Overkill - Suicidal Angels - Savage Messiah

[Psycho] After the blistering Killfest edition in 2009 there was no reason that could have kept us away from this year’s installment. No extra motivation needed in the shape of the godly new OVERKILL record Ironbound… ;)
No co-headliner this time, instead three “newcomer” bands were sharing stage with OVERKILL. It is much praiseworthy and appreciated when young or so far unknown bands get featured… when it works out! At Bochum’s Zeche this good intention got immediately thwarted by differently announced opening/stage times: 7pm printed on tickets – 6pm on the location’s website, what led to the fact that CRIPPER were almost playing in camera and also missed SAVAGE MESSIAH afterwards…
This is not only annoying for anybody involved; it’s actually a rip-off when people with paid tickets get deprived of half of the show.
However, due to the ongoing snowy weather, we more slipped than sped but arrived safely and on time, so that we – Psycho & Dajana – could enjoy all bands at full length ;)

:: pics ::

[Psycho] :: CRIPPER :: kicked off super exactly on time (7:28pm) and delivered a great show in front of an empty hall, with powerful and great songs and a tight and lively stage performance (despite the small room left for the supporting bands). This band deserves so much more attention! Really. Contrary to other bands with similar line-up, frontwoman Britta is in fact the first eye-catcher but definitely stands not that exposed in the foreground, what shows CRIPPER generally as a homogenous entity that works best in team. Regarding the setlist mostly tracks from the predecessor Freak Inside got considered. I guess they thought that the new album Devil Reveals (2009) is not known enough to the fans to recognize the songs. Awesome band! And we want to see them playing live more often! ;)
[Dajana] Yes, I’m stoked! Totally blown and cannot get enough from CRIPPER ;) Although I have heard so many good things about their shows it was my first one. I say, here is an outstanding new Thrash band growing I truly hope we hear and see much more of them in the near future. As for now, I decided to support them while buying some merchandise *lol*
Setlist: Shortcut, Trapped, I am the Pit, Slowly Beaten Hate Machine, Attention Deficit, I […], Hysteria, Black Terra

[Psycho] Next up were :: SAVAGE MESSIAH :: who entered the stage with a great intro (The Ninth Gate by Wojciech Kilar) and turned out to be the most melodious band tonight. While the other bands follow heavier Thrash Metal paths, these London-based gents prefer Bay Area Thrash and old Megadeth. That’s anything than bad, especially when it gets played like this!
SAVAGE MESSIAH have found a good balance between heaviness and melody and furthermore have a singer/axe-man that looks like the little bro of Dave Mustaine (and even sings better ;)). Only their live performance was a bit lame, there could be more action on stage. Although tracks like The Serpent Tongue Of Divinity and Corruption X are real crushers the band first had some difficulties to enthuse the crowd. But at the end SAVAGE MESSIAH managed it well and got the well-deserved feedback.
Setlist: Intro, Spitting Venom, The Serpent Tongue of Divinity, In Absence of Liberty, Enemy Image (Dehumanization), Corruption X, Insurrection Rising

[Psycho] Afterwards it got unexpectedly funny. Although being hyped, promoted and featured from their label, Nuclear Blast artists :: SUICIDAL ANGELS :: passed me without being noticed. So I had no idea what to expect tonight. That I would attend a Slayer-mnemonic (memorial)-show left me… speechless. With closed eyes it felt like being at the Reign In Blood tour. Even the gibberish by singer/guitarist Nick was much influenced by Tom Araya and his “style” back at that time.
Don’t get me wrong: SUICIDAL ANGELS thrashed precise and with an noticeable brutality through their set, while every single member was headbanging. They delivered a great Thrash Metal show with lots of actions on stage and a bit of routine. But, as for me, most riffs were so close to the original that I couldn’t stop grin. Regarding the response of the crowd, SUICIDAL ANGELS’ show went down really well. And… who cares about lacking originality when you can bang your head of like this?
[Dajana] But one thing I would like to add commendatory: SUICIDAL ANGELS quasi seamlessly switched tours. Just done with the Kataklysm tour they entered the Overkill nightliner. And though they rock the stages every fucking night like hell. Respect!
Setlist: Bloodthirsty, The Pestilence Of Saints, Inquisition, …Lies, Mourning Of The Cursed, Dark Abyss (Your Fate Is Colored Black), Apokathilosis

[Psycho] Till now, organization was tight and everything on schedule (this location has a curfew at 11pm). But during the changeover to :: OVERKILL :: some problems appeared and we had to wait. Well, that’s normally a situation to nag about; this time it gave us the chance to meet very old friends, to drink a beer and to talk a lot of nonsense… ;) And… the show was worth the wait! Blitz, D.D. Verni and their mates were (as usual) a real force and delivered a furious kickoff with The Green And Black. Afterwards a journey through the entire history followed, beginning with Rotten To The Core via Powersurge, Bare Bones up to Gasoline Dream. Last one is seldom heard and is actually more a weaker one, but live tonight it revealed some special power, even next to immortal classics such as Feel The Fire. Regarding the brand new tracks I think Bring Me The Night has good chances to get a permanent part of the setlist. This song live kicks even more powerful ass than on the album, just great!
OVERKILL itself never acted the way one might expect when seeing such “old” gentlemen on stage. These dudes are still top-fit, fresh and performed utmost lively. I guess we can blame the not so new drummer Ron Lipnicki for this ;) His drumming is so powerful and precise that the rest of the band gets always an energetic thrust. Lucky strike for the band.
Though, there is one little thing to nag about. As for me I found the final double feature Old School and Fuck You stylistically too similar to get played together. I would have loved to listen to something else from the rich OVERKILL repertoire. Quasi as compensation the ancient Sonic Seducer got embedded, something I would never have reckon with.
[Dajana] Well, what else to add? It was such an amazing show! Oh, photographers weren’t able to shot during Rotten To The Core *lol* Instead… wild headbanging in the photopit ;)
Setlist: The Green And Black, Rotten To The Core, Battle, Powersurge, Hello From The Gutter, Overkill, Ironbound, In Union We Stand, Bare Bones, Feel The Fire, Gasoline Dream, Bring Me The Night, Elimination // Necroshine, Old School, Fuck You/Sonic Seducer (Dead Boys Cover)

[Psycho] To sum up I have to state: there are first no bad OVERKILL shows at all and second all the amusement was too fast over. Again *sighs* The crowd for sure got its money’s worth, was singing along to most of the songs and adored the band deservedly. Great entertainment can be so easy (thanks to three great other bands too)!
This way we will and can take long and much pleasure in OVERKILL. As for me… they can do the Killfest very year!