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Events and Reports - Chris Caffery - Live at The Rock, Copenhagen - June 16th, 2005
I had no intention of writing about the Chris Caffery concert when I got on the train to Copenhagen. I just wanted to have a good time, to relax and enjoy the concert without thinking too much about it. But the band put on such a spectacular performance that I just had to write a few words about it here.
For a Thursday night I think it was a pretty good crowd at The Rock, about a couple of hundred people during Chris Caffery, though most looked like they were there for the headliner Metal Church. I was there for Caffery, but also to get acquainted with Metal Church. Yes I know, shame on me. As the band came on stage I recognised a few Faces. Namely the the striking Ira Black on guitar, who is also known from Vicious Rumors and Heathen and Jeff Plate of Savatage fame behind the drum kit. Of course Chris Caffery was on guitar and vocals. He told us that they had lost their bassist (Nick Douglas) the night before at the Reeperbahn in Hamburg and they hadn't seen him since... (Chris told me later that Nick actually had to perform with Doro, but the Reeperbahn story was more fun and I could only agree). Standing in on bass this night was Metal Church bassist Steve Unger. Far on the right of the stage was Paul LaPlaca who handled both guitar and keyboards. He was also a key player in the vocal harmonies where he did an excellent job.
There was a crackling energy in the air through the whole show and the band looked like they had a great time. The sound was amazingly heavy, maybe because of the three guitars, and as the band kicked into Faces I could feel the power pulsating from the stage. Chris Caffery's voice had all the raw energy from the record and he held up well live. This opener just gave a taste of what was in store; Power, aggression, energy and impressive guitar work, all packed into one finely served dish. Fade into the X continued the show and the highlight of this song was the ultra heavy bridge section. The song worked great because of the added harmonies by the other band members. Every musician had a microphone next to them and they were used very well through the show. Fool, fool was next and the show just got heavier.
In between the songs Chris introduced the band members and talked a bit about the things that were going on in the world right now. He was pissed off!! I smiled, because my favourite of the Faces album was next. Pisses me off was delivered in a very cool version. Chris came off like a mini Jon Oliva, acting out the lyrics through several maniac facial expressions and sign language. When the whole band stopped playing during the "Five bucks a cup, what the fuck is up"-part and I heard myself shouting along it was a pretty funny moment. This very heavy song is awesome live.
I was surprised that the band performed the epic Abandoned of the Faces album. A really great song that reminds of Savatage and goes through several different parts. Chris pulled off the opening scream with conviction and during the ending layered vocal parts the other band members stepped up to the task very well.
There were a few mistakes during the show but the band members took them with a smile and just kept going. The atmosphere in the room made the concert so much better. Here were five guys who looked like they had a great time on stage and that just made the whole thing much more enjoyable. Too bad I had left my camera at home, since there were plenty of opportunities to snap some awesome photos.
As Chris Caffery squeeled into his guitar solo spot I stood there with a big smile on my face. I knew right there that this trip was worth it. He played a solo that was filled with speed, aggression and emotion.
As the band came back in again Steve Unger was gone and Kurdt Vanderhoof had taken over his place on the bass. Chris told the audience that now they wanted to play some old songs we all knew. We gave a great cheer as Chris announced Sirens which all Savatage fans should be familiar with! Mads and I went nuts, headbanged and sang along to this classic, which was performed with much power. Only thing missing were the ending screams, but hey, It would almost be sacrilege to try and pull that off and not being Jon Oliva.
Black Sabbath's War Pigs came next and the band performed a great version of this one. The ending part had a really cool interaction between Ira and Chris with them switching solos, playing together and edging each other on. A great addition to the set.
The show ended with another Savatage classic, Power of the night, and once again Mads and I (and Nina on the side) raised out fists in the air, screamed loud and headbanged like crazy. It is cool to hear a band like this play such old classics and when they left the stage for the last time I felt satisfied and dehydrated.
If you have the chance to see Chris Caffery live then grab it!
Setlist:
Alas
Faces
Fade into the X
Fool, Fool
Pisses me off
Abandoned
Guitar solo
Sirens
War Pigs
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Power of the night
| | Written by Steen
Monday, June 20, 2005 |
This article has been shown 3417 times. Go to the complete list.
RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by Keno (Anonymous) - Friday, July 1, 2005 | Hey, I guess this says it all.
Rock On you guys!!!!!
Bestdays,
Keno
www.kenosworld.de
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| Comment by CT (Anonymous) - Saturday, July 2, 2005 | Thanks for the review!
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