Manowar, HolyHell, MetalForce - Death To Infidels tour report

We start our adventure on Thursday, January 28 in 013 Tilburg. It seems that every time we visit a concert in Tilburg it’s going to take a whole day. Also today because we have an interview for Fury TV with frontman and lead singer Tarek Maghary and drummer Jan Raddatz of Metal Force and keyboardist and composer Francisco Palomo of Holy Hell. For both bands it is the first time they play the Netherlands in these formations and they look very much forward to play for the best Metal audience! In addition, during two interviews we discovered that they have another common denominator. Both bands have a strong sense of friendship in the band and want to put down the perfect sound. Not surprising to know that both are contracted at Magic Circle Music where perfectionist Joey DeMaio rules the scepter. Humor is the tone in the interview with Jan and Tarek. Especially when we finish the conversation with some Dutch bad and dirty words. Something which was to be expected with Dutch guitarist Tristan in the band.

With Francisco it was primarily a very good, friendly and open conversation. So good that we use every minute we have and because the time schedule is put forward with half an hour there’s no possibility for Holy Hell to do a sound check. "Oh, Francisco says, that does not matter, we play so well together and have a fantastic PA so it must be fine! Lets hope that the Dutch female fronted metal scene gives us a positive response. We know that it’s very much alive in the Netherlands with bands like Stream Of Passion, Epica and After Forever! We believe we get an excellent chance to play our music here in 013!" We say goodbye this very friendly man and leaving 013 to return later for the show!

Due to an earlier start of the evening, the time schedules have changed at the last moment, Metalforce with singer Tarek Maghary, Tristan Visser (guitar), Jan Raddatz (drums) and Freddy Schartl (bass) will play for an almost empty 013. Too bad, because they really put down an enthusiastic set. They absolutely have grown as a band since their debut in MCF III. They managed to kick of their set with a blast and immediately involve the audience in with songs like ‘Metal Crusaders’, ‘Freedom Warriors’, ‘Thunder And Lightning’, ‘We Are The Fire’ and ‘Faster, Louder, Metalforce’. Tarek speaks to the Dutch audience with some Dutch words "Hallo 013, Tilburg is een geweldige stad om te spelen. (Hello 013, Tilburg is a great city to play)".

Then he switches back to English and hands the microphone over to Tristan; " Hello 013 I've also learned some Dutch words" this is humor, haha. Whereupon they continue their energetic set with the song ‘Bring Metal Into The Stadiums'. Tristan takes his time very well to show his talent with his adult guitar solos. After Jan’s drum solo this young fresh-oiled machine close off their set in a tight fashion. It was a short but certainly powerful set and a great warm up for what awaits us this evening!

By now 013 is begin to be crowded with people in which Holyhell has the luck to play in front of a larger audience than their predecessors. Where in Germany everybody responds enthusiastically as Joe Stump (guitar), Francisco Palomo (keyboards), Jay Rigney (bass), Rhino (drums) and don’t forget singer and front woman Maria Breon enter the stage the Dutch audience responds less enthusiastic despite those who’re already familiar with the band. They immediately kick of tight with the powerful double-layered song 'Holy Water' and you can’t notice the fact that they didn’t do a sound check. They have chosen the cherry on the icing as openers in their very short set of 40 minutes when they continue with ‘Revelations’ and ‘Wings of Light’. The Dutch audience is treated to a piece of virtuosity with the openers and songs like 'Armagedon', 'Prophecy' and of course 'Gates Of Hell’.

The ice is already broken when they play their second song and it shows again that the Dutch audience absolutely appreciates class. Francisco takes his moment to shine like a diamond at the third song with his keytar. In addition, the rock-solid rhythm session that Jay and Rhino provide is a good basis for Joe to brake out with his solos. With one or two hands, his feet nothing is too crazy for this King of the Shred! The common denominator of all is Maria with her special voice and her genuine charismatic and enchanting appearance. For dessert we’re treated to a special version of Pat Benatar's ‘Heart Braker’. We know that they'll soon start of with a club tour in France and then the rest of Europe. Guess what, we’ll sure be there!

In a crowded and nearly sold out 013 at an hour earlier than expected blows from the speakers;

a large black curtain falls as the first notes of ‘Call To Arms' sound. And there they stand for an exuberant audience, Eric Adams (vocals), Joey DeMaio (bass), Karl Logan (guitar) and "the beast" Donnie Hamzik on the drums of doom! He has temporarily taken over the sticks of Scott Columbus. At Magic Circle Festival where he was just an invader, tonight he is back to its former glory and play if his life is depending on it. This good rhythm basis with bassist Joey DeMaio is unparalleled and sure shakes the earth underneath the 013 venuehall! Also Karl is certainly playing as good as he can. As for Eric, we salute you! Although he has bruised his ribs earlier this week and is still in great he sings the stars from the sky. Vocally you can’t tell that he has tremendous pain, I do not know any singer who can imitate this strength. Whether he sings 'Manowar', 'Sons Of Odin’, ‘Let The Gods Deciede’ or older songs like ‘Kings Of Metal’ and ‘Black Wind Fire And Steel’ everything sounds crystal clear and as powerful as we are habituated to.

Of course the sound and light show are perfect we are not used to less with Manowar. I really have the night of my life and so have many others around me. Yet it would not be typical Dutch if there was nothing to complain about. Weeks before the show there were discussions about the so called enormous entree price. Tonight the Dutch audience is treated to the ultimate Manowar show including the now famous speech of Joey and beautiful girls like Miss Manowar 2009. With the slogan "It aint Much when it aint Dutch!" Joey really has not meant the Dutch lament. For some the superb show of Manowar apparently is not enough. Many have come to hear the old hits and they’re out of luck. If they wanted to they'd have to go to Magic Circle Festival or stay at home on the couch watching a DVD. You know, they have to promote their new album and that’s something people seem to forget. And then with a repertoire of about 30 years they can not just keep playing the old songs. Okay I also like older songs more but you can’t hear me complain.

On the other hand; the setlist was known already so everone had to know what would be played. I have enjoyed it, not least because I am a fan but just because I can appreciate quality this band pursues. It was also great to be part of the sociable heavy metal family. Never the less our evening does not end after the show because we end up in an Irish pub with some good friends and Joe and Rhino. A very nice ending to this exciting day I can say. I can hardly wait for what’s on the menu this Sunday!

Therefore the mainly German band Metalforce is welcomed with great enthusiasm by the German audience when they enter the stage. The audience sings along immediately when they play ‘Metal Crusaders’, ‘Freedom Warriors’, ‘Thunder And Lightning’, ‘We Are The Fire’. In the Netherlands Tarek has to try his best to accomplice the same and tonight he doesn’t need to but he still does. You can clearly see that he is in his element. The rest of the band are also enjoying themselves very much and turn this last show in to a real party. If they start to play the first tones of ‘Faster, Louder, Metalforce’ it’s not surprising that they are accompanied by one of the roadies. Not just one, no, a poodle naked one with nothing more than wearing a cowboy hat and guitar, haha ... .... The tone for the evening is set and you can see that the guys of Metal Force are surprised by this "spontaneous" act! Tarek could hardly stop laughing. As suddenly as he came he disappears from the stage and they can continue with their enthusiastic, energetic and tight show and end with ‘Bring Metal Into The Stadium’.

That Germany and thus Cologne is also a home to Holyhell is clear when you see the enthusiastic response of the public as the first strains of the song ‘Holy Water’ sound. Francisco, Joe, Jay, Rhino and Maria are all in a great mood. It seems they deliberately depart from being a support act and are now ready for their next step ... ... Let's face it, they certainly deserve it! Maria enchanted the audience and the photographers with her movements. It also appears that Maria sings even better tonight than in Tilburg, which is almost impossible. She also takes the time to talk to the audience in between the songs and fool around with the rest of the band and crew. The friendship they share is most certainly shown in their interplay and absolutely radiates into the audience. They know to reinforce each other sublime and in my opinion that is the greatest power of Holyhell. In addition of course, they’re all virtuosos each in their own territory.

With ease and fun they play songs like 'Revelations',' Gates Of Hell 'and ‘Wings Of Light'. To complete this party, the crew has arranged that confetti and streamers fall down on stage at the third song. Maria totally enjoys it, she smiles from ear to ear. The audience is enthusiastically clapping their hands at the first tones of ‘Armageddon’ and go on at the song 'Prophecy'. After ‘Apocalypse’ Maria introduces the band members and Joe takes his moment by playing his guitar while throwing it into the air and is running at the same time, this man surely ’s a maniac with his instrument, fantastic! When they start to play their encore Benatar's ‘Heart Braker', the crew starts to take down Rhino's drum kit already little by little while he’s playing. Meaning almost nothing remains and Rhino stubbornly keeps on playing. Class and surely hilarious!

A half hour before "The Kings Of Metal" will play the Ultimate Fan Package group are aloud to have taken a groupphoto with their heroes on stage. In the meantime, Neal is encouraging the audience and announces that tonight they’ll do recordings for ‘Hell On Earth Part VI’. The audience reacts expressed only after twenty minutes waiting they start to get a little impatient and jell again "Manowar, Manowar, Manowar". After which it sounds; "Lady's and Gentlemen, from the United States of America, All Hail Manowar" Donnie, Joey, Karl and Eric run on stage while playing ‘Call To Arms’. The number of decibels is absolutely more than in Tilburg. It seems to be one big party until in the middle of the song ‘Sword In The Wind’ they shut down and suddenly there’s a great silence and Joey grabs the microphone to make a strong statement to some people in the audience. What is clear, there has been a brawl. Joey absolutely dislikes this behavior and makes it clear with the words "Brothers do not fight with each other and if you want fight, return your ticket, go outside but don’t do it here because you ruin it for innocent bystanders, your brothers!" Hats of Joey for taking a stand!!

Whereupon they just get back to where they left off. Fortunately, the overall atmosphere is not ruined and Eric, Joey, Donnie and Karl can just continue with what they do best, play as loud as hell. Of course it would not be a Manowar show without a Joey speech were because of the last show the crew replaced the contents of the can of beer with water. Also without Miss Manowar 2009 and her young friends this show would not be complete. After a fan has his guitar and girls moment on stage they continue their carefully designed set with stunner ‘Black Wind Fire And Steel’ at the end. Whereupon at the strains of ‘The Crown And The Ring’ we leave the Palladium with a fulfilled feeling!

Set list Manowar Paladium Keulen:

1. Call To Arms
2. Hands Of Doom
3. Kings Of Metal
4. Swords In The Wind
5. Bass Solo
6. Die With Honor
7. Let The Gods Decide
8. Die For Metal
9. Sons Of Odin
10. Joey Speech
11. The Gods Made Heavy Metal feat. fan playing guitar and metal girls
12. Sleipnir
13. Loki God Of Fire
14. Thunder In The Sky
15. Warriors Of The World
Encore
16. House Of Death
17. Black Wind Fire And Steel

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