Armageddon Over Wacken - Live 2004
Magick Records
What is every headbangers dream on this side of "The Pond" as well as the rest of the world? "Wacken!" No, I don't mean pleasuring one's self with a good magazine, a bottle of lotion and a vivid imagination... I'm talking about The Wacken Open Air Festival!
While I'm not usually too thrilled about many live recordings, I must say that this one excites me. Perhaps it's the dream of one day making the trek to this grand event that keeps me glued to the speakers. I can just picture the crowd going nuts to the usual stellar lineup that Wacken always provides as I jealously sit and listen to the recording.
The album is actually broken up into three discs by the genres of music. I must plead ignorance to how the lineup was at the time, but I can only assume that it may not have been in this way. However the actual lineup was at the event, this is still an interesting way of presenting the music. The three discs are:
Disc One: Black / Death / Thrash
This is a great way to start things off; jump into the crunching and thrashing to get the blood pumping! The first band and song on the record is Anthrax performing "Indians". They then do a very spirited version of "Unholy" with fantastic crowd participation. The way they work the crowd sets the mood for the entire collection. Other notables on this disc are Children Of Bodom, Death Angel and Cathedral.
Pleasant surprise: Destruction
I'm not too familiar with the band but they really sounded great and I will definitely look for other works. Another benefit of an album of this sort, discovering some more bands.
Track listing for disc one:
Anthrax - Indians
Anthrax - Unholy
Destruction - Nailed To The Cross
Children Of Bodom - Sixpounder
Cannibal Corpse - Gallery Of Suicide
Mayhem - Pagan Fears
Death Angel - Thicker Than Blood
Unleashed - To Aasgard We Fly
Orphanage - Five Crystals
Ektomorf - I Know Them
Ektomorf - Destroy
Bal Sagoth - The Emperial Lexicon
Mnemic - Ghost
Cathedral - Stained Glass Horizon
Disc Two: Power / Traditional
I'm also a HUGE fan of Power Metal and was looking forward to this one. As with the first disc, they knew how to start this one off as well. Dio doing "Holy Diver" followed by "Don't Talk To Strangers"! Following that up with Nevermore just ensures a "powerful" beginning. One of my favorites on this disc has to be Doro performing "Fur Immer". I used to have that old Warlock cassette back in the day and played the Hell out of it and REALLY need to get it on disc.
Pleasant surprise: Blaze Bailey
Blaze doing "Fear Of The Dark" was actually very good and it sounded like Doro sharing vocal duties. If I had the energy to investigate, I could find out for certain but I'm pretty sure it is her and it sounds great.
Track listing for disc two:
Dio - Holy Diver
Dio - Don't Talk To Strangers
Nevermore - Enemies Of Reality
Doro - Fur Immer
Kotipelto - Reasons
Mystic Prophecy - In The LAnd Of The Dead
Brainstorm - Hollow Hideaway
Motorhead - We Are Motorhead
Motorhead - Life's A Bitch
Paragon - Green Hell
Weinhold - Strike
Feinstein - Rebelution
J.B.O - Arshloch Und SpaB Dabei
Blaze Bailey - Fear Of The Dark
Disc Three: Underground
Obviously, this one is of great interest to me. I've probably sickened everyone with my talk of "underground" bands and finding new people to hear and promote. The selection here stays along the lines of the other discs as far as great bands and talent. There's still a couple of names that I'm already familiar with like Zodiac Mindwarp and Gutbucket, but also some others that should be garnering more attention soon.
Pleasant surprise: Vanguard
I loved the mix of male/female vocals on this one and they are added to the list of future purchases if I can find it.
Track listing for disc three:
Vanguard - Forgive
Reckless Tide - Death Train
Reckless Tide - Equality
Griffin - The Sentence
Hobbs Angel Of Death - Crucifiction
Dr. Rock - Wicked Show
Dr. Rock - Dr. Rock
Everfest - See Me Rising
Suffrage - Civilized
Gun Barrel - Only A Passenger
Gutbucket - 82 Hours Bus Hellride
Gutbucket - You Never Know
Supersoma - Missing Nola
Thora - Christ Abuse
Methedras - Wreck 'n' Roll
Zodiac Mindwarp - Like A Hurricane
Raunchy - Summer Of Overload
Elakelaiset - Humppa (Jump)
As you can plainly see, this is a metal feast. So belly up to the table, loosen your belt and enjoy!
11/4/05
