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The rock, to occasionally hard-rock sounds, of Stage Dolls kicked off the fourth, and final installment of Tons Of Rock 2023. Been decades since I saw them, on a US label promotional tour, in Cleveland, Ohio. A few songs from the punky rock ‘n’ roll of The Dogs (fronted by local comedian) passed the time, prior to In Flames, who were playing the same time as Candlemass. While good to be briefly get reacquainted with old friends Anders, Chris and Bjorn (who I talked with later), my attention was focused on C-Mass. Was not the only one, as a three generational family of fans (see photo) can attest. It was the lone real "conflict" of the event. Not bad, with two of the three stages constantly in action. 

The Swedish doom lords ran through a set of vintage classics, as well as the title track from their most recent album, Sweet Evil Sun. Saw them twice, Stateside, last year, but singer Johan Längquist is even more integrated into the band, now interacting with the other guys. Iggy Pop was a bit of an oddball choice, but there’s a track record and a few proto-metal inclusions in his catalog. The crowd for Hammerfall spilled outside the tented Moonlight stage. Surely playing to more people today than the entirety of the recently completed US solo dates, the Templars received a rapturous reception, surprising some of the hardcore Norwegian metalheads, who said "that type of music never does well here." Rarely seen Oscar Dronjak (guitar) so animated! The sloppy/noisy party rock of Kvelertak (think Norge Andrew W. K.) brought the whole thing to a close. 

My story on the entire four days will be online soon.

More Tons Of Rock 2023 coverage:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3