It was a sensation that had not been experienced in Madrid for some time and I am sure that for many of those who experienced it with me it will bring back memories of another time, of another Madrid… Heavy metal, its attitude, its spirit, its Philosophy, everything that surrounds that fascinating world, took over the streets of a neighborhood that once had such a rock tradition as Carabanchel. When transferring from metro line 10 to 5 at the Alonso Martínez station towards Vistalegre, at each stop the car was filled with more and more t-shirts from Saxon, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath or Judas Priest. Like in those years when on the way to the Begoña station, where the pavilion was located, heavy metal people filled the carriages to go see Scorpions, Obús, Rainbow or Queen. The only thing missing was the liters of beer and a certain aroma of cannabis.
Judas Priest
Now, surely with a much older average age, many of them with their sons and daughters, calmer in general -The fight we had in those years in the subway was legendary, although it is now only history- but with the sparkle in his eyes from the excitement of experiencing a pure heavy metal concert with three names that are absolute hallmarks of the genre.
In front of a Vistalegre Palace that was not yet full – at seven in the afternoon, surely many people would still be leaving work, let’s not forget that this concert was held on a Monday- This formidable evening began in which they opened fire Uriah Heep. In addition to having always been a great fan of this historic group and having been able to see them on numerous occasions, always doing magnificent concerts, I was looking forward to seeing the group after the cancellation of their 2022 tour. Once again, they did not disappoint.
Uriah Heep
As always, and thanks to the professionalism they have been showing for decades, the British offered a great concert, too short for my taste. – just 45 minutes- in which they combined songs from their 2023 album, ‘Chaos & Color’, with the inevitable classics from their most popular years in the first half of the 70s. Among the first, and provoking a response from the public extremely enthusiastic, he shone with his own light at the start of the show “Save Me Tonight”, as well as “Hurricane”, which since I heard it for the first time on record I told myself that it was destined to be one of the essentials in the set of the Heep.
A very powerful and hardened version of “Free and Easy”, from their album ‘Innocent Victim’, from 1977, at times led me to think that they were playing “Easy Livin’” more accelerated, but that great song would obviously come at the end. Before, Bernie Shaw claimed Mick Box as a living legend in the history of good music, without labels, they gave us two formidable versions of “Gypsy” and “July Morning” before reaching the end, this time, with “Easy Livin’.”
Uriah Heep
The whole band is in excellent shape, Bernie Shaw has an impeccable voice and, despite his 76 years, Mick Box continues to exude energy, enthusiasm, strength and vitality. The only thing I missed was that they didn’t play “Stealin’”, my all-time favorite by Uriah Heep, which surely would have fallen if they had more time.
Everything said about Uriah Heep bears repeating about what was the sensational performance of Saxon. It is, without a doubt, one of the bands that I have seen live the most times within the field of heavy metal, both at the Spanish state level and at countless European festivals, from Wacken to Sweden Rock through Bang Your Head, Grasspop or Gods Of Metal, and they have never, absolutely never given a bad performance.
saxon
Emblematic formation if there is one in heavy metal, they have accumulated a series of songs throughout their career that are anthems for their fans and that they combined in this concert also with the album that went on sale last February, ‘ Hell, Fire & Damnation’, being precisely the title track of this new album that opened its download.
With the venue close to full, real hits like “Motorcycle Man” -brutal!- “Power & The Glory” or “Crusader” drew tremendous ovations, not to be missed by “Madame Guillotine”, which has just been released as the new single from ‘Hell, Fire & Damnation’.
It is worth highlighting the magnificent role played in this Saxon line-up by Diamond Head guitarist Brian Tatler, who replaces Paul Quinn, but who despite remaining on stage in a discreet background, musically contributes a lot to the group and considerably reinforces its solidity.
saxon
“Crusader” sounded sensational, “Denim & Leather” and “Wheels Of Steel” were simply devastating, and to put the icing on the cake, “And The Bands Played On” and “Princess Of The Night”. As in the case of Uriah Heep, I was only missing one song: “Strong Arm Of The Law”. Next time don’t miss it. OK, Biff?
Judas Priest
At exactly 9:30 p.m. and after the usual intro of “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath, an already completely packed Vistalegre burst into a deafening ovation when the lights went out and Judas Priest They came on stage attacking to open with a devastating “Panic Attack”.
I must say in any case that in this first song I noticed sound problems, more specifically miking of the drums. Scott Travis being, at least in my opinion, the best drummer in the world of heavy metal since Cozy Powell and John Bonham left us forever, the fact that his instrument does not sound with the quality and clarity required is something that must be carried in the It must, but it must also be said that these deficiencies were soon resolved. In “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”, the second song of the night, everything sounded as it should.
Judas Priest
The pace of the concert was fast-paced from the first moment. The band wanted to make it clear that the serious health problems that Rob Halford and Richie Faulkner recently suffered have not diminished their ability in any way, and more specifically in the case of the guitarist, I have been greatly struck by how he has gained prominence and even an important level of leadership within Judas Priest. On stage, he is by far the most dynamic of the group, the spotlight follows him at all times, and musically, much of the weight of the concert falls on his shoulders.
Judas Priest
The entire group appears strong, compact, solid, with Rob Halford’s voice at a very good level, although obviously it is difficult for him to reach some notes, and so that there was no room for any doubt, practically linked to each other, they sounded “Rapid Fire”, “Breaking The Law” and “Riding On The Wind”.
It should be noted that Judas Priest was the only band on the bill that had a large LED screen behind the stage on which very significant images were projected, such as those of the riots and clashes with the police of many young people in England. of the worst years of “Thatcherism”in addition to other montages that gave great color to a show with a magnificent lighting design, with the immense trident symbol of the band located as a cannon of lights at the top of the stage.
“Love Bites” takes the foot off the accelerator a little before adding more intensity to the concert with another of the new ones, “Gates Of Hell”, and “Devil’s Child”, one of the songs from this concert in which we are going to to hear Rob Halford more dedicated and pulling his vocal cords further up.
The second half of the show will have a somewhat more balanced part, with songs that are not so direct, but in which the group shows more of its side in some way, let’s say progressive, like “Sinner” before getting back on its feet and headbanging. to all of Vistalegre with “Turbo Lover”.
Time now for introspection. Rob Halford sits on one of the amplifiers and in an almost confidential manner, as if he were talking to a group of friends in front of the fireplace of his house on a winter’s day, and begins to talk to the audience about what the beginnings of heavy music were. metal, Black Sabbath, his first years in Birmingham, he remembers various albums of the band and finally gets up to announce “Invincible Shield”which the band attacks at full power.
We enter the final stretch and after a return to its more prog side with “Victim Of Changes” –one of the best of the night for my taste- and “The Green Manalishi”, we enter the final cataract, throwing all the meat back on the grill and raising the emotional temperature of the red-hot concert with “Painkiller”, already in the encores “The Hellion / Electric Eye”, the triumphant entry of the motorcycle in “Hell Bent For Leather” and, in an absolute apotheosis, a “Living After Midnight” extended by a few minutes and with the entire Vistalegre singing it at the top of their lungs.
Judas Priest
Under the legend shown on the LEDs, “The Priest will be back!”, the band gives out picks and drumsticks to the front rows and says goodbye. Lights on, the dream is over. The great heavy metal tide, satisfied by the magnificent spectacle it has witnessed and experienced, heads towards the vomitories at the exit of the venue and, from there, towards the subway.
The three bands gave their best version, all three made an effort to make the audience enjoy themselves, which in turn also gave everything so that the energy did not stop flowing, and the general feeling was one of great satisfaction for having enjoyed once again three groups that have a lot to do with the fact that heavy metal, despite its critics and detractors, was a music that changed rock and that has left a legacy that remains alive in the hearts of those who continue to vibrate when listening to “Easy Livin’”, “Heavy Metal Thunder” or “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming”. A night to remember forever.
Latest Editorial Entries (see everything)
