On a dark Winter's Night Festival, 29.12.2007 Oberhausen
Nightwish, Tarot, Amorphis, Jesus on Extasy,  Dope Stars Inc., Van Canto, Letzte Instanz

(c) Frances Amelie Sin    www.northern-rockmusic.com


Doors open at 14.00 -- haha-- funny. At 14.00 everyone was waiting and some security came to tell us that a truck of Nightwish broke down and will be a little late so that the complete Event will switch. One hour later they opened the doors, but just to left all the people into the snack area around the arena... there are about 20 doors to the stagefloor, wich will open first?? The fans that waited outside til the early morning are very pissed off and some seemed a bit agressive. Then they opened the next  doors and - no it was not the end, all of the fans had to sit down on the tribunes, the people woh came with seat- tickets could sit down and who sat there before had to go upstairs and had no chance of getting in the first rows. bad planned entrance!! Then they began to ran from the back of the hall and everyone was jumping over the seats and running to the stage. I don't know if anyone was injured by this, but I would bet!!
All in all they opened the festival withmore than  three hours delay  and Van Canto was the first band to play. An acoustic metal band! What that means?? Five members using their voices for simulating guitars, base, keys and different singing voices and one drummer giving the beats.  Belive it, that is great stuff, I never thought it is possible.
Then came Tarot with Marco Hietala from Nightwish and his brother as a funny evil couple, beware guys, beware, Blind, a german band that reminds me of Silbermond and that really sucks for me, I saw others that loves them, and Amorphis  also guys from Finland that  are always good for making me happy again!
Jesus on Extasy were very dissapointing, Dorian in a grey dress, no light on stage, Chai in the dark, I would not have recognized him if I did not knew he must be there, Alica  seemed false and hyped and Ophelia alone could not made the show positive.  The vocals were too lax, the tunes never fits and there were missing all the ooomph that this band had at the last time I saw them live.
In contrast to that, the Dope Stars inc. rocked the crowd with a new man behind the keys and a lot of pep. Even people that never liked them before were dancing to their beats!! They did a song together with a violinist of Kirlian Camera what was a special moment and a fresh experience. Good to see they try something new!
Then instead of Samsas Traum who were expelled again from a festival Letzte Instanz were the last band before the main act! They are long enough in this business to know how to rivet the people and their rare show is always eyechatching!!
Then it was time for Nightwish to give their german debut with the new singer Anette Olzon. it isnot the same as it was, it's not worse, it's not better, it is just different!! But the people loved it, they loved anette, and how could they not. Anette knows how to play with the crowd. She's cute and sympathic, she sang very well, even Tarjas songs that are difficult for her and I have to say: Anettes version of Ever Dream touchs me more than Tarja ever did!! But I want Tarja back for songs like Slying the Dreamer!! Both would be a good couple for this band! Nightwish seemed  to be relaxed and very positive, the band and the live shows profites from the line up change!!
After a lot of fun it was after midnight when Nightwish left the stage and we went home lucky and tired!