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ICED EARTH / SABATON Live In Los Angeles By Junkman, On-Air Personality Monday, May 5, 2014 @ 6:15 PM
Unfortunately, I got there kind of late as it was a Friday night and traffic and parking is a nightmare in this area. I
thereby missed opening act, Dutch group RE VAMP, who I have been dying to see. It was their first show in LA, and
from all accounts, I missed a very tight 30 minute set. Oh well, next time...
I DID, however get there in time to see SABATON. These Swedish rockers were greeted by a very enthusiastic crowd
who chanted their name in unison, over and over, before the house lights even dimmed. Fists pumping throughout, it was
what I would imagine it would be like at a European rock festival. All adrenaline, anticipation, everything I like in a
psyched-up rock audience. This crowd was ready!
Their set included a perfect blend of old an newer material. Opening with "Ghost Division" from 2008's
"Art Of War" release, the military inspired songs, again, mobilized this crowd as one. Some new material
was played from their upcoming Nuclear Blast records release Heroes (which will be released mid-May...) and
after a brief explanation by singer Broden, of the meaning behind the lyrics to one such cut "To Hell And
Back", the crowd reacted favorably, as the band blasted their latest offering.
Speaking of the crowd, the last time I saw SABATON, they pulled an 8 year old kid onstage and let him rock out
with the band. Well, low and behold, perched on his dad's shoulders not 5 feet from the stage, and still sporting the
mirrored aviator sunglasses that Broden had given him last year, was the same kid. He was acknowledged by the band, and
later during the set closing "Metal Crue", their 2006 tribute to classic metal bands, another 7 year old
was pulled up onstage and got to rock out, throwing his metal horns in the air, and again rewarded with the singers
sunglasses, no doubt something he and his family will treasure for a long time.
It is this kind of connection with their audience that has made me a fan. That, and of course, the blistering ,
thundering riffs from guitarists Thobbe Englund and Chris Rorland that set the tone for their material. I
look forward to getting their new CD when it comes out, and blasting it on my way to yet another rock show in the
future. As for this night, the audience cheered their approval as though they were the headliner. I did as well. Don't
miss them.
www.sabaton.net
SETLIST:
ICED EARTH hit the stage, opening with the title track to their latest release "Plagues Of Babylon".
Now fronted by former INTO ETERNITY singer Stu Block, they commanded the already pumped up crowd on an 80
minute journey into the darker, introspective realm of their brand of American metal. Block is a great front man, and he
was on his game this night. While putting his spin on older established songs like "The Hunter", "Burning
Times" and an interesting "Red Baron/Blue Max", he sang with conviction, and even though he is the
latest in a line of great IE vocalists like Gene Adam, Matt Barlow and Tim "Ripper" Owens, he
was clearly in charge.
This was truly one of the best shows that I have seen so far this year, and to keep in mind, I missed the opening act!
Catch this tour when it comes to your town, you will literally march out of the venue, ready to conquer anything that
gets in your way, via a true, metal inspired adrenaline rush.
www.icedearth.com
SETLIST:
All photos by Junkman
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The band was also ready, as these "Viking Warriors" gave the sold out crowd exactly what they wanted with a killer 50
minute set. Singer Joakim Broden, is quite the cheerleader. He instantly bonds with the crowd, giving shout outs
to all, including the photographers, all of us grouped in the photo pit for the first 3 songs like lambs before the
slaughter.
In addition to the title track, "Democide", "Cthulhu" and the ballad "If I Could See You",
the latest release "Plagues Of Babylon" was well represented in the set. Guitarist and IE mastermind
Jon Shaffer has really hit a "home run" with this album, and it translates very well in a live atmosphere. A great
mix, and a spooky stage set added to the delight, and the packed house loved it. Shaffer and guitarist Troy Seele
are a great 1-2 punch, and really shined on their various solos throughout. The title track of "Dystopia",
as well as "V" off that release spotlighted the kind of power these guys can produce. Not undermine in any
way the killer low end of the rhythm section of bassist Luke Appleton, and touring drummer Jon
Dette. They kept heads banging all through the show, again, in unison, eventually closing the set with,
"Iced Earth" from their 1991 debut.
