Special report by Mark Gromen

A dozen bands, most of whom I’ve been a fan for almost a quarter of a century (Yeah, I’m that old!). Age is only a number, not an attitude, and as the musicians onstage and plenty of old-timers in the crowd of nearly 20,000 proved, you’re never too old to headbang! Remember that junior. A good portion of the day was spent away from the photo pit, just enjoying the music, writing responsibilities subjugated to personal enjoyment. Forgive me…

Catching the final few songs of Germany’s answer to John Arch era FATES WARNING, Secrecy was a nice surprise, but the early arrival was to reacquaint myself with old Cleveland buddies, BREAKER. As publicized, original vocalist Jim Hamar was sidelined with vocal chord surgery, so Greg Wagner (HATE) filled in. An energetic frontman, he criss-crossed the mammoth stage repeatedly, singing in the wings and on the catwalk as the triple guitar attack churned out infectious UFO/SCORPIONS inspired rockers, old and new. They opened with first single, ‘Blood Money’ and hit all the landmark selections (‘Lie To Me’, ‘Action’, ‘10 Seconds In’ and ‘Still Life’) as well as introducing ‘Satellite Dog’ and ‘Black Light Ark’ off Peace Love Death, which was for sale (and eventually sold-out). Throughout the show, the new blood (money?), Wagner and guitarist Nick Giannakos were animated. During the finale, T-shirts were whisked into the crowd, as the band trashed their instruments in a cacophony of dissident chords, Wagner ultimately taking a swan dive off the catwalk, across the empty photo pit and into the crowd, returning onstage to finish ‘Still Life’. An exit that will be talked about in BYH lore for years to come.

ONSLAUGHT turned their appearance into a family holiday, wives and little kids hanging out backstage. In front of the swelling audience was no place for either, as the Brits delivered a short vitriolic set (how else can you describe a chorus of “Spitting blood in the face of God,” from the title cut of their reformation platter, Killing Peace?) Seems the Germans couldn’t completely understand Sy Keller’s thick accent, but the music did the talking, about a 50-50 split between old (non-Keller material) and new, including killer renditions of ‘Metal Forces’ and ‘Planting The Seeds Of Hate’.

Mid-80s contemporaries, but from the opposite end of the spectrum, LIZZY BORDEN, lucked out, getting to play two sets, although no one knew that (including the band), when the day began. Much like the L’Amours club show covered earlier this year (here), there was a smattering of Appointment Of Death, but mostly old-school. On this occasion, delving heavily into the EP and Love You To Pieces, the frontman wore a variety of masked, stalked the stage in platform, knee length boots with buckles galore and wielded both a baseball bat and axe, threatening to use either on anyone in his vicinity, be it bassist Marten Andersson or the buxom go-go dancer, who he ultimately defiles. Best mask of the bunch was a red devil utilizes during ‘Rod Of Iron’, accompanied by companion skull. During a solo spot in ‘Red Rum’, Ira Black threw his guitar across stage, then produced tons of feedback by smothering it with his prone body. Later, when it was learned Hardcore Superstar had to cancel, due to missing their airplane connections, Lizzy’s troupe returned to the stage (two hours later and blood still not washed from his hands!) for another five originals (including ‘Psychopath’, ‘Give Em The Axe’ and ‘American Metal’) and a couple of covers, aided by the youngsters from returning festival openers Age Of Evil.

TANKARD were their usual beer obsessed selves, the right attitude for a giant outdoor bar-b-cue. OBITUARY has come a long way from those early club days with John Tardy’s grunts-for-lyrics. A potent line-up, even if the sunshine detracted from the grim material. GRAVE DIGGER are a German icon and the addition of second guitarist Thilo Herrmann fills out the live sound, as well as provides an extra onstage maniac to frontman Chris Boltendahl. ‘Valhalla’, ‘Excalibur’ and the requisite closer, ‘Heavy Metal Breakdown’ were all part of a set that made me lose my journalistic pen and simply become a fan.

On paper, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN while a talented guitarist, might not seem a festival friendly act. Haven’t seen that much hair in a while! Arriving in stage outfit, except for a striped business jacket, the mutton chop side-burned Swede was well tanned and general gracious, even providing the festival organizer Horst Odermatt with a one-of-a-kind post-gig “trophy,” his sweaty leather pants (?)! Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens is now fronting the band (when Yngwie isn’t soloing, or adding backing vocals), so rarely have ‘I Am A Viking’, ‘Rising Force’, ‘You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget’ or ‘I’ll See The Light Tonight’ sounded so good. Owens was joking with the crowd about their lack of personal hygiene and the likelihood of seeing himself get clocked in the head by one of Malmsteen’s swinging guitars. For his part, Yngwie came onstage flipping picks (probably a dozen even before the opening ‘Rising Force’ was over) and it wasn’t until the third track that he launched into one of his trademark, classically trained solos. Limited to 70 minutes was perfect, a bit ego indulgent, but mostly kept on time with a hit laden set.

SAXON is a staple of the festival scene and they know all the tricks. Without a record to promote, it was classic after classic, culled from a 25+ year career, although honestly, even when there is product to push, the Brits only add a couple of new tunes and just wail away with the vintage material (selecting many an early-to-mid 80s offering). Biff Byford is consummate frontman, wise to putting his own spin on all the clichés. Asking the crowd if they want a fast or slow song (fully aware of the predictable answer), he retorts, “Crazy bastards!” Throwing the crowd a curve, he introduces “20,000 Ft.” as a slow one (guess maybe they should ask for one every once in a while) and reminiscing about the scenarios that helped create tunes like ‘And The Bands Played On’ encore. Shame they don’t get to play over here more often, but given the size of European fests, Saxon see more faces in 75 minutes than they would in an entire North American tour. Sad, but true.

Lastly, one of the greatest metal bands, ever. JUDAS PRIEST. While the stage show might be a bit stoic; Rob Halford plodding his way around the upper and lower decks of the semi-circle stage (but he was doing that back on Painkiller tour too, just a little more spryly) or perched at the front, lunched over and now bearded, but bald head looking down (teleprompter at the ready, if needed), the repertoire is unmatched. Deftly selecting songs from a storied career, quite a few received an airing for the first time in a long while (‘Between The Hammer & The Anvil’, ‘Hell Patrol’, ‘Devil’s Child’), while others appeared in an unaccustomed order (‘Breaking The Law’ up within the first quarter of the set, ‘Hellion/Electric Eye’ not opening the show, etc.) Of course there were a couple of nods to re-unification platters, namely the opener, the title cut off Nostradamus, ‘Four Horsemen’ and ‘Angel Of Retribution’, but wisely not the overindulgent days of yore. Given Tipton’s recent scare and for the first time in his life, Halford showing some inability to hit those piercing high (might explain the mid-tempo nature of the current dual disc package?) check out the upcoming tour while you can. There’s something about those live Tipton/Downing twin leads crawling down your spine live!

BW&BK; Photo Galleries can be found here:

Bang Your Head!!! 2008 Headliners

Bang Your Head!!! 2008 - Day 1

Bang Your Head!!! 2008 - Day 2