Dream Theater 04.29.17 at Sala CUBEC!, Barakaldo

Today I don't want to write a regular review, in a technical tone. These are more the thoughts of a fan that had a great time with one of her favourite bands...

Performing The Bigger Picture

As you know, Dream Theater is now touring to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the album that made them international (as stated by LaBrie during the show): Images and Words.

It's more or less 20:00 pm, the venue is full. The stage looks impressively big, even if I'm not in the first rows and, seeing the gigantic drumset, I feel something similar to when I saw two timpani sets on the stage for the orchestra to play Mahler. It's just a grandiloquent declaration.

And finally the show starts, they come onstage and the very first chord launches me back to a lost memory of the first time I experienced what Dream Theater is (it was all thanks to a copy of the Metal Hammer magazine, now I remember). The Dark Eternal Night immediately gets us all headbanging. Soon I realize that, even though I've listened to the song a thousand times, I don't know the lyrics, but that's not a problem. Meanwhile, there are a zillion things, details, to focus on, maybe too many. Here there is John Myung, playing impossible bass lines (although at some moments not all notes played were clearly understandable, and that's a pity); there, John Petrucci runs his fingers on his guitar as nonchalantly as though he were just... don't know, writing his name. James LaBrie engages us to our full with his characteristic tenor voice (I could recognize it amongst a million), and Jordan Rudess is a technological musical display of grandeur himself, playing in unnatural positions for a keyboardist, and showing off his gadgets. Nevertheless, what got my attention during all (and seriously I mean, all) the show, was Mike Mangini playing drums. The phrasing, the clarity with which every part is heard and understood, the control he has over the whole drumset (a thousand cymbals, toms, and octobans included)... everything. That's probably why my favourite moment was the drum solo!

There are two sets to be played. The first includes a mix of different songs from different albums. The second consists of the whole Images and Words. During the first part, We enjoy songs such as the mentioned The Dark Eternal Night, The Bigger Picture, Breaking All Illusions or As I Am, the latter including a mashup with Metallica's Enter Sandman, which is introduced as seamlessly and smoothly (or even more) as a make-before-break handover (sorry for the reference, blame my profession for it). That ability always surprises me. 

From left to right: John Myung, Jordan Rudess, Mike Mangini,
James LaBrie and John Pretrucci

The second set was maybe a bit too dense for me. Many things going on everywhere, in every instrument at every moment, rhythm changes that are virtually impossible to follow. Well, it's Dream Theater, what did you expect. However, I was really expecting to hear Another Day, and my expectations were fulfilled (except that I absolutely love the sax part and it sounded a bit too synthetic). Something I'd like to highlight from this part, even though it has little to do with the music itself, is that I realized James LaBrie is a great communicator. From time to time, between songs, he talks to us, and accompanies his speech with gestures that make the whole message understandable, even though some words are hard to catch. In other words, he knows how to reach the audience, not only musically, which is something to be thankful for.

So, all in all, it was a great show. A dream come true, one could say (and it couldn't be said better). I missed some songs being played, and at times I would've liked to hear the keyboard louder, but else, it was pretty much the perfect show. Over three hours of pure progressive majesty.

PD: Sorry for the bad quality pics. There was no way to get better ones...

Cornalusa 09.24.2016 at the medieval fair in Vitoria-Gasteiz

From left to right: Raquel Gama, Luís Serrano, Rui Taborda
and Emmanuel Taborda

This will probably a short post. I was just a passer-by and didn't enjoy the complete show, but when my friend and I came across this band playing, we decided to stay, and I don't regret having done so.

Cornalusa in action!!

Just four guys, dressed in medieval style clothes, with their instruments, and they were enough to have the kids and also adults around them clapping their hands and paying all their attention to the thing going on. What caught our attention in the beginning were the joyful notes of a couple of bagpipes. Then we saw everything: Raquel and Emanuel playing the bagpipes, Luis playing his bouzouki and Rui on the davul (definitely, he was my favourite, as he produced the sounds of a whole drumset on just one instrument). Later on, I also noticed the rattle placed on Emanuel's ankle, which added not only a richer rhythm but the fun of seeing him dance to make the rattle sound. No doubt, this folk band were 100% attitude, energy and dedication, which they transmitted to the casually gathered audience (being a metalhead myself, I must say something maybe out of the ordinary: they were more metal with that attitude and will than some self-called metal bands out there). At the end of the show, which I felt was short, partly because I didn't attend from the beginning, I couldn't help but buy their album, which I'm gonna devour as though there were no tomorrow. I'll leave you a short footage of their show yesterday, so that you can also enjoy!

Visit and/or contact Cornalusa at:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Cornalusa

YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Cornalusa

Site: http://www.cornalusa.com

Gmail: cornalusa@gmail.com

INDIX 07.15.2016 at Portu Zaharra, Portugalete

Demo cover

My friend and I arrive in the venue in a quiet night, half an hour before the beginning. A wild sound check breaks the silence and I laugh: it seems they're giving the concert for all the town from there. We go for a walk and come back just five minutes before it is due to start, but it seems that not so many people have heard the call. Finally, ten minutes later, the guys decide they can't wait any longer, and it's time to start enjoying the music.

The venue is pretty small, they almost have no room to move freely. but all that is compensated by the homely atmosphere that connects the band and the (reduced) audience. It still takes a bit longer for them to get everything prepared, and I think to myself: this is a bit unprofessional; however, I don't give it too much importance.

From left to right: Jonba, Jarris, Aritz and
Güito

The first notes are heard and I am still, just paying attention, not knowing exactly what to expect, even if I have listened to their first demo. The few people there are also waiting for something and they don't move to the first riffs the band are laying. But soon the energy fills the bar. Every time I see this I get moved deep down my heart: we're five, six... ten people maybe? And they are playing wildly, as if they were headlining Hellfest or Wacken Open Air. To sum it up in just one sentence: their energy couldn't be contained in such a small place.

Nevertheless, during the first three songs, I am still trying to take in all that they are offering, paying more attention to each line and rhythm than to enjoying the music itself, and worried because someone was about to step on the cables and fall down almost continuously (this was quite funny, to be honest). Then the magical turning point arrives. The first notes of Eutanasia sound, and a bit later, there's no way back, I'm totally into it. Only a sentence hits me in the head once and over again, like a desperate scream: "Ez da eskubide bat duintasunez hiltzea?" (Isn't it our right to die with dignity?). And I also start paying attention to other details, such as the performance that goes with each song and gives it a whole new dimension...

Güito at the end of 'Azti maestro'

I can't help but smile with the next song, Ez dago ezer (There's nothing). I like the nihilistic meaning behind, personal and recognizable mark of one of their guitarists and friend of mine. And his absent look at the end of it, while playing as though he were a robot, just makes me shiver. And from then, I just let myself go crazy with every single riff, every single note, song, joke, word, everything.

The concert ends and I try to sum up all the sensations. They've got so much potential. The sound, technically speaking, wasn't at its best, the voice was at some points hard to understand, but the venue wasn't acoustically appropriate either. So, all in all, it was an unforgettable night, and I'm glad I finally attended an INDIX show.

You can find about INDIX and all their material in the following sites:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/indixrock/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/indixrock

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfdLvtiGmotd_gmisjnIe5g

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/indixrock

Bandcamp: https://indix.bandcamp.com/album/indix-maketa

Finally, I'd love to thank my friend Rober Villanueva for taking amazing pics for this review.

Bryan Adams 01.29.2016 at BEC Bizkaia Arena, Barakaldo

Watching a concert from the seats in the venue (a stadium in this case) is like watching from outside, but without being outside actually. A roaring wave comes from behind and carries you into the flowing energy that is going down to the court

yard, where more people stand up to see their beloved artist but, at the same time, you can observe the vibe that surrounds the atmosphere. And then it starts.

I must say that I am not a big fan of this man, after half an hour all the songs sound more or less the same, except for some fragments that are rhythmically and musically attractive to me. However, the fact that he can have the audience so engaged from the very beginning is a very positive point to highlight. There were ballads, more rock-like, and popish songs to complete a really balanced show. The effects and scenography were also undeniably well elaborated. In other words, I can tell you it was indeed an enjoyable show.

What I remember the most amazing of all, were a couple of moments that were close to ecstatic. Usually, the artists tell the people to sing with them in the middle of the song, or that's what I am used to, but this time he told the audience to sing the song from the beginning. And I was in awe to hear how 18000 people could sing along, almost perfectly in tune and with an intensity that needed no microphony system to be heard from up high where I was. It's definitely something that makes a deep impression. Then, near the end of the show, we were told to hold up our mobile phones with the flashlight on. Again, an epic moment. So many of us had the lights on that no other light had to illuminate the venue, plus it all seemed like a starry bright sky. One could really feel the energy.

So, as I said in the beginning, I may not be a great fan, but I must recognise that I indeed enjoyed the show to the very last moment!

Metalmania 10.10.2015 at Azkena, Bilbao

As a friend of mine says, a cover band is meant to be an almost sure success. A cover band give their best in order to sound like their idols, and thus, quality is ensured. But I guess this concert was a level beyond. Let me show you...

First of all, I must admit (though pretty ashamed) that I arrived late, due to some let's say technical problems. But it was a two-hour-and-a-half show and I enjoyed two full hours of it. It wasn't even a problem to arrive in the middle of a song. Fortunately or not, the audience wasn't at their highest level of enthusiasm, so I had the opportunity to see the adrenaline rising, minute by minute, note by note.

The venue was pretty small, but it had its advantages. There was a friendly atmosphere, comfy, and fellowship filled the air. Nothing could be better when the singer, Heny, encouraged all of us to approach the stage and even sit down on it (I was there, sat just in front of him) in order to sing Nothing else matters together. It was definitely a magic spell.

Another great moment came hand in hand with Master of puppets, one of Metallica's best known songs. "Master! Master!". Even without a microphone our voices were well heard in the bar. It was also funny to see how the guitarists and the bassist got off the stage to stroll through the audience playing their part. And, of course, hits such as Whiskey in the jar (which brought some of the happiest memories to my mind), Sad but true, Battery, or The day that never comes couldn't just be left out of the setlist. To sum up, they made a good choice.

However, although the fun is a key part of a musical show, it's not everything. What really made the concert be an extraordinary event, was the combination of this emotional part with their technical skills. I can't get out of my head especially the powerful voice of Heny, or the perfectly defined bass lines Sergio played. To put it simple, they were playing Metallica to the last consequence, and they did so more than amazingly.

Edguy + Masterplan 10.18.2014 at Santana 27, Bilbao

I could summarise the whole show in just two words: Fucking Awesome. But then you would start wondering why, for sure. So let's tell you a little bit.



First of all, we had the German band Masterplan. To tell the truth, I didn't even know what to expect from them, for I had only listened to the last album, just by chance and while doing something else. But I ended up freaking out and enjoying their share of the show just as if I knew every song. In fact, I must confess that what I paid most attention to was the bass player. His playing was absolutely perfect and the bass lines were melodic, complex and totally out of the ordinary.

One couldn't say less of the rest of the band who were putting their heart and soul into every single note they were playing. Great voice, exciting drumming and guitars, extraordinary bass lines and a keybordist making fun of everything. There was a good vibe between the members and that definitely reflected on the audience, who made the venue shake out of emotion. I definitely went back home converted into a Masterplan fan.

Then it was the turn for Edguy. Once again, I must confess: I was excited about the show, but, although I love Edguy, it wasn't one of the bands I would give everything to see live. Until yesterday. I'm not exaggerating if I say that I was deeply impressed by the quality of the show, and that I was so exhausted at the end of it that I couldn't even stand on my feet. The only bad thing was that the show lasted for too short (Although I don't know. Had it been longer, I could've died of tiredness).

The setlist was carefully selected, presenting the most representative songs in the last album (Space Police- Defenders of the Crown) without forgetting about the most symbolic hits of the band (King of Fools, Lavatory Love Machine, Tears of A Mandrake...). For the pleasure of my ears, Rock Me Amadeus was included and we all sang and danced to its rhythm and melody.

As far as sound is concerned, I was absolutely surprised by how well everything sounded. Only the voice had to sound louder, but I guess that perception was due to my position. (I was in the front rows). Tobias did a perfect performance, singing every note in tune and every high pitch perfect (with a magnific sustain and well centered and projected into the crowd). As for the rest, no single note wrong, out of time or tune, and choirs were accurately performed by Tobias Exxel, Dirk and Jens (with special regard to Space Police which is no piece of cake, and the "game" between the voices was really nice).

We also enjoyed funny speeches from Sammet (and even funnier improvised vocals that we had to repeat, as though it was an "even more difficult" kind of game) and a nice drum medley with Felix performing even the famous Imperial March (Star Wars). It was also exciting and motivating to know that this show was being recorded, so we, the audience, gave our 110%, and definitely beat Madrid audience. Definitely. For sure they were emotioned by the warmness received from us.

At last we ended this incredible night with a warm and sincere promise of having them here again. We hope that happens soon.