Man it was great to get back out to a concert. I've been gone for barely 4 months and it feels like well over a year. What a great event to kick off the concert year with too. Symphony X on their home turf, you just knew it would be good. There were a few minor issues for the evening, but I'll get to them in due course, and none of them really could hold back such a fun rocking night.
The first thing i did upon arrival was to scan the line waiting to get in for anyone i might know. There wasn't anyone there, which i found pretty strange. Later on i would meet up with several of the old "front row crew" by getting to where else? The front row
But for the time being, i went to the back of the line and proceeded to talk with whomever was there. One thing i love about concerts such as SymX, is you get a crowd of pretty decent people. They are knowledgable about the music, pretty intelligent, and overall, nice. While waiting on the line, i met two guys from Connecticut, one of whom was very eager to spread the word about Firewind (can you blame him?) and both of them were as eager as i to find someone who appreciated certain bands (such as Ayreon). After going inside (and before i caught up with some familiar faces), i wound up talking for quite a while with someone else who was another example of what makes this scene such a great place. The point of this paragraph is to show that even if you don't know anyone at a metal concert, or if you haven't been to one in a while, the vibe is usually so healthy and there are enough cool kids out there, that if you put forth outgoing positivity, you are bound to make friendly acquaintances that will be glad to see you, event after event. In short? I love the scene almost as much as the concerts themselves.
Anyway, on to the show (for songs lists, see the pictures). First up was Into Eternity. Now I've made it no secret that i am getting kind of tired of being subjected to them live. Musically, they actually aren't that bad and it's starting to grow on me a bit, but the vocalist just doesn't really work for me. It also didn't help that his mic was entirely too loud, and it would trigger a reverb machine at weird times that was even louder than the mic, and would then cut off abruptly. I will give them their props for one thing however. They commented on how many people around their band they have lost to cancer, and how much cancer sucks. They've said that they plan, as a band, to donate towards cancer research, "even if it is to a small local hospital". They started a chant with the crowd of either "F*ck cancer" or "cancer sucks", i can't remember which, but you get the point. They score a lot of points with me for that.
Next to play was Epica. I have to admit, while i was aware that Amanda Somerville could sing, i was really disappointed that Simone wasn't going to be there. While Amanda can't quite hit some of the highest notes that Simone can, she really did a great job. I can't say that i was disappointed at all by the end of their set, and i think that says something. Unfortunately Epica didn't have a set list to grab a shot of, and my memory sucks these days. But those i remember for certain include: Cry For The Moon, Sensorium, Fools of Damnation, and they ended with Consign to Oblivion. Anyone who may have been there and who remembers more can feel free to post them.
Before i knew it, SymX was hitting the stage. To say the crowd was pumped would be an understatement. Their return was clearly eagerly anticipated, and after the concert, i heard comments about the extreme rowdiness of the crowd. Hey, they were excited, i can't blame them. Russell, Michael and the gang really came out rocking. They gave an extremely energetic set, one that was full of humorous moments. For starters, Russell had been tossing out bottles of water left and right. Some kid in the audience soaked Russell with one of them. Everyone in the crowd "booed" this kid. Russell didn't miss a beat though. He commented about how he didn't need them to get him wet, as the crowd was getting him so pumped up, that he would go home and achieve that goal with his wife (who was in the audience). Some other kid said something, and Russell (still soaked) told him that he was "wet for him" heh. Oh that rascally Russell. For further humor, he talked about how they had played in Boston, and how he didn't think he would make it out alive after he talked shit about certain sports teams. Because of certain New York vs Boston sports rivalries, he urged us to be louder than they were. The means to do this? A chant of "Boston sucks!"
There was also an "aww" moment (literally, "awww" from the crowd) when Russell told his wife that he loved her during Through The Looking Glass. The only complaint for the evening is that for some unknown reason they had Michael Romeo's guitar volume FAR too low. Despite many shouts to turn it up, they never did. Some fans also complained a little bit about what wasn't included on the set list, but the set was around 2 hours long as it was. I thought it was a great set and i refuse to fault them for it.
After the show, i learned a few cool things. First, talking to Mark Jansen of Epica, he said that they would be back next year, headlining, and with a new album! I was also talking with Symphony X's bassist Michael LePond, and he said how this event at Nokia was the largest turnout they have EVER had when they've been the headlining band, both here in America AND in Europe. I also asked what the odds would be on them touring again for the Paradise Lost album, and his reaction, although far from certain, suggested that we shouldn't hold our breath.
Finally, one or two last cool tidbits. One of the stage security guards for this event is a Nightwish fan! As it turns out, he attended the Nightwish concert at Nokia as a fan, and decided he would like to go to these events as security. It obviously happened, cause there was he, working the SymX concert. How cool is that?
Older OSAers will also remember AMBR. She was there working this event. I was able to catch up with her for a few moments after the concert (that makes 3 events in the past 6 months or so that I've seen her actually). It's always cool to see familiar faces. Especially those who were such an important part of the early days of the OSA.
Anyway, on with the pictures!
Into Eternity:
The Into Eternity Set list.
Guitarist Tim Roth.
Guitarists Justin Bender and Tim Roth.
Vocalist Stu Block.
Epica:
Amanda Somerville handling the vocal duties.
Mark Jansen and Coen Janssen.
Bassist Yves Huts and guitarist Ad Sluijter with drummer Ariën in the background.
Mark, Coen, and Amanda.
Ariën Van Weesenbeek
One more of Amanda, because how often will you get to see her in concert?
Coen says, "Me strong!"
A shot with as much of the band as i could squeeze into my lens.
<SymX Pictures continued in the next message>
The first thing i did upon arrival was to scan the line waiting to get in for anyone i might know. There wasn't anyone there, which i found pretty strange. Later on i would meet up with several of the old "front row crew" by getting to where else? The front row
But for the time being, i went to the back of the line and proceeded to talk with whomever was there. One thing i love about concerts such as SymX, is you get a crowd of pretty decent people. They are knowledgable about the music, pretty intelligent, and overall, nice. While waiting on the line, i met two guys from Connecticut, one of whom was very eager to spread the word about Firewind (can you blame him?) and both of them were as eager as i to find someone who appreciated certain bands (such as Ayreon). After going inside (and before i caught up with some familiar faces), i wound up talking for quite a while with someone else who was another example of what makes this scene such a great place. The point of this paragraph is to show that even if you don't know anyone at a metal concert, or if you haven't been to one in a while, the vibe is usually so healthy and there are enough cool kids out there, that if you put forth outgoing positivity, you are bound to make friendly acquaintances that will be glad to see you, event after event. In short? I love the scene almost as much as the concerts themselves.Anyway, on to the show (for songs lists, see the pictures). First up was Into Eternity. Now I've made it no secret that i am getting kind of tired of being subjected to them live. Musically, they actually aren't that bad and it's starting to grow on me a bit, but the vocalist just doesn't really work for me. It also didn't help that his mic was entirely too loud, and it would trigger a reverb machine at weird times that was even louder than the mic, and would then cut off abruptly. I will give them their props for one thing however. They commented on how many people around their band they have lost to cancer, and how much cancer sucks. They've said that they plan, as a band, to donate towards cancer research, "even if it is to a small local hospital". They started a chant with the crowd of either "F*ck cancer" or "cancer sucks", i can't remember which, but you get the point. They score a lot of points with me for that.
Next to play was Epica. I have to admit, while i was aware that Amanda Somerville could sing, i was really disappointed that Simone wasn't going to be there. While Amanda can't quite hit some of the highest notes that Simone can, she really did a great job. I can't say that i was disappointed at all by the end of their set, and i think that says something. Unfortunately Epica didn't have a set list to grab a shot of, and my memory sucks these days. But those i remember for certain include: Cry For The Moon, Sensorium, Fools of Damnation, and they ended with Consign to Oblivion. Anyone who may have been there and who remembers more can feel free to post them.
Before i knew it, SymX was hitting the stage. To say the crowd was pumped would be an understatement. Their return was clearly eagerly anticipated, and after the concert, i heard comments about the extreme rowdiness of the crowd. Hey, they were excited, i can't blame them. Russell, Michael and the gang really came out rocking. They gave an extremely energetic set, one that was full of humorous moments. For starters, Russell had been tossing out bottles of water left and right. Some kid in the audience soaked Russell with one of them. Everyone in the crowd "booed" this kid. Russell didn't miss a beat though. He commented about how he didn't need them to get him wet, as the crowd was getting him so pumped up, that he would go home and achieve that goal with his wife (who was in the audience). Some other kid said something, and Russell (still soaked) told him that he was "wet for him" heh. Oh that rascally Russell. For further humor, he talked about how they had played in Boston, and how he didn't think he would make it out alive after he talked shit about certain sports teams. Because of certain New York vs Boston sports rivalries, he urged us to be louder than they were. The means to do this? A chant of "Boston sucks!"
There was also an "aww" moment (literally, "awww" from the crowd) when Russell told his wife that he loved her during Through The Looking Glass. The only complaint for the evening is that for some unknown reason they had Michael Romeo's guitar volume FAR too low. Despite many shouts to turn it up, they never did. Some fans also complained a little bit about what wasn't included on the set list, but the set was around 2 hours long as it was. I thought it was a great set and i refuse to fault them for it.
After the show, i learned a few cool things. First, talking to Mark Jansen of Epica, he said that they would be back next year, headlining, and with a new album! I was also talking with Symphony X's bassist Michael LePond, and he said how this event at Nokia was the largest turnout they have EVER had when they've been the headlining band, both here in America AND in Europe. I also asked what the odds would be on them touring again for the Paradise Lost album, and his reaction, although far from certain, suggested that we shouldn't hold our breath.
Finally, one or two last cool tidbits. One of the stage security guards for this event is a Nightwish fan! As it turns out, he attended the Nightwish concert at Nokia as a fan, and decided he would like to go to these events as security. It obviously happened, cause there was he, working the SymX concert. How cool is that?
Older OSAers will also remember AMBR. She was there working this event. I was able to catch up with her for a few moments after the concert (that makes 3 events in the past 6 months or so that I've seen her actually). It's always cool to see familiar faces. Especially those who were such an important part of the early days of the OSA.
Anyway, on with the pictures!
Into Eternity:
The Into Eternity Set list.
Guitarist Tim Roth.
Guitarists Justin Bender and Tim Roth.
Vocalist Stu Block.
Epica:
Amanda Somerville handling the vocal duties.
Mark Jansen and Coen Janssen.
Bassist Yves Huts and guitarist Ad Sluijter with drummer Ariën in the background.
Mark, Coen, and Amanda.
Ariën Van Weesenbeek
One more of Amanda, because how often will you get to see her in concert?
Coen says, "Me strong!"
A shot with as much of the band as i could squeeze into my lens.
<SymX Pictures continued in the next message>
