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Events and Reports - Sweden Rock Festival 2004 - Day 3 (Steen) - Sun Caged, Lost Horizon, Narnia & Nightwish live
Back to Day 2
The next morning I didn't feel very well at all, but sticking my head under a cold faucet for a few minutes was able to clear it up enough to go and buy some French fries and see Danger Danger while I ate. Here I met up with the Glam Rock guys in front of the stage who seemed to enjoy it very much. With simple means and a huge party attitude the band got the audience going, but sometimes I couldn't help but burst out laughing when I looked at Nina and saw that she was thinking the same as me, that we had definitely taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way. I was quite impressed with the guitarist but I had to leave after three songs due to a toilet incident, got some money from the bank and then went to see the first band of the day, Sun Caged.
Sun Caged
I arrived about 15 minutes before the show as the band was doing their soundcheck. This turned out to be a great idea as the band was having some fun on stage and suddenly they went into an impromptu version of Europe's The final countdown. André even decided to join in on the vocals from the back of the stage. Everything was set for an enjoyable show, though the audience turnout seemed a little disappointing from where I was standing. I had read that this was to be the final show with singer André Vuurboom and keyboard player Joost van den Broek so I had a special feeling as I have been following this band for some time now.
The show opened with the song Sun Caged from their debut and it was apparant that the band had every intention of doing an entertaining show. Watching Marcel Coenen is always an experience and his facial expressions had not become fewer since the last time I saw the band live. I decided not to look too much at him as he started to steal my entire attention. Rob on the bass sometimes looked like an octopus playing one technical passage after the other. The new drummer Roel did a great job too and the band seemed extremely tight to me. On the keyboards Joost ruled completely and it will certainly be hard to find a replacement for him. Hopefully he will find enough challenges in After Forever.
Technically this was no doubt the most impressive and entertaining performace of the festival. The good thing about Sun Caged is that their music has enough melody to make it catchy enough for the non-tech people to follow. One highlight of the show was the instrumental Four Gilders, including a Keyboard / Guitar battle. Very fun and energized throughout. After Marcel had made the announcement that Joost and André were leaving and had thrown some t-shirts into the audience I thought the show was finished. Then Joost started on The final countdown again and I thought he was kidding, but no! While Rob and Marcel were laughing the band went into a really cool version of this well known song. When André nailed the line "We're leaving together, but still it's farewell" I couldn't help but laugh. It was a fitting end to one era of Sun Caged and of course a good warm up for Europe who were headlining the festival later in the evening.
Set list:
Sun Caged
Hollow
Home
Four gilders
Closing in
The eigth day
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The Final Countdown
After the show I met Michael and we decided to head back to the camp and share a carton of wine. I had a few hours to kill before the band I was looking the most forward to hear live went on stage, Lost Horizon
Lost Horizon
Nina and I got down to the Spendrup's stage in good time before Lost Horizon hit the stage to ensure a good place in the front. Already the turnout was bigger than anything I had seen at the Spendrup's stage and obviously people were getting very excited as the show neared its beginning. With the introsound of Transdimensional Revelation a huge roar came from the audience and it wasn't long before Lost Horizon came on stage and blasted into Pure. The band looked just as on the album covers, in full war paint and with singer Daniel Heiman wearing a huge blue cape, they were truly a sight to behold. The thing that impressed me most about the concert was Daniel Heiman's voice which unbelieveably, sounds as good, if not better live than on the albums!!!
The whole concert was a great fireworks of pure Metal and power. With a great performance and good chemistry on the stage we were taken through songs like Denial of fate, Welcome Back and Again will the fire burn and quickly the front rows were a great mash of fans going crazy with me in the middle. One major highlight came with Cry of a restless soul which was amazing to hear live. It was quite an experience to hear this complex song performed with such a great sense of power and emotion and the band really captured the essence of this song.
After this total devastation the band left the stage for a short time while we all screamed for them to return. And so they did, with my favorite song from the debut, Sworn in the Metal wind! To say I had a surge of energy would be an understatement and I blew away the last of my vocal chords during this song. The performance of the song really defies description, but if you listen to the song from the record then imagine hearing it live, played just as tight and with an even crazier vocal performance and you may be able to conjure up a vision of what it was like. It was truly magic and the experience defies words.
Unfortunately during the show it quickly became apparant that the Spendrup's stage sound system wasn't fully able to capture all the details of Lost Horizon's huge sound. The band gave it all they had and played amazing, but sometimes the sound suffered from a little muddiness, making it hard to distinguish the two guitars and bass and especially Daniel's voice seemed to be simply too high pitched and powerful for the speakers to comprehend at times. It was a minor irritant to me as the sound wasn't disastrously bad but still, not perfect like the band on stage.
Of course the show was way too short, but I got my first taste of the mighty Lost Horizon and the biggest compliment I can give is that they lived up to my skyhigh expectations.
Lost Horizon should always play live... I hunger for more.
Set list:
Pure
Denial of fate
Welcome back
Again will the fire burn
Cry of a restless soul
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Sworn in the Metal wind
Narnia
After Lost Horizon I was soaked so Nina and I went to get some water and a beer before I returned to the Spendrups stage to check out Narnia. I needed a little time to relax, so for the first part of Narnia's show, I lay down in the grass next to a big tree, and looking up at the blue sky I thought about how great it was to be at a festival again. I was surprised at the power Narnia displayed on stage. Lead singer Christian Rivel had an amazing voice live and he sounded like a youthful Rob Halford, hitting some very high notes constantly. During Back from hell I could no longer lie still in the grass and charged the stage to do some headbanging along with the rest of the audience in the front rows. Great show!
Nightwish
As the Children of Bodom show was just too crowded I decided to head on to the main stage an hour before Nightwish were set to play in order to get a good spot in the front. It turned out that many other people had the same idea and the front of the audience was already getting pretty crowded. Luckily I found some cool Scottish people to chat with while I waited. About five minutes before the show started a couple had to leave due to an astma attack. That was not very lucky. But probably a good idea as the guards were busy pulling exhausted or fainted girls over the rails through most of the concert.
Finally the band came on stage and went into a powerful version of Dark chest of wonders. As good as this song is on record I can testify that it also works fantastic live. Tarja had a great stage presence and played up to the raptured audience constantly. Of course she is a pretty hot girl, but man can she sing. Her voice was amazing this night. Her singing has really improved greatly and she sang both old and new stuff without straining or sounding out of tune. Wishmaster was next and really got the audience going. Even more so with She is my sin, and Nemo was cool to hear too. But Phantom of the opera really showed the greatness of the band with Marco and Tarja doing some great vocal exchanges and the band capturing the song's atmosphere very well.
Suddenly Tarja left the stage and the band started on an instrumental passage which sounded unmistakeably like the beginning of Megadeth's Symphony of destruction! Taking me completely by surprise, I was gaping at Marco as he started singing the first verse. This song was so cool to hear and the version Nightwish pulled off was excellent. Waiting in excitement for what was next Tarja joined the band again and opened the second part of the set with Bless the child which came off incredibly powerful live. Then the band took a step back in time and played one of the songs I was hoping for, namely Elvenpath! Tarja sung this one really amazing. The power was pushed to an almost bursting point when the band set off Stargazers and the audience went wild. Things took on a calmer note with Higher than hope from the new album. Perhaps the only song I would have liked to have switched. Before the band left the stage we were treated to an explosive version of Over the hills and far away. Brilliant!
After much chanting and clapping the band came back and started on the beautiful Dead boy's poem which at one point turned extremely heavy and became Slaying the dreamer. What a monster song to hear live. Really heavy and powerful. As a final encore we got I wish I had an angel. This song rules live and had tons of power.
During the show the weather gods were not too kind on us as we had several massive showers, leaving us completely soaked. It didn't matter too much to me during the concert, it just gave it a kind of special atmosphere.
Set list: (As I remember it)
Dark Chest Of Wonders
Wishmaster
She Is My Sin
Nemo
The Phantom Of The Opera
Symphony Of Destruction (Megadeth cover)
Bless The Child
Elvenpath
Stargazers
Higher Than Hope
Over The Hills And Far Away
Dead Boy's Poem / Slaying The Dreamer
I Wish I Had An Angel
After Nightwish I was drenched because of the heavy showers so I returned to my tent for a change of clothes, only to find out that I had no clean clothes at all, haha. Damn! I put the wet clothes on the top of the tent to dry off while I laid down for a quick nap before Europe went on stage at 11. This turned out to be a bad idea as Europe were in the middle of their encores and just finishing Cherokee as I woke up. Oh well, I had seen the bands I wanted so I laid back and thought back on the festival, which musically was one of the best ever. So many great bands in so short time makes it hard to comprehend, but I will say that Sweden rocked hard this year!
| You can click most pictures for a bigger version
Sun Caged
Sun Caged
Sun Caged
Lost Horizon
Lost Horizon
Lost Horizon
Lost Horizon
Lost Horizon
Lost Horizon
Narnia
Narnia
the crowd at children of Bodom
The crowd waiting for Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish
All pictures taken by Steen | Written by Steen
Sunday, June 20, 2004 |
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RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by ben@metalreviews.com (Anonymous) - Tuesday, June 22, 2004 | When I meet you at Prog Power, Im gonna kick your ass because you saw LOST HORIZON fucking play WELCOME BACK and DENIAL OF FATE. I eternally hate you......
;)
Ben
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| Comment by Steen (Staff) - Tuesday, June 22, 2004 | 
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Comments: 518 | | Haha, You can't touch me! But I will look forward to seeing you try :)
I will of course be sure to tell you all the cool details when we meet hehe. Hopefully for the Pyramaze release party!
Steen
Posted by Steen (Staff)
Tuesday, June 22, 2004 |
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| Comment by ben@metalreviews.com (Anonymous) - Tuesday, June 22, 2004 | Gah. Something tells me I wont make it to the Pyramaze party. It seems the gods of poserness have struck me seeing as I had to drop about 400 bucks to fix my truck and with all the hoopla in my move to San Antonio in August, I think Ben's gonna be broke. Although I will find a way to buy 20 cds and shirts at PP though, always have room for the essentials.
Ben
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| Comment by Steen (Staff) - Wednesday, June 23, 2004 |
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Comments: 518 | | Ahh man! You gotta come to the Pyramaze release party, or you will have to listen to me telling you all the good stuff from that event too haha!
Posted by Steen (Staff)
Wednesday, June 23, 2004 |
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| Comment by stuart (Anonymous) - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 | Hey nice review,Lost horizon did indeed kick so much ass it was unreal.The scottish people you were talking to were some of my friends(the rest of us were off watching children of bodom), and just to make you jealous they met Daniel(oh yes that daniel) when he walked passed the first aid tent.Lucky Bastards :)
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| Comment by Stuart(again) (Anonymous) - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 | Oh and did you see Oscar and Stefan from Hammerfall walking about after Lost Horizon had finished?
We tried to convince Stefan to come and play Scotland some time,and you never know it may actually happen.
Oh yeah,love the nightwish pictures,mmmmmmmmmmmmm sweet Tarja!
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| Comment by Steen (Staff) - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 |
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Comments: 518 | | Hey Stuart! I saw neither Stefan or Oscar. I think I was too high to notice anything a long time after Lost Horizon :) I hope you get some good music to the Scottish highlands soon. Hhmm Tarja... yum yum!
Posted by Steen (Staff)
Tuesday, June 29, 2004 |
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| Comment by Andrew (one of the Scottish guys) (Anonymous) - Friday, July 2, 2004 | Hey love the review Steen! You Scandinavians sure know how to ROCK! I'm so glad you gave us all your card! Emma and I were so gutted when we had to leave the crowd just before Nightwish came on (having waited an hour and a half). But as my good friend Stuart said, I did run into Daniel from Lost Horizon wandering around looking for his girlfriend. I could hardly say anything other than "WOW" and "You rock!". He even agreed to come into the Red Cross tent and say Howdy to Emma, unfortunately the medics ask him to leave becuase the excitement was too much for her (and that didn't help her asthma) but it was most apprieciated. Anyway, Steen, you have one hell of a web-site here! I have put a link on our band's site to this, hope you don't mind. Thanks for the mention.
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| Comment by Steen (Staff) - Friday, July 2, 2004 |
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Comments: 518 | | Hey Andrew!
Cool to hear from you. I thought you were watching the Nightwish show from the side, but it sounds like you missed the whole show! Any links are welcome, what's the link to your band site?
Posted by Steen (Staff)
Friday, July 2, 2004 |
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| Comment by Andrew (Anonymous) - Monday, July 5, 2004 | Yea, missed the whole thing, I'm afraid. Luckily my firend Barry (the other guy who was there in the crowd with us) took your advice and bought the DVD (and another one I believe) so I got to watch that and all the glorious special features! Hmmmm sweet sweet Tarja! The web-site I added your link to is for the band I'm in, www.vaguespace.co.uk we're not metal unfortunately, but it is in our hearts at all time. Ha ah! Anyway, keep up the awesome sites! I took a look at your other one too. WOW!
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| Comment by barry (the scottish guy from the nightwish crowd) (Anonymous) - Friday, July 23, 2004 | hey steen how's it rockin i signed the guest book somewhere on this huge site, when we got back from sweden rock but this is the first chance i've got to read your reviews, nightwish rocked really hard and i agree the cover of megadeth couldn't have rocked anymore absolutly amazing. even though my norse friends can't drink they make up in hospitality and rockability. the pictures you took are awsome lost horizon (though there should be more) and especially sweet sweet tarja (there can never be enough) i took your advise and bought the 2 nightwish dvd's so i do have to thank you as they are really good especially the extras on end of innocence. well im away to work on my screams so i can audition for lost horizon (ha ha)you never know me and my friends may get big and play sweden rock next year and you will review us (ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha) if you want a laugh check our website out at www.vaguespace.co.uk)
rock on
baz
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| Comment by Steen (Staff) - Tuesday, July 27, 2004 |
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Comments: 518 | | Hey Barry! Yeah I saw you on the guestbook, but unfortunately the email address didn't work. Anyway I'm glad you dig the site and thanks for the link on your site too. Checked it out and just have one question, when are you going to put some music on there?
It was really tough getting good pictures of Lost Horizon as the front rows were going crazy all the time and that was definitely more fun than trying to stand still and take photos :) So I'm happy for the ones I got. I have twice as many but as they were taken in mid-air they are a complete blur haha. Must say I went a little nuts with the pictures of Tarja and those are just half of them... Hope to see you in the front at a Lost Horizon concert soon.
Keep in touch man!
Posted by Steen (Staff)
Tuesday, July 27, 2004 |
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| Comment by Andrew (Anonymous) - Wednesday, September 15, 2004 | Hey Steen, barry's e-mail address is odinsfire1983@yahoo.co.uk incase you want to e-mail him. He has changed his e-mail address. Alright, be cool man!
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| Comment by Emily Mackinnon (Anonymous) - Tuesday, February 22, 2005 | I saw Nightwish at glasgow recently and i have to say, i have never seen such an incredible show!!! Tarjas voice was fantastic and was cutting right through the bass and everything, this was really surprising as i thought she would've been drowned out but i guess not... The crowd went absolutly nuts when she came on as well. I have to say that they are my favourite band now!
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| Comment by dolceedamara (Anonymous) - Sunday, March 6, 2005 | I saw Nightwish live in Berlin and i am looking forward to see them again in May in Poland. They are one of the bests bands of the world now. They have their own style, that cannot be coppiable by others. Nightwish rocks!!!
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| Comment by Lisa (Anonymous) - Sunday, March 27, 2005 | Superb Nightwish pictures! Excellent!
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| Comment by viri_dibu (Anonymous) - Saturday, December 17, 2005 | Tha´s a amazing group when arrive to mexico tha´s a really show .
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| Comment by Highlander (Anonymous) - Sunday, March 19, 2006 | What ?? i thought helloween was there? ;(
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| Comment by Highlander (Anonymous) - Sunday, March 19, 2006 | Give me answears!
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| Comment by Steen (Staff) - Sunday, March 19, 2006 |
View Profile
Comments: 518 | | Highlander:
Yes, Helloween were there. Their concert is described on Day 1 of my report. This page only describes Day 3.
Posted by Steen (Staff)
Sunday, March 19, 2006 |
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| Comment by Luana (Anonymous) - Sunday, January 14, 2007 | This Site is Very Good...
I Love Nightwish!!!
Congratulations for site!!!
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| Comment by nightwishgirl (Anonymous) - Saturday, March 10, 2007 | I LOVE NIGHTWISH MORE OF MY LIFE,JUST NIGHTWISH
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