{"id":541,"date":"2011-03-09T21:01:58","date_gmt":"2011-03-09T20:01:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=541"},"modified":"2011-03-09T21:01:58","modified_gmt":"2011-03-09T20:01:58","slug":"summer-breeze-2003-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=541","title":{"rendered":"Summer Breeze 2003 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summer Breeze 2003<\/strong>
\nThursday<\/strong>
\nAfter discovering the festival in the south of Germany for three years the time had come to add this unique Open Air to our festival canon which was definitely decision. The festival took place in the picturesque little town of Abtsgm\u00fcnd near Stuttgart. At the Summer Breeze 2003 played 50 bands on two stages which rotated in three days for 12000-15000 (on Saturday it was sold out) spectators.<\/p>\n

Main Stage<\/em>
\nBloodflowerz<\/strong> The fourpiece is a local band from the region which played over the previous years each Summer Breeze. The band presented for another year their nice Gothic Metal from their debut \u201cDiabolic Angel\u201d as from its new successor \u201c7 Benedictions \/ 7 Maledictions\u201d with the unique voice of Kirsten Zahn.<\/p>\n

Napalm Death<\/strong> As on the With Full Force Open Air the Grindcore machine from Birmingham was forced to act with one guitarist less because of the absence of guitarist Jesse Pintado and with reserve drummer Nick Barker (Dimmu Borgir\/ Lock Up). Nevertheless Barney Greenway, Shane Embury and co presented themselves in their best possible condition and satisfied every fan from the oldest classic (\u201cScum\u201d) to newest still unreleased material (\u201cNarcoleptic\u201d)<\/p>\n

Rage<\/strong> Peavy, Victor and Mike showed another strong gig as they had done three weeks before in Wacken. With the opener \u201cDon\u2019t You Fear The Winter\u201d the band from Herne started in a Greatest Hits-program which consisting of classics (\u201cSent By The Devil\u201d, \u201cSolitary Man\u201d, \u201cBlack In Mind\u201d) and material from the new Rage-release \u201cSoundchaser\u201d (\u201cWar Of Worlds\u201d). This brilliant show which ended with \u201cHigher Than The Sky\u201d shouldn\u2019t leave too many open wishes. Maybe only one: We don\u2019t need any guitar-, drum- or somewhat-solo, especially not on Open Air-festivals!<\/p>\n

Krokus <\/strong>The Hardrock-legend from Swiss started with the only two tracks of their new release \u201cRock The Block\u201d (\u201cHeart Strokes\u201d, \u201cLiving In The World\u201d) belonging to the setlist which caused irritation in the spectatorship. After the slow beginning Fernando Von Arb, Marc Storace started their Best Of-program (\u201cEasy Rocker\u201d, \u201cBad Boys Rag Dolls\u201d, \u201cRock City\u201d) which got much more celebrated and finished with the encores \u201cLong Stick Goes Boom\u201d and \u201cBedside Radio\u201d.<\/p>\n

Subway To Sally<\/strong> In my opinion the Folk Metal-band from Potsdam has to think about the aspect including seven titles from the new release \u201cEngelskrieger\u201d like the opener \u201cGeist Des Kriegers\u201d, \u201cUnsterblich\u201d, \u201cFalscher Heiland\u201d on a festival where everybody expects a few (!) new tracks added to a Best Of-program! Anyway this gig supported by an excellent pyro show was much better than their boring shows in Wacken and at the WFF. The main reason for this fact was the second part of their showcase consisting of hits like \u201cHenkersbraut\u201d, \u201cOhne Liebe\u201d or the encores \u201cJulia Und Die R\u00e4uber\u201d and \u201cVeitstanz\u201d.<\/p>\n

Pain Stage<\/em>
\nPyogenesis <\/strong>The Punkrock-fourpiece possesses a very multi-layered background reaching from their current Punnkrock-style over Alternative Rock and Gothic Rock \/Metal up to their Death Metal-roots. So after their successful appearance on the Summer Breeze mainman Flo and his comrades decided to deviate from their usual setlist to an exclusive mixture between tracks from their new album \u201cShe Makes Me Wish I Had A Gun\u201d (\u201cDon\u2019t You Say Maybe\u201d, \u201cI Feel Sexy\u201d, \u201cPunkrock Is Her Life\u201d), show-evergreens (\u201cTwinaleblood\u201d, \u201cLove Nation Sugarhead\u201d, \u201cSilver Experience\u201d) and the exclusive part of classics which hadn\u2019t been considered on stage for a long time (the opener \u201cBlue Smiley\u2019s Plan\u201d, \u201cFade Away\u201d, \u201cIt\u2019s On Me\u201d, \u201cSweet X-Rated Nothings\u201d) to which Flo had to grunt and sing. Besides the fact I had never seen a bad show this gig which was supported by the first Pyo-Pyro-show (another exclusive aspect!) was their best appearance in my concert-career. Pyogenesis were celebrated by ecstatic fans and became the main winner of the evening!<\/p>\n

The Kovenant<\/strong> I had seen the Norwegian band twice before Summer Breeze. At the Dynamo 1998 they disappointed totally, two years later at the same festival they surprised with a good show. While the opener I thought this gig would become another disaster, but it didn\u2019t. From the second track on they rocked the crowd. Besides material from the current output \u201cSeti\u201d especially the two songs from their debut \u201cNexus Polaris\u201d like the title track and \u201cChariots Of Thunder\u201d and the tracks from their strongest album \u201cAnimatronic\u201d like \u201cNew World Order\u201d, \u201cShihad\u201d or the cover \u201cSpaceman\u201d which took up the main part of the set helped them earning support by the crowd. So the silver medal of the first Summer Breeze day went to fronter Lex Icon and his fourpiece.<\/p>\n

Friday<\/strong>
\nMain Stage<\/em>
\nHeaven Shall Burn<\/strong> The german Straight Edge-Metalcore\/Death Metal-fivepiece had already known in Wacken how to convince the metalheads by \u201cThe Worlds In Me\u201d or \u201cIt Burns Within\u201d from the \u201cWhatever It May Take\u201d-album which took up the main part of the show added by classics from the debut \u201cIn Battle\u201d and also a new song. Supported by a very sympathic band (the fronter in the afternoon: \u201cWe have just arrived coming from the night shift. So we\u2019re a little bit tired.\u201d) this gig turned out to cool one!<\/p>\n

Farmer Boys<\/strong> The band from Stuttgart what fronter Matze mentioned more and more often in relation to the VfB-soccer-team appeared for the third time at the Summer Breeze (last time was 2001). And again they conquered the crowd by a great mixture of their three albums (the single hit and title track from their latest release \u201cHere Comes The Pain\u201d or the Depeche Mode-cover from their debut \u201cNever Let Me Down Again\u201d) added by the new tracks \u201cHome Is Where The Stars Are\u201d and \u201cThe Other Side\u201d from their forthcoming album while the sun was shining hot.<\/p>\n

Amon Amarth<\/strong> The Death Metal-swedes around grunter Johan Hegg appeared the second time in a row in Abtsgm\u00fcnd. The fivepiece entertained a lot of enthusiastic bangers, so for another time (year) their appearance turned into a \u201cVictorious March\u201d.<\/p>\n

Primal Fear<\/strong> The biggest True Metal-band from the swabian region acted with their new drummer Randy Black (ex-Annihilator) for the first time. Ralf Scheepers, Mat Sinner and their group earned the biggest reactions by \u201cChainbreaker\u201d and \u201cMetal Gods\u201d. I just don\u2019t know why!<\/p>\n

Children Of Bodom<\/strong> The finnish Power Melodic Deathies introduced their new guitarist Roope Latvala (Sinergy\/ ex-Waltari\/ ex-Stone) who replaced Alexander Kuoppala as the new album \u201cHatecrew Deathroll\u201d by the title track or \u201cAngels Don\u2019t Kill\u201d. But Alexi Laiho and co also shot many classics into the crowd (\u201cEverytime I Die\u201d, \u201cHate Me!\u201d, \u201cSilent Night, Bodom Night\u201d, \u201cDeadnight Warrior\u201d, \u201cFollow The Reaper\u201d). So the Bodom-party could begin after a few sound problems in the beginning of the set.<\/p>\n

In Extremo<\/strong> The other Folk Rock\/Metal-headliner showed Subway To Sally how a good festival show looks like: After opening with \u201cStetit Puella\u201d, \u201cIn Extremo\u201d and \u201cWind\u201d the band played just two tracks from their new output \u201c7\u201d (the current single \u201cK\u00fcss Mich\u201d and the cover \u201cErdbeermund\u201d) and concentrated on their hits (\u201cHerr Mannelig\u201d, \u201cVollmond\u201d, \u201cMerseburger Zauberspr\u00fcche\u201d, \u201cSpielmannsfluch\u201d, \u201cVilleman Og Magnhild\u201d). Successfully! The crowd danced, jumped and banged and the gig turned out to a party. The band acting without Yellow Pfeiffer who became father the same evening offered a cool show supported by many pyro effects.<\/p>\n

Pain Stage<\/em>
\nFallen2Pieces<\/strong> The Hardrock-fourpiece around guitar hero Fabse Schwarz (also known from Stormwitch, Runamok, Bastard, Tyrant Pace) played songs from the debut \u201cPrattle\u201d as from their forthcoming album \u201cShapes\u201d that it was a real pleasure. Hope to hear soon from this band coming from the near city W\u00fcrzburg. Next time they probably appear later in the billing than in the noon when some people prefer to take a bath\u2026.<\/p>\n

Graveworm<\/strong> Their second appearance in Abtsgm\u00fcnd after 2001 happened in pure heat. But this fact was probably not the only reason why I didn\u2019t enjoy the show again after I hadn\u2019t done in Wacken. Perhaps the italian Blackies need to act later in the festival billings. In contrast to my opinion they got celebrated by the fans and caused some crowdsurfing.<\/p>\n

Disbelief <\/strong>After Vintersorg cancelled their membership in this year\u2019s Summer Breeze-program they got replaced by the Death Metal-band from Darmstadt. By their charismatic fronter Karsten J\u00e4ger and by a good song choice one of Germany\u2019s best Death Metal-bands succeeded. <\/p>\n

Amorphis <\/strong>A long time ago! The last time I had got the opportunity to watch the cult-band from Suomi was the same Open Air 2001. In the meantime the fivepiece had recorded two albums, but hadn\u2019t toured anyway. The Finns played just one track from the new release \u201cFar Away From The Sun\u201d (\u201cDay Of Your Beliefs\u201d) and offered hits from the early band phase of the first three albums (\u201cGrails Mysteries\u201d, \u201cBlack Winter Day\u201d, \u201cAgainst Widows\u201d, \u201cMy Kantele\u201d). It was easy to feel the fun Esa Holopainen, Tomi Koivusaari and the other musicians had. Long awaited and just great!<\/p>\n

Saturday<\/strong>
\nMain Stage<\/em>
\nDarkseed <\/strong>Singer Stefan Hertrich played his last Open Air-gig before leaving his band which had reached the pole position under Germany\u2019s Gothic Metal-bands. The gig was a journey of the best songs form the albums \u201cSpellcraft\u201d, \u201cGive Me Light\u201d, \u201cDiving Into Darkness\u201d up to the current release \u201cAstral Adventures\u201d. Songs like \u201cForever Darkness\u201d, \u201cGive Me Light or \u201cI Deny You\u201d just to name a few are definitive hits which were sung by many fan voices in the early but hot afternoon. My personal festival highlight!<\/p>\n

Dew-Scented <\/strong>The upcoming band in Germany\u2019s Death\/Thrash Metal-genre presented songs from the new output \u201cImpact\u201d (\u201cSoul Poison\u201d, \u201cActs Of Rage\u201d) like their well-known hits (Unconditional\u201d, \u201cLife Ending Path\u201d). Leif and his colleges who got supported by ex-bassist Patrick had to fight against the sun for the second time after Wacken this summer \u2013 and they won: 2:0 for Dew-Scented!<\/p>\n

God Dethroned<\/strong> The Death-colleges from the Netherlands had much more problems with the heat because the fans were too tired. Fronter Henri Sattler and his formation played a good gig similar to the one on the Rock Hard Festival about three months ago, but they didn\u2019t earn the same reactions. <\/p>\n

Sinner <\/strong>The swabian Hardrock-group played a boring show like they had done in Wacken this summer. Opening with \u201cComin\u2019 Out Fighting\u201d and \u201cWhen Silence Falls\u201d over their classics \u201cBorn To Rock You\u201d, \u201cRequiem For A Sinner\u201d and \u201cJudgement Day\u201d up to the new previously unreleased song \u201cFinaliser\u201d and the Billy Idol-remake \u201cRebel Yell\u201d Mat Sinner and his guys tried to convince the spectatorship and failed. And for another time: Especially on festivals where bands have limited time for their set drumsolos like the one Fritz Randow did are totally superfluous.<\/p>\n

Within Temptation<\/strong> The Gothic Metal-shooting stars from the Netherlands appeared for the second time at the Summer Breeze after last year. The main role was played by the sympathic singer Sharon den Adel in a white dress whose band celebrated with the fans to their hits from the \u201cMother Earth\u201d-album like the title track, \u201cIce Queen\u201d, \u201dDeceiver Of Fools\u201d or \u201cNeverending Story\u201d as older material (\u201cGrace\u201d, \u201cThe Dance\u201d) or the Kate Bush-cover \u201cRunning Down That Hill\u201d (from the new edition of \u201cMother Earth\u201d). The full festival area while their show symbolised their popularity, but in this case also the quality.<\/p>\n

J.B.O. <\/strong>The Comedy Metal-fourpiece from Erlangen took care about fun and pleasure for another time. And in their purple jerseys with grey points they offered a Funniest Of and reached their aim to leave most spectators in a good mood.<\/p>\n

In Flames<\/strong> For the Gothenburg Melodic Death Metal-milestone this was the first headliner show on a german Open Air festival. No matter to them: The swedish fivepiece presented an excellent mixture of current material like the opener \u201cCloud Connected\u201d, \u201cSystem\u201d or \u201cTrigger\u201d, the fans\u2019 all-time-faves like \u201cEpisode 666\u201d, the last encore \u201cColony\u201d, \u201cPinball Map\u201d) as with \u201cBehind Space\u201d and \u201cMoonshield\u201d old stuff. Anders Frid\u00e9n, Jesper Str\u00f6mblad motivated nearly every fan to sing and jump. Supported by a fantastic light and pyro show this showcase turned out to a whole triumph.<\/p>\n

Pain Stage<\/em>
\nCallenish Circle<\/strong> The Melodic Death Metal-fivepack celebrated after this year\u2019s Wacken another excellent gig. They reached the fans with their catchy songs and finished with the celebrated band-hymn \u201cObey Me\u201d (You remember:\u201d\u2026two, three, go!\u201d) a another very strong gig.<\/p>\n

Undertow <\/strong>The local answer to Crowbar played for another time a nice gig on the Summer Breeze. Besides his vocal qualities fronter Joschi understood to entertain the crowd by his funny comments. Cool band!<\/p>\n

End Of Green<\/strong> The fivepiece is besides Bloodflowerz and Undertow the third band playing every Summer Breeze over the last years. And they always, like the other two mentioned groups, play strong shows. This year the band around the charismatic vocalist Michael Huber introduced their new output \u201cLast Night On Earth\u201d (\u201cHighway 69\u201d), but also the real hits from the predecessor \u201cSongs For A Dying World\u201d (\u201cOnly One\u201d, \u201cMotor\u201d, \u201cDeath In Veins\u201d) besides a few tracks from the older releases. One word: Cool!<\/p>\n

Hollenthon <\/strong>The side-project of two Pungent Stench-members played a comfortable show mainly consisting of the second output \u201cWith Vilest Of Worms To Dwell\u201d. As well Martin Schirenc and his combo certified the good impression they had left on last year\u2019s Wacken Open Air-festival. <\/p>\n

The Crown<\/strong> The Swedish Death Metal-formation around their new as old fronter Johan Lindstrand presented material from the new output \u201cPossessed 13\u201d (\u201cZombified\u201d) and smashed their classics on stage \u201c1999-Revolution 666\u201d, \u201cUnder The Whip\u201d, \u201cBlitzkrieg Witchcraft\u201d, \u201cTotal Satan\u201d and as the encore \u201cDeath Metal Holocaust. Good gig!<\/p>\n

Conclusion:<\/strong>
\nThe Summer Breeze Open Air felt to us like a holiday! Everything was so relaxed: Nice people, the familiar touch super organisation, good billing, a little bit too good weather. The Summer Breeze earned many cancellations of great bands (Meshuggah, Katatonia, Borknagar, Vintersorg, Darkane, Shadow\u2019s Fall, 40 Primordial) this year. For many festivals this could have lead into a small catastrophe, anyway that didn\u2019t happen to the Summer Breeze which was able to compensate those losses so that the Open Air was able to become a wonderful festival in 2003 so that we are looking forward to the Summer Breeze 2004!<\/p>\n

At the Summer Breeze rocked, drank and partied Tobi Wan Kenobi and Melli!!!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summer Breeze 2003 Thursday After discovering the festival in the south of Germany for three years the time had come to add this unique Open Air to our festival canon which was definitely decision. The festival took place in the picturesque little town of Abtsgm\u00fcnd near Stuttgart. At the Summer Breeze 2003 played 50 bands … <\/p>\n

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