Helloween, Gamma Ray - Athens, Greece, 24th November 2007
| Written by: | Alkisti |
| Published: | January 07, 2008 |
| Event: | Helloween + Gamma Ray: Hellish Rock Tour |
| Location: | Ktirio 56 - Politistiko Kentro Ellinikos, Athens, Greece |
It was definitely one of the most anticipated concerts of the year. Probably the first time where two of the greatest bands in the European power metal history are touring together. After the release of their new albums, Gamma Ray's "Land of the Free II" and Helloween's "Gambling with the Devil," we were expecting a great live show and I'm not afraid to say that the show was perfect! For Greece, Kai and Michael planned two shows, the first in Thessalonica and the other - where I went to - in Athens. The concert took place in the Centre of Civilization "Ellinikos Kosmos." For some people, the place looked like an enormous warehouse, recalling the place in 2003 for the "Rabbits on the Run" tour, where 1800-2000 fans could stand; only 1200-1400 attempted offering us a bigger place to breathe? The doors were supposed to open at 18:30. When I arrived there at 17:30, I was informed that they would open at 19:30 due to problems with the sound? At that time, I was hearing Helloween's and Gamma Ray's rehearsal. When we finally entered the place, we couldn't have guessed the one-hour delay! At least the DJ was cheering the fans with nice music, like Guns 'n' Roses, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne and Whitesnake. After all, these are Greek organizers!
Kai Hansen entered the stage with his band mates at 20:40 and for the next 65 minutes they proved how powerful and glorious they are with catchy songs, such as Heaven Can Wait, Rebellion in Dreamland, and Land of the Free. We all enjoyed our participation, both boys and girls, in Heavy Metal Universe and we were thrilled by the performance of Ride the Sky. In additional, from their new album, we only heard Real World. I can say that Hansen, Schlachter, Zimmermann, and Richter were shining up there showing us that they still have a lot to offer in power metal music! After 40 minutes, the stage changed revealing Helloween behind it! After the introduction of Biff Byford's words in Crack the Riddle, they appeared performing Halloween and the crowd wasn't left unsatisfied. Thankfully, the concert was not only about their last album - they only played As Long As I Fall and The Bells of the 7 Hells, where Deris was introducing himself and his band mates. Most of the songs they played were, of course, from the legendary "Keepers" but they didn't forget songs by albums not highly acclaimed like Sole Survivor and We Burn. I really enjoyed the parody in the middle of the show with Deris, Gerstner and Grosskopf fooling around as being in a theatre performing Deep Purple's Smoke on the Water after Löble's drum solo who "killed" them with a toy gun! Some people didn't like Deris' performance in the "Keeper" songs, saying that they miss Kiske? Well man, wake up! Deris is a great frontman and he knows how to make a song his own! I was really moved by A Tale That Wasn't Right? And he was so polite; he was throwing us bottles of water all the time! And let's face it: he is in the band for about 13 years and who knows how much longer! Gerstner is definitely a Helloween member after Grapow's replacement and has a high prestige on stage; Grosskopf, despite his 42 years, he could look like a young bassist full of joy and power; Löble knows how to play drums and he fits in Helloween's music style. What can I say about Weikath? Although I don't like him when he is having an interview, he is one of the best musicians and guitarists of all time! We were all ecstatic when he was playing the solo parts!
After Helloween's encore - with Deris wearing a funny uniform pretending to be a Perfect Gentleman - Hansen with Schlachter and Richter entered the stage and performed with Helloween the outstanding Future World and I Want Out, so the crowd started cheering louder and louder! I can't forget the image of Weikath and Hansen playing the solo parts next to each other; one of the most memorable moments of that night! Helloween's set lasted for about 100 minutes and their performance made us forget all that time of delay. I recommend to any power metalhead buying a ticket for this concert - if you haven't done that yet! - if the bands are planning to visit their town; it will be a night to remember and you won't regret it!
I also have some pictures taken; they're not too clear, but I hope you can taste a bit of the show! Here are the track lists:
Gamma Ray: Heaven Can Wait, New World Order, Land of the Free, Fight, Real World, Rebellion in Dreamland, Heavy Metal Universe, The Silence, Ride the Sky, Somewhere out in Space, Send me a Sign (Encore)
Helloween: Crack the Riddle (Intro), Halloween, Soul Survivor, March of Time, As Long As I Fall, Eagle Fly Free, A Tale That Wasn't Right, Drum Solo - Smoke on the Water (Parody) - Drum Solo, The King For A 1000 Years, We Burn, The Bells of the 7 Hells, Dr. Stein
Medley: I Can, Where the Rain Grows, If I Could Fly, Perfect Gentleman, Power, Keeper of the Seven Keys (Encore)
With Kai on stage: Future World, I Want Out
Guest article disclaimer:
This is a guest article, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest article, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Comments
Comments: 27
Visited by: 94 users
| Alkisti Posts: 14  |
Too bad... I couldn't insert the pictures... Hoping in the future that I will make it happen... Thank you guys for publishing my first review!
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| Talvi Posts: 825  |
Damn! What a setlist! 3 10+ minute songs from a power metal band (THE power metal band). And yeah, Deris > Kiske.
---- My account on other musical pages: http://www.last.fm/user/Pozito/ http://rateyourmusic.com/~Talvi
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| Pestilence Posts: 53 |
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| iaberis Advice Troll Posts: 1698  |
Damn! I was writing that review too! But I guess, I should finish it earlier! Great show! Recomended to all! I was really annoyed though by the delay on the start, since I was there hours before it started. Oh, how I hate the organizers for that... Good review  P.S.: I also added you on msn... :p
---- Bitch! Please
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62018  |
Good job  realy good even I dont like bands@Iaberi you can go to Saturnus show, in Underworld Otherwise 13.01.2008 simbolic date for killing lagos
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| H-MetalHamster Posts: 9 |
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| Alkisti Posts: 14 |
Thank you guys for your lovely words! I hope the next article will be way better... @H-MetalHamster: I just read Kiske's story; yes, "this guy is truly a nutjob"! Or even "he swore Christian Revenge and Unforgiveness", "I need money" and "I'm out of Metal" really reveals who he really is! I recomend to every fan of the Keeper Age to visit that link...!
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| iaberis Advice Troll Posts: 1698 |
Written by H-MetalHamster on 09.01.2008 at 21:39 That's another big lie. Kiske didn't destroy Helloween. Kai's departure made the band lose their creativity and decided to release those shitty (in your opinion) albums. It was the band's choice to do them, so if you want to go blame someone, blame the whole band. Kiske was the best thing that happened to Helloween. And concerning that link, funny yes, but I bet the guy who wrote these things is a real jackass... 
---- Bitch! Please
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62018 |
Written by Alkisti on 10.01.2008 at 22:38 Rabbits on the Run hahhaha  I will laff all night specely after 13.01Why this article are moved from main page?
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Alkisti Posts: 14 |
Written by Bad English on 15.01.2008 at 00:20 Are you actually wondering? Let's face it: Barry & wrathchild wrote better reviews... Mine has no pictures at all! And it's not the only problem... I'm very glad that it has been published for one week. And I'm very happy that you all liked it! You guys rock! Hoping my next review lasts longer...
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62018 |
Written by Alkisti on 16.01.2008 at 23:09 Rabits raely run 4-0 hehehe No I like it better because it was your firts rewiew I had read Wrat and Baz rewiews a lot of but it was your firts rewiew here and it was difeernt style into it, about pics I didnt put in mine to but IMO pics sint so important Go to Saturnus tahy will paly in underground or underworld club 
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62018 |
Written by Alkisti on 07.01.2008 at 20:51 Sorry for Spam but since you're from Patras and Iaberis(now hes name are Gay Lusaac) are from Patras you know each other you shood meet
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Alkisti Posts: 14 |
Written by Bad English on 21.01.2008 at 10:34 Now I'm feeling good... Thanx for prefering my review! I know I have to meet iaberis (who, by the way, why did he change his name? It sucks because I study Physics in Patras...!) My MSN isn't working and I don't know what's wrong with it! Iaberis, have patience! Do you know the Underground club in Athens? But...you are from Latvia... How's that? And I like you because you support Olympiakos as me and iaberis... (and because of your thoughtful words about the review...)!
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62018 |
Written by Alkisti on 21.01.2008 at 19:03 Ante geia vazelakia  He change his name because he studdy taht subjact what Gay Vassak was invastigate Here was one more member from Patras but its past already I have no MSN and Im happy that MA works You shood see Iabersi in Atenas also are gay13 clubs ;lol: I know it because I had seensome my myspace griek friend billeting a lot of about it
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Alkisti Posts: 14 |
Written by Bad English on 21.01.2008 at 19:39 "Ante geia, vazeles!" Nice! You are an original fan! Who is Gay Vassak? Patras is a big city! It's not easy finding iaberis, then...! I'm from Kalamata, a small city in Greece well known for its...cannabis! And it's not the only place where it's grown...! Don't misunderstand me, I'm against all types of drugs (even smoking and alcohol) because not only they harm people but also they do them as thinking they're somebody... I just say it because when I say to people where I am from, they tease me...
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| iaberis Advice Troll Posts: 1698 |
Written by Alkisti on 21.01.2008 at 20:09 Haha! I totally agree on that! Down with the smoking! Are you going to the Metal March Day festival?
---- Bitch! Please
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| Alkisti Posts: 14 |
Written by iaberis on 27.01.2008 at 17:27 If I had a reason to go, that would be The Iron Maidens vs Orion. I don't like Anette Olzon (I'm not stuck with Tarja; her voice is horrible!) and it's so stupid that Nightwish are supported by Nevermore(!), whose songs I know are just "Sentient 6", "The Psalm of Lyndia" and "The Heart Collector"... I'm not a fan of Sodom, I'm not listening to Edguy (although I love power metal!) Annihilator? I don't know them, sorry! I would like to see Tristania live but...before Vibeke's gone... The other bands...I just don't know them! (Anorimoi are the ones who sing "SOS ap'to WC", a cover from Xylina Spathia's "Liomeno Pagoto"?) And 60 euros... Too expensive! And you see the half bands because they're separated in 2 stages... My brother went last year to see Manowar, Rhapsody Of Fire etc. He had a lot of trouble by finding transports because it was Wednesday; he couldn't find a taxi either! So, why should I go?
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| iaberis Advice Troll Posts: 1698 |
Well it's not that bad. First of all each band will play a full set and the two stages won't be up the same time. There are two, so the next will be already ready after the first band finishes, or at least that's what they said. Edguy is great, that's the main reason I'm going... oh and Annihilator and Nevermore are very good too. And if you consider that Iron Maiden alone this summer will have 50 euros entrance, 60 is a very good price for all those bands...
---- Bitch! Please
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| Alkisti Posts: 14 |
Written by iaberis on 28.01.2008 at 16:26 My brother told me that last year, when Battleroar were on Warrior's Stage, Epica were performing on Wizard's Stage... I don't know, still... Perhaps I should had decided before New Year's Day, when the ticket had 50 euros... If you go there, have fun! I'm waiting for your next concert review!!! 
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| Baz Anderson Staff Posts: 13254  |
come on people, this is not an internet dating site - stay on topic. I would have thought some of you would have had some comments for my review: http://www.metalstorm.ee/forum/topic.php?topic_id=10270
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| Baz Anderson Staff Posts: 13254 |
indeed I did read - and don't take offence, just this thread is supposed to be used for discussing the article seems like you got pretty much the same sets - apart from Gamma Ray starting with "Heaven Can Wait" - that's an interesting one. still, I am glad we had "Gardens Of The Sinner" over here - and you got "Real World" too.. we had "From The Ashes" and "Empress" instead.. interesting stuff!
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| Alkisti Posts: 14 |
Written by Baz Anderson on 28.01.2008 at 21:30 Yes, we are supposed to talk about the article, not settle meetings and stuff! Sorry about that...! Gamma Ray performed nice songs too in London! The Helloween stuff were exactly the same with ours! Even the parody with Smoke on the Water... I just saw the pictures; I'm shocked! This place looked like a palace! You even had balconies! We had nothing! The place was a great warehouse! And the little bar there during the break...it had no beers! The minimal cost for the consumers was 1 euro! Even if you wanted to buy a bottle of water of 0.5lt! The situation in Greece sucks! And you saw Axxis too... I think I'll be traveling aboard to see my favourite bands next time!
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| iaberis Advice Troll Posts: 1698 |
Actually BIG STAR PROMOTION - DIDI MUSIC suck... I'll start crying everytime these bitches will be promoters in a show from now on... These guys make a bad name for the whole promoters in Greece.
---- Bitch! Please
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| Alkisti Posts: 14 |
Written by iaberis on 29.01.2008 at 23:29 This is so lame! What can we do about that? And the whole delay thing...thank God the show was worth waiting! Did you crack the riddle in Helloween's website? (It was inside the album too) I did! Actually, I think I did... It was so easy! If I'm the winner of the competition, who knows? I might see them live in one of their latest tour gigs...! And the promoters will be way better!
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| iaberis Advice Troll Posts: 1698 |
Written by Alkisti on 30.01.2008 at 14:34 Good luck! I didn't solve and Baz didn't help me in that  Yeah I went to the place some time before 6... I was all day in the road from Patras to get there and the delay almost killed me... Those jackasses couldn't make an announcement for that... or have some seats... or a place to leave the jackets... Idiots
---- Bitch! Please
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| Alkisti Posts: 14 |
Written by iaberis on 30.01.2008 at 19:10 Barry cracked the riddle too? Now I feel a bit stressed... The solution hides inside Biff Byford's words! When I found out I was really happy; but since Barry knows it, the cometition gets harder... I visited rockpages.gr and there was an announcement that the doors would open at 19:30... But I went as if they would at 18:30 because people didn't know it and still I wanted to be first in the raw! And I did it! When Helloween were on stage, a nice guy offered me his place - actually, he was going to bring waters! I was in the first raw headbanging and singing! It's been 2 months after the show and I haven't forgotten it! The feeling was exciting; don't think I'm an amateur! I had gone to Blind Guardian's concert in April - and by the way, nice review! But this was so different! My back was aching by the delay, but I didn't care at all! To hell the promoters!
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| jimmy Posts: 42 |
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