live in Oberhausen August 2 2000
(Review by Daniel Westheide/ Wytchcraft)
SOLSTICE, THE LORD WEIRD SLOUGH FEG and TWISTED TOWER DIRE touring Germany -
I was stunned when I first read these news and even more so when the tour
schedule was published which included a gig in the Mystery club in
Oberhausen, near to the place where I live.
So, looking forward to this show some friends who had to travel quite a
distance and me went to the Mystery club. Arriving more than one hour before
the planned beginning of the gig we were informed that SLOUGH FEG and
SOLSTICE hadn't arrived yet being stuck "somewhere between Ulm and
Oberhausen". Now this was quite a shock for us considering the long distance
between the two towns.
However, roughly at the time the first band was supposed to begin the gig
the two late-comers arrived, so that the show could begin about one hour too
late. Unfortunately, there were only very few people who had payed to be
present at this awesome experience - there were definitely not more than 50
people which is a shame considering the quality of this package.
Anyway, the big surprise was that SOLSTICE were to enter the stage as the
first band whereas I was prepared to see TWISTED TOWER DIRE as the first
ones. Anyway, the guys from Albion did a brilliant show. Although they
didn't play a single song from the "Lamentations" album I didn't really miss
any classic song since "New Dark Age" is such a masterpiece that the lack of
such classics as "Only The Strong" or "Absolution Extremis" lost its
importance and could easily be forgiven. Songs like "The Sleeping Tyrant" or
"Cimmerian Codex" or the "Halcyon" classic "To Ride With Tyr" are evident
enough to say that SOLSTICE are the only living Gods of Doom. A very
powerful and clear sound made this the perfect gig and the new song they
played, called "Blood Feud", was very promising making me look forward to
the next SOLSTICE release.
The next band to play were TWISTED TOWER DIRE, the epic metal band from the
USA. Well, these guys were really good being full of energy and showing us
that all is not lost in the states. Tony Taylor's high, yet powerful and
clear vocals and the nice guitar harmonies should satisfy any true
metalhead. Unfortunately, the band doesn't capture their full live energy on
their album "The Curse Of Twisted Tower" which is still recommendable
though. The band played two covers, one by Mercyful Fate, another one by
Maiden ("Powerslave") where Tony Taylor could once again prove his
abilities.
When SLOUGH FEG entered the stage it was already quite late so that even
fewer people were present when they started to play. Mike Scalzi was the
centre of the show. I admire his ability of singing and playing not so easy
guitar riffs or leads at the same time. His charismatic voice did the rest
to make the people focus on him. The combination of a late 70's/early 80's
sound with Celtic elements is truly unique and played live songs from
"Twilight Of The Idols" like the hit "The Wickerman" are even better due to
the lack of power of the old school production of that album. Unfortunately,
I didn't know the songs from the band's new album "Down Among The Dead Men".
I had just bought the album at the merchandising stall in addition to the
brilliant Warning album released on Rich Walker's (SOLSTICE) Miskatonic
Foundation. So not being familiar with many of the songs played by SLOUGH
FEG that night the gig was not as brilliant for me as the SOLSTICE gig. Now
I have heard the new album many times and can't get enough of it. Get it!
The production is still very old school but at the same time much more
powerful than the one on "Twilight Of The Idols".
This was definitely the best concert in years. Anybody who missed it: if you
have the chance to see any of the three bands live in the future, grab it!!!
