Author Archives: JaPaBo

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Live Report: Judas Priest

Judas Priest
Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
March 11, 2015

Although the show was delayed for half an hour due to an equipment malfunction, the Priest delivered the goods (see what I did there?) as only they can. Rob’s voice sounded strong from the onset and if anything only got better over the course of the two-hour show.

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Live Report: At The Gates

At the Gates/Engel
Liquidroom, Ebisu, Japan
February 9, 2015

I caught At the Gates in Ebisu, Tokyo, where I used to live when I had money. I was grading papers all day, so I arrived just before curtain. First up were openers Engel. I immediately noticed Engel were Engelin-less: Niclas Engelin, the band’s founding guitarist and presumably the source of their name, no longer tours with his band, I guess because he joined In Flames.

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BABYMETAL

I saw BABYMETAL live last week and have a ticket for the At the Gates show in three weeks.  Babymetal kicked serious ass, performing a nearly two-hour show in front of a sold out arena of 20,000.  Aren’t there child labor laws in Japan?  Here is the set list:

Babymetal
New Year Fox Festival
@ Saitama Super Arena
January 10, 2015

Set List
  1. Megitsune “Female Fox” (Babymetal)
  2. Iine “Like” (Babymetal)
  3. Awaawa Fever “Bubble Fever” (New)
  4. Akatsuki “Crimson Moon” (Babymetal)
  5. Onedari Daisakusen “Begging Operation” (Babymetal)
  6. Catch Me If You Can (Babymetal)
  7. Uki Uki Midnight “Cheerful Midnight” (Babymetal)
  8. Shi no Uta “Song 4” (Babymetal)
  9. God Band Instrumental (New)
  10. Akumu no Rondo “Rondo of Nightmare” (Babymetal)
  11. Hedobangya “Headbanger” (Babymetal)
  12. Gimme Chocolate (Babymetal)
  13. Ijime Dame Zettai “No More Bullying” (Babymetal)
  • Encore
  1. Babymetal Death (Babymetal)
  2. Doki Doki Morning “Heartbeat Morning” (Babymetal)
  3. Road of Resistance (New)
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Knotfest Japan Full Report

Live Report :
Knotfest Japan 2014
Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan
November 15-16, 2014

November 15

Completely sold out, Knotfest Japan launched in the crisp, cold morning with two opening bands, including the Japanese hardcore band Crystal Lake. Their brief set got the crowd warmed up, with hardcore fans “picking up change” in the pit and the rest of us head-banging.

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Loud Park

Thanks for answering my questions. It’s taken me some time to absorb. First, thanks for introducing me to the term “reunion-aged.” I feel that’s going to be very useful in a few years when all the NWOAHM bands that have just recently disbanded get back together. Second, I absolutely agree with your sentiments about Kreator and Overkill; age has neither lessened their aggression nor the impact of their live shows (and Mille is only 47–I was surprised by that).

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