Heavy Metal Maniacs is the anual party for fans of Old Skool metal in the Netherlands. They always program some bands of my interest, but I manage to miss the festival almost always as well. This year I joined Ton on the Saturday which turned out to be a smart decision. Several countries represented with as far as Canada and Japan included. It was a long time since I've been in P60 and I did see why I liked this venue always, that is if you don't mind climbing stairs for a day.
Opening the day were Speed Queen from Belgium. I knew them already and what's more interesting they know me too, as they stayed in my HM B&B once. In August I saw them opening for Mega Colossus in Köln and now they opened for all in P60. Well again a very lively set and they do all master their instrments. Thomas speaking either in Flemish or English to us, knows how to work an audience and the day kicked off good for me. Later they told me how much they appreciated the venue and organization plus facilities. Always good to hear, when bands are pleased too.
White Coast Rebels came next. They are Anglo/Spanish and based in Benidorm (Costa Blanca get it?). Now I have been once to Benidorm, decades ago during an interrail trip. Imagine walking around town, some pints down and than bumping into this lot playing in a rock bar. I would not believe my luck. Now I saw them at a proper metal festival and I was a bit less blown away by their sleazy rock and roll. All nice enough, but not catching me really. When they started I did like their sound, but after a few songs it started to sound a bit more of the same to me. Still when in Benidorm (if) I shall look for them for sure.
What are the chances that you go to two small festivals within two months and one if not the best surprise has the same band name? End August I saw Seventh Son (UK) blowing me away at Mearfest. Now it was up to Seventh Son (Japan) to repeat that fact. And so they they did. In advance I listened to two songs on Youtube and hopes were up for a show I'd like. Well in reality their very sympathetic and enthusiastic presentation only upped the atmosphere. Seventh Son flew to Holland for this show only before returning to Japan. They were obviously enjoying themsleves too as the hall did appreciate them and reacted accordingly. No wonder as Seventh Son showed again that Japanese standard of playing metal is way up there. Calling Yasuhiro's presentation theatrical is one way of saying how he lived the music. At times he was looking for the English words to express his feelings, but faces told us enough. To me the highlight of the day and such a nice lot they were. How often does it happen that a bold vocalists asks Ton and I to take a selfie, being three boldies. CD and T-shirt bought in appreciation and now I read Brasil also holds a Seventh Son metal band. Maybe I should check them out.
After a small break for dinner Fingernails came on. This band were introduced as Italy's first metal band. I don't know if that is true, but they must be Italy's closest to Motorhead band. A trio, a raspy voice, fast rock and roll songs and a loud sound. So they were influenced by Motorhed, but they did not reach same levels really. Maybe because the bandname Fingernails sounds slightly less metal than Motorhead.
It is 2024 and Hitten are from Murcia, Spain. That might be so, but they think it is 1987 and they are from Los Angeles. Well that is 80% of the band, as one guitaris in white sneakers, black pants and jeans cut-off thought he was from the Bay Area in 1987. And that is exactly what we got: Hair metal but a bit faster and heavier. Ratt or Dokken came to mind at times, also since the two guitars were awesome. Vocals fitted the sound and this band was very energetic running around the stage. In the end they were to me another highlight of the day. I don't hear that often Hair Metal live nowadays and when it is brought with this pace all was good to me, even if the bassist outfit was eyeblinding.
Headliners tonight were Anvil and we all know the story of... Anvil won't surprise us anymore, but that is also not necessary at a festival like this. So we get their classics March of the Crabs, 666, Forged in Fire Winged Assasins till obvioulsy Metal on Metal. At the same time some of their songs I don't care that much about like Badass Rock and Roll or Legal at Last. While watching their straight forward metal, you almost tend to forget that the playing is flawless including Chris Robertson on bass who is already ten years with the band. So a fitting headliner of HMM they were. Thanks go out to those who organized this fine day and as I got several comments on my Tröjan shirt this day I hope to see them in P60 next year.
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