. Musically, emotionally and corporally. During these approx. two hours of a gig, I am totally authentic, totally with me."

Buddy: Harald

Score: 4 out of 5

Merchandize: nope

Another Gig: after Guns'N'Roses, I guess that this one is just perfect

My personal highlight: 'Gotten', a great ballad from his first solo album.

More to follow...

The Joy Formidable

The Joy Formidable bring formidable joy to Vienna. Another example for how powerful trios can be.

Buddy: Michael
Score: 5 out of 5
Merchandize: both CDs
Another Gig: for sure


Surprisingly Szene Wien is not sold out, we expected much more fans. Also because the ticket price is simply a bargain. As working class heroes, we miss the support act (we hear their last song, which deserves a honorable mention).