05.08.2011 Apocalyptica

Wacken Open Air XXII

Wacken (Germany)

(Pentax k-x with Tamron SP AF 17-50mm 2.8 XR Di II LD Asp IF and Sigma AF 50-150mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

Last year the Finns were the surprise act and played Thursday afternoon on the Red Bull coach where I missed them. This year I should be able to see them the first time live. The four Finns enered slowly the stage completely drowned into dark blue light where that background was decorated witht the current album cover of "7th Symphony". Who does not know Apocalyptica: Here celli crash onto metal. The band got well known mid of the 90s by covering Metallica songs on cello (no other intruments, only 4 celli). That was also the moment that I first time got to know them and over time they got more grown up from music point of view having had many projects also together with guest musicians and singers (to name a few: Ville Valo, Till Lindemann of Rammstin and Marta Jandova of Die Happy).
Of course also on a night like this the great Metallica cover versions like "Master Of Puppets" or "Seek & Destroy" may not be missing. But also terrific compositions of thier own like "Bring Them To Light" were enriching the setlist. Especially impressive and in my point of view the best song of the concert was the incredible emphatically played Metallica cover "Nothing Else Matters". That really made goosebumps! Despite the late time it was completely filled in front of the stage and the atmosphere more than good. The show was very simple: no pyros, no videos in the background, very simple light moods, the three cellists, one drummer and inbetween a guest singer, that's it.
Anyhow on stage it was going like a train where the guys waved their long hair in circles, the celli were carried across the stage in wild poses and two of the three guys even slowly bared their breasts (to the very delight of the quite numerous present girls). Impressive was also the transparent drum set which was put to the spot for a drum solo by extremely blinding white light. All in all a very outstanding concert. However, I cannot tell why, but somehow I was not that enthused of this gig. Although I find the guys quite genious they could not really touch me that night. Let's wait and see, maybe sometime I will watch a headliner concert of them. I hope that they are able to cast a spell over me to that time.