U.D.O. (Ljubljana - VPK - 25.05.04)
Written by: Aleš Podbrežnik

As we were discussing about trip to Wörgl (Austria), which was the closest location with U.D.O. confirmed to play one of their shows on recent Thunderball World Tour, the craziest metal news of a year arrived. U.D.O., a definite Accept's successor and another giant of classic German heavy metal, is coming directly to Ljubljana (Slovenia). As usual I was quite nervous when "D" day arrived, hurrying quickly back home from daily job and than there I was. At around 6:00 p.m. I was already sneaking around VPK hall. Still no signs of life in front of hall, but inside all sort of activities, like building the stage, setting the merchandise, etc... were in full progress. I felt I still wasn't welcome there, so I made myself busy and took a short walk through town's suburbia. Being back at around 7 p.m., picture was quite different. I found many old pals waiting in front of entrance. Well, "same old places, same old faces!"

Quite unusual, but when doors opened people didn't show any interest to enter the hall. Outside, earth dogs were still paying more attention on consuming large amounts of beer, than on what was going on. First supporters Majesty found themselves in unpleasant situation. They had to start in front of almost empty hall. Well they were very humble and got quick satisfaction with response of four maybe five hotfooted fans that were shaking (even banging their heads down) in frontline. Majesty as true Manowar freaks did it very professional. They had a very good and balanced sound (I stood closer to right monitor). Nevertheless, Majesty as Manowar's younger brother proved once again that although a copy of certain band is technically better skilled, it is not enough to convince. It is simple fact, Manowar are unique, while Majesty hasn't anything to show that would be of their invention. Meanwhile audience was growing and also made some more noise, and band felt very enthusiastic over growing response. However, older over spoiled visitors, and I am one of them, weren't deeply touched. And in case of Crystal Ball feelings were quite the same, although encouraging news was that crowd grew bigger from minute to minute. Crystal Ball offered a mixture of classic seventies hard rock sounds (especially because of faked Hammond ones deriving out of keyboards) and classic metal touches that sometimes brought quick approximation to Pretty Maids.. But as keyboardist joined the band as rhythm guitar, Crystal Ball offered straight sharp edged metal galloping fashioned songs in old Accept or Judas Priest frames. Lay Dawn The Law sounded in Accept style, not to mention that same entitled song appears on U.D.O. first studio album "Animal House" (1987). Singer was in good mood, though at one moment he said: "I've got infection! Please help me singing!" And truly he had some problems in doing his higher vocal sequences, due to his sore throat. What brought great appreciation by the fans were some Slovenian language expressions that were successfully used by singer to talk with audience. Also Crystal Ball gave out their hundred percents, and performed their stuff very correctly and on a high professional level. Well band was great on stage, showing all enthusiasm, with correct approach, powerful, they were in mood. Both performances from Majesty and Crystal Ball worked out very well, and people showed nice positive response. Both bands seemed very satisfied with energy they've got from people and drummer from Majesty even thrown three drumsticks into crowd.

At around 10 p.m. everything was set for legendary Accept singer and his gang to run their show. Taped intro, and here they are. U.D.O. went straight to the core of their latest studio effort "Thunderball" (2004) and same titled hard hitting speedy opener. Udo was dressed in a specially designed long shining cape wearing dark glasses. After huge cheers, band continued with newest stuff, as Udo changed shiny clothes for more standard one, looking like deserted general, freshly escaped from Iraq cavalry. Crowd, well I think there were about 300 people, which began to respond even louder as band continued with first Accept classic Metal Heart ("Metal Heart", 1985). Accept legacy represents half of a whole U.D.O. live performances on their recent tours. Right after that song one of my U.D.O. favourites was about to rumble. It was Independence Day from U.D.O. "Solid" (1997) album. Udo approached even angrier! Crowd was by then completely into it, waving hands up high in the air and producing at same time real huge noise. Small crowd, but highly devoted, and band felt that. Atmospheric song with very sad chorus was a splendid choice to change a mood a bit. I am always waiting here for Udo to pronounce spine tingling sharp "R" in "....RRRRRRobotic rage..." verse, which creates always a short jump off into new different climax. First part of a gig was consisted mainly from songs that appear on "Thunderball" album. Ending first part of a gig with mid tempo Blind Eyes was to deliver another change of atmosphere that was graduating throughout this song. Even though I still haven't purchased "Thunderball" album, I was astonished over this song. Phenomenal contrast between heavy mid tempo Fitty's bass drive that was really cutting through concrete here, and than on the other hand with unique Udo's singing, while guitars were pushed a bit behind, in order to hold atmosphere on a higher level. First part of a gig ended with drum solo that was fuckin' loud demonstration of Lorenzo's killing speed on his double foot bass drum pedals, accompanied with loads of detonating fast break rollings. It was yet another breathtaking lesson.

Second part of gig, with exception of U.D.O. song Metal Eater ("Timebomb", 1991), included mainly Accept classics. First one was splendid Son Of A Bitch ("Breaker" 1983), Restless And Wild ("Restless And Wild", 1982), Up To The Limit ("Metal Heart", 1985) and especially a highlight among them called Neon Nights ("Restless And Wild", 1982), with crowd going completely mad.

Band offered unforgettable experience. Mr. Udo was marching and navigating the stage, giving supporting hugs to Igor, Fitty and Stefan Kaufmann (another living legend, who spent his eighties days by playing drums in Accept). Udo just has it in his blood. I mean that great charisma, which enables him to be a true leader. U.D.O. offered extreme loudness I thought I would explode from all those extremely powerful vibrations. I was not only feeling how my pants were moving but also everything else including all my inner vital organs. This magic unique sound was scanning the human masses through flesh and bones. Crazy in all senses. Udo was constantly shaking hands with enthusiastic metal devotees. Igor was in great shape too, delivering fantastic soulful solos through entire gig, including his solo spot with fantastic addition of vah-vah effect spices. His sols were clean, fast and what is most important, they were all done with huge balls. Band is coherent, acting like bulletproof fortress on stage. Song after song was rumbling like a hammer blow, kicking real high, sound was fantastic. Hand on heart, I was in front row, squeezed, with balls to the wall, and at few moments I couldn't hear quite well Udo's vocal lines. Main reason for that was crazy crowd that made fantastic noise. Not numerous, but crazy all the way. Third part of gig was mixture of U.D.O. and Accept songs, starting with Man And Machine ("Man And Machine", 2001) and Udo disguised in a kind of cybernetic creature, a machine man. With Midnight Highway ("Breaker", 1983) band delivered another amazing "word to mouth" Accept puncher. Of course they didn't forget for Animal House ("Animal House" 1987), taken from U.D.O. first studio album. Fantastic ending was to follow. Balls To The Wall from Accept's same titled studio album, with extended "Nailed To Metal" (2003) version and crowd doing those huge "oh-ohs" and Udo yelled: "Oh c'mon everybody, show me the sign of victory!" Then song split into another and final chorus with splendid fade out and Udo's nasty and violent high echoing scream. It was the end!

Crowd was hungry for more, and U.D.O. were of course right back! First only Stefan appeared on stage doing guitar intro to Holy ("Holy", 1999). Prior to encore's beginning, band created such magic, that people were taken in some kind of hypnotic state, because we all were still doing those big "ohs" from Balls To The Wall, even though Stefan almost finished his Holy introduction on guitar. But as soon as the rest joined Stefan on stage, including priest Udo (Udo was dressed as priest for that occasion) in his usual centre spot of course, everybody switched mind drives back on what was to follow. Holy is one of my personal U.D.O. favourites and I truly got goose bumps on my skin. It happened only once that I tried to imitate Udo's unique screaming. In verse "raise your hands", and immediately become voiceless. But this was nothing in comparison with continuing numbers. First one Accept classic striker I'm A Rebel ("I'm A Rebel", 1980). After that Udo's extremely high vampire scream opened, the fastest, most aggressive, most arrogant, most violent, outraging unforgettable ferocious speeder Fast As A Shark ("Restless And Wild", 1982), which was about to drive us insane, with all heads in hall banging to death. U.D.O. thanked once again and left the stage for second time. No peace for them. They were forced to return. This time they opened second encore with a bit obscurer song yet wet erotic dreams caught in mid tempo epic Princess Of The Dawn, ("Restless And Wild", 1982) in different extended version. If you have "Nailed To Metal" live CD, than you can assume how did it sound. Pure fantasy, I am still all shivers. I thought this was the end. But Udo asked us again if we want to hear another song. After huge positive response, he asked: "Alright Ljubljana! "Are you ready to rock? Are you ready to roll?" And U.D.O. fired out Burning; a song, which I guess, wasn't included on earlier shows of a Thunderball World Tour (during March and April). Fantastic rock'n roll shot right in jugular veins! What a way to end a gig that lasted well over two hours. It was 0:20 a.m. when lights went on again.

U.D.O. couldn't hide all their enthusiasm over powerful energetic response of Slovenian crowd, by promising they will be back. Gig was pure perfection from head to its feet. Everything went smooth and guys had a great fun on stage, delivering tons of dynamite. Every metal fan that missed this gig, not only made irreparable mistake, but also committed primal sin. It was a night to remember. I got a few wounds during gig. Some idiot surely got claws instead of toes on his hands while ripping my neck, and my right hand was also in blood. I was in such adrenalin rush that at first moment I didn't noticed that. Only after girl friend that picked me up with car after the show, warned me (she hardly recognized her scraped, fully beaten and completely exhausted man) that I am all in blood. Crazy Slovenian maniacs. I travelled a lot around Europe to anticipate many shows, but it seems as if it is destined to be that I am facing problems only on metal gigs in Slovenia. During Grave Digger gig for instance one bastard torn a registration tables off my car. But I am telling you; it is all bloody worth of it. U.D.O. thank you for coming to Ljubljana, and deliver us an evening of pure metal ecstasy that only best metal acts and musical artists can create. Take care wherever you roam, looking forward to see you as soon as possible. In Slovenia as being agreed.

Majesty set list (VPK Hall, Ljubljana 25.05.2004):

01. Reign In Glory
02. Hail To Majesty
03. Into The Stadiums
04. Heavy Metal Battlecry
05. Sword & Sorcery
06. Keep It True
07. Metal To The Metalheads

Crystal Ball set list (VPK Hall, Ljubljana 25.05.2004):

01. Hellvetia
02. Forever And Eternally
03. Lay Down The Law
04. My Life
05. Opposites Attract
06. Savage Mind
07. Soulmate
08. Dance With The Devil
09. Private Visitor

*U.D.O. set list (VPK Hall, Ljubljana 25.05.2004):

01. Thunderball
02. The Bullet And The Bomb
03. Metal Heart
04. Independence Day
05. Pull The Trigger
06. Living For Tonite
07. Love Child
08. Blind Eyes
09. Drum solo
10. Metal Eater
11. Neon Nights
12. Son Of A Bitch
13. Restless And Wild
14. Guitar solo
15. Midnight Highway
16. Up To The Limit
17. Man And Machine
18. Animal House
19. Balls To The Wall
-------------------------------------------------1st encore
20. Holy
21. I'm A Rebel
22. Fast As A Shark
-------------------------------------------------2nd encore
23. Princess Of The Dawn
24. Burning
============================End at 00:20

* Please, notice that songs listed bellow are not appearing in correct order, as they were live performed, with exception of first four and last six songs. I tried to get set list from two roadies after gig. First replied that he can't give it, because it is last print they need it for rest of the tour, and the second roadie explained that they (I think he had in mind band's management) don't give such things to anyone during tour. Well, the fact is that both lied a bit, but were very generous with guitar plectrums.