London Islington Academy 18/05/09

cavegirl · Post by **cavegirl** » Tue May 19, 2009 5:59 pm

I promised pictures but I was so busy watching all I managed was a little clip and pictures from the after show thingy...! If anyone has any live pictures pleeeease post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Akw67R8vLk

So glad I won tickets, really enjoyed seeing the band after the show, they were all really friendly, I very much approve of Matias too

Thats all

Irinia · Post by **Irinia** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:34 pm

Great pictures

Glad to hear you had a good time

palarmux · Post by **palarmux** » Tue May 19, 2009 7:10 pm

You was lucky!

Cratz for meeting them! That polaris T-Shirt is awesome!

nefertari · Post by **nefertari** » Tue May 19, 2009 7:30 pm

Thanks for sharing

cavegirl · Post by **cavegirl** » Tue May 19, 2009 7:40 pm

Yeah! Oh my god all the new merch is GORGEOUS!!!

I wanted to buy lots!

Irinia · Post by **Irinia** » Tue May 19, 2009 7:46 pm

Just out of curiosity, does Lauri smoke? Or what is it in his pocket?
I'm a bit over the top nosy now, but that pocket caught my attention

NeverendingAbyss · Post by **NeverendingAbyss** » Tue May 19, 2009 9:12 pm

WOW!
Nice pics! Lucky bastard....

GageClawson · Post by **GageClawson** » Tue May 19, 2009 9:25 pm

Irinia wrote:Just out of curiosity, does Lauri smoke? Or what is it in his pocket?
I'm a bit over the top nosy now, but that pocket caught my attention

Yeah he was smoking when I met up with them. If I remember right he asked when him and Matias were going to start smoking some "manly cigarettes".

finnlandia · Post by **finnlandia** » Tue May 19, 2009 10:35 pm

cavegirl wrote:I promised pictures but I was so busy watching all I managed was a little clip and pictures from the after show thingy...! If anyone has any live pictures pleeeease post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Akw67R8vLk

So glad I won tickets, really enjoyed seeing the band after the show, they were all really friendly, I very much approve of Matias too

Thats all

Very good pics!!

browneyedgirl · Post by **browneyedgirl** » Tue May 19, 2009 10:43 pm

Very nice pics :bigok: and the Polaris T-Shirts are beautiful!!!!

hiro23 · Post by **hiro23** » Tue May 19, 2009 10:45 pm

Looks like you all had a great time

NeonVomit · Post by **NeonVomit** » Wed May 20, 2009 12:01 am

Lucky girl!

Anyway, my review of the show.

Eden's Curse: These guys were a bit of a head-scratcher. Very professional band, but their music was a bit confusing... they sounded a bit like a classic rock band but with some power metal influences... I have a hard time trying to decide how to classify them so I won't. Their appearance was also somewhat confusing, but they played well and had some really catchy songs; 'Angels and Demons' particularly made an impression with me. Anyway, they were a solid live act and I'll be checking them out.

Firewind: Excellent performance. It was the first time I've seen these guys live; I had very high expectations and they did not disappoint one bit. Gus G is indeed one of the best guitar players currently on the metal circuit and the whole band is fantastically talented. Their songs work even better live than on record with songs like Tyranny and Mercenary Man really setting the crowd off. Bob Katsionis really impressed me too, I've met the guy a few times and our band's manager Jason plays in one of his side projects but it was still a revelation to watch him play before my eyes. Apollo is an outstanding frontman, and it was awsome to see him wearing the Greek flag like a cape for a couple of songs

So whoever doesn't know Firewind, GET ON WITH IT.

And now for Stratovarius. I was initially quite worried about Timo Kotipelto; I'd read here that he was quite ill the preceding few days so was hoping he would be alright. But like a true professional he rose above the difficulties and delivered an excellent performance.

Everyone's wondering about Mataias. Well, my verdict: a supremely skilled and talented guitar player. He didn't look as comfortable on the stage as the others, he seemed a bit unsure at time and let himself hang about in the background while the other guys did their thing but this is all perfectly understandable; he did fill some of the biggest shoes in power metal and hell, he's even younger than I am. How well do I think I would cope in a similar situation? Not very!

At first I thought the crowd was somewhat subdued and this reflected on the energy of the band, until I realised something pretty strange: the average age of the audience was easily over 25. The other times I've seen Strato and indeed, almost any other power metal-like show the crowd was much younger overall. The crowd was overall more chilled out and hanging out, enjoying the show rather than moshing and going mad (but there was plenty of that!).

This is still one of the first shows for the new lineup, and along with the difficulties Koti has been experiencing it's obvious the band is still trying to find its stride live, but I can safely say that they're well on their way.

As for the setlist:

I managed to grab the copy off of Jens' monitor. I also nabbed one of Jorg's sticks and Bob Katsionis tossed me his guitar pick as well.

Anyway, great setlist, they didn't play many from Polaris which makes sense: it's not even out here yet!

Great show, and shows that a lot of things to be excited about are coming from this band!

Nova_era · Post by **Nova_era** » Wed May 20, 2009 12:54 am

Cool pics Hannah!

What merch was available? Also what kind of prices?

Rory

NeonVomit · Post by **NeonVomit** » Wed May 20, 2009 1:45 am

Nova_era wrote:Cool pics Hannah!

What merch was available? Also what kind of prices?

Rory

I got the Polaris tour tshirt with the dates on the back, £20 and my girfriend got one of the girlie tshirts which were the same price. The hoodies were £35. Drumsticks were £10 a pair.

hiro23 · Post by **hiro23** » Wed May 20, 2009 7:02 am

Neonvomit:could you get me a shirt?

RazielSR · Post by **RazielSR** » Wed May 20, 2009 9:27 am

Yes Neon, me too. I will pay an extra if you want to have some beer or something

.

Seriously, let me know.

NeonVomit · Post by **NeonVomit** » Wed May 20, 2009 1:13 pm

Uhh, I'd love to guys but I don't think I'll be going to any more of the shows

You should've told me before!

Nova_era · Post by **Nova_era** » Wed May 20, 2009 1:15 pm

NeonVomit wrote:
Nova_era wrote:Cool pics Hannah!

What merch was available? Also what kind of prices?

Rory
I got the Polaris tour tshirt with the dates on the back, £20 and my girfriend got one of the girlie tshirts which were the same price. The hoodies were £35. Drumsticks were £10 a pair.

That sounds expensive to my ears but when I take into consideration the current strength of the euro, I should be able to pick up the t-shirt for €20. Technially. More than likely will be €25 though.

I'm not sure about the hoody, I'll have to see!

Cheers for the info.

hiro23 · Post by **hiro23** » Wed May 20, 2009 7:45 pm

Neonvomit:it's cool dude, I was just hoping you had some extra's

cavegirl · Post by **cavegirl** » Wed May 20, 2009 8:42 pm

Lauri was smoking indoors

...he claimed his mother told him to! Unfortunately for his mother in the UK you're not allowed to smoke indoors...

Irinia · Post by **Irinia** » Wed May 20, 2009 9:39 pm

cavegirl wrote:Lauri was smoking indoors ...he claimed his mother told him to! Unfortunately for his mother in the UK you're not allowed to smoke indoors...

Bad Lauri! Bad Lauri! *Spank*

browneyedgirl · Post by **browneyedgirl** » Thu May 21, 2009 5:30 am

The setlist was awesome! Was VISIONS played after all? I saw question marks. If so, that was a great all around setlist! :music:

hiro23 · Post by **hiro23** » Thu May 21, 2009 5:33 am

I would have loved to have seen that

RazielSR · Post by **RazielSR** » Thu May 21, 2009 10:42 am

Some videos:

Will the sun rise http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqCvlIkAZCg

Speed of light: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Amc7PzZ7VvY

hiro23 · Post by **hiro23** » Thu May 21, 2009 8:50 pm

Cool video's Raziel

NeonVomit · Post by **NeonVomit** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:34 pm

browneyedgirl wrote:The setlist was awesome! Was VISIONS played after all? I saw question marks. If so, that was a great all around setlist! :music:

Yup, and it rocked

I guess the question marks were there to show it could potentially be axed from the set if Timo didn't feel well enough, but thankfully he did! It was a dream come true to hear that song live.

RazielSR · Post by **RazielSR** » Fri May 22, 2009 6:35 pm

Forever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVuad-9W3TI

Winter Skies (this song I think is gonna be a new classic and Matias solos is wonderful) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9k0B5G1eLc

"Outro": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HE36KqDTwM

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