Thanks for the fantastic-as-always concert review! I’m even less familiar with GR than Zig, so I’ll have to check ’em out.
Here’s one bit of trivia that your post touched on: when multiple bands in a show share equipment, we say that the source band is backlining. That implies that that band is providing all the primary equipment needed to make music onstage. See the rest here
Happy Independence Day 2024! Hope it’s not the last one!
My favorite albums from the classic 1990s version of the band are: Land of the Free, Somewhere Out in Space, and Powerplant. However, you can experience many of the hits from these albums as well as the earlier Ralf Scheepers albums on the Blast from the Past collection, which is a re-recording of 1990s songs with Kai singing on all of them. See the rest here
Thanks for that—it’s always a pleasure to read your in depth reviews! Gamma Ray is not a band that was ever really on my radar, but I know you are a long time devotee. I will definitely check some more out. What album should I start with?
Happy 4th of July! See the rest here
Gamma Ray/Induction
EX Theater Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan
May 7, 2024
I returned to the same venue where I saw In Flames and Kreator in February to witness Induction and Gamma Ray on a Tuesday night after work in May. Gamma Ray hadn’t played Japan since the 2015 Loud Park festival and I hadn’t seen them since they played a solo club gig in June 2014, so there was quite a bit of pent-up demand in the local market, and it showed: the assigned stand seats were sold out and the floor was very packed (although I could not confirm if the entire gig sold out). See the rest here
Kreator/In Flames
Klash of the Titans
EX Theater Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan
February 1, 2024
The Klash of the Titans is a co-headlining package featuring Kreator and alternating partners that began in 2023. The Japan edition features In Flames as the opening co-headliner, and they did not disappoint. I honestly got the same impression from their live performance that I did from their latest album Foregone: This is a revitalized band that, despite having experienced so many line-up changes, still has something worthwhile to say. See the rest here
Candlemass
Club Quattro, Tokyo, Japan
January 26, 2024
After having complained about the layout of this cramped and poorly-designed venue in past reviews, I have to admit it was a sight for sore eyes for me on this night after having been so long away from live music. With no opening act, Candelmass started its 90-minute show on time and moved smoothly through a set list that heavily favored the first two albums, broken up only by a couple songs from Ancient Dreams and one from their new album. See the rest here
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. See the rest here
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. See the rest here
I well understand the importance of keeping oneself well-fed and hydrated for these grueling festivals. Also, since when are we worrying about what time of day is the start of our drinking hours?
I’ll have to check out Crossfaith — as is not unusual, I’d never heard of them before! And, you’re going to make me re-listen to Korn and Trivium, dammit. See the rest here
Live Report :
Knotfest Japan 2014
Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan
November 15-16, 2014
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. See the rest here
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