Metallica, Alice in Chains, Children Of Bodom, Kvelertak

Kriau Rocks expects 50.000 Metalheadz, and I actually did not plan to attend. Surprise: After a month of missed gigs, I step in for a friend's friend that did not feel well (well, thanks Dude!). So, Metallica once more, after this brilliant gig back in 1992. As a huge fan of the band at that time, it was clear that I will be very picky with them at this evening.

 

Buddies: Rainer, Tom, Rene (as well as Stolli and many others in the crowd of 50.000)
Score: 3.5 out of 5
Merch: nope, but I really like Tom's AIC shirt
Again: Well, I was wrong once...


It is my first time in the Golden Circle. It's big money but it makes much sense at this huge venue. As Stolli told me, the sound was quite bad further behind due to the strong wind. So good choice, Rainer, and thanks for this.

We miss Kvelertak. Tom and me just arrive in time for Children Of Bodom. It's a bit strange to see this Death Metal band playing in the blistering sun. As it turns out later, they play at approximately 20% of the main gig's volume. Just the last two songs start to groove a bit, but then it's over.

With Alice In Chains, the volume reaches serious levels. Leaving aside that their music is not the best support act for Metallica, they impress me quite a bit. Impeccable musical performance and very good vocals. They play into sunset with sun glasses on, and it just feels right. It's rather laid back music than heating up for the main act.  I do not care, and I like it. If they should be in Vienna again as a main act, I would try to be there.

But of course, everybody is here for Metallica. And frankly, I have two (expected) issues with this gig (and please don't get me wrong, this is me complaining at very high levels):

1. 80% of the setlist I know by heart, and
2. Nearly all of these these songs they played much better before.

Why? Because Metallica seem to play their old songs faster and faster - with nearly all exactness left behind. For me it's more of a jamming experience than precise playing, mixed with much experience (as one journalist put it 'auto pilot playing'). But I strongly believe that speed metal lives from being played exactly. Slayer, for example, still does it damn right, they play their stuff fast, but exactly. So no excuses for Metallica here.

But I do not want to over-emphasise this, this performance was just as nice as expected. At least in the Golden  Circle, the sound was great. Not every band can cope with huge venues - Metallica for sure can. They are able to reach the audience here, and this is really a big plus. The old songs from 'Kill 'Em All' and 'Ride The Lightning' still kick ass. The guitar/bass section is great and vocals impeccable. In the mid-part of 'Enter Sandman', the sleep verse is played from tape - in original speed - and the last 'Pray The Lord My Soul To Take' is lost - because the band is already through it.

Nevermind. The show ends very nicely with 'Seek And Destroy' and a very long 'Thank You' from the band. Metallica is still one of the best live bands - but to be picky, they could do even better.


Bang that Head that doesn't Bang' :-)
Photos courtesy of Rainer.

Pearl Jam

So I missed this three hours gig - and it seemed to be a really good one. Sold out, my card went to a Pearl Jam fan. Maybe next time.

Review: http://derstandard.at/2000002349668/Von-Blaehungen-und-der-Erleichterung

Nine Inch Nails

I was ill that day and missed the probably most anticipated gig of 2014. Tough luck, but there was no chance to go. So my brother went there and was very pleased what he saw there. Again, next time, and let's forget July 2014 gig-wise :-).

Review: http://derstandard.at/2000001904066/Am-Dimensionstor-kratzen

Kraftwerk - 1 Autobahn (1974)

A highlight of 2014: Kraftwerk play their entire catalog in the Vienna Burgtheater during the Wiener Festwochen. After having been successful at the Internet auction in the middle of a working day, expectations are high - and easily matched, if not surpassed.

Buddies: Schnee-Weißchen, David, Michael
Score: 5 out of 5
Merch: 'Autobahn' T-Shirt + mouse pad
Another gig: yes, if it's in a comparably innovative venue :-)

 
It's raining cats and dogs, so we are all happy to spend this evening in the holy halls of Burgtheater. David and me are very lucky to get some of the last pairs of 3D glasses - some failed. Without them, the entire thing would have been half the fun. When I am offered earbuds at the entry, I smile - but I would prove quite wrong in this respect, and I'll come back to this a bit later. First faux-pas: I am not aware that the first row of 'Parterre' is quite in the rear section of the ... well ... Parterre, whatever, I finally find my seat in time.

'Autobahn' has been a quite pragmatic choice because the other days did not fit that well. First surprise is the sound, which is very gutsy and with decent surround elements. 'Autobahn' sounds have been updated, but are still very retro. Sometimes the floor heavily resonates with the quite significant volume of the music, much stronger and compelling than expected at this place. And it's still authentic, the dreamy and spherical sounds you know from the original recording, but with today's strength. A very nice way to transform this music into 2014. Same is true for the 3D visuals, this is no hyper-realistic texture-excess, but very retro 3D polygons. I did not expect anything more exiting, the 3D effects were just nice.

Second surprise was that the song 'Autobahn' was a rather short version of the 22 min original - I expected more because the entire work is rather short. But this is of no disadvantage, after these five songs, a potpourri of all important Kraftwerk songs followed. Basically nothing is missing. It gives you a lively impression of the tremendous ingenuity and influence that this music had on the development of electronic music. From this perspective, a performance of this music in a very classical venue actually makes sense. In Kraftwerk's domain, their music is classical and can be performed in the Burg, without any need to play it unplugged or otherwise strangely.

As David puts it afterwards, this gig was impeccable. From myself, Kraftwerk gets highest credit for delivering a strong, yet very authentic performance at a classic venue.

Here are some short impressions of this impressive performance:

 

Laibach IV

Even when seeing them for the fourth time, Laibach easily surprise and impress me. Without doubt, this is their best performance so far.

Buddy: David
Score: 5 out of 5 
Merch: a nice Spectre t-shirt
Again? Can I subscribe? Am I already in Groupie mode?

Die Krupps II (Chant, Vigilante)

Got two tickets for this gig - thanks to Michael and Harald (he unfortunately canceled in last minute). It's so good to see Die Krupps back again with two stellar support acts. 

Buddies: Michael and David 
Score: 5 out of 5 
Merchandize: a signed Chant CD
Another Gig? Any time!





The evening starts with Chant, two percussionists that like drumming to industrial electronic music. What sounds a bit strange turns out as a really good act. Very intelligent Industrial music reminds me a bit of the young NIN or My Life With The Kill Cult (at least at first glance). It's very good music, so I buy the 2013 CD and have it signed by Bradley Bills. Keep on going, this is great music.