The other day me and my bro (and drummer) Mr Kallio went to a concert we both had been waiting for exited like little girls the day before christmas - the reborn Queensryche (the one with the band and Todd LaTorre, who by the the way did an excellent job (and not an easy one at all) replacing Geoff Tate on vocals - I love Geoff Tate, but sorry, that is Queensryche). Our anticipation was beyond high since they've always delivered 100% live on stage no matter in what metamorphosis the band might have been in at the time. This time was no exception, it was totally amazing, adding the newfound energy and hunger to the standard Queensryche hi-quality deliverance of their truly awesome repertoire. Sounded great and the setlist was beyond belief, I mean opening with "Queen of the reich", what an explosion! Also never seen a band perform progressive music with such kick-ass attitude all in perfect harmony. Met various people at the venue and everyone was totally ran-over and overwhelmed by the great performance, as was I obviously.
...but, here's the thing - the place was half-full. I mean, what the f**k?! It truly was one of the best concerts I've been to, such high standard, such perfection and high quality all the way through in all aspects, kick-ass entertainment not boring a single second, but nevertheless this poor attendance - so unfair, such a shame really. This was the case when we saw Lynch Mob in Västerås some years ago as well - a stunning band, every member truly amazing top of the art performers and musicians in perfect symbiosis delivering above comprehension, great sound, great material, looking great and a pretty rare event (I mean Lynch Mob with Brian Tichy on drums in Sweden, come on!) - simply the best of the best, this goes for both of these shows, the venues not at all over-dimensioned if you ask me, but still: half-full - don't know where the problem is, probably on many levels, but something's really wrong here and it's really sad for the art's survival. For one these uncommercial bands and artist, that has stayed true to their art and what they do and not sold out, doesn't get a dime out of record-sales, if there even are any nowadays, so they more or less have to live on touring. The musicians I talk about shouldn't have to work and suffer their asses off for nothing through total disrespect (also they've already done that when they started out), they're the best that there is, they deserve and have earned the respect - and that now while they live and not when they're gone. To me the music-business today seems to have become an evil circle. Is it a downward spiral to the end of the true artist, even the masters? Is this the beginning of the extinction of this art-form?!
Anyway, besides everything else that was totally awesome with that Queensryche show, I was truly impressed by Michael Wiltons guitar sound, it was right up my alley and might be the best live (guitar) sound I've ever heard. Feels good since in my opinion most guitar sounds I hear live nowadays sucks, to me there's way too much gain, distortion and hi-eq (and lo, for that matter - let the bass be the bass) going on everywhere.
Anyway it's awesome to finally witness a great metal/hardrock live concert, to be impressed and satisfied for once, it sure was a while ago in these, what I see, dry days of the hard rock and heavy metal live scene.
Well, now I'm off to make a blitzkrieg attack at my calendar to force in some jam-sessions and studio time! - Really need to get some shit out of my system!
Talk to you soon with some Saari music news.
Cheers.
/ PM
