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 Concert Review July, 2003 |
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Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles Festival: June 4-5, 2004 in Cleveland, OH Andrew flew in from North Carolina, PwrMtl flew in from New York, and Docsobeck and Aircat drove up from Cleveland (well... they drove about halfway... but that's another story, for another time....). This was the second-annual BW&BK festival, and featured a star-studded metal lineup: performing on the first day was Grave Digger, Lilitu, Shadowkeep, Katatonia, Doro, Seven Witches, and E-Force. The second day included Flotsam and Jetsam, Ion Vein, Brainstorm, Primal Fear, Metal Church, Shok Paris, and Dismember. The following is a report from PwrMtl detailing some of his amazing experiences from the weekend, with some of Aircat's excellent pictures intermixed: I got into the airport about noon and headed to find transportation to my hotel. I saw another guy checking the info for the same hotel I was staying in, the same hotel the bands were at also (very important for later in the adventure). Somehow sensing the "bond of metal brotherhood" we asked each other why the other was in town. Of course we were both there for the same reason. In talking about the bands we were really looking forward to, and my favorites being of the decidedly old school variety, he asked if I'd ever heard of the band Attacker (one of the first bands signed to Metal Blade; two albums out in the mid 80's). I said I had heard the name, and a few songs on a sampler CD; turns out he is the drummer and they have recently reformed. He gives me a promo of the new album, and at that we are best friends for the weekend. Off to a brilliant start in my estimation!
 Aircat tries to get us a quick ride to the downtown area.
 Left to right: Andrew, PwrMtl, Docsobeck Shadow Keep was excellent; the new singer was very good. Seven Witches smoked with a set of mostly current material. Doro was great, and played a Warlock-heavy set -- which of course is what most of us were hoping for. Metal anthems don't come much better than "All We Are." And finally Grave Digger was just as good, if not better, than any of us could imagine. It definitely seemed like GD was THE band at least 80% of the people were mainly there to see. It's amazing it has taken these guys 20 years to make it to the U.S., but they certainly made up for lost time in spades. There were a few other bands that night, but not being a fan I mainly used that time to talk to other fans, band members, and check out the merchandise.
Grave Digger in action!
About two minutes after I get there I spot Shadow Keep heading in from the other door. I grab a beer and sit down next to a few somewhat familiar faces. Gee, it's the guys from Grave Digger (minus Chris Boltendhal, who is unfortunately sleeping). What's that I hear from the lounge area? Jack Frost, James Rivera, Ben Jackson and Midnight are going to jam on acoustics? Did I just step into the most metal episode of the Twilight Zone, or what???!!!! So here we are, about 20 or so fans, and some of the most legendary names in the metal underground (power metal district) singing along to Black Sabbath, KISS, Crimson Glory, and a bunch of other classic metal tunes for about an hour (and way past "last call"). When the bartender finally manages to clear everyone out I manage to stagger back to my room, almost unable to comprehend what just happened over the last 16 hours. And that is just day one?? Saturday: So I wake up waaayyy too early, about 9ish, and head to the store to grab a Gatorade and RedBull to wake up and replenish myself somewhat before heading to AliceCooperstown for the acoustic show (Seven Witches and Crimson Glory). I decide to hang out in the lobby of the hotel while I'm drinking the Gatorade to see who passes through that morning. After about 10 minutes Doro walks in and the 5 or 6 of us in the lobby lounge get our album cover, magazines, etc. signed by a very gracious and very metal (for 10 a.m.) metal goddess (glad I didn't spend time in the long line the night before). After talking to Doro and a few other fans in the lobby I head over to the restaurant to make sure I get a seat for the 1 p.m. show and have a little lunch. Even getting there an hour and a half early I still was barely able to get a seat where I could see the small stage. I think some people must have been there as early as 10 a.m. I grabbed a beer and proceeded to make friends with the people around me. It's really amazing how metal, real metal, brings people together. At around 1 Jack and James from Seven Witches take the stage and have a little fun with Piano Man (Billy Joel) for a couple minutes before getting down to business. They were pretty good, but Rivera really seems to have one of those voices suited to screaming metal, because he really wasn't able to bridge the subtlety that an acoustic setting needs. He kind of needs to go full volume to hit the high notes. They did a killer version of "Diamonds and Rust" though as the last tune.
Next up was a surprise appearance by Doro. A fan had
mentioned the show to her at breakfast earlier,
and I guess she asked to participate. Cool with me!!
They pretty much did a shortened version of the
previous night's set, but sounded really good
considering this was a last minute thing.
Got to the Odeon just in time to meet up with the UMR
peeps before Ion Vein took the stage. Trust me when I
say they should be on all of your "to buy" lists.
Just as amazing live as they are on disc.
 Brainstorm's Andy B. Franck gives Aircat some love.
Matt Sinner -- The German Metal Commando!
All in all I can in all honesty say that this was the most extremely killer time I have ever had in my entire life. (My wife is not too happy to hear me say that, but it is absolutely true.) Metal is a bond that most people can never understand; it truly is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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James Rivera and Jack Frost of Seven Witches 
Chris Boltendahl OWNS you!
Primal Fear in action.
