2024 was a very good year for gigging me. The list of great shows was endless and I even managed to miss many shows I would love too. When I attend a show I always enjoy the evening, so disappointments only came with cancellations. Manowar in Rio cancelling on the day without any information on their event page, shows once again that I should stay far from Manowar. Fifth Angel pulling out of Pyrenean Warriors Open Air and the French Airbnb cancelling my reservation was another low. But when I did attend it was always great. Musicon offered plenty as home venue, while another nearby venue de Boerderij turns more and more into a tribute and coverband hall, which is not for me. What appened to Nobel? from at least once a month pre-corona to not visited. The trend of diminishing prog rock in my CD purchases and live shows continues, but I do regret that I was not able to attend shows by Anubis or Blind Ego. So what I did see needed a ranking which is comparing apples and pears in many cases. The bands I list here all gave me a great evening. August being possibly the best month ever on live concerts in my life.
24. Bodyfarm - Baroeg 10 February
I saw Bodyfarm twice this year as one but last band on a festival day. In both cases the headliner could not come close to them thereafter. Among Holland's best death Metal bands for sure.
23. Disgrace and Terror - Lazarus 19 May
A last minute adding on their tour turned into a great evening. local favourites Rages of Sin opening and than D&T gave us typical Brazilian dirty thrashy death metal. Tiago joining for a while in his hometown made this one nice surprise.
22. The Hirsch Effect - Boerderij 25 May
Supporting Caligula's Horse, but being the more energetic and enthusiast (thus better) band of the evening.
21. Martyr - Zwarte Ruiter 19 April
Martyr live won't surprise us anymore, but when they play a bar in your hometown and you know almost everyone in, a great evening is guaranteed (so is a hangover the next morning).
20. Seventh Son - P60 19 October
Highlight of Heavy Metal Maniacs were these sympathetic Japanese guys. Flying over for one show only, it was great to see they went down so well.
19. The Monolith Deathcult - Musicon 1 June
The Hague Death Fest had it's first edition in a sold out Musicon. Best surprise of the day to me were TMDC. I did buy their last album The Demon Who Makes Trophies of Men, but odd shaped I lost it somewhere in my house.
18. Onheil - Musicon 27 January
I attended several of Ralf's (White Room Reviews) Loud & Heavy parties in Musicon. Onheil were the best band playing on all of them to me. Makes you wonder why I missed them over their 25 years of existence. Great blend of NWOBHM with black metal.
17. Plan Nine - Boerderij 7 June
.Arjen Lucassen and Robert Soeterboek joining forces to give an album that sounds like seventies Whitesnake. Great show, but I guess not for all the Ayreonauts in that evening.
16. Persefone - Effenaar 11 March
Two tours combining resulted in a Prognosis one day affair. Persefone were the winners of the day, as Cynic disappointed with a messy set. New vocalist making them even better.
15. Hirax - Musicon 14 August
Exumer headlined, but only one band ruled in Musicon this hot summer night. What an energetic show and what a frontman they have in Kato W. de Pena.
14. Angel Witch - De Helling 7 February
Another band not headlining, but ruling the evening. I liked Lucifer on CD and live, but Angel Witch dominated de Helling. Never getting enough of revisiting their debut.
13. Opeth - 013 7 August
Opeth giving us an indoor show during their festival tour. Class guaranteed, even if little surprises on the setlist.
12. The Anchoret - Sjiwa 6 October
The second best band at Progpower this year (even if Sadist came close) The Anchoret proving live on stage why their 2023 debut album ended so high on my end of year list. Fantastic band.
11. Alkaloid - Paard 4 July
Bach out of bounds meant Death Metal band Alkaloid mixing with a chamber orchestra setup and it worked wonderfully well. The most different show I attended, but how great to see a classical violinist going beserk on a death metal song.
10. Tygers of Pan Tang - Musicon 14 July
I Saw Tygers a few times over the past years, but this time they were better than ever before. A setlist visiting their whole discography it's the golden oldies that get most reactions. Very strong current line-up.
9. Witherfall - Boerderii 17 November
For the first time live in the Netherlands in full blasting set-up. Maybe not known enough to schedule a few headline shows, but those who know, know. Perfect US Power Prog metal and what a voice.
8. Mearfest - Queenshall 30 & 31 August
The whole festival is a special experience. Highlights over the two days Seventh Son (UK), Cloven Hoof (first show with the Tyrant) Slander, Tröjan and Gypsy's Kiss. Next year I'm back.
7 Crimson Glory - Sjiwa 6 October
The best surprise of Progpower this year was their booking of Crimson Glory. Some younger attendees don't get proper progmetal, but many people loved revisiting the late eighties. New vocalist holding his ground and bring on that new album.
6. Mega Colossus - Stereo Wonderland 1 August
A new tradition after last year's succes with Riot City, Hellripper and Jag Panzer? In summer I drive to Germany for an old skool Heavy metal show. Their album blew me away and they repeated same live on stage. A band for the future of Heavy Metal.
5. Warlord - Mezz 25 August
In 1984 I bought And the Cannons of Destruction Have Begun... It would take me 40 years to see these songs live on stage. Two guitarists substituting founding member Bill Tsamis (RIP) and a nice trip through their albums. Definitely worth the wait.
4. Riot City - 013 17 April
If you are into Heavy Metal and Speed Metal Riot City are the best band on stage in current times. Last year in Dortmund, now for the first time ever in Holland. Both times only some 40 minutes and I was already blown away. Now hoping for a headlining set in 2025.
3. Fish - Phil 7 November
Fish says farewell. His voice is no longer the same for decades, but what a nice setlist and his best band as solo performer. Backing vocals helping on heights and Fish remains the ultimate performer. You shall be missed.
2. Atheist - Fluor 15 March
And than to think I was in doubt if going all the way to Amersfoort by train. The most energetic set of the year. Kelly schaeffer has a young and hungry band around him and this evening was a total glory ride. Still impossible to follow his vocal lines I can have much more of this.
1. Armored Saint - Melkweg 9 August
Sometimes everything works out perfectly. An early show with no support means no rush in getting home. Further some cold ones on a terrace along a canal and than have a bite as perfect warm-up. Armored Saint the eternal underdogs. Love all their albums and setlists always respect all albums. Band in superb form and such an emotional moment when a last wish fan got Aftermath dedicated to him, sung next to his stretcher. Saints do conquer for over 40 years now, if only the whole world would know. Next year in Brasil? probably.
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