DIO, KINGS X, HAMMERFALL

This night started out with high expectations from the start. Being a big fan of Dio and not have seen him on tour in quite some time it was nice to get the chance once more. the extra bonus was to see two bands that i had never seen live before in Kings X and Hammerfall. The weather out side was very cold but the lineup heated things up real quike as soon as the lights went down.

The first band up was Hammerfall. Hailing from Sweden they have been wanting to let there music be haerd by the massas here in the states for a while. The band only got to play a thirty minute set but boy was it ever a strong one. The band opened with several tracks from the new cd Crimson Thunder. The confidance level of the band was strong and as if they had been playing in the states for years. They played with a energy that not many bands show anymore. The set also included numbers from there two earlier cd's Glory To The Brave and Renegade. The sound for this set was crystal clear and well mixed which was a shock for a band that was only getting thirty minutes to play. Any one who is a fan of Swedesh power metal or just a fan of the band would have been proud of there performance. I am looking forward to seeing them again the next time they are in the states.

The second band up was Kings X. Not ever hearing any of there music before or never seeing them I went into this set with a open mind. They are a three piece band from Houston TX with a long history. The band played about forty five minutes of songs that spanned there history. The sounds this band produced where very low end and Bass driven with alot of force. I dont know if the sound was off but the low end sound was so overwelming that I couldnt enjoy the songs. Only a small handfull of people where getting into the band. Maybe it's because I have never seen them and do not know any of there music but it was real hard to follow there songs. It sounded like they where trying to fuse four different styles together and was not doing a great gob of it. So i am sorry to sat that they did not win me over.

Now we are lead to Mr. Ronnie James Dio. This show did not feature the lasers and big castle sets or dragons of years ago. Just Dio and the band on the stage letting the music do the talking. The band took the stage with confidance and charged into the first number Killing The Dragon. Jimmy Bain was there as always with the driving bass sound that has been on all the music he has done with Dio. Simon Wright deliverd a strong preformance on drums as always not missing a lick. Simon Wright preformed one of the strongest drum solos I have seen in quite some time in a club of this size. The guitar work that was preformed this night was increadable. Doug Aldrich took this stage and nearly made it all his own. His preformance on the songs was great in respect to the others that had played them before him but yet powerfull in his own style. Now to Dio. He attacked the stage with the energy of a possed man on a mission. This man has always been able to give a strong performance at the drop af a hat. There was a few problems with the stage sound in the monitors but none that could be heard in the audiance. Dio arranged a set list of songs that any true old school fan couldnt help but love. The whole set consisted of songs from the new cd Killing The Dragon and only two songs from Magica. The rest of the set was songs from the first two Albums Holy Diver and The Last In Line. He also did Chirldren Of The Sea and Heaven and Hell from his Black Sabbath days and Man on The Silver Mountain not wanting to forget the rainbow years. This show was a trip thru time and a great one at that. I had a great time at this show and would go again if givin the chance. I am very proud to be a Dio Fan for this man still has his vioce and can still deliver a show that will knock you off your feet. If you get a chance to see this show at all please do so for you will not be disapointed.