11-01-22 - Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany

[Timotheus]

The lack of energy has been there since AB III. This definitely could've used more energy, especially for an opener, but for a live debut I don't think it was that bad. Hopefully they'll get more comfortable with it.

I loved the atmospheric intro, didn't miss the Myles backing vocals over the main riff and loved the stage production. That video though

[Whitebird]

The lack of energy

[pokefan_4]

The band itself sounds great. Vocals seem pretty thin as we are used to hearing with Myles these days. Age sucks.

It has to be hard playing all of the fill parts of songs while trying to sing at that register.

The guys look rusty as hell other than Mark. Coming off the Tremonti tour and right in to this he hasn't missed a step.

I can't believe they have to follow Mammoth live. MVH is one of the best live bands I've seen in a really long time.

[Dolo]

So it seems like Mark is continuing the tradition of not using clean sound for parts where you've got clean sound on the record. He just rolls off the volume on the dirty channel. I still cannot get why would you butcher GODGD of Blackbird like that.

Myles does the same for Waters Rising to be honest as well.

[Addicted To Pain]

I honestly think Metalingus doesn't work very well live because of there only being one guitar playing and because of Mark using wah for the riff. But I think this is one of their best performances of this song that I've seen.

Also, somebody gives Myles a rubber duck during the bridge....

[Crumbso]

The guys seem rusty, apart from Mark. Myles seems very nervous, a little uncomfortable and uncertain in his performance. Maybe he's not sure how his voice will hold up to touring after such a long break? He's definitely massively softening up on those high notes.

It's not high energy but it's an alright first start. The stage show is quite nice but the lighting could be a little more dramatic and colourful, lots of plain white lighting. The sound is very clear, sounds like it's not very loud. Could be a good or bad thing, not sure.

Will be interesting to see them continue to warm up over the tour. I'm unlikely to catch them this time round but hopefully they come back next summer for the festivals.

[Schulzy]

One of the few times in Metalingus that I've heard Myles sing could you set me free instead of fray. I agree, the guys look a little lethargic. Those shows in 2007 were absolutely insane but I get that they have 15 more years of mileage on them now. I know what it's like being 25 and now 40....

[Whitebird]

One of the few times in Metalingus that I've heard Myles sing could you set me free instead of fray. I agree, the guys look a little lethargic. Those shows in 2007 were absolutely insane but I get that they have 15 more years of mileage on them now. I know what it's like being 25 and now 40....

He’s been singing it as ‘FREEEE’ since the last tour if I’m not mistaken, easier for him.

[Thierry]

The setlist is up!

Silver Tongue (electric live debut)
Addicted To Pain
The Other Side (first time live since November 28, 2017)
This Is War (live debut)
Ghost Of Days Gone By
Wouldn't You Rather
Isolation
Waters Rising
Sin After Sin (live debut)
Metalingus
Pawns & Kings (live debut)
Watch Over You
In Loving Memory
Blackbird
Rise Today
Cry Of Achilles

Encore:
Slip To The Void (first time live since December 9, 2017)
Open Your Eyes

I am truly in awe. This is the first time since I started following them that they're playing a full electric show, and I can't contain my excitement.

Well not truly electric. Watch Over You and In Loving Memory have been performed in an acoustic setting (which is a shame).

[Blackbird]

I strongly disagree (as in I feel differently, not as in your opinion is wrong of course)! Both songs are significantly more emotional to me in a live setting with the crowd singing along, plus the band not getting in the way allows Myles to really shine vocally because he doesn't have to hold his ground against the other instruments and probably also hears himself better. I'd pick acoustic performances of both songs over electric ones 99 out of 100 times.

[Addicted To Pain]

I strongly disagree (as in I feel differently, not as in your opinion is wrong of course)! Both songs are significantly more emotional to me in a live setting with the crowd singing along, plus the band not getting in the way allows Myles to really shine vocally because he doesn't have to hold his ground against the other instruments and probably also hears himself better. I'd pick acoustic performances of both songs over electric ones 99 out of 100 times.

To each their own. I was hoping they'd do Watch Over You the way they did on the Walk The Sky tour.

[Timotheus]

Watch Over You with the full band was special because they hadn't done that since the beginning of the Blackbird tours, if I remember correctly.

Both songs have their strengths in both versions. I haven't heard In Loving Memory in person yet, so either version would be fine by me. Watch Over You I've yet to hear with the full band.

[Addicted To Pain]

https://markusheavymusicblog.org/2022/1 ... -1st-2022/

Review of the concert.

[Addicted To Pain]

The band itself sounds great. Vocals seem pretty thin as we are used to hearing with Myles these days. Age sucks.

I think it's more than just age. I just found out he has Crohn's disease. In an old interview from 2013, he said he hadn't had any problems with it. Maybe it's acting up now?