ARCH ENEMY singer Angela Gossow has issued the following report:

"Getting into Caracas was a smooth ride. We got picked up by the promoters contact at the airport and never had to pass immigration.. Yeah, that’s how things are done there. ha-ha. With or without the pig flu?! Haha.. Looks brutal!

Caracas is the most dangerous city in the whole of South America. We heard a lot of sinister stories and saw a bunch of frightening areas and people. The long ride to Maracay most certainly didn’t feel safe - but that was actually down to insane mountain roads, reckless driving and zero seat belt coverage for the entire trip. Life is cheap in Venezuela.

We checked in an out of the Maracay hotel within an hour, as cockroaches and floaters in the bathroom are just not our idea of a 'cozy place to stay'. So we spend most of the day looking for another hotel and gave up that search right before sound check. Fuck it; we are simply going to drive back to Caracas after the show.

We didn't film the floaters (too disgusting), but here some pics from the ‘elevator’. I mean, I saw kids playing on that floor level.. I wonder what could happen if they came near that gaping hole?!

The 'venue' was an old basketball hall and in regards to sound, lights and safety quite challenging. Biggest problem were the security guards letting people into the backstage area for half the price (at some point we got about 50 kids suddenly running towards us) and the police force, hitting down people and threatening to close down the show - Thus receiving a couple of grand to back off. Corruption is the daily business in Venezuela. Crime and murder as well - people are being seriously deprived and held down by their government. Such a beautiful, potentially rich country. Makes you want to 'Let The Revolution Begin' right fucking now!!!

A sold out, raging show. Of course. Metal fans are nuts in this place. And that’s a good thing.

We managed NOT to have a full-blown riot, instead lots of choirs, chants, raging energy, sweat, tears, and happy faces. All the chaos before the show so was worth it!!!

Thank you Venezuela!!!

Oh... What misery the next day at the airport. Copa airlines simply felt their plane wasn’t 'full enough' and had us stranded there (with lots of other people and a ton of equipment) at the airport. Trying to hop on different planes to Colombia. It was an excruciating 15 hours at the airport and we all had to take different flights. LAN and Avianca. Our plane was completely in a 70ies design and I was wondering for most of the flight if it would make it through the 4 heavy thunderstorms we had to pass. I am not a big fan of lighting - that flight was like riding a strobe effect. I didn’t think we would land safely in Colombia - but we did!

Many thanks go out to Cheo, the promoter, who had to face a million problems and we made it through each one of it. A lot of times with the help of many $$$ bills. He stayed with us until everybody had boarded a plane!

And a million thanx to all the fans who came out to this insane show – you are the life and blood of this country! Stay pure fucking metal and don’t ever stop fighting for freedom!

Venezuela Libertad!"

Check out more photos at this location.