THERION, TRISTANIA, TRAIL OF TEARS

What else could be better than driving 130 km in 3 hours, because there is no freeway…? I don´t care: That, what was presented to the Swiss people and me today, was amazing!

Trail of Tears from Norway started a great evening for around 600 people. Singer Ronny Thorsen, who is the man for the growls, catched the audience together with Kjetil Nordhus (clean vocals). With neck breaker like “Ecstasic” from the latest album “A new dimension of might”, Trail of Tears had the fans on their side. 30 minutes playing time gave us a big energie kick and made lust for more. And that “more” will be out next January in form of the next album called “Free fall into fear”. From that album we could listen to 3 new song. One song I am still singing: Take me awayyyyy…!  Constant headbanger Terje Heiseldal must take care that he is not getting off the ground. And also the rest of the band
And also the rest of the band members like Kjell Hagen on bassguitar, Runar Hansen on lead guitar and Jonathan Perez on drums (who also is the drummer in Sirenia) celebrated a party on stage. No problem with that sound.
A short time later Trail of Tears left the band for their national buddies of Tristania. They gave us the next musical kick. Frontgirl Vibeke Stene let us dream while listening to her sopran voice. The evil opposite is Kjetil Ingebrethsen. My spontanous thought: fear!!   I never thought that such a little person is able to have such brutal voice…?? With “Aphelion” and “Beyond the veil” Tristania had some highlights within their set. Their new album called “Ashes” will be out in January 2005. Tristania had not sound problems at all, just a bit too quiet, like Trail of Tears. Anyway, a great live band, because sexy Vibeke is like a grace on stage and singer Kjetil threw horns to the audience. About one hour later the gothic fun was over and Therion started playing.

Again a journey through 12 albums (with a very clear sound!). We had an experience of a contrast, which cannot be stronger: A small, mixed opera choir of two femal and two male singers with a female opera lead voice built the classical group. On the other side you could see “Sweden´s best rock singer” (said Christofer Johnsson), who sang the heavy parts.

A wonderful team playes a tight show. Guitarist and Wagner fan Christofer Johnsson took the lead vocals for an old song and surprised with a brutal voice. The fans were happy. About 2 hours of Therion: epic and heavy songs. The bonus songs were after a few others a song of Motörhead and one song of Mercyful Fate. Therion were supported by several band members from Norway on vocals, which was watched by a smiling Ronny Thorsen in the back of the hall…

If this tour was not a success… I would love to see that package any time again!

www.redheaven.com
www.tristania.com
www.megatherion.com

Line-Up Trail of Tears:
Ronny Thorsen – Vocals
Kjell Hagen – Bass
Kjetil Nordhus – Clean Vocals
Terje Heiseldal – Guitars
Runar Hansen – Lead Guitar
Jonathan Perez – Drums

Line-Up Tristania:
Vibeke Stene – Vocals
Osten Bergoy – Clean Vocals
Kenneth Olsson – Drums
Einar Moen – Synth & Programming
Kjetil Ingebrethsen – Vocals
Rune Osterhus – Bass
Anders Hoyvik Hidle – Guitar

Line-Up Therion:
Christofer Johnsson – Guitar
Kristian Niemann – Guitar
Johan Niemann – Bass
Petter Karlsson – Drums
And different session singers…

Photos taken during the show check at Metal Centre's LIVE Gallery.