IRON SAW BLADE
© IRON SAW BLADE 2016
Thola (SWI), Emerald (SWI), Gods of
Silence (SWI), Osukaru (SWE)
Redrocks, Basel, Switzerland – 12.01.2019
Since last weekend, the club Redrocks has been reopened in Basel.
It was closed for financial reasons but by crowdfunding and a benefit concert it belongs to the past. A Melodic Metal Night
was announced this weekend with an interesting, varied program, you should simply go. Another reason were the exclusive
appearances of Osukaru from Sweden with an accoustic set on Friday and with electric guitars on Saturday. Furthermore
they were on the „House of Mirrors“ to promote their album and stopped in the city on the Rhine bend.
The Swedish melodic rock band Osukaru had the honor to open the evening. „You’ve Been Waiting“ sounded after the
intro „Past The Present“. After a few songs the band draw the audience on it’s side, on one hand the music was melodic on
the other heavy and enriched with sweet melodies. This sound mix inevitabley reminded me of the golden 80’s of when
American movies and television films caused unforgettable memories with such songs. Moreover singer Frederik Werner
showed a great vocal performance by optimal sound experience. His bandmates Oz and Olof supported him with
background vocals and put up guitar duels and changed positions on stage. In addition he brought a portion of sex appeal
to the show, because he impressed the female spectators with a view on his well-toned abdominal muscles. „City Lights“
was dedicated to the city of Basel as tribute. They scored with a high plus point at me with the song „MacGyver It“. The
title was simply great and a reference in my opinion to the hand craft talent of popular character MacGyver back in the
days (portrayed by Canadian actor Richard Dean Anderson) who was therefore always able to break free from difficult
situations. The Swedes had to play encores, because their appearance caused such enthusiasm. That’s why two encores
followed with „Highway To The Stars“ and „Driven By Love“ to end this amazing live performance. The band members
obtained much applause for their appearance.
Setlist Osukaru
Past The Present (Intro)
You’ve Been Waiting
The Stories We Tell
Ritual
City Lights
X Marks The Spot
Voodoo (Who Do?)
MacGyver It
Change Of Heart
Tear It Down
Exit (Intro)
Highway To The Stars
Driven By Love
Gods of Silence entered the stage as second band. „Army of Liars“ sounded after an intro. Whenever I’ve seen them live
created a good atmosphere. They have got their public firmly in grasp after a short period of time. Thank to its optimal
sound the songs came into one’s own. My favorite song „Demons“ was a kick ass track besides „Wonderful Years“,
„Neverland“ or „Masquerade“. Singer Gilby Meléndez did a singing accomplishment, guitarrist Sammy Lasagni proved his
skills as guitarrist and bassist Daniel Pfister convinced on the bass. The audience celebrated the band. Everything is just
perfect here. An encore followed with „Fight or Die“ after „Phoenix“ which rounded off the intense live performance. For
this earned much applause. There were people on stage who know how to entertain an audience. I can’t remember I’ve
experienced once Gods of Silence in bad shape.
Setlist Gods of Silence
Army of Liars
You Mean Nothing More
Full Moon
Against The Wall
Neverland
Wonderful Years
Masquerade
Demons
All My Life
Alone
Phoenix
Fight or Die
The time came for Emerald after a short break. The heavy metal band from Fribourg with singer Mace Mitchell opened
their appearance with „Only The Reaper Wins“. I was very much looking forward to this band since I’ve never seen it live.
A cheerful Mace interacts with the audience, the guitarists Julien Menth and Michel Vaucher dueled with solos and riffs
against each other. With the Robert Tepper Classic „No Easy Way Out“ to the film „Rocky 4“, the good mood reached its
apex. How it got performed was simply marvellous. It’s almost impossible to stand still with such music. Catchy Melodies
cause movement in the audience, which reacts with enthusiasm. The appearance should’ve ended after „Horns Up“, but
the spectators loudly asked for encores. For this reason the band members returned on stage and played „Reckoning Day“
and the Iron Maiden classic „Wasted Years“. Poltergeist bandleader André Grieder entered the stage to perform with Mace
Mitchell. Then their performance ended and singer Mace Mitchell, the guitarists Julien Menth and Michael Vaucher, Bassistin
Vania Truttmann, Poltergeist singer André Grieder and drummer Al Spycher bowed down in front of the audience.
Setlist Emerald
Only The Reaper Wins
Hard To Be True
Revenge
Face Of Evil
Where’s Your God
No Easy Way Out
Through The Storm
Harleking
Tears Of A Warrior
Horns Up
Reckoning Day
Wasted Years
Later on, headliner Thola from canton of Valais performed as headliner. „Wolfburn“ opens the setlist. It’s difficult to define
the style. It has thrash metal and power metal influences as well as modern elements, which gives its own note. Singer
Fredy Salzmann reminded me vocally of the nu metal in the beginning of the year 2000 and Steve „Zetro“ Souza during the
hard parts. The comparison with Exodus due the fact that guitarists Rodo Studer and Patrick Ambord fighted a duel with
sharp guitar riffs and caused ovations in the audience. Despite the fact it was early morning you didn’t notice tiredness
with the spectators. On the contrary, were awake more than ever and wanted continue partying. They were at the right
place. Continued with high speed and a new song got played with „Vertical Sky“. It was a great song and the song „XVII“,
the lucky number of guitarist Rodo Studer should’ve been followed as last song. But the spectators were still hyper and
asked for encores. For this reason the encores „Fuego Negro“ about burning of witches and „Approach Your Heart“
followed. Afterward the valaisans said goodbye to the audience and obtained much applause for their appearance.
Setlist Thola
Wolfsburn
Imprisonment
7 Ga7es
Under My Skin
Dark Garden
Ride Your System
Squaring The Circle
Vertical Sky
Babawanga
XVII
Fuego Negro
Approach Your Heart
A fabolous evening came to an end and you made the journey back home. Thanks Redrocks for the nice melodic metal
night.
Livereport and photos by Dominic Latscha