Wacken Open Air - Thursday
3 August 2006
Wacken, Germany
Thursday`s Night to Remember on the True Metal Stage centred on a mammoth set from the Scorpions, more of which later, but there was a real family affair running through the evening. Opening proceedings with a short 20 minute set were Faster Inferno. Whilst nepotism is undoubtedly the reason this unsigned band was on the main stage, guitarist Tyson being Michael Schenker`s son, the band actually acquitted themselves very well. The 70s rock presented something very different to what was to follow over the next two days, but was a good prelude to the hard rock to follow on this stage tonight.
Faster Inferno set list included:
Wrong Devil / Love Gun / Hard Rockin` Love / Raiders Of Rock`n`Roll
Germany`s Victory returned in 2005 with new vocalist Jioti Parcharidias of Human Fortress in tow, cherry picking the band`s most popular tracks from their 20 year history to re-record and release as the Fuel To The Fire cd. Unsurprisingly most of those tracks make up the setlist this evening with Backstreet Rider inspiring a mass clap along. Parcharidias youthful enthusiasm livens up the performance of this veteran hard rock band and whilst not cutting edge a solid set was delivered.
Victory set list:
Take The Pace / Power Strikes The Earth / No Way Tonight / Backseat Rider / Standing Like A Rock / On The Loose / Temples Of Gold / Don`t Tell No Lies / Chicks On Display / Check`s In The Mail
Former Scorpion Michael Schenker was up next with his latest line-up of MSG. Schenker of course comes with something of a reputation and having never seen him live before it was surprising to see how laid back he seemed. His playing however was exemplary and he clearly seemed to be enjoying playing to the large German audience. Bassist Rev Jones provided the onstage energy, looking like he was about to take off helicopter style from his spiralling dreads. Meanwhile current vocalist Jari Tiura was less convincing. Whilst the Finn could hit the notes, his vocals are heavily tinged with his accent giving an odd feel to the material, particularly the UFO classics.
MSG set list:
Assault Attack / Ready To Rock / Let It Roll / Dust To Dust / Love Trade / Shadow Lady / Lights Out / Into The Arena / But I Want More / Too Hot To Handle / On & On / Only You Can Rock Me / Armed & Ready / Attack Of The Mad Axeman / Arachnophobiac / Doctor Doctor / Rock Bottom
Time to revisit my thrash past with Australians Mortal Sin appearing in the tent. The fact that only two original members remain is reinforced as both bassist Andy Eftichiou and vocalist Mat Maurer make separate entrances to the stage, after the rest of the current line up appear. Any doubts are removed immediately however as Voyage Of The Disturbed pumps through the speakers. With possibly one of the best live thrash sounds I`ve heard, the guitars rage and Luke Cook`s drums brim with power as the band lead us through Blood, Death & Hatred and the once again topical Lebanon. It`s not just nostalgia as three new tracks hint that Mortal Sin have another good album in them with Out Of The Darkness the pick of the bunch. A brutally pleasant surprise.
Mortal Sin set list:
Voyage Of The Disturbed / Blood, Death, Hatred / Lebanon / Out Of The Darkness / Tears Of Redemption (Lebanon Pt.2) / Say Your Prayers / I Am Immortal / Mayhemic Destruction
Wow! If you didn`t like the Scorpions it was time to run for cover as the diehards were treated to a two and a half hour set featuring appearances from former members. Breaking the set into sections the opening salvo featured a selection of rocking classics to warm up. First special guest turned out to be the best in Uli Jon Roth, as the Scorpions dipped back to their early days. Roth looked like he was appearing at Woodstock but as soon as he peeled off his first guitar run during Pictured Life you could see why he has been an influence to so many guitar prodigies. The following Speedy`s Coming was awesome with Roth handling the verse vocals on Dark Lady.
Only three songs appeared from albums post 1984 with Love ‘Em Or Leave ‘Em from last album Unbreakable, and Don`t Believe Her & Tease Me Please Me bunched together in a later day segment.
Coast To Coast heralded the arrival of Michael Schenker from the ever opening and closing door under the drum riser. With him the band ran through a selection from Lovedrive, up until drum solos from current sticksman James Kottak followed by Herman Rarebell. Rarebell remaining behind the kit for Blackout and No One Like You.
Later, Still Loving You sees lighters held aloft, and the Scorpions made a rare trip back to their debut album with In Search Of The Peace of Mind, which frankly confirmed why such visits are rare. The oddest moment of the set came with a rendition of Ravel`s Bolero, during which Rudi Schenker crawled across the stage before performing a head stand for what seemed like forever.
As Dynamite brought the evening almost to its conclusion, a huge mechanical Scorpion marched out onto the stage and, of course, Rock You Like A Hurricane closed the set. This was certainly a special occasion with little left out save, thankfully, for Wind Of Change!
Scorpions set list:
Coming Home / Bad Boys Running Wild / The Zoo / Loving You A Sunday Morning / Make It Real / Pictured Life / Speedy's Coming / Dark Lady / We'll Burn The Sky / Love 'Em Or Leave 'Em / Don't Believe Her / Tease Me Please Me / Coast To Coast / Holiday / Lovedrive / Another Piece Of Meat / James Kottak Drum Solo / Herman Rarebell Solo / Blackout / No One Like You / Mathias Jabs Guitar Solo / Big City Night / Can't Get Enough / Still Loving You / In Trance / He's A Woman, She's A Man / In Search Of The Piece Of Mind / Ravel's Bolero / Dynamite / Rock You Like A Hurricane
LINKS:
Wacken Open Air
Scorpions
Mortal Sin
MSG
Victory
Faster Inferno
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