DEVORABY: Terrell Stewart Concert night and I was heading to ReelWorks, a venue I had not covered a tour in before. When I walked in the first thing I noticed, it was very open spaced and easy to move around in. Within a few minutes of walking around the venue I knew I was going to like it here. Great layout! Here's the link to their website, check out the pictures. https://reelworksdenver.com/ Starting the night off was DEVORA who had just joined the tour and this was their first show. From her YouTube channel, “A desperado of modern culture, DEVORA, bridges outlaw country melodies with dark pop hooks drawing you into her surrealist western world. Coining the genre, “Outlaw Pop”, DEVORA weaves visual soundscapes from a moody surrealist wild-west dream world.” I found her vocals to be sultry and haunting throughout her set, adding a bit of darkness in her sound and in the lyrics in her songs. She captured the crowd's attention and mine during her short set. I believe she made many new fans this night, I being one of them. Check out her video, “God Is Dead” PLACK BLAGUEA short turnover of the stage and PLACK BLAGUE brings their INDUSTRIAL-DANCE "LEATHER BAND" to the ReelWorks crowd. Raws Schlesinger took over the microphone singing and dancing throughout his set. Mixing in hard Industrial sounds with throbbing dance beats, Raws would dance about the stage as he sang. At times he would stop raising his hands to the sky then would drop down on one knee, then rise up and move again spinning and singing. It was an interesting set of sight and sound and the crowd enjoyed him. PRAGA KHANPerforming his solo set, PRAGA KHAN posed at his synthesizer Praga Khan opened his set with the song, “Love” and the crowd was moving. With a mix of genres ranging from, techno, trance and industrial dance you can’t help moving to the music, don’t fight it, just move. Praga would move about a bit and interact with his fans then return to his synthesizer. Though his set was short, he set the tone for the rest of the night when he would return to the stage with his band Lords of Acid. Setlist: Love My Mind Is My Enemy Breakfast in Vegas Lonely The Power of the Flower Luv U Still LORDS OF ACIDOne of the fun parts of being a concert photographer is meeting people on the rail and talking music and photographing concerts. I get asked, where can they see my photos and reviews and then we talk about bands, tours, new music, bands we hadn’t heard of and share our experiences together. And, make new friends. I love this world, it’s a drug, a very good drug. A roar from the crowd came as drummer Galen Waling took to his kit. Praga Khan took over his synthesizer. I don’t Lords of Acid could have opened their set with a better song than, “Sex Bomb”, this is how to get a crowd moving and speaking of moving, making his way out on stage was guitarist, Creighton Emrick rising and wrapping his guitar around his body as he moved to the front of the stage. Close behind was bassist DieTrich Thrall. After a minute or so, vocalist Gigi Ricci came out swinging a leather crop whip as she made her way to the front of the stage. Wearing a full body fishnet covered with a black leather corset bodysuit. (see photo gallery) She stopped, bent over and started throwing her hair. And this was just the first song. This would continue throughout their set of great music. Gigi would move about the stage pouring out her sultry and sexy vocals as Creighton and Die moved around and Praga fingers danced across his keys. The crowd was really into the music and they were moving about with each song throughout the entire set. Lords of Acid finished their high energy set with, “I Sit on Acid” and bid farewell to their fans and their fans returned with cheering and screaming for a great show. Lords of Acid are: Praga Khan – keyboards, programming, backing vocals Galen Waling – live drums DieTrich Thrall – live bass Gigi Ricci – lead vocals Creighton Emrick - live guitars Setlist: Sex Bomb Scrood Bi U Lover The Most Wonderful Girl Mr. Machoman Out Comes the Evil You Belong to Me Spank My Booty (A Treatise on the Practical Methods Whereby One Can) Worship the Lords Rough Sex / Take Control Rubber Doll Voodoo-U Pussy Hey Ho! The Crablouse Drink My Honey I Sit on Acid
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BLACK BRIAR**This past Friday night I joined the long line of fans at the Gothic Theatre for a night of heavy/power/alternative/symphonic metal. I enjoy getting to the venues early to hang out with friends and fans, it always adds to a fun night. The buzz among the crowd was about BlackBriar, an alternative/symphonic metal band from the Netherlands supporting Battle Beast on this tour. It is their first time touring the US. Blackbriar opened their set with “Crimson Faces” from their 2023 album, A Dark Euphony and right away the power from the band poured from the stage. Vocalist Zora Cock made her way to the front of the stage to a cheering crowd and her symphonic voice filled the venue. Bassist, Siebe Sol Sijpkens was bouncing all over the stage and he had a GoPro attached to his bass. Some wild videos may show up on the band's social media sites. Their music is a mixture of storytelling, folklore, fantasy and real life experiences. Throughout their set their fans new and old were mesmerized by Zora’s vocals which filled the air. Blackbriar closed out their set with “Until Eternity” from their 2017 EP, Fractured Fairytales and the crowd roared with appreciation for a great set! Blackbriar members: Zora Cock – vocals (2012–present) René Boxem – drums (2012–present) Bart Winters – lead guitar (2012–present) Robin Koezen – rhythm guitar (2016–present) Ruben Wijga – keyboards (2019–present) Siebe Sol Sijpkens – bass (2022–present, live 2021) Setlist: Crimson Faces I'd Rather Burn The Séance My Soul's Demise Arms of the Ocean Selkie Deadly Diminuendo Lilith Be Gone Cicada Until Eternity **MORE BELOW** BATTLE BEASTAs the stage was being prepared for Battle Beast, I noticed a row of lights and spotlights behind the drum kit and more along the sides of the stage. With the fog flowing heavily across the stage, I knew I was in for some wild lighting to go along with a high energy show. I assure you, I was not disappointed. (see the photo gallery) With a flicker of light from the stage, the crowd roared as Battle Beast took the stage and started their set with, “Circus of Doom” from their 2022 album of the same name.Vocalist Noora Louhimo made her way out to center stage and the power from Battle Beast filled the Gothic Theatre. Noora with her traditional horns on her head, wearing a black and gold bodysuit with arm length sleeves lined with long thin leather strips that flowed with her movements across the stage. Before the song “Familiar Hell” Noora welcomed everyone to the biggest heavy metal party in Denver and if there is a song to get a crowd moving, “Familiar Hell” was it. (A personal favorite) It wasn’t long before a mosh pit was started and the energy level was pounding the walls. With the lights coming from everywhere dancing through the fog, the band was playing their hearts out and the crowd was feeling it. Songs like, “Where Angels Fear to Fly”, “Wings of Light” and “Eden” kept the crowd fist pumping and moving, ending their set. With the crowd cheering, Battle Beast, Battle Beast, the band returned with an extended encore of four songs starting with, “The Force Theme / The Imperial March” and with “Beyond Burning Skies” An amazing night of heavy/power metal came to an end. To a very loud cheering crowd, Battle Beast said good night. There are still 10 shows left on this tour, it is a must tour to experience! Battle Beast members: Juuso Soinio – rhythm guitar[25] (2008–present) Pyry Vikki – drums (2008–present) Eero Sipilä – bass, backing vocals (2008–present) Janne Björkroth – keyboards, backing vocals (2008–present) Noora Louhimo – lead vocals (2012–present) Joona Björkroth – lead guitar, backing vocals (2015–Present) Setlist: Circus of Doom Straight to the Heart Familiar Hell Armageddon Place That We Call Home No More Hollywood Endings Eye of the Storm Without You @Cover Where Angels Fear to Fly Bastard Son of Odin Russian Roulette Wings of Light Eden The Force Theme / The Imperial March @Cover Master of Illusion King for a Day Beyond the Burning Skies Top Gun Anthem @Tape @Cover BY: TERRELL STEWART This was a tour I was very excited about when it was announced. Though I covered Kamelot’s tour last year, joining them this year was Hammerfall who I had not seen since 2019 and on their first US tour was Switzerland’s own Ad Infinitum. AD INFINITUMThere was a lot of buzz about Ad Infinitum and their lead vocalist, Melissa Bonny who started this as a solo project and then turned it into a full band. They signed with Napalm Records in 2019 and have released three albums. An excited crowd let out a cheer as the lights dropped and Ad Infinitum took the stage and opened their set with the powerful song, “Unstoppable” from their 2021 album, Chapter II: Legacy and was the beginning of a night of symphonic/power metal. Though their set was short, 30 minutes, the crowd was mesmerized by Melissia’s powerful vocals mixing between melodic and guttural roars. Touching on songs from their three albums, they also added their new song, “Outer Space” which the crowd loved. Lead guitarist Adrian Theßenvitz wowed the crowd with his magic on his 8 string guitar as he moved about the stage throwing a few kicks into the air. The interaction on stage and with the crowd was fun to watch and the cheering from everyone got louder and louder after each song. Finishing their set with, “Into the Night” from their 2021 album, Chapter II: Legacy and as the band said good night the crowd let out a deafening roar of thanks for a great set. AD Infinitum members: Melissa Bonny – vocals (2018–present) Adrian Theßenvitz – guitars (2019–present) Niklas Müller – drums (2019–present) Korbinian Benedict – bass (2020–present) SetList: Unstoppable Eternal Rains Outer Space See You in Hell Upside Down Animals Into the NighT HAMMERFALLWith a quick turnover on stage, Hammerfall came out one by one to a roaring crowd and started their set with “Brotherhood” from their 2022 album, Hammer of Dawn and the Swedish power metalers set the tone for a high energy set of music. If there is a band that can get a crowd jumping and moving from the very first song and keep it up throughout their set of music, it’s Hammerfall. Their fans old and new, young and old flock to their high energy shows. Their second song, 2009’s “Any Means Necessary” had the crowd singing along with the band and the interaction on stage and with the crowd is always so fun to watch and for me, to photograph. Their set was a time table of songs from 2008’s “Renegade”, 1998’s “Let the Hammer Fall” to their new song, 2024’s “Hail to the King” from the album, Avenge the Fallen. As the members moved about the stage they would gather together and head bang throwing their hair, leaning on each other and pointing out to the crowd to join in. Guitarist Oscar Dronjak then starts his back bend while playing and Joacim helps out fingering his guitar with him. When Hammerfall started the song, “Hammer High”, they didn’t need to urge the crowd to join in, the fist pumping and singing from the crowd almost drowned out the band. Hammerfall closed out their powerful set with 2009’s, “Hearts on Fire”. Their fans wanted more but to the cheering crowd they bowed and said good night. Hammerfall members: Oscar Dronjak – guitars, backing vocals (1993–present) Joacim Cans – lead vocals (1996–present) Fredrik Larsson – bass (1994–1997, 2007–present) Pontus Norgren – guitars, backing vocals (2008–present) David Wallin – drums (2014–present) Setlist: Brotherhood Any Means Necessary Heeding the Call Hammer of Dawn Renegade Hammer High Last Man Standing Let the Hammer Fall Hail to the King (We Make) Sweden Rock Hearts on Fire KAMELOTWith the turn over of the stage, I saw something I had not seen before. The stage crew moved 2 large equipment cases into the pit at center stage and stood them on end. I had a good idea why those were there. With the “Overture” tape starting and the lights down, Kamelot moved onto the stage and opened their set with, “The Great Divide” from 2023’s album, The Awakening and vocalist Tommy Karevik moved out to the top of the equipment cases and leaned over the crowd while pouring out is powerful vocals. The crowd would join in and sing along with the band from song to song as the band would move through time with songs, 2007’s “Rule the World”, 2001’s “Karma” and 2015’s “Insomnia”. Guitarist Thomas Youngblood moved about and would step out on the equipment boxes to mesmerize the crowd with his solos and urging them on which he really didn’t need to. The fans were so into Kamelot's music and the energy flowing from the stage. Returning to the stage with Kamelot was the amazing vocalist from Ad Infinitum, Melissa Bonny in a stylish outfit with a mask and headpiece. (see photo gallery) Her powerful enraged vocals only heightened the energy coming from the stage. In between songs the crowd would chant, Kamelot, Kamelot and Tommy would step up and let the crowd know about the next song and the roar would be deafening. Tommy started singing Queen's classic, “We Will Rock You” which then led to a drum solo by Alex Landenburg. With the evening winding down, Kamelot finished their amazing show with, “Liar Liar” (Wasteland Monarchy) from 2015. With very loud cheering coming from the crowd, Kamelot said good night. I was at the venue early in the day and had the pleasure of meeting Melissa Bonny and talking with her a bit and she signed a picture that I had taken of her when she was with Kamelot last year. After the show, Melissa met with some of her Pateron supporters and did pictures and chatted with everyone. Add to that, three incredible performances by Ad Infinitum, Hammerfall, and Kamelot and this will be one of my most memorable concerts! Kamelot members: Thomas Youngblood – guitars, backing vocals (1987–present) Oliver Palotai – keyboards, additional guitars (2005–present) Sean Tibbetts – bass (1991–1992, 2009–present) Tommy Karevik – lead vocals (2012–present) Alex Landenburg – drums, percussion (2019–present) Melissa Bonny - guest vocalist Setlist: Overture @Tape The Great Divide Rule the World Opus of the Night (Ghost Requiem) Insomnia When the Lights Are Down Vespertine (My Crimson Bride) New Babylon Karma Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife) Willow NightSky Drum Solo March of Mephisto Forever One More Flag in the Ground Liar Liar (Wasteland MonarchY ILLUMISHADEFinland's Korpiklaani bring their Rankarumpu North American Tour to the Gothic Theatre in Englewood, Colorado May 1st, 2024 I arrived early at the Gothic Theatre to join a small group of fans for the meet and greet with Visions of Atlantis. They and Illumishade were supporting Korpiklaani on this US tour. The meet and greet included a four song acoustic set, a picture with the band and then just hanging out and chatting with the members as they signed items their fans brought with them. It was a great time. The stage was set and the lights came down as a tape played, “Enter the Void” to a roaring crowd as the members of Illumishade made their way onto the stage. This was their first time touring in the US. Here’s a fun fact about how Illumishade was created. Fabienne Erni, (also the lead singer of the band Eluveitie) was working on obtaining her masters degree and had to put together a music concept and band to obtain her master's degree in September 2018. Afterwards, all band members decided to continue the band and record an album. They released their second album in February of this year. The band started their set with “Elegy” from their new album, Another Side Of You and the power from the very talented band and Fabienne’s amazing voice filled the air of the Gothic Theatre. Throughout their set, Fabienne would move about the stage, her long red hair flowing from side to side as she interacted with her band members and the crowd. After each song, the cheering from the crowd was louder and louder. They finished their amazing set with “World’s End” from their first album, ECLYPTIC: Wake Of Shadows. What a great start to the night from Illumishade! Illumishade members: Fabienne Erni – lead vocals, keyboards Jonas Wolf – guitar, backing vocals Mirjam Skal – keyboards, backing vocals Yannick Urbanczik – bass Marc Friedrich – drums Setlist: Enter the Void @Tape Elegy Enemy Here We Are Riptide In the Darkness Cloudreader Rise Tales of Time World’s End Edge of Dusk (Outro) @Tape VISIONS OF ATLANTISWith the turn over of the stage done, it was time for the pirates of Visions of Atlantis to take over the stage. One by one the members made their way out to the stage and started their set with “Master the Hurricane” from their 2022 album, Pirates. Clémentine Delauney came out followed by Michele Guaitoli and these two amazing vocalists came together and poured out their powerful vocals to a roaring crowd. That was until a technical issue happened and they left the stage so they could start over. Their set in Salt Lake City, Utah was interrupted by technical issues. Within a few minutes the issue was resolved and the pirates returned like nothing had happened. One of the most charismatic duos in the world of symphonic metal, Clémentine Delauney and Michele Guaitoli, took over the stage, and to watch and listen to them was mesmerizing. Between songs Michele would interact with the crowd, getting them fired up and moving with the music. With a mixture of songs, “Mercy” from their 2022 album Pirates, “Heroes of the Dawn” from 2019’s Wanderers and from their upcoming new album Armada, the song “Armada”. They finished their set with “Legion of the Seas” and Michele came out waving a black flag with the initials, VOA in large white letters. Drummer Thomas Caser also ran around the stage waving the flag to a cheering crowd. Then, together arm in arm the pirates took their bows and said good night to a crowd that cheered in appreciation for an awesome show. Visions of Atlantis members: Thomas Caser – drums (2000–present) Clémentine Delauney – female vocals (2013–present) Christian Douscha – guitars (2017–present) Herbert Glos – bass (2017–present) Michele Guaitoli – male vocals (2018–present) Setlist: Master the Hurricane Clocks Mercy Tonight I'm Alive Heroes of the Dawn Monsters Armada Melancholy Angel Pirates Will Return Legion of the Seas KORPIKLAANIAs I watched the stage being set for Korpiklaani, it was interesting to see many large fake plants on either side of the drum riser. A picket fence in front of the riser and vines wrapped around the mic stands. It had been a few years since I last saw Korpiklaani but I do remember it was a fun show. Their music is described as Folk Metal and starting their set of 22 songs was “Kotomaa” from their new album Rankarumpu released last month, and the energy level from the stage hit the ceiling! No one on stage, except the drummer, didn’t stay in one place very long. Vocalist Jonne Järvelä with a smile that would light up Denver, was singing his heart out as violinist Olli Vänskä made his way to the front of the stage smiling and showing off his skills. He moves on and Sami Perttula on the accordion moves up and this would go on all night! I thought I was at a hootenanny, the crowd was moving with the band, I don’t think there was a single person in the venue that was not smiling, you couldn’t help it! Remember, I said the last time I saw them it was fun but that is the understatement of the year. Through a set of music with songs going back and forth in time like, “Wooden Pints” from 2003, “Ievan polkka” from 2012, and “Happy Little Boozer” from 2006. A set of 22 songs you would think we would be here for hours but, their songs are not long. The first three songs I photographed in about 12 minutes. As I walked out of the pit, I raised up three fingers to the security guy and he laughed and said, yup! I made my way around the venue and up into the balcony taking pictures and watching the crowd. People were dancing, jumping up and down all with big smiles on their faces. The guys took a short break and finished their set with a five song encore with the last two songs being, “Beer Beer” and “Vodka”. Yup, that fits the evening. These three bands put on performances that were outstanding! They all poured out high energy and fun and I can’t imagine anyone not getting a good night's sleep after this show. I sure did! Korpiklaani members: Jonne Järvelä – vocals, guitar (1993–present) Kalle "Cane" Savijärvi – guitar (2003–present) Jarkko Aaltonen – bass (2005–present) Sami Perttula – accordion (2013–present) Samuli Mikkonen – drums (2019–present) Olli Vänskä – violin (2022–present) Setlist: Kotomaa Wooden Pints 2003 A Man With a Plan 2017 Happy Little Boozer 2006 Journey Man Ievan polkka 2012 Gotta Go Home @Cover Aita Kalmisto Tuli kokko Pixies Dance / Juokse sinä humma / Pidot 2021 Leväluhta Oraakkelit Rankarumpu Pilli on pajusta tehty Sanaton maa Viima Metsämies 2008 Saunaan Beer Beer 2005 Vodka |
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