Hammerfall (Graz - Orpheum - 30.01.03)
Written by: Aleš Podbrežnik
I went to Graz by complete coincidence. My goals were set on Kaufbeueren's gig nine days later, but anyway. Here we are on the third Templars Crusade World Tour.
At 8:00 p.m. Nostradameus started the show as the opening support act. They missed the train. Their style is basically like Hammerfall's, just that Nostradameus are playing much faster and are blazing real boosting solos out of their guitar guns. Extremely fast but still very clean and smooth. That's real Swedish guitar school. Unfortunately Nostradameus are just another copy. I mean, they would have succeeded a few years earlier (in mid and late nineties). In other words, another clone inside happy power metal mainstream with very childish lyrics. But nevertheless, they've received a nice reply from the audience. They were introducing their brand new album, which was released just three days earlier. Their approach was very professional and correct. The sound was fine for a support act and the guys really played their asses off on stage.
I was waiting for Masterplan. A new band with experienced musicians is a real rising star among the other brand new power metal bands. They were presenting their fantastic debut. I expected at least one Helloween song, but Roland Grapow & co. decided to play only songs from their brand new release. Jorn Lande (also Jorn, Beyond Twilight, ex-Ark, ex-The Snakes) was in the center of the entire Masterplan show. With his astonishing charisma and amazing screams that were done soulfully and with full strength. This performance was very different from his Ark times, when he wore corpse painting. This time he was very much alive and running all over the stage. Jorn is at the moment, in my opinion, the first name among singers of new bands that struggle and fight on the metal scene. And he convinced me once again! Jan S. Eckert (Iron Savior) was equipped with interesting fishlike fluorescent plastic bass guitar. An instrument without soul, but who cares, you can play on it. The band acted very compact, as if they would know each other for a long time. Chemistry really worked. All guys were in a good mood. And a fantastic drum bombing of Uli Kusch (ex-Helloween) wasn't missing here. High atmosphere was swallowing the hall when "Soulburn" was done. This song was an absolute highlight. The sound was great. We must not forget that keyboards are playing a very important role in Masterplan's music style by giving a very special ambiental feel input into it, and keyboards sound contribution was equalized with other instruments. Sound picture of the band on stage was complete. The band got a great support from the cheering audience. Masterplan's performance was phenomenal in every way.
Next we expected a masquerade ball! Hammerfall! I was interested in the stage set, which is always something special. After Hector's hammering, the guys showed up on the stage, one by one, in a plastic battle armor (I guess). I saw this band in the same hall two years ago. Their energy was on a much higher level. Now the picture has changed. The sound wasn't perfect, but let us take a look at some other things. First Joacim's attitude. He's acting like a movie star or like an ultimate winner. I wouldn't say anything if he would have such vocal abilities as Dio or Glenn Hughes, but this guy went too far this time. Even before the gig started, when three of us were waiting for autographs in front of the backstage. Joacim opened the door, took the promo-picture of the fan who was standing nearby, signed it, returned the promo to him and simply said: "I won't sign anymore!" Then he slammed the door behind him. Who the hell he thinks he is? I would recommend to the other members of Hammerfall to seriously consider a substitution of their current singer. This was unprofessional and with that move he was spitting on Hammerfall's name. Let's go back to the show. It was under my expectations. Anders wasn't tuned in. He lost himself inside the songs many times. Is this why he was fired from Malmsteen's Rising Force? Then, in "The Way Of The Warrior", Stefan and Joacim couldn't make an agreement weather they'll do the vocal lines and riffing together or not. And the sound was also disastrous for a headliner. Throughout entire gig they couldn't improve the awful oscillation from the left monitor that was splitting my head apart. And this was very obvious in performance of "Renegade", "Let The Hammer Fall" and "Hearts On Fire", which didn't sound clear. The only man who tried to save the band's honour was Magnus Rosen. That wild guy was really convincible. No matter that his interesting solo somehow couldn't come to life, this guy was working real hard throughout the gig. But thanks to the audience that went crazy, the gig was impressive enough to stay awake. Fortunately Masterplan satisfied my needs.
I was truly disappointed. But what the hell is goin' on? I am getting to old to understand stuff like Hammerfall. I was surrounded by ravers, who decided to do some headbanging instead of raving. But funny, they were indeed raving.
Masterplan set list (Orpheum, Graz 30.01.2003):
1. Spirit Never Die
2. Enlighten Me
3. Crystal Night
4. Soulburn
5. Heroes
6. Kind Hearted Light
7. Bleeding Eyes
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8. Crawling From Hell
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Hammerfall set list (Orpheum, Graz 30.01.2003):
1. Riders Of The Storm
2. Heading The Call
3. Stonecold
4. On The Edge Of Honour
5. Legacy Of Kings
6. Magnus Rosen bass solo
7. At The End Of The Rainbow
8. The Way Of The Warrior
9. The Unforgiving Blade
10. Glory To The Brave
11. Stefan Elmgren guitar solo
12. Let The Hammer Fall
13. Renegade
14. Crimson Thunder
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15. Templars Of Steel
16. Hearts On Fire
17. Hammerfall
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