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October 8, 2008 |
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w/ INTO ETERNITY
August 25, 2005
Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
By Ciaran Meeks
Photography by Tony Antunovich
All photos Copyright © 2005 METALEATER - Do not use without permission.
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Boy, is this a year for shows in Lotusland or what!?! All it takes is even the most cursory of glances through the METALEATER 'Live Shows' archives to realize that Vancouver has been spoiled rotten by a seemingly unending parade of first-class international acts eager to add our fair burgh to their touring schedule. On Thursday, August 25, a package yours truly had frankly been slavering in anticipation over finally landed like a ten-tonne Metallic atom bomb. Who? None other than Powermeisters supreme EDGUY and HAMMERFALL with INTO ETERNITY in tow!!! Here's how it all went down...
INTO ETERNITY
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First up were local (actually with the exception of lead-throat Vancouverite Stu Block they're all from Regina, Sas-kat-choo-wan) heroes INTO ETERNITY, who alongside mainstay Devin Townsend/SYL are currently one of the brightest hopes for bringing true Metal to the masses this fine country has to offer. Playing an eclectic, Progressive mix of both Traditional Metal and Melodic DM, INTO ETERNITY have spent most of the last year opening for acts as diverse as AMORPHIS, HATE ETERNAL, and now of course HAMMERFALL and EDGUY. Why so much exposure one may ask? Well, the answer is simple: in a stainless steel nutshell this band rocks tight and hard. With never a dull moment IE tore up the stage with a hard-hitting, energetic, and ferocious performance that left no-one with any doubts as to why so many consider them the 'next big thing'. Ever the charismatic frontman, Block quite literally blew the crowd away with the force of his stage presence and astounding vocal delivery.
A great, great band for whom things can only continue to improve. Catch them back in town again in October opening for STRATOVARIUS!
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EDGUY
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I originally had the pleasure of experiencing this German act live at ProgPower III in Atlanta back in 2003. I was frankly spellbound by just what an enjoyable and entertaining band EDGUY is as they basically stole that show from co-headliners BLIND GUARDIAN with their boundless levels of energy, enthusiasm, technical ability, and inarguable love of Heavy Metal. Tonight was no different as the band made the best of the Commodore's relatively small stage to grand effect, mesmerizing the audience with some of the most emotive Power Metal anthems 'n ballads this side of The Fatherland. Really, these guys are just such great entertainers. They should definitely be bigger than they are in North America. Tobias Sammet is the consummate frontman with pipes and heart for miles, and the band as a whole never miss a beat, displaying nothing but enthusiasm, energy, good humour, and love for what they do. Judging from the washroom banter I heard following their set damned near everyone in attendance seemed to agree.
EDGUY definitely ruled the night.
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Setlist:
Intro
Under The Moon
Navigator
Land Of The Miracle
Lavatory Love Machine
Vain Glory Opera
*Drum Solo*
Babylon
Mysteria
HAMMERFALL
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Sweden's HAMMERFALL have come a long way since I last saw them with DEATH in Seattle somewherez back in like, '98/'99. In those days 'Glory To The Brave' and 'Legacy Of Kings' were riding high, yet the band were virtually unknown in North America. Several years and something like three albums later, the band have become an international phenomenon, with even Canada and the U.S. starting to take note of the bite of Templar steel! Seeing these guys live it's no wonder how they've managed to get to where they are in the upper echelons of the Power Metal elite; in short, no-one and I mean no-one (well...besides EDGUY that is!) can write a pure, unadulterated headbangin' anthem like these Swedish Metal warriors. This is just about some of the most hair-blowing-in-the-wind heroic stuff you could want to hear, delivered with enough enthusiasm, fire, and yes...self-effacing camp to keep a dragon's grin plastered across your ugly mug from start to fist-pumping finish.
Like EDGUY before them, these guys rock with high energy and a genuine love for Metal that is true. It's impossible not to get swept along for the ride.
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Setlist:
Intro
Secrets
Riders Of The Storm
Renegade
Let The Hammer Fall
Hammerfall
*Drum Solo*
Fury Of The Wild
Glory To The Brave (Medley)
Hammer Of Justice
Crimson Thunder
Heeding The Call
Blood Bound
Templars Of Steel (Medley)
Hearts On Fire
In conclusion this was a great night for Power Metal in Vancouver. If there was any downside at all it would have to be in regards to attendance which was definitely not as high as these great acts deserved. Why? Probably because Power Metal and Traditional Metal such as what was on offer seems to be given a bum rap on these shores. Undeservedly so too. Here is as good a place as any for a mini-rant as to how Metal as a genre overall seems to be perceived and marketed on these shores. For some reason far too many North American Metal fans seem to only want to hear the most broo-tally downtuned blosh available, with only the most antisocial and hateful of sentiment to boot. Sorry, but as a twenty-year fan of many Metal 'flavas' I have to say that this relatively recent trend in fan attitude baffles me. No form of music should be relegated to one note of emotional expression. Bands like HAMMERFALL, EDGUY, and INTO ETERNITY realize that. Hell, the entire European Metal scene realizes that!
So what's up over here? Why the obsession with forcing Metal to be 'tough guy music' and 'tough guy music' only!?!
Metal is about more than just anger and aggression. When it's at its best it's also about technicality. Virtuosity. Melody. Energy. Passion. Entrhusiasm. Pure, unfettered Dyonisian JOY. When played with those elements in place, it is without doubt some of the most beautiful and expressive music on this earth. Bands like EDGUY, HAMMERFALL, and INTO ETERNITY also realize this. They are carrying on a tradition begun by the greats such as LED ZEPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, DEEP PURPLE, VAN HALEN, and others. In their way, they are perhaps among the 'truest' Metal acts in the current pack.
It's a shame that so few are willing to open their minds to experiencing Metal on this level these days. A damn shame. They do not know just how much they are missing. The fact that those who were in attendance threw themselves into the experience with the passion that they did however gives me hope that perhaps the tide is beginning to turn again. Maybe this thing we call Metal is starting to return once more to a time when it was okay to, y'know...smile and actually ENJOY what was going on onstage. For what it's worth, on August 25 at The Commodore I know that I did. In fact I daresay it was the most fun I've had at a show in about as long as I can remember. And you know what? So too did everyone else who was there and I bet any money they'll tell their friends, and their friends after them, and so on, and so on. Next time I would bet my bottom dollar that attendance will not be an issue.
In fact next time I'm sure more than a few more will come along for the Power Metal ride of a lifetime! [FIN]
As usual, METALEATER thanks the following individuals for providing us with the media pass for the gig:
Loana DP Valencia at Nuclear Blast, Heather Smith at Century Media, and our comrade Jamie Teske at House Of Blues Concerts Canada.
» Official HAMMERFALL Website
» Official EDGUY Website
» Official INTO ETERNITY Website
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