New Jersey Metalfest gig, Asbury Park, NJ

[TRtwisted]

Well I arrived at the venue at about 7:30pm. Saxon weren't scheduled until 11pm so I just walked around the place and check out some of the other bands. Met a few friends, had a few beers. Went down to check out Blitzkrieg. Pretty good set, the crowd were into them. Next came Wytchfinder, another NWOBHM band. It was there first time in the US. There were alot of people who knew their songs.

The next band was a band called Nightmare from France. Great Singer! That guy could hit those high notes and hold 'em. They totally won over the crowd. But they got nothing compared to the reaction Virgin Steele got once they hit the stage. I have never heard these guys. Very talented band, lots of CRUNCH to go along with all those melodies. They played a great set.

Finally it was time for SAXON. I noticed the crowd got alittle bigger. It seemed that everyone was there for SAXON.

Well here is what you are all waiting for, the set list. Don't blink! It's kinda short!

Killing Ground
20,000 feet
The Preacher
Power and the Glory
Broken Heros
Dragon's Lair
Denim and Leather
Princess of the Night
Crusader
--------------------
Encore
--------------------

Wheels of Steel

Biff had total control of the crowd! They played 3 songs and then he said "Hmmmmmmmm Crusader"? The crowd went nuts! Then he said "Nope it's not Crusader time. You're going to have to work alittle harder for that one". He dedicated "Broken Heros" to the fallen of 9/11.
At one point everyone was shouting songs at the band. Biff just said OK what do you want to hear? Everyone was yelling and someone said Dallas 1pm. Biff said "Nah, we aren't going to do that one.

They KICKED ASS!! Biff thanked everyone and then said the band knows there are alot of Saxon fans here in the US.

Now for the down side of the night. Of course the set was wayyyyy to short. And there were no T-shirts! I was soooo hoping to get one. Good thing I am going to the show in Long Island. Hopefully there will be shirts there.

The band was scheduled for an autograph session. But I am pretty sure that did not take place. After they went off I went looking for them. I couldn't find them. I was really hoping to meet them.

Diamond Head came on next and they were great. Sean Harris's voice is fantastic. These guys played a solid set.

I waited around the venue to see if SAXON would come out. But I guess they left. I am kinda bummed out that I didn't get a chance to meet them. Hopefully I'll get a chance at the show in Long Island.

I hope my pictures come out!!! And SAXON were the only band that played an encore. The crowd started chanting SAXON!! SAXON!! Now you tell me, who should have headlined this show?

 

[mrveneck]

There was no intro for Saxon, and they did their own roadying. Fritz set up himself. They used the same drumset as the last three bands. Typical festival thing, just get them on, play them and get them off.

Biff came on and said "Hello, this first song is Killing Ground from our new album". And off they went. I'm so glad they got the main stage because the other two stages sound systems resembeled train wrecks. I'm not into death metal, or porn rap, or chick bands, thank you. I'll be in the bar for those. Nevertheless, on to the second song. Biff says that they just landed in Newark from England so after an 8 hour flight and then to the gig within hours, they were beat and didnt even put a set list together. Hence the requests that they couldnt hear from the 1000 people in the main stage represented by 25 rows of Saxon fans and 50 rows behind of onlookers. Then figure 100 more upstairs in the balcony, half of which in their respected front rows. Everyone chanting SAXON SAXON SAXON

So off the plane they announced 20,000 feet.
I can't remember the order of songs, but it was pretty much nastoglia from there. No more Killing Ground. No more Metalhead. No more unleashed. Just Innocense and earlier.

As far as the shirts go, I figured that Saxon says they just arrived fron the airport. I figured that they didnt charter their own plane so daimondhead may have been with them. That would explain the lack of headliners shirt booths. I looked for Saxon and Daimondhead stuff untill Daimondhead started, then I gave up.

Anyone going to the US tour wants to grab me a shirt, I'll paypal you for it. mveneck@optonline.net

Welcome to America, Saxon!
FDNY will remember our broken heroes!

God Bless!

Mike from New Jersey, Born in New York!

 

[drx88]

Great show, but too short! I don't think anybody stayed for the final act, they just stayed to see Saxon. When they finished, everybody got up and left!

I think they shouldn't do these gigs with 20 bands opening before them. That was the only problem, and I think it caused them to not play as long as they deserved among other things. Other than the restrictions, these guys were great and I would love to see them again.