Monday, October 20, 2008

Yngwie Malmsteen and Ripper Owens Cleveland Agora 10/18/08







This was the best concert I have attended this year. Yngwie's shredding guitars and Ripper's ripping voice were a primo combination. Jim and I were in the front and center pressed up against the security barrier. We both came away with Yngwie's guitar picks. This was the first time I have seen Ripper live and it won't be the last. Although I still like IE, Jon Schaffer's band, well, they will never be the metal gods without Rippers voice. What was Jon thinking? Ripper even outshined Yngwie, could even be possible? The opening act, a metal band from Russia, and all I can say is their lead guitar and bassist were good. The vocalist was awful and was pained up like the "Joker" from Batman. I think is was a bad imitation of Insane Clown Posse.
Photography by Mark Gromen of BW & BK. http://www.bravewords.com/

Monday, October 13, 2008

Fort Ligonier Days, Ligonier PA 10/11/08













Thursday, October 2, 2008

Iced Earth HOB Cleveland 09/30/08














WOW is an understatement! This concert totally blew me away. I was up front against the security barrier just short of center stage. I'm still working on the pictures. The lighting was awesome as well as the sound. They played most of my favorites: Something Wicked, Second day at Gettysburg, Iced Earth, Dracula, I Walk Alone, Ten Thousand Strong, In Sacred Flames, Behold The Wicked Child, Hell, there's more. But, sad no encore, as I heard Matt Barlow wasn't feeling well...maybe not true, but when the lights came on, I knew. I'm still processing the concert in what's left of my mind.
There was an opening act, Saviour I believe was their name. They are metal, but need a better range in their vocal areas, but they were descent. They even encouraged a mosh pit to occur. hell, I was pushed a bit.
I also ran into a friend of mine from the Amon Amarth concert from last year. She was standing next to me in the front row. She told me she always sees the same people at metal concerts. She just returned from a metal festival in Germany. I probably should make plans to attend next year during my hopeful three week tour of Europe. IE didn't play in Pittsburgh, and it seemed half of the audience was from there. I was surprised that the venue wasn't sold out. IE is a very important metal band, they have been around a very long time. Jon Schaffer is a guitar God. Matt Barlow's vocals were very good and he seemed to hit some very high notes. He was sporting a new shaven head, sort of looked like Ripper. Brent Smedley was drumming and didn't stop, he was amazing. Troy Seele was on lead guitar and was right in front of me the entire concert and along with Freddie Vidales on the bass. I have no idea how they do it all. OK, I know I'm not the best writer and reviewer, hell, I'm trying.
I'm still working on this post...to be continued.