GIG REVIEW: Keep It True Rising III @ Posthalle (Würzburg, Germany)

Keep It True Rising is back for a third year! After their triumphant (mostly NWOBHM) event I adored last year, this was a no brainer. While I would love to cover every band, I would rather focus on my personal highlights which can be read below…

Friday

Opening the festival is one of my favourite recent bands Amethyst, whose debut EP took the world by storm. Mixing some new tracks in with these already adored pieces made for a killer set. Fans already knew and joined in on their released material and the band commanded the stage as though their experience was far greater than reality would suggest. A perfect start in energy, spirit and sound to this festival where the echoes of the rock knights would reverberate all weekend.

Cleveland Power / Thrash royalty Destructor boldly take the stage. Delivering maximum destruction from the get-go, this cult yet growing entity with a new album on the way blasted pure steel into an adoring sea of headbanging maniacs. Raging rampant, playing songs new and old (including four from the best record “Maximum Destruction”), the energy and ruthless execution musically did not drop the ball for a moment. Destructor rules, make sure to check out the new LP!

Q5 bring their ethereal classics to the stage. Slowing things a touch but pummelling us with anthemic pieces of classic Heavy Metal, these Americans knew how to enchant and even invited the wonderful Amy of Sölicitör on stage for “Lonely Lady”. Rocking hard, they primarily stick to tracks from the classic “Steel The Light” record, which is of course regarded their best.

Omen. Photo credit: Nattskog.

Omen ready us all with their battle cry. Sticking to material from their first three albums, each of which is a masterpiece in my book, this set felt like Omen had such a strong life force as Kenny and crew delivered their warning of danger. Nikos did especially well in channeling the truly unforgettable vocals of John Kimball, honouring his memory beautifully. The entire band crushed with true US Power Metal steel being pelted at everyone in attendance. As expected, this was one of my very top moments of the weekend and it lived up to every hope I had with Omen being a personal favourite band of all time.

Warlock as played by Doro is a set that caused quite a stir when announced, anticipation is indeed rife in the room. Taking to the stage with might and prowess, this 80s time machine of a set hit hard and fast from start to end, playing a setlist rich in classics that bewitched the entire hall. Doro’s voice and the instrumentation of her band was absolutely flawless and pierced the room with a spearhead of pure Teutonic fury. An explosive end to day one, delivering on the promise of the first of two members of German Metal royalty reviving the past.

Warlock. Photo credit: Nattskog.

Saturday

Wizzard, an enigmatic band from Sweden with a single 7″ from 1986 under their belts, now summoned with a full setlist of material. Interestingly only one of these two pieces (“Ninya Warrior”) was played. However, we were treated to a full setlist of anthemic, fun and catchy tracks that shows while Wizzard lay dormant, they did not die out entirely. In fact, this band may have been very young in the day of their record, but still carry that youthful energy and charisma to this day.

Ambush, also of Swedish origin, blast on with their energetic Heavy Metal worship. Clearly a well oiled machine, their synchronicity both visually and sonically was like a battering ram of pure classic iron played with passion and finesse. Although a modern band, their antics and sound were clearly rooted in the 80s with a sea of headbangers baring witness to their Flying V artillery that laid waste to all. Catchy, upbeat and mesmerising to watch, sometimes simplicity is key and Ambush show that beautifully. A very engaging band that put pedal to the metal throughout their set.

Metalucifer, kings of true Heavy Metal mania from Japan, a band I have been yearning to see, finally stand before us. The horde of maniacs play only for passion and that is obvious. The abundance of joy and adoration both on and off stage was palpable in the air and for me this was the best set of the weekend. Blasting all of their Heavy Metal branded songs with a tight and engaging performance, Gezol and crew slaughtered the air with sonic scythes that could not be dodged. A bit of a cult phenomenon, it must be noted how exhilarating Metalucifer’s songs are on and off stage, paying tribute to Heavy Metal in every facet of their being but doing so with songs that are nothing short of excellence. None shall be spared by the Heavy Metal Bulldozer!

Metalucifer. Photo credit: Nattskog.

Metal Church another legendary power-thrashing cut of the 80s strongest ramp up the voltage. Injecting such fury and energy before the close of the weekend was a needed dose of adrenaline that the US heavy-hitters delivered perfectly. Mostly sticking to their best albums (“Metal Church” and “The Dark”) ensured all had a wicked time reliving those truly unforgettable opuses from an era that lives on through festivals like this.

Dirkschneider performing Accept? Much like Warlock, this felt an essential moment of German Metal history being revived. Easily the most gloriously chosen Accept related setlist I have ever seen with “Metal Heart” being one of my favourite albums ever, seeing so much played so well was ecstasy. Of course we got numbers from the equally epic “Balls To The Wall”, “Restless And Wild” and “Breaker” among others. Udo and his crew had a wholesomely loving attitude to playing these songs which was felt by all and reciprocated, clearly every single human in that hall having a great time. The German titan still has so much power in his voice and that is a commendable feat with Accept having such vocally potent songs. A glorious end to the event for sure.

For three years, Keep It True Rising has triumphed as not a meagre off-shoot, but a magnificent event in its own right. This year confirmed it will run again, and the third chapter was a mightily enjoyable weekend in Germany as always. Until next time maniacs…

Dirkschneider. Photo credit: Nattskog.