http://ravenheartmusic.com/blog.html Ravenheart Music: Gig Reviews Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Sun, 25 Mar 2012 09:18:27 -0700 http://ravenheartmusic.com/blog.html/leaves_eyes_elysion_unsin_urizen__thessaloniki_greece_932012
Urizen, hailing from the city of Larissa, Greece, were off to a good start, giving it up for about thirty min, followed by U.N.S.I.N.; they are a rather promising band, with a brand new singer, performing for the very first time with them, achieving a successful stage debut.

Time for Elysion now and the fans become more fanatic? Yep, they do, they even act wilder. However, the ones bursting with wildness are Elysion themselves, doing a show as if the whole darn place was sold-out! Playing material off their debut album, “Silent Scr3am”, splashing their “usual” cover on “Mein Herz Brennt” (originally by Rammstein), demonstrating a brand new song called “Made Of Lies”, Elysion proved they rule the stages in Greece, shouting they can equally be placed next to international acts. Master appearance by lead singer and voice-extraordinaire Christianna, I bet there’s at least a dozen bands here and in Europe in general that would pay dearly to play with her. When’s the new album out?



I gotta say it’s sad. Such a fine quality band, such a huge name in the business”¦ It’s sad that Liv Kristine had to play in front of just a hundred peeps. The band showed us all they can exceptionally perform whether the crowd is big or small. We lived a unique atmosphere sourcing off their music. Alexander Krull wouldn’t stop communicating with the audience, it was “C’mon, you guys” all the time. Loved the setlist, it was mostly songs off Leaves' Eyes “Meredead” album, including a cover on “To France” (originally by Mike Olfield) and previous songs, however we didn’t get to hear anything from Theatre Of Tragedy. Liv was playing, combining feelings, songs, love, she’s so adorable, no wonder why audiences love her. They played for almost 75 minutes and I just wish they’d come back, with more time and more people.




Nikos Machairidis
Photos: Stelio Alevropoulos

Leaves' Eyes set list: Spirits Masquerade, Velvet Heart, Ocean's Way, My Destiny, Etain, Farewell Proud Man, Melusine, Empty Horizon, For Amelie, Take The Devil In Me, Krakevisa, Into Your Light, Elegy, To France, Froya's Theme, Mot Fjerne Land (outro)]]> http://ravenheartmusic.com/blog.html/leaves_eyes_elysion_unsin_urizen__thessaloniki_greece_932012 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 09:18:27 -0700 Promoting Female Fronted Rock & Metal Music - Ravenheart Music - Gig Reviews http://ravenheartmusic.com/blog.html/winter_in_eden_bishop_auckland_28th_oct_2011
Winter In Eden is a band that I have been following for somewhile now. They hit the spot with me when I first saw them at Burton on Trent in the English Midlands in 2009. I must admit to having seen them live on more than one occasion since, and they even took part in the Ravenheart Music Fest 2011, amongst many other gigs that they have played this year. So what has all this got to do with the Bishop Auckland Town Hall? Well it so happens that Bishop Auckland is the home town of Winter In Eden, and the gig on the 28th October was the band's very first gig on home territory, and if you are going to play your first gig at home, you may as well pitch big. As I say the Town Hall is a splendid place to see an absolutely awesome band.



I will not hide the fact that I love Winter In Eden, I love Vicky their singer (I am sure her hubby and keyboardist Steve won't mind me saying that) and the band members are some of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet. Indeed, the 430 mile round trip we endured was worth every penny of every minute of every mile. Okay, what about the gig then? It all kicked off with a band called Brother Crow. This duo consisting of Graeme Carroll and Andrew Davison, played an organic acoustic set that was highly enjoyable to all that were there. I know, I liked it and feet were a tapping. But then it was 9pm, time for Winter In Eden to hit the stage. All of a sudden the hall filled. there were young ones, there were older ones and there were some familiar faces that had travelled a fair distance to be there that night like myself. In a venue that was near to capacity, the band played all the tracks from their full length debut 'Awakening', plus six new ones. And I and everybody else seemed to love every minute of it. Kicking off with a new one, 'For The Few', it became immediately apparent that the newer material was going to kick ass. The awesome 'Awakening Chapters 1 and 2' followed, and then we had the catchy and a fave of mine, 'Stolen Fairytales', before another new number put in an appearance, the song 'Trapped'. To see how the band has matured over the months is a joy to behold, vocalist Vicky Johnson commands the stage being full of confidence, and Guitarist Samuel can sure shred it. All the band members put in commendable performances, with keys wizard Steve even being the stage electrician on the day prior to the gig itself, so I was told. Other familar numbers from 'Awakening' were played, plus the newer ones, but a stand out tune to me was one of the new ones, 'Regret (Awakening Chapter 3)', the kinda song a certain Mr Bon Jovi would cry into his cocoa, wishing he could still write tunes like that. The show ended with 'Fate Will Oblige' and 'At The Edge of the World', numbers familiar to the hardened fans in the audience.

It is possibly difficult for me to comprehend that even though WIE was playing at home, many people in the audience would not have been too familiar with their music, especially in a live environment. But one thing is for sure, they will be now, and I am sure many more people will now buy their music and other merchandise.

Winter In Eden can only go forward in leaps and bounds on this showing and there is no justice in this world if they don't. And if I as Mr Ravenheart has played just a small part in seeing them on their journey to stardom, I will be a very very happy man.

I just want to add one more thing totally unrelated to the gig itself. The staff of The Premier Inn at Bishop Auckland were totally awesome and friendly, and thank you so much for your hospitality.

Dave 'Ravenheart' Smith Oct 2011]]> http://ravenheartmusic.com/blog.html/winter_in_eden_bishop_auckland_28th_oct_2011 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:19:17 -0700 Promoting Female Fronted Rock & Metal Music - Ravenheart Music - Gig Reviews http://ravenheartmusic.com/blog.html/lahannya__winter_in_eden__dyonisis__achilla__pythia__birmingham_asylum_october_9th_2011 WINTER IN EDEN kicked things off, and to be honest, if this band was from mainland Europe, they would be signed to someone like Napalm I am sure, and would be packing out festivals where ever they went. It took a few minutes for it to sink in when I realised they was minus their bassist. Ian Heddle's wife was giving birth to a baby girl so he was at home in the North-East. DYONISIS followed, and this Sheffield based combo are totally awesome. Nel Cave's vocals being well complimented by Louise Welsby, and I do like Nel's lights in her dress. Always brings a smile to my face. However, they do rely on samples as opposed to a live drummer and keyboardist, but I will not allow that to detract from what was a totally cool performance. London based Metal Band ACHILLA were next up, and a great set from a great band, the highlight for me being the Tears For Fear's cover 'SHOUT'. By saying that was the best song on their set is not saying that their own songs were not up to scratch, they were, but I feel the lack of atmosphere within the venue did not help their cause. The same goes for PYTHIA whose set was cut short for some reason. But the time they did have on stage (30 mins roughly), was totally mind blowing. Their stage costumes and Emily's stage presence well worth the wait that evening. Again, the lack of atmosphere within the venue did not do them any justice. However, I can see from this performance why they have become a force to be reckoned with, and so they should be. And then finally we had LAHANNYA. By this time, some of those punters that had bothered to show had drifted away, but Lahannya put on a pretty good hour long set, mainly showcasing numbers from her new album 'Dystopia'. Again and I have to say it, I think the lack of a real atmosphere played it's part, but Lahannya gave it her all, and I am sure there will be plenty morer gigs she will play, with a turnout better than this. Nonetheless, for a tenner, the punters sure got their money's worth, and perhaps a smaller venue (Asylum2?)would have been better suited. However, it is easy to say these things in retrospect. A good evening and a good gig!]]> http://ravenheartmusic.com/blog.html/lahannya__winter_in_eden__dyonisis__achilla__pythia__birmingham_asylum_october_9th_2011 Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:31:46 -0700 Promoting Female Fronted Rock & Metal Music - Ravenheart Music - Gig Reviews