03-07-2015 Castlerock

Location: Mülheim an der Ruhr
By: Sabine van Gameren

In the town Mülheim an der Ruhr they have an old castle. Some parts of it are in renovation, but they have plenty of space left to host a festival. Castlerock it is!

It was a hot day, but right when the evening is sinking in people are waiting to enter the festivalarea. The first band that was to play is Aeon Sable, a Goth Rock band from Essen, so not much of a far ride for these guys and their fans.

They are quite theatrical. In the way performing you could make a comparisation to musicals as Nino Sable is trying to create the drama not only with the words he sings but uses his whole body to bring it alive. Sometimes it may come across as a bit posed/choreographed though, but for the ones who are there to get lost in their music it may not even be that much of an issue. It’s hard enough to bring darkness on a bright sunny summer day like these and the guys did a good job in setting the mood there.

Visions of Atlantis is a band that has been around for a while but the Symphonic Metal formation never broke out as much as others in the genre. Though they don’t really have to complain on their fanbase which seem quite solid and dedicated.

They had a bit of a chaotic start in a way, it seemed like there was some confusion, but when all were in place the whole gets started. The band is energetic and directs the audience constantly. Femme Clementine has no problems in putting her charm in, but here and there the rest of the band seems to disappear a bit by the presence of her and Siegfried. We were waiting for the riffs to take some spotlight as well, but never really came out. Perhaps it could have been more powerful with that balance in mind a bit more than it was now, but overall the performance was not bad.

Megaherz was playing after taking over the slot of Beloved Enemy who due to circumstances could not make it. An interesting change, but certainly not an unfortunate one as many fans were singing along these songs. If I say they make German Industrial Rock/Metal than there is of course one name you could mention to compare them with. We don’t. Sminked faces, fire and a bunch of really catchy songs are silent witnesses of the fact that these guys have created an identity of their own.
And that for over 20 years already, so you can safely expect quite a show from them. And that is what we got. Vocalist Alexander marches up and down the stage with bravura and leads the show. Yet, the whole band behind him is finishing up the picture, making the whole complete. Now that’s what them people wanted to see and so come the castle was completely rocking on its ground.

What has been around for so long, does not break easily though and so come the stage was still there when the Finnish rockers of Poisonblack were entering the stage. No intro, because shit happens, but simply going straight on to play some rocking songs for the audience. A good old mix of the classic songs that come from the earlier part of their career and the newer songs. The guys have something to celebrate they say, 15 years of existence and still going strong.

The band brings their show with fire, as it literal and figurative speech. Flames shooting up from the sides of the stage and above it. All makes sense knowing the guys play songs called “Buried Alive” and “Soul in Flames”.
The always loved “Love Infernal” comes by as well and the band is not given an opportunity to leave the stage too early, in the tiniest break the guys take people are shouting for more. Their request is honored and the guys close it off for the day.

Photo’s by sabinevangameren.com

Links:
Castlerock website