>> JINGLE BALLS : PERLER FOR SVIN, CYNICON, STAGE DOLLS, RETURN <<
Stangehallen,
Christmas
time is coming earlier and earlier every year and most of us are sick and tired
of it already when December comes. So why not give it a break and rock a little?
That’s what Return wanted by
inviting fellow natives Stage Dolls
and a handful of other local bands this early December night, and more than a
thousand young people found it interesting and showed up (some for the music and
some for the party I noticed).
First
band out was a very Metallica-influenced straight heavy metal band called Hollow.
Quite well played but very monotonous. The vocal was only ok, nothing special.
The most memoriable from this band was their cover of Metallica’s “Enter
Sandman”.
Next
band was Mesmeric Voice, a very
standard 80’s heavy metal-style band in the lines of Megadeth, Dio and Black
Sabbath. Their cover of Kiss’ “Black Diamond” sounded too metal for me and
the vocalist did it ok, but was lame on Judas Priest’s “Breaking The Law”.
Their Christmas-tune was a straight metal version of “White Christmas”, pure
and simple.
Then
we got a band with more experience and talent, Perler
For Svin. This is Return-drummer Øyvind Håkonsen’s coverband, but Oyvind
was replaced by Ram-Zet drummer Kent Frydenlund due to organizing and gig with
Return later this night. They opened with a heavy rock version of “White
Christmas” with very raw vocals by singer Paal. New additions since previous
gigs I’ve seen Perler For Svin was AC/DC’s “Sin City”, Accept’s
“Balls To The Wall” and Motorhead’s “Ace Of Spades”, but we also got
such classics as “Holy Diver”, “Crazy Train” and “Bark At The Moon”.
This band is a real trip back in time and the classic songs are great preformed
with a powerful voice by Paal.
Next
was Crazy Nutz, a
punk-rock’n’roll band in the vein of The Carburators. This is not quite my
style, but I found nothing special with this band, but maybe someone else did.
Then
it was time for some real black metal from Cynicon.
Introduced by a symphonic Christmas-tune (programmed) pompous and melodic black
metal was blow out of the speakers. Lots of programmed synth gave me a feel of
Dimmu Borgir, nothing wrong with that. It was tight and well played and I must
admit that even this is not amongst my favorite tastes, Cynicon was great and
very enjoyable. For fans of symphonic black metal (and death metal) should check
out this band.
First
headliner of the night, Stage Dolls
was next. And as always (see previous gig-reviews) they delievered rock ‘n’
roll the way it should be, rough and tight. The voice of Torstein was not 100%
this night, but he did his best and did it well (the reason might have been
their gig in
The
night’s main attraction was of course Return.
Playing at home is always a winner and they delivered as expected, a good mix of
rockers and ballads. “Sing Me A Song” was the opener (“the last one in my
life…”, weird huh?) followed by another top hit, “Change The Attitude”.
No big surprises among the songs, but “United In A Scream” was taken back in
the set. A good choice I think as it’s a great song (but I still wonder when
they’re going to play “More More More” live). “Little Miss Easy” is
another personal favorite for me that was played.
You,
the reader, might know that Return is back in the studio again to record their
first studio-album in 12 years, and we got a pair of those new songs. “All
That I See” is a typical Return-ballad with a easily remembered chorus. Do we
get a new top hit with this? I think so. The other new song was “Save The
Heart”, a mid-tempo rocker. Great song with a great chorus. So there’s no
need to worry, Return anno 2004 (2005) stick to their true fans and won’t
dissapoint.
At
the end of the show Stage Dolls was
invited on stage together with Return for a performance of Bryan Adams’
“Christmas Time”. Together these 2 bands put some rocking christmas spirits
into the heart of the audience, before Return alone ended, by no surprise, with
“Bye Bye Johnny”. Return have yet proved that they’re still very much
alive and well, and still great performers.
Set-lists:
RETURN:
1. Sing Me A Song
2.
Change The Attitude
3.
Still Waiting
4.
Friends Will Be Friends
5.
United In A Scream
6.
The Day After
7.
Having Fun
8.
All That I See (new)
9.
Take This Heart
10.
To The Top
11.
Save The Heart (new)
12.
Little Miss Easy
13.
The Lone
14.
Can You Forgive Me
--encore--
15.
Christmas Time [Bryan Adams] - with Stage Dolls
16.
Bye Bye Johnny
STAGE
DOLLS:
1.
24/7
2.
Love Cries
3.
Hard To Say Goodbye
4.
You’re The One
5.
Sorry (Is All I Can Say)
6.
Commandos
7.
Love Don’t Bother Me
8.
Wings Of Steel
9.
Soldier’s Gun
PERLER
FOR SVIN:
1.
White Christmas [Bing Crosby]
2.
Holy Diver [Dio]
3.
Crazy Train [Ozzy]
4.
Bark At The Moon [Ozzy]
5.
6.
Balls To The Wall [Accept]
7.
Ace Of Spades [Motorhead]
Click here
for photos
Reviews & photos by Per Erik Jansen