MTV 2 HEADBANGERS BALL TOUR
UNLEASHED IN FULL FORCE
ELECTRIC FACTORY
PHILADELPHIA, PA
By Steve Trager
HeadBangers Ball - A Grande return in 2003 on MTV 2. In the late eighties MTV showcased many of the well known mainstream rock bands, hard core thrash artists, and even some glamour rock pretty boys as they were once called back in the day. Today, MTV 2 has resurrected the ever popular show known around the world as HEADBANGERS BALL. With today's genre' in Heavy Metal, MTV 2 has focused on the fast growing hard core scene with a lot of the fast rising bands, who have been given the crown in today's music as heavy weights in rock. Thanks to MTV 2 and HEADBANGERS BALL they have even showcased newer artists on a two disc compilation package featuring various bands with a cross between mainstream rock and death metal going head to head. Basically a nice bonus for the hard core rock fan, a must have if you will for any CD collector. A nice bonus besides MTV 2 giving HEADBANGERS BALL another go 'round, is their live showcase with tour packages on three different tours across the us that has featured LAMB OF GOD headling one show, HATEBREED and DAMAGE PLAN Co- headlining back in early march of 2004, and recently HEADBANGERS BALL TOUR which featured two of Europe's finest acts ARCH ENEMY and CRADLE OF FILTH along with HIMSA and BLEEDING THROUGH (who were on the second stage on this years summer ozzfest) geared up for another massive tour across America rounding out 2004.
Crave Magazine had the most exciting opportunity to catch this tour on the second night in Philadelphia at the electric factory where CRADLE OF FILTH headlined this tour package. Since their formation in 1991, CRADLE has not only crafted some unusual music in the metal scene, they have set fourth a trend in black euro metal with their latest roadrunner effort intitled Nymphetamine which the band featured four new tracks off it "SATYRIASIS ", " GILDED C ** T ", " NEMISIS " , and the Title cut " NYMPHETAMINE / FIX" The band also featured their MTV 2 hit Known as " MANNEQUIN "rounding out their thirteen set song list at the show. Some would agree that Sweden's ARCH ENEMY stole the show with their melodic brand of fresh death metal as they performed a sizzling set with " WE WILL RISE " and " DEAD EYES SEE NO FURTURE " . Angela Gossow who fronts this band has showcased ARCH ENEMY as Sweden's finest with pure stage presence and full of pumped energy, superior guitar riffs and slamming drum beats which make ARCH ENEMY a true live act a great one at that. After Catching BLEEDING THROUGH at ozzfest, fans were ready for another ground breaking performance. You have to admit one thing I my self have never actually seen any guitarist do flips while playing the guitar, yeah an occasional jump or two maybe even several during any given time, but a flip and land on his feet still playing, quite impressive to say the most about any act touring these days. And opening the whole show was HIMSA who are from Seattle Washington, these guys were great to catch live, great stage show to which they performed key tracks off their 2003 recording intitled Courtin Tragedy & Disaster.
Each band within themselves have set the record straight with all great amazing set on this tour in 2004 on the HEADBANGERS BALL Tour, CRADLE who headlined this concert, demonstrated not only their unique style in Black Death Metal, they have also etched their mark in today's rising list of death bands. In my opinion with any show one would attend, you have a tough time saying who was better CRADLE or ARCH ENEMY who stirred up the crowd with their brand of Swedish Metal, European Metal bands have the tendency to come to America and kick your ass regardless of what they sing or who's even playing guitar for that matter. It is the music that matters the most any more any one would agree to that statement. Respect the music, it is out there for eveyone's enjoyment, music is the universal word for happiness.
