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October 12, 2008 |
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w/ INTO ETERNITY
October 5, 2005
Richard's On Richards - Vancouver, BC
By Ciaran Meeks
Photography by Tony Antunovich
All photos Copyright © 2005 METALEATER - Do not use without permission.
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Welcome to the latest chapter in Vancouver's brilliant year of long-verdue Metal over-saturation, namely, the appearance of Finnish Power Metal Gods STRATOVARIUS at Richard's On Richards! If you were there you know well just what a fantastic show this was too...if you you weren't...well read on then!
INTO ETERNITY
Perennial Canuck tour-dogs (and it would seem perennial '05 Metal opening act) INTO ETERNITY were first onstage doing what they do best. With all due respect to the band who are frankly, just a great band and a great bunch of guys to boot...in the interests of not becoming repetitive in terms of reviews I'm not going to go into much detail this time around. IE have done a bang-up job of warming up (and even overheating!) the stage for more than a few big names across North America this year and METALEATER is only one of many metal entities shouting out their well-deserved accolades. Suffice to say that this time was no different, and despite a few initial minor sound problems the boys delivered yet another ass-kicking assault upon the senses. Definitely a high-calibre act destined to someday do more than merely open for others.
STRATOVARIUS
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Much like EDGUY, HAMMERFALL, and THERION earlier in the year, it seemed almost surreal standing there not five feet from the stage as STRATOVARIUS took to the stage. I mean...who'da' thunk that we'd ever see such a high-roller from the European Power Metal stables here in Vancouver - and at a local dance-club at that!?! Stunned and overjoyed disbelief aside, it soon became very evident that this was indeed a reality as the band (now featuring new bassist Lauri Porra replacing Jari Kainulainen) captivated the audience with their signature brand of soaring, virtuoso Metal and enlightening, positive message for the next hour. Highlights included a mix of both new and old material such as their rousing live version of 'Father Time', 'At The Speed Of Light', and 'Twilight Symphony', as well as ballads 'The Land Of Ice And Snow' and sing-along fave 'Forever', as well as fist-pumping anthems such as 'Hunting High And Low' and 'Destiny' - both as encores.
From start to 'finnish' the band were tight as hell and bursting with both energy and charisma. Timo Kotipelto is a consummate frontman who knows exactly how to work a crowd, while fellow Timo - guitarist Tolkki - proved that he can still shred with the best of them. Just a great band with miles of heart. STRATOVARIUS won the room over almost effortlessly and will I'm sure be welcomed back with even greater fervour when next they hit these shores.
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Setlist:
Maniac Dance
Speed Of Light
Kiss Of Judas
Father Time
Twilight Symphony (Acoustic)
Will The Sun Rise
*Bass Solo*
The Land Of Ice And Snow (Acoustic)
United
Against The Wind
Hunting High And Low
Forever (Acoustic)
Destiny
Black Diamond
So really what more need be said!?! There's a reason why these guys remain perched griffin-like atop the ever-rising Power Metal heap...in short because they really are just that damned good. Don't believe me? Just go check them out when they come to YOUR town and you won't have to...you'll already BE a believer! [FIN]
» Official STRATOVARIUS Website
» Official INTO ETERNITY Website
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