You know, lately I haven't been quite well because of the weather (old pirates get pains everywhere in typhon season) and when a couple of days ago, chatting with J13, I mentioned I didn't feel like going, he said "What the f*ck?!! You've got to drag your carcass to Kawasaki absolutely. You can't miss these Testament." And he was correct! But I tell you: he was correct not only concerning Testament, that with their new really kicking album MUST be tryed out live, but above all concerning Forbidden and Voivod, which I knew from the past (as any serious metal head should), but on which I never really put my mind on until today. Well, I have to confess: they will hardly conquer a place in my daily listening preferences, but they are hell of performers and deserve to be checked out live whenever they come around!! And think that the day started at 7:30 with a fu*king hearthquake (litteraly got shaken out of my bed!) and with a horse-quantity of pain killers ...
So, we got to see FORBIDDEN, VOIVOD and TESTAMENT.
What about the first, Forbidden? Super cooool! I arrived that they got the pary already started (train got stuck for 15 min on the way... and in a chain reaction they got to 30 and more). Anyway, I was totally galvanized by their show! Tremendous tecnique and impressive presence on stage (Russ Anderson couldn't be ignored anyway)! So much listening fun, I almost forgot taking pics. At half their show Chuck Billy and friends popped up on stage stopping everything with a cake and lighted candles to feasting Russ birthday... and everybody went on "Happy birtdhday to you...". Woulda, coulda shoulda (to say it with Anvil) give you a set list, but I'm not so proficient on their repertory. I recognized Step by Step, Twisted into Form, One foot in Hell, March into Fire, Distorsion (?)... But there were more. Hell of performes. And hell of performers getting fun while performing! That I love!
Flushed the pipes and stop over to the bar for a refill and it was Voivod time.
Damn! I had in mind Voivod of ages ago...! What a surprise! Dennis "Snake" is quite a charcter. Loved his singing and his showman attitude. There is an absolute refusal of melody in Voivod, and that prevent them from hitting my sopts. Yet they've got such an amazing mixture of rythm changes, guittar shredding and arpeggios that it turned out quite an unusual and very enjoyable listening experience. To add also that the sound in the house was astonishing clear and perfect. Also for Voidod I can't give you a complete set list: Tornato (they sang the chorus in Japanese... TSUNAMI!), Nothingface, Killing Technology... Sorry, need to do some homework for next time. Ah, yes... Dan Morgrain on the guitar: what fu*king shredding god!!! I would have liked to be front stage, in front of him, just to see him (and hear him) playing!
Another refill and onward we went with Testament. Awesome! Not only the normal performance, but especially the enchore....! That turned out in a total party, first with other bands members, singing and cracking jokes; then with the public... with a good deal of us invited on stage singing and going crazy with the guys!!! [Eyes wide open: there are videos of the Cpt. on stage with Chuck and lots of other Japs dudes!] Oldies and new tracks kept us busy for all their performance: Practice What you Preach, Trail of Tears, The Preacher, The New Order, The Formation of Damnation, More Than Meets the Eye, Alone in the Dark, Hanchman Ride (?)... Paul Bostaph? A killing machine! Never enjoyed percussions so much, both on Fordibbed (where he played part of the show) as well as in Testament! Amazing screaming by Chuck Billy!
As mentioned, at the invitation "Come on, get up here with us! Don't be shy! Your mothers weren't!" I opened my way through the still hesitating crowd and catapulted myself on stage and in the face of all the "camera and pictures prohibited" I took - I believe - the only one pic on stage with Chuck! Yeah, ok, somebody tried a mobile shot of him... but if you're not in, what's the point?
After the show a modest bounch of us tryed to stalk for the guys backstage. We manage to get some of Forbidden and Voivod (talked a bit with Craig), but, while busy with them, Testament dribled us quite professionally! We got to catch just Chuck greeting from a van window...! Luckily got the pic on stage... and all their signs with the CD I bought inside (it came with a very limited 5 members signed card).
That's all for today! Ah... right, who's next?
Priest is next!!!!
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