August 17, 2002 - Ringfest - Cologne, Germany
We really had fun. Too bad it's already over. ....
Greetings from Crumb and Cake (wife)
normally I woud not do that when I'm sober. But in this case I'm gonna bear myself down.
At 17.30 I was lying in the grass near the podium and eating a pizza. So I could watch the peaceful fans that were amused, and not only the ones in the Manowar shirts
(some had really old ones) but also other Metalfans. I could hear the Metalfans cry out for Manowar everytime a new band started playing.
It was a pretty relaxed mood and the anticipation got bigger when at 20.00 the stage got prepared for Manowar. The crowd that gathered to see Manowar grew constantly. I think Manowar's crowd was biggest.
Only the annunciation of Manowar was really bad. For such an annunciation you need a powerful deep voice and not such sqeaky ones as the three on the podium.
But then Hell broke loose. I even got goose skin and a chunk in my throat (pure emotion). So this kind of stuff happens to me even at the age of 44. It gave me the creeps when the people started singing with the band, the fists filled the air and the air started shakin'. It's also special when you play for the fans and at the same time fuck the police. But that also could have ended bad for 'em. But I made my self fit for the concert in december (Cologne).
Greetings from a dutch fan.
Hail to all of you.
J.P. Bet, Holland.
Even though it comes late, but here's my review from the Ringfest in Cologne.
18.45:
I arrived with some Metalheads at the Hansaring. Now quickly, let's find the VIVA stage. After 10 minutes walking finally at the stage, or better said, in the near. Finally thousands of Metalheads longing for the Kings.
19.00-20.00:
A pretty lame band that sounded like the Guano Apes was playing on stage. The distressed songstress of the band tried to make the crowd go with their music while the crowd screamed for the Kings.
But the cry outs for the Kings kept getting louder.
At 20.00 "Die Happy" left the stage. One hour left till Manowar. Everyone was waiting and hoping that this hour is gonna pass soon.
20.00-21.00:
Some kids and posers leave the place near the stage and at the same time the Metalheads rush towards the stage. The stage was getting prepard. Like expected Manowar had more speakers than any band before them. Afterwards I heard that the biggest part of the speakers had to stay in the trucks because there was not enough space on the stage. I had some smalltalks with the other Metalheads and time went by. The speakers were ready. The last soundcheck. It's 21.00.
21.00-22.00:
Finally the Kings are to come. But shit, what's that? Instead of Joey, Eric, Scott and Karl some Viva guys hit the stage. Under comments like "Viva sucks" they announced Manowar and left the stage as fast as possible. Now the time has come. The melody started playing and the voice of Orson Welles sounded: "Ladies and gentlemen, from the United States of America, All Hail MANOWAR!!!"
Suddenly the kings appear on stage and play "Manowar" followed by "Kings Of Metal". Then Eric said that the american beer tastes like piss whereas the german beer feels like some great tits. Then he announces Joey's bass solo. (I'm not sure if it was "The Sting Of The Bumblebee" or "Williams Tale"). Then they played "Herz Aus Stahl" for the German Metalheads. At least now it was clear that Manowar are as good as ever and that they ain't gonna change. At that moment the most kids'n'posers already got blown away (HAHA). Then they played "Warriors Of The World" and "House Of Death" from their new album. And then they played "Kill With Power". Then the Kings disappeared from the stage and Joey came back with a mic in his hand. He told us that the police was there and they would arrest Manowar if they keep on playing (They reached 115db though only 95 were allowed). Joey said that the band will play on soon and if they got thrown into jail we should all go there and make some terror. We made as much sound as we could and Joey kept the crowd boiling. Then he made a good joke about "Top Of The Pops". A woman asked him in an interview what he thinks about "Top Of The Pops" and he answered: "Well, you sit on my top and then we pop!" Then he explained that Manowar only played there to show the fans and all posers that Metal is still alive. His speech took 15 minutes and the crowd was getting crazy. If now a policeman hit the stage, the stage would be squalled, that's for sure. The rest of the band comes back and they play "Black Wind Fire And Steel".
22.00-23.00
We are on our way home. But one thing's for sure. Nobody is better, harder or heavier then the Kings.
The concert was really cool and I'm looking forward to the tour.
DEATH TO FALSE METAL.
TRUE METAL FOREVER.
Hail and kill
Frank aka HellOnEarth
