metalNESS wrote:
Well, I started the recent concerts thread for topics such as this, but nobody made it a sticky so...
Anyway, here was my response when I got back from the show. I was veeeeeeery tired when I wrote this.
I wrote:
Well, while you were at that show, I was at Sonata Arctica and Cellador in Minneapolis (never mind the time zone difference).
Cellador was fucking perfect. They finally got a chance to play in front of some power metal fans (instead of all the hardcore punks we have here in Omaha). What else can I say about these guys except, perfect?
Sonata Arctica was just as I imagined them to be. Tony Kakko was on key all night, and the guitarist and keyboardist (can't remember their names) put on some awesome duels. They played a shit ton of classics from Ecliptica and Silence.
Now I am extremely tired, it was a 7 hour drive up to Minneapolis. We got there at about 5 PM then we had to wait for Sonata Arctica's 45 min. sound check. After that the opening band, who sucked, played a 45 min. set followed by Cellador and Sonata Arctica. We ended up leaving at about midnight and I'm now home 8:07 AM. Plus I have work in a few hours. Sleepy time.
So, I basically feel the same way as GeneralDiomedes. I also didn't mention that I saw them back stage, since I drove up with Cellador. They did this group huddle before the show and then shouted "YA!" Plus Tony Kakko's warm up vocals are extremely loud. He was in the dressing room and you could hear him over the person you were talking to. I'm sure these guys give 100% for every show. They show great team work and appreciation for each other and their fans. That is what makes their performance so perfect.
BTW, GeneralDiomedes, did they sing "Vodka, we need some Vodka, we need some Vodkaaaaa."?
I was pretty blitzed when I wrote that little outpouring of emotion, but it was basically how I felt at the time. I agree - Tony Kakko is an unbelievable singer with amazing control of his voice. Wow!
That is cool you got to see them back stage, they seem like a great bunch of guys.
I don't remember a song about Vodka, but I remember a bit about a heart-on for all eternity...

and Tony did the crowd singalong woah o woah o woah thing a la Rob Halford except about 10 times better. The crowd was really into it, as well - at one point the whole place was chanting 'One More Song!'.
Anyways, it was great being in a venue full of people who love metal!
EDIT: They did in fact close with Vodka and it was 'My Kingdom for a Heart-On'