It's getting dark early and the temperature is dropping down, but as usual some hot tours give reason to leave home with it's warmth and cosiness and head to the venue. Tonight Finnish tour package The Man-Eating Tree and Tarot should stop in Bochum and at the Matrix fans additionally got The Claymore who presented their new album Damnation Reigns live. With the intro they kicked off and headed into Angels Assassination. Drummer Hardy Kölzer delivered the basis for the guys on strings who were always in action. Only singer Andreas Grundmann seemed to be rooted to the spot. The band from Castrop-Rauxel focused on songs off their latest album incl. the straight rocker Slain The Almighty, but also presented some songs off Sygn. For their closer Soulseeker they invited Sanity Eclipse guitarist Timo to join them on stage. As usual the guys delivered a solid performance and it was obvious they enjoyed being on stage. And then to hang out with friends and fans.
Next in line: The Man-Eating Tree! For the Finnish were the reason to go to Bochum, coz the debut Vine hooked me up immediately. The band of former Sentenced drummer Vesa Ranta were aware that for most of the attending music lovers they were strangers and so they gave 110% to make new friends. They started with keyboard, but then the other guys joined in for Lathing A New Man - the album opener. It's Tuomas Tuominen's vocals which ennoble The Man-Eating Tree songs and so he hooked up some fans, the others he won over with talking German to the fans. After King Of July they presented the single Out Of The Wind - they did a great video for this one -, a song which shows them a bit heavier. Drummer Vesa Ranta and bassist Mikko Uusiamaa delivered the rhythmic playground for Janne Markus' guitar and Heidi Määttä's keyboard - and on top Tuomas vocals. And already some fans got infected by The Man-Eating Tree! They slowed down a bit for Of Birth For Passing, a song were Heidi showed perfectly that a keyboard line can be essential for a song without being too prominent. Especially the end of the tune is touching. After Instead Of Sand And Storm Tuomas asked if anybody knows Sentenced - and quite a few raised their hands and he announced that the next one was one of Miika Tenkula's favorite songs. And they presented their version of Moody Blues' Nights In White Satin. A song which gives you goose bumps, especially if one knows that Sentenced's Miika Tenkula did from a heart attack in 2009. I always loved this song and really hoped that they will play it live - and they did! They finished their set with Oblivion and Amended. Too soon it was over, but as they only have one album out, one can't expect a long set - beside that they were supporting Tarot.
Just a few moments after the band left stage singer Tuomas Tuominen and bassist Mikko Uusiamaa showed up at the merch booth to talk to fans.
Then it was time for Tarot! The Hietala brothers founded the band in the 80's and til today released 8 studio albums. The latest one is Gravity Of Light and the reason for the Finnish to hit the road. The Finnish kicked off with Sleep In The Dark which made their fans get closer to the stage. Bassist Marco Hietala shared vocal duties with Tommi Salmela who had his keyboard set up at the edge of the stage. Between the songs Marco was telling some funny stories and anecdotes, so he tried to convince the fans that Tarot are evil before they headed into Satan Is Dead. Crows Fly Back more people seem to know - or like -, coz the fans started to party, even if it had lengthy instrumental passages. But it was entertaining to watch Zachary Hietala and Tommi Salmela to joke around. Actually whatever song the band offered, the fans celebrated a Tarot party. Songs like Tides, Hell Knows and Rider Of The Last Day were welcomed by the fans. With Crawlspace they finished their set, but they returned for two more songs - Warhead and Traitor.
I think nobody regretted going to Bochum on a Sunday night, but as the majority has to work the next day, why not start the show earlier? At least on Sundays it would be a good idea - and other clubs already do it. Anyway, it was a great night full of metal. My personal highlight of the night were The Man-Eating Tree. But every band had a good time, so it was a successful night for all of them.