Summer is upon us (even if you would not tell). So for me that means looking for possibilities to create a Pedal to the Metal trip, where I cycle to a few metal shows in a row. After two succesfull years cycling through Brabant I was now interested in crossing borders. The show that I was most interested in was the Riot city & Hellripper package, but I could not find a second gig within cycling distance. Than suddenly Jag Panzer got added and I dare to say this was the best package of 2023 for anyone into eightes metal. Something for everyone with two young and upcoming soon to be headliners and one good ol ' US metal band. Than Ton got interested as well and unfortunatley Marko could not join due to family holidays. So pedal to the metal became a road trip and for reasons I do not know recall I decided to drive back home after the show.
Arriving early in Dortmund we could park the car close to the venue and have alook around. Well that had all the looks of one great place for metal. Outside a bar, palmtrees, foodtruck and some tables with chairs. An outdoor stage was also available, so I guess they do festivals sometimes. That is no problem as there are no direct neighbours to complain about the sound. As we entered early we were friendly told the venue had not opened yet, so walking towards town for a bite and drink was the plan. Returning close to opening hours we saw many fans had arrived already and in Holland you don't find crowd this true and old skool in large numbers. Over the evening the place would fill almost completely and I guess some 300/400 people were in, but that is always impossible to guess right. This on a Sunday night, so thumbs up for Junkyard and German metal fans. Upon entering the venue the merch stands were immediately there. When the man selling (US band) Jag Panzer merch in Germany recognized both Ton and I independently we are making waves in Europe. Well not that much really as he also is Dutch, remembered Ton from Jag Panzer's Musicon gig a few years ago and I spoke with Paul in Lisbon when he toured around with Wilderun.
Hellripper would open the party and did so with an overdoes of energy coming off the stage. I am late to the Hellripper party as only this year after reading positive reviews on their latest album and gig at Welcome to Hell I bought Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags. That album is among the ones I played most over the last months, but Hellripper has two more full lenghts and lots of splits/EP's/singles. So I only recognized Goat Vomit Nightmare and the Nuckelavee (possibly the best speed metal song of 2023). That did not matter as the way Hellripper brought their blackened speedmetal to us was contagious resulting in an enthusiastic crowd and Hellripper chants inbetween songs. I loved every second of the set. Obviously James McBain 's German is not fluent yet. In spite of the signs on posts near the bar asking for no pogo, mosh pits or violent dancing he asked for a pit and got one. During the last song he played his guitar solo while crowdsurfing through the hall. Such a great gig to open the evenng this was and I expect Hellripper going a long way in metal's underground. On the merch side I was hoping to get the two CD's I miss by Hellripper or the awesome white Tee. As all these were not available I just ordered both the CD's online. This to be even better prepared 2 September when Hellripper play Roosendaal Open Air (do I even need to say highly recommended?). All Hail the Goat.
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As if Hellripper was not enough of a party next band on where Riot City. Now here I was not all that late at the party but fate (covid) got in the way. March 2020 I was in Athens for my first Up The Hammers festival, when all got cancelled on the day due to Covid breaking out. Riot City were one of the (many) reasons I flew over and I did get Burn the Night at the No Remorse shop. Next chance was 2022 when I had my train, hotel and ticket booked for Riot City and Seven Sisters in Antwerp. One week before I got Covid myself, so even if feeling OK I could not risk transfering the virus to one of the bands and had to stay home. So Junkyard was for me a sort of finally I get to see them show and man were they awesome. If you don't like your high screams in your metal, forget about Riot City. If you do realize that high pitched screams and fast high singing are part of a good old metal show you won't find any better than Riot City in 2023. So the band were tight, fast and awesome but what Jordan Jacobs showed on vocals I have not seen for a long time. When during the first song the crowd was already singing along I realized I needed to have played their two CD's more often while reading along with lyrics. I now recognized all songs, but apart from Tyrant (one of my favorites) singing along was not for me. Well I could join in on the Maiden like whoo-hoo-whoooas. Live I did see bits of Priest and Maiden on speed and man would we love to see Maiden release some songs this fast and to the point on a next album. Actually Riot City do have an epic to close their set as well, since In the Dark starts slow and beautiful. Live this was sung by guitarist Cale, who did sing on the first album. So they have double vocal options within the band. Riot City have for me all to become the next big thing, but than again this kind of speed metal and vocals is not for all. As I had both their albums already, now proudly wearing my Electric Elite T-shirt. Now the only thing still to be resolved is get Riot City to The Netherlands. No exposure means no growth and they deserve crowds singing along over here too.
And than it was up to Jag Panzer to close the evening. Could they follow up on two such high energy young bands before them? Well I saw them earlier this year during their Metal Melts The Ice tour in Baroeg and they were in top form. Turned out they still are and they gave us one fine show. The setlist was build around new album Hallowed. As I bought it this evening, many new songs for me. No real problem as Jag Panzer's metal goes down well at first hearing. The Tyrant was strong by voice, showing you don't need to be all that young to fill your show with high screams. Generally Hostile was also in the set and still one of my favorites by them. Apart from some technical issues Jag Panzer also suffered by the clock. While we were informed the event would end at 22:45 it did go on till 23:30 (where is German pünktlichkeit when you need it?). So slowly people started leaving and I once again got confirmed that on a Sunday a matinee show (like Baroeg does) is not bad at all. So after two more than brilliant warm-up shows Jag Panzer could not bring the same surprise, but yes they delivered. When they said farewell we did have one evening of fine metal to remember.
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Unfortunately the drive home was shite as it was pissing down and before leaving Dortmind we already stood still for some 20 minutes due to an accident. German highroads having no decent lightning and aquaplanning making control over the car a thing resulted in a three oçlock homecoming. With that being the only downside I can not recommend Junkyard enough. A very nice venue, good sound and filled with people who love their good old Heavy Metal. Next time I would look for a Saturday and book one night hotel or Airbnb. With the rain falling down still today, it was good I did not come by bicycle. Also heavy metal in Germany made me realize I should look more seriously into attending HOA one day, just like Esther recommended the day before. For my friends who like to make trips for metal, do like me, like the junkyard page and keep an eye on their agenda.
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