Some new bands added, among others also Tristania...

The most sexy festival in the world

A Phantom Agony show? Not bad.

I skipped today's headliners Leaves' Eyes and Epica and so I'm writing these lines before the festival is really over.

I wasn't in the mood for Leaves' Eyes and I saw Epica with a decent show one week ago or so... seven gigs in eight hours were enough for me today ..

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The festival was again very well organized and the line-up attractive. Aggressive, progressive and happy cheese were all present. And there were surprises in the band selection.

Smoking was tolerated in the hall, if not encouraged ... sorry guys, that's no longer state of the art.
I look up to those, who nevertheless went out into the rain or sunshine to smoke.

Might really be a potential no-go item for me next year. Life without stench has just become too sweet ..

Again on the positive side, all helpers and staff were very friendly. The presentation girl was a jewel and food and drinks were enjoyable.

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"The Veil" wonderfully opened Friday evening with their warmhearted chanson/industrial/metal hybrid.

And the "Hells Belles" closed Friday with a powerful AC/DC cover gig, which I highly enjoyed, neck pain included.

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Saturday started nicely with a handful bands who were formerly unknown to me and who were all enjoyable to me. Pythia were a great opener and 69 Chambers played an awesome gig.

Visions Of Atlantis are back in business, it seems .. and likewise Tristania. If you like their respective new vocalists everybody has to decide on their own. Both are lovable in any case and have their strengths and weaknesses. I enjoyed the VOA hits like "The poem" and "Seven Seas", but Tristania played mostly stuff that was unknown to me and despite a decent performance they lost me a little tastewise.

I marvelled again over Floor Jansens vocal performance with her new band Revamp. One year ago I witnessed her announcement of the new project on this very stage and now she came to prove that she stands to her word. Quite touching and commanding respect. Heavier than late After Forever, but still related.

Simone helped her a little with one ballad and they again made a point to demonstrate how much they respect each other.

At the end of Saturday "Arch Enemy" blew everything away. God, did they rock. I don't really like them, but I tried to go home for two hours and couldn't. Awesome guitars ..

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Sunday started sadly, as "Dejafuse" around ex-Autumn singer Nienke had cancelled. Ram-Zet from Norway played a fantastic progressive gig, which totally fascinated me, although such things are normally beyond my scope.

Later today "The Agonist" overran us like a thunderstorm squall-line. The young singeress was angry for whatever reason and bellowed out her fury until the whole crowd cared. Quite an awesome gig and in the end a smile rose on her face when she saw all the hands in the air.

In the end "Holy Hell" played. I didn't know them before and neither the countless negative reviews.
I totally enjoyed their gig. My brain wouldn't translate the lyrics lest I die from cheese poisoning, but the woman really (!) can sing and I liked the guitars and the keyboard riffs very much.
Towards the end of the show at least the part of the crowd that I could see around me was totally happy.

That was the point, when I decided to go home.

I have put already some pics online from the festival.
[url] http://www.ppo-pictures.be/Music/FMVF-VIII/FMVF-VIII/14412444_Emw3v[/url]

Written by Paco on 29.10.2010 at 19:52

I have put already some pics online from the festival.

Fantastic fotos !! I really like your style.