After Amaranthe<\/strong>\u2019s symphonic fireworks display, Graham Bonnet Band<\/strong> took the stage with an excellent blast of old school hard rock. Offering songs from his whole back catalogue starting from Rainbow-days and including, MSG, Alcatrazz and even underrated Impellitteri classic \u201cStand In Line.\u201d Graham\u2019s solo hit \u201cNight Games\u201d also got an airing. Bonnet was in good shape vocally despite that the man has to rely on monitors for lyrics. \u201cSince You Been Gone\u201d and \u201cAll Night Long\u201d rounded out the best performance of Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n Blind Guardian<\/strong> started headlining in colder night offering their usual brand of folk inspired power metal. Set consisted of their newest \u201cBeyond The Red Mirror\u201d-album with three songs featured among older classics, with \u201cNightfall\u201d and \u201cTime What Is Time\u201d working best. Their sound with lights was grandiose enough although sound up towards the hill close by gates was not best possible. Blind Guardian, whilst good on their own, might have been best to move up before Amaranthe who had more fire and brimstone in their performance.<\/p>\n Thursday turned out to be the warmest day of the week with sun blazing down upon as we arrived. On every day it started off extremely warm, but as we approached midnight, temperatures came down to only few degrees. So extra clothing was needed every day.<\/p>\n Finland\u2019s own Lordi<\/strong> had the honour of being the first band to play on the renamed Lemmy Stage. Monsters attacked the stage with \u201cNailed By The Hammer Of Frankenstein\u201d and carried on victoriously with their most famous hits \u201cHard Rock Hallelujah\u201d and \u201cWould You Love A Monsterman\u201d sealing the deal for the evening. Most positive impression was made by keyboardist Hella, who really lived her role as the living dead. This was a great opening for the Mot\u00f6rhead legend\u2019s stage.<\/p>\n Halestorm<\/strong> and Sixx: A.M.<\/strong> offered ear candy for melodic hard rock next. Halestorm took the prize here on main stage with Nikki Sixx and his cohorts struggling badly. Their performance might work better on a club stage but here, the group looked like they were lost. By the time admittedly skilled vocalist James Michael sat down and began a solo performance of \u201cSkin\u201d with keyboards, most of the energy left the area and we moved on as well.<\/p>\n Entombed A.D.<\/strong> was rolling its death\u2019n\u2019roll on Sweden Stage. LG Petrov gave everything he got, drinking, telling jokes and head banging. The band seemed to have a good time, but their mid-average new material didn\u2019t go down too well. Even old classics like \u201cWolverine Blues\u201d and \u201cRevel In Flesh\u201d somehow lacked spark, which only ignited towards the end with Venom\u2019s \u201cIn League with Satan\u201d rolled out to delight veterans.<\/p>\n From Hollywood Hills, L.A. Guns<\/strong> came out much stronger on Sweden Stage, This line-up was led by singer Phil Lewis, who happily mixed up words and song order few times. This however, only seemed to add to overall loose rock\u2019n\u2019roll atmosphere and the group kicked in some good quality hard rock with glamour touch. \u201cPurple Rain\u201d played as tribute recently passed Prince got good reception from the crowd.<\/p>\n We were early on walking towards the main stage preparing for Slayer<\/strong> to reign once again in blood. There was slight suspicion on how the thrash kings would cope with bright sunlight and huge outdoor stage. \u201cRepentless\u201d is a fine record and Gary Holt especially was on fire doing some impressive solo work throughout. However compared to indoor gig I just recently witnessed, the violent and dark atmosphere Slayer usually delivers in spades seemed to have disappeared. The structure of the main stage with huge ramp in the middle also prevented any kind of mosh pits to emerge and thus brought down energy levels. Despite this, the band played their set like no tomorrow and faithful fans kept banging their necks until the closing number \u201cAngel Of Death\u201d.<\/p>\n Immediately after Slayer stepped off stage, Megadeth<\/strong> was preparing to begin their show on Lemmy Stage. Somewhat bizarre timetable and many speculated this got under Dave Mustaine\u2019s skin. If that\u2019s the case, Mustaine used this to bring out an excellent thrash gig leaving Slayer totally in shadows. New guitar player Kiko Loureiro has blended in well with the band and played perfectly in unison with Mustaine. Borrowed from Soilwork, drummer Dirk Verbeuren was technically brilliant and shone on the old material. Bassist and veteran Dave Ellefson was great too. Right from the opening track \u201cHangar 18\u201d up until the end and another \u201cRust In Peace\u201d-classic \u201cHoly Wars\u201d everything came together for Megadeth. New songs sounded really strong and while tempos were brought down on some tracks like \u201cPoisonous Shadows\u201d and \u201cTrust\u201d it all worked in band\u2019s favor. Even Rattlehead made an appearance towards the end of the set. Megadeth was definitely one of this festival\u2019s most positive surprises.<\/p>\n Mayhem<\/strong> came on stage at at the same time most of the festival was preparing to see Queen. The black metal legends have performed their 1994 classic \u201cDe Mysteriis Dom Sathanas\u201d full during previous dates. Now this show also had their old vocalist Maniac joining them on stage, thus generating plenty of expectations. Unfortunately Mayhem also generated probably the biggest disappointment of the whole festival. We got no \u201cDe Mysteriis Dom Sathanas\u201d but instead most of the songs played were pulled from later albums and 2000\u2019s The Grand Declaration Of War \u2013 in other words albums Maniac originally sang on. The band\u2019s current vocalist Attila was nowhere to be seen and Maniac ended up singing the whole gig. His vocals didn\u2019t impress us, singer focusing more on jumping and prowling across the stage in punkish fashion. Most of the singing sounded downright awful. The chains and barbed wire fence built in front of the stage got most of his attention and to top it off, vocals were mixed way too low. The band left the stage 15 minutes before the scheduled end performing barely an hour. Much praised Hellhammer pounded the skins like man possessed but this didn\u2019t save the flat show.<\/p>\n Queen<\/strong> and Adam Lambert took over the main stage before huge crowd. The band got fantastic response and although our own prejudices on the vocalist were immense, we had to admit he met the challenge head on. \u201cTie Your Mother Down\u201d and \u201cI Want It All\u201d came out great and although no one obviously can replace Freddie Mercury, but there is still a time and place for these songs and tonight it was clearly at Sweden Rock.<\/p>\n Soilwork performed for their homecrowd on Sweden Stage but we couldn\u2019t pass on King Diamond<\/strong> and his special \u201cAbigail Show\u201d on Lemmy Stage. Our previous KD-show was at broad daylight at Tuska-Festival in 2013 but now the surroundings were much better. We also got an excellent show and a band who was in great shape. King\u2019s vocals just got to be admired, the man now 60 years old and brings out that flawless falsetto. Also guitarists Andy LaRocque and Michael Wead did great job. The dolls, grandmother in wheel chair and King\u2019s wife Livia on background vocals all added to the experience. The set list outside of \u201cAbigail\u201d album played from start to finish, could be more adventurous, but the show with all visuals and musical extravaganza was rammed home with such professionalism and skill that everything worked perfectly. After King Diamond\u2019s show we were happy to step out to a chillingly dark and cold night.<\/p>\n Friday became the most unstable day as far as the weather was concerned. Several thunderstorms came down on us throughout the early part of the afternoon, luckily this was nothing like the catastrophe at Rock Am Ring earlier and by evening showers passed for good.<\/p>\n 220 Volt<\/strong> was playing as we walked in and immediately took a liking to their classic hard rock sound. Swedish band has somewhat cult status and to our disappointment no records of theirs could be found on any of the several record shops around the area.<\/p>\n Epica<\/strong> still managed to enjoy sunshine at Lemmy Stage and surpsingly vast crowd was eager to hear their brand of symphonic metal. Comparisons to Nightwish are inevitable and Simone Simons simply cannot hold a candle next to impressive Floor Jansen. The band is skilled enough but after a while our attention was more on keyboard players curious looking instrument than the actual songs.<\/p>\n Loudness<\/strong> are regular guest on 1980\u2019s themed festivals and here they were again conquering Sweden Stage. They had best sounds of that particular stage behind them and everyone was into it as “Shadows Of War” and “The Power Of Truth” kept pounding away.<\/p>\n During Loudness rain started to come down and we escaped towards tent. The sun returned as The Voice Of Rock, Glenn Hughes<\/strong> began his show on main stage. Hughes was in great shape vocally which became apparent right from the opening classic track \u201cStormbringer.\u201d The show provided legend\u2019s material throughout his lengthy career in Deep Purple, Trapeze and Hughes\/Thrall. Solo stuff got airing too and delightfully also two songs from Black Country Communion. Glenn got huge applause by announcing the return of BCC next year and also revelead the band would play next Sweden Rock. Hughes\u2019 backing group consisting of guitarist S\u00f8ren Andersen and drummer Pontus Engborg did fabulous work and power trio sounded excellent. Evergreen Purple-numbers \u201cBurn\u201d and \u201cMistreated\u201d finalized the set and Glenn\u2019s crystal clear vocals got same admiration from us as King Diamond did the day before. It\u2019s great to see these masters still on great form.<\/p>\n Female master came on next on Lemmy Stage as Lita Ford<\/strong> stepped up with rain drops again heralding her arrival. Lita promoted heavily her new autobiography \u201cLiving Like A Runaway\u201d with signing sessions and also played the title track. The years may be heard in roughness of Ford\u2019s voice but Elton John-cover \u201cThe Bitch Is Back, \u201c Runaways-classic \u201cCherry Bomb\u201d and set closing \u201cClose My Eyes Forever\u201d and \u201cKiss Me Deadly\u201d brought forward a genuine happiness of playing and throwback 1980\u2019s emotions.<\/p>\n Although having witnessed several live clips, attitude towards current Foreigner<\/strong>-line up has been at least a bit skeptic. Kelly Hansen however, proved to be exactly the right man for the job, singing old hits faithfully, with true power and conviction. Even though the voice of Lou Gramm is one of the most recognized and revered in the AOR-genre, Hansen rose to the occasion. Rest of the band starting from energetic bassist Jeff Pilson to guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Thom Gimbell performed with excitement brought via years of experience. \u201cI Want To Know What Love Is\u201d was eventually rolled out and got some \u201coverplayed\u201d comments from around us, however my eyes did get wet after hearing this gem finally live. The closing number \u201cHot Blooded\u201d offered heavier side of the band and nicely finished the set, which was one of the best of the day. Only downside was the shortness of it.<\/p>\n After visiting Twisted Sister\u2019s press conference we got to witnesss the most awaited comeback of the festival, as The Hellacopters<\/strong> returned to action on Lemmy Stage, for the first time since 2008. They came out with original line up performing their 1996 classic album \u201cSupeshitty To The Max!\u201d in full. Led by Nicke Andersson, the band fired away their dirty rock\u2019n\u2019roll with great attitude and fans were in ecstasy. Many still felt playing the first album limited the performance and more varied look at their output would have been a better fit. Regardless, The Hellacopters exited the stage as winners and new single \u201cMy Mephisophelean Creed\u201d sounded as good as anything else group threw at us.<\/p>\n Sweden Stage saw Gamma Ray<\/strong> stepping out if not before an enormous crowd, still a loud group of faithful punters looking forward to an evening full of top quality power metal. Frank Beck had joined the band on second vocals since the last time we saw them, which caused some amazement since the best parts of the show took place when Kai Hansen sang solo. There also seemed to be some confusion on stage who would sing what, but these were settled with laughter and gave some amusement for the audience. Helloween classic \u201cI Want Out\u201d was played surprisingly early in the set and included some Jamaica-style reggae jamming. Two encores, \u201cTo The Metal” and always brilliant \u201cSend Me A Sign\u201d finalized the show, which could have benefited from a bigger crowd. Still Hansen & co. delivered good time power metal with style and professionalism.<\/p>\n Main stage was closed on Friday rightfully by Twisted Sister<\/strong>. Dee Snider and his troops have announced \u201cForty And F**k It Farewell Tour\u201d as being the absolute final chance to see them live. \u201cWe Are not the Scorpions, We are Not Judas Priest. We will stop!\u201d screamed vocalist, who with his slim looks, still awesome voice and energetic performance might continue playing Twisted Sister material for many years to come. For some of the other members, it looks like farewell tour comes just in time. Regardless, their playing was spot on and drummer Mike Portnoy fits in well. Setlist was safe all around with Snider\u2019s promised rarities only including \u201cDestroyer\u201d and \u201cTear It Loose\u201d in the encores. Still when it works it works, and tonight was an excellent stab of classic heavy metal from one of the classiest bands ever. Somehow mellowed front man didn\u2019t bait the crowd at all this time saying \u201cyou got this shit!\u201d and brilliant \u201cCome Out And Play\u201d sealed the deal. Pyros followed the show which rocked from start to finish like runaway train hell on wheels.<\/p>\n As Avantasia<\/strong> began their show, temperature had dropped down close to zero. In the scale of metal operas, Edguy-vocalist Tobias Sammet\u2019s project has no rivals. Guests in the caliber of Jorn Lande, Michael Kiske, Ronnie Atkins and Bob Catley make this clear. Sammet pured accolades over Mr. Big-singer Eric Martin, calling him a Sweden Rock legend may have been overstating things a bit and unfortunately Avantasia was in a bad spot after Twisted Sister had rocked the place just few minutes earlier. Sammet also told the crowd several times they had to cut the set and cut the talk, but instead of playing shorter material we got 10-minute epics from their not so impressive new album \u201cGhostlights.\u201d The grandiose delivery had its moments but as we left the area blowing heat to our freezing hands, the only mantra ringing in our ears was still Twisted Sister\u2019s \u201cIt\u2019s Only Rock\u2019n\u2019Roll (But I Like It)\u201d.<\/p>\n The program on the final day was probably the most outstanding of the whole week so to the main stage we were headed once again. In the sunshine super group The Winery Dogs<\/strong> opened up the festivities. Their two albums \u201cThe Winery Dogs\u201d and \u201cHot Streak\u201d have brought them plenty of attention and previous evening, Dee Snider had urged all 20 000 people to arrive and watch drummer Mike Portnoy\u2019s second set of the festival. People came \u2013 if not in thousands, at least several hundreds and Portnoy coped well despite playing his heart out just 15 hours before. Our eyes however, were fixed on bassist Billy Sheehan and his magic fingers, the whole band is made of virtuoses and technically it was hard to find fault in the performance. Their material however, is sadly mostly mediocre with playing of the individuals stealing more space than the actual songs.<\/p>\n Fintroll<\/strong> fared better on Sweden Stage. Finland\u2019s folk metal pride had sound and crowd working for them and Swedish seemed to enjoy them the best from all the festival\u2019s extreme metal acts. Audience sang along and everyone had a good time. And several fists were raised high even from the nearby lunch tables.<\/p>\n One of the most anticipated bands of Sweden Rock were Legion Of The Damned<\/strong> from Netherlands. They suffered from audiences low-energy reception, aside from few hardcore fans most seemed to just watch them with mild interest. This luckily didn\u2019t have an effect on the band\u2019s performance and celebrating 2006\u2019s \u201cMalevolent Creation\u201d \u2013 thrash quintet played this classic album from start to finish. It is one of the greatest thrash albums ever released and the band rode it through with excellent drive despite sounds getting muddier by the minute. After this they sealed the deal with \u201cCult Of The Dead\u201d and \u201cSon Of The Jackal\u201d title tracks.<\/p>\n Main stage called us next with guitar maestro Steve Vai<\/strong> giving his usual flash and style display. As a guitar player Vai is impeccable no doubt about this. However, the endless fretboard trickery on a bigger stage and without a proper vocalist just didn\u2019t light our fire. Plus by delivering \u201cPassion & Warfare\u201d 25th anniversary set, the song inclusion was understandably somewhat limited. Our attention went for speculating about the promised reunion of David Lee Roth\u2019s \u201cEat \u2018Em And Smile\u201d line-up, 2\/4 of that group would have already been present at Sweden Rock.<\/p>\n Giants of progressive metal, Symphony X<\/strong> delivered one of the best shows of the whole festival on Lemmy Stage. The band\u2019s brave decision to play their latest record \u201cUnderworld\u201d in full paid off and songs sounded excellent throughout. Vocalist Russell Allen possesses one of this genre\u2019s best voices and has great charisma, which elevates group\u2019s technical ability to an enjoyable live experience. The wall of sound was heavy and grandiose with finally \u201cSea Of Lies\u201d and \u201cOut Of The Ashes\u201d rolled out to please older fans. Towards the end Allen swung Captain Morgan\u2019s Rum bottle and dedicated the final \u201cLegend\u201d to fallen heroes Ronnie James Dio and Lemmy Kilmister.<\/p>\n 4Sound Stage introduced us again to heavier end of line-up as Death and Chuck Schuldiner tribute band Death DTA<\/strong> kicked off their set. The band has hinted the end of touring, which would really be a shame as Schuldiner\u2019s great material deserves to be heard by mostly original Death musicians who paid excellent respect via music on Saturday. Sound was better than during Legion Of The Damned\u2019s set excluding the slightly low mix on vocals. Max Phelps did fine work on guitar and sang with his style wisely not trying to simply copy Schuldiner\u2019s unique playing. It was also nice to witness old Death-members Steve DiGiorgio and drummer Gene Hoglan. I do question the inclusion of Slayer-material when we are watching a Death-show. Other than that this was a versatile look on band\u2019s history with \u201cHuman\u2019s\u201d classic \u201cFlattening Of Emotions\u201d and \u201cSuicide Machine\u201d especially offering a sheer neck torture to people at front.<\/p>\n Dirkschneider<\/strong> brought tank load of old Accept classics to main stage. The crowd by this point was massive and appreciated the classics from \u201cMetal Heart\u201d to \u201cPrincess Of The Dawn\u201d with loud noise and wild applause. Udo kept cheering the audience on, however with huge stage the contrast between his 60-something moves and young albeit skilled backing group came forth too clearly. Having seen the band also inside a club, we can say the set works much better in those conditions. \u201cLosers Ans Winners\u201d ended the main set and the ban returned with \u201cMetal Heart,\u201d \u201cFast As A Shark\u201d and the immortal \u201cBalls To The Wall\u201d & \u201cBurning\u201d finally closing the encore. Accept is always Accept but if you get a chance to catch Dirkschneider during this tour (preferably in a smaller setting) don\u2019t hesitate.<\/p>\n Sweden Stage closed its festival proceedings with 1980\u2019s hard rock masters King Kobra<\/strong>, who have returned some years ago with almost original line-up. I appreciate the band a lot and they began strong enough in Sweden Rock as well. However, numerous solo spots and pointless cover of Black Sabbath\u2019s \u201cHeaven And Hell\u201d stole their momentum. Bassist Johnny Rod\u2019s version of W.A.S.P.\u2019s Wild Child\u201d at least was more appropriate. Vocalist Paul Shortino seemed disinterested and Carmine Appice\u2019s over long drum solo saw many heading out towards usual toilets and bars. Rod kept the show going and tried his best but tonight simply wasn\u2019t for King Kobra.<\/p>\n After this there was some time to check out the British masters of doom My Dying Bride<\/strong> and final performance on 4Sound Stage. The atmosphere was properly gloomy with lights and arrangements fittingly supporting the old familiar numbers and selections from the new \u201cFeel The Misery\u201d- album. The night could have used more audience again, but somehow the silence and darkness seemed to work perfectly with MDB\u2019s music.<\/p>\n Demon<\/strong> had joined the festival line-up at the last moment and also got to close Rockklassiker Stage in the tent. NWOBHM-veteran was strong enough, however the difference between this act and couple of other bigger ones from that same movement was clear. The energy levels also didn\u2019t match Wednesday\u2019s great show by Diamond Head.<\/p>\n Sabaton<\/strong> got their chance to prove themselves in front of their home crowd and headlining the main stage. Festival Stage seemed to light up on fire as Swedish maestros offered their usual brand or excitement and fireworks. War tank was rigged in the middle and the whole band with their vocalist Joakim Broden leading the charge seemed to make use of every inch on the huge space. 2012\u2019s \u201cCarolus Rex\u201d \u2013 record\u2019s songs were delivered naturally in their own language and \u201cThe Lost Battalion\u201d single from their forthcoming new album fitted in well with old material. Sabaton\u2019s growing popularity outside power metal genre have to be admired even if you wouldn\u2019t be their numbed one fan.<\/p>\n Michael Schenker Fest<\/strong> ended this year\u2019s proceedings and definitely belonged to festival\u2019s most anticipated acts. Besides Schenker himself, line-up included bassist Chris Glen and drummer Ted McKenna. Augmented with keyboardist\/guitarist Steve Mann this was essentially a classic early 1980\u2019s MSG back together. Unfortunately while Schenker played well and seemed to enjoy himself, the band lacked tightness and unified sound. Guest vocalists added more problems.<\/p>\n Gary Barden arrived first from retirement and straight away announced his voice was shot but he would try his best. This somewhat puzzling declaration was followed by no less than seven songs with Barden seemingly struggling with each and every one of them. After brilliant \u201cCoast To Coast\u201d Graham Bonnet took over and sang the same three songs he did with his solo band earlier in the week. Finally Robin McAuley ran out and sure enough things picked up with \u201cSave Yourself\u201d and \u201cThis Is My Heart\u201d with vocalist in great mood and shape. But for whatever reason, Schenker decided not to delve any deeper into McAuley Schenker Group\u2019s catalog and had poor Robin singing those UFO classics you can all guess and this was it. Fourth previously announced singer Leif Sundin was supposed to do \u201cToo Hot To Handle\u201d but never appeared. Just as well, as out hopes on getting something from 1996\u2019s underrated \u201cWritten In The Sand\u201d would then have been squashed. As good as it was, and Michael did play fantastically throughout, for final performance Michael Schenker Fest was indeed a bit of a disappointment.<\/p>\n The 25th Sweden Rock was both nostalgic, exciting and reflecting experience. I have to wonder the future of festivals like this, with so many veterans now ending their careers, many of them already dead and gone, who will fill their shoes? From main stage headliners, only Sabaton are predicted to continue their career beyond next couple of years. Will we see performers of just as high quality next year, or are we forced to settle for less? Time will tell. However, the surroundings, organizing and food was excellent plus great travel companions made the trip worthwhile. Thanks to Elmu Travels<\/a>, photographers and all friends met and talked to during the festival!<\/p>\n Report: Ville Krannila & Jussi Krannila<\/strong><\/p>\n The review originally appeared on Metalliluola.fi. Links below:<\/p>\n http:\/\/metalliluola.fi\/sweden-rock-festival-8-6-2016-raportti\/<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/metalliluola.fi\/sweden-rock-festival-9-6-2016-raportti\/<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/metalliluola.fi\/sweden-rock-festival-10-6-2016-raportti\/<\/a><\/p>\n![\"gbonnetband\"](\"http:\/\/kkdowning.net\/steelmill\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/gbonnetband.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThursday 9.6.2016<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nFriday 10.6.2016<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nSaturday 11.6.2016<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>There was still heavy dose of thrash to be had, when during Anthrax\u2019s<\/strong> set, Sweden Rock even got pit spinning on. The band seemed happy with the reception and new \u201cFor All Kings\u201d album being a strong effort, played several new songs to enthusiastic fans as well. The highlight for us personally was \u201cMedusa\u201d and once again have to compliment Joey Belladonna\u2019s voice which considering his age, is in impressive shape.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/p>\n