August 17, 2002 - Ringfest - Cologne, Germany
Hail
Here is my review from the concert in Cologne at 17.8.
Maybe you know that at the same day the Death Parade in Duesseldorf took place, thus it was a DUTY for nearly every Metalhead to march to Cologne and see the Kings live once again.
With a lot of beer in the backpack and chanting we headed at 6pm to Cologne. We have been about 10 persons, unfortunately we lost each other a bit (due to the alcohol and conditional upon the train station) so that my girl friend, my best mate and me went alone to the VIVA stage. At the central station nobody could tell us which rail to take to get there, while it was only one station away! So we first drove 4 times in the wrong direction, thanks dear German Railways. When we finally arrived Die Happy were still playing, not really good, but at least we had the time to fight our way to the frontrow. By the way, the organisation at the event was horrible.
The safety area was pretty big, with such amount of people trying to get to the front it should have been rearranged. There was also a very big locked area for a camera, hence there was only a cramped alley right to the stage. From left a lot of fans swarmed, we were standing quite far in the front and it was simply impossible to draw breath in such constriction, since from the right the people were pushing and on the left everything was clustered already one hour before the show.
Apparently the equipment wasn't laid out for Manowar as well, I guess after the show many amps and boxes were fit only for a knacker's yard.
At least the security people passed water through the rows. We waited quite a while for the Kings, we were standing about 1 hour in the boiling pot before they began. Oh well, at least we had the time to floor the last bottle of beer *grin*.
Since there was a lot of alcohol drinking already at the Death Parade many people wasn't fit anymore. Eric asked what would we say to someone who doesn't like Manowar - "fuck you", of course. And so he continued asking, always expecting the same answer, just the last question seemed to be too much for some. "What do you say to someone who likes Manowar?" - oh well, by habit most yelled "fuck you" as well. But I think he already bargained for that and saw that as a demand to blow up the remaining boxes.
In any case it was pretty cool. A lot of songs have been played, Joey's bass part was simply breathtaking and when they played "House of Death" it was a pleasant surprise for many (the scar under my right nipple should be enough proof for this).
All Hail
your Martin
After some - but way too much - time, filled with Pop and Techno, at about 9pm it was finally so far.
"Ladies and gentlemen, from the United States of America: ALL HAIL MANOWAR!"
and then it kicked off: Manowar, Herz aus Stahl, Kings of Metal, Warriors of the World United and so on. All who have been there will agree with me, that was just about the limit! I didn't see Manowar live that often yet, but it was absolutely overhelming. The band, the spirit, the fans, the songs, the way from Hamburg was really worth it!
See you in fall!
Hail & Kill!
