Wacken Open Air festival, is all scheduled to take place August 5-7, 2010 in Wacken, Germany.
The bands that are so far in the festival are as follows
1349
ALICE COOPER
ARCH ENEMY
AMORPHIS
ATROCITY
BROILERS
CALIBAN
CANDLEMASS
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CORVUS CORAX
CRUCIFIED BARBARA
DEBAUCHERY
DELAIN
DESPISED ICON
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
DIE KASSIERER
EDGUY
EQUILIBRIUM
END OF GREEN
ENDSTILLE
EVILE
FIDDLER’S GREEN
GHOST BRIGADE
GRAVE DIGGER
HACKNEYED
IHSAHN
IMMORTAL
IRON MAIDEN
KAMPFAR
KATAKLYSM
LAKE OF TEARS
MÖTLEY CRÜE
NIGHTMARE
ORDEN OGAN
ORPHANED LAND
PRIMAL FEAR
SECRET OF THE MOON
SLAYER
SÓLSTAFIR
STRATOVARIUS
SUICIDAL ANGELS
THE DEVIL’S BLOOD
THE OTHER
TIAMAT
TYR
U.D.O.
W.A.S.P.
We have latest reports from Reuters that the likes of METALLICA and AC/DC were the most loved North American concert circuit in the year 2009.
Reports say that the recession hit market did not stop music fans and lovers all across the world to show up and watch their favorite bands in action.
The list of the turnover for the respective bands are as follows.
U2: $123 million – Now we know why they can afford to give charity.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND: $94.5 million – yea born and made in the USA.
ELTON JOHN and BILLY JOEL: $88 million – Share the 3rd spot.
BRITNEY SPEARS: $82.5 million – Sure she doesn’t know what to do with her money, I guess Kevin Ferdinand gets his share from here too.
AC/DC: $77.9 million – Thats what I would go for.
KENNY CHESNEY: $71.1 million – aha
JONAS BROTHERS: $69.8 million – Kids
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND: $56.9 million – Great band.
FLEETWOOD MAC: $54.5 million – good stuff.
METALLICA : $53.4 million – I would die to watch them.
With its basic plot derived from a best selling Indian book, director Raju Hirani couldn’t have asked for more. This man with brains is real smart. And combining himself with producer Vidhu Chopra is an icing on the cake. The duo have in the very recent past delivered two of the biggest hits Indian cinema has seen. An apt title coupled with some fine actors was enough to pull the crowds even more.
As was with the book (read Five Point Someone) the movie revolves around three main characters – Ranchoddas Chanchad aka Rancho (Aamir Khan), Farhan (Madhavan) and Raju Rastogi (Sharman). The movie begins about 10 years after the characters have finished their engineering. I can relate to their sorrow. I know how it is to become an engineer. The lead in the movie Rancho is lost somewhere and even after 10 years the other two friends do not know of his whereabouts. For a reason they set off to Shimla to search him. Shimla has been very beautifully captured. On their way to Shimla we have a flashback.
Cut to Imperial College of Engineering. Headed by a relentless dean played by Boman Irani (Viru Sahastrabudhhe – Virus), this college is where it all begins. The college flashback sequence takes you through some hilarious scenes. Most notable one being the balatkar speech made by this character Chatur Ramalingam (Omi). This newcomer playing Chatur is promising and makes an impact. Even Raju’s poverty and his paralysed father provide for a couple of laughs. Before we are forced to take a break for pop-corns we are left with a question that builds the other side of interval. Don’t go for this movie expecting the book to be replicated because you will be majorly surprised. Here we have suspense too, and you do not want me to reveal it.
As for me, the three lead characters with an engineering college are the only main things that have been borrowed from the book. A couple of other things like hospitalising Raju, Raju’s poor family remind you of the novel. Not to forget Bhagat never married his girlfriend from this book. Sob sob.
"scooter has more footage !"
Second half again juggles between present day and flashback. The two friends are still in search of their buddy Rancho and along the way they pick up his girlfriend Pia (Kareena) who was getting married on the same day. I knew this would happen. Anyways talking about Kareena she has been wasted as a pre-medical student who happens to be the dean’s daughter and falls for Rancho. You want to see more of her but are let down. How they end up finding Rancho brings us to the predictable climax.
Talking about the actors in the movie, as is known anything said about Aamir is always less because this perfectionist can play anyone or for that matter anything. He can convince you by playing a boulder. Because emotions talk. His role as Rancho takes you to his Dil Chahta Hai days where he played a 20-something, just that this time he looks younger ! Madhavan and Sharman have done their bits. They couldn’t have been better. As for Kareena we could have done without her. All the other vital roles have been played convincingly by polished actors, be it Boman playing the dean, Parikshit Sahni playing Farhan’s father or Mona Singh playing Pia’s sis.
Other important aspects for me include the music, lyrics and background score. Shantanu Moitra binds the scenes together but he has delivered better. His music is well complimented by Swanand Kirkire’s simple and sensible lyrics.
the idiots
But watching Hirani’s third movie will leave you with the same kind of feeling as was with his first two films because when it comes to the emotional scenes its signature Hirani. His films always have some new concept which he tries to repeat throughout the movie so that the audience remembers that once they are out of the cinema hall. The attempt to popularise jaadu ki jhappi through his debut did work as was with gandhigiri through his second movie, this time around it is all izz well. The philosophy is, no matter how fucked you are do not worry because all izz well.
And does the movie live up to all the expectations. Yes, it somewhat does. The 3 Idiots do end up charming you. Watch the movie for some good wholesome entertainment.
Coldplay’s front man, song writer as well as a great personality Chris Martin’s would be auctioning his first ever guitar and also the 4 iconic jackets the band made together.
Guitarist Jonny Buckland’s of the band battered cap which he was wearing every day on their world tour is up for grabs. The Auction will be done online via Ebay.
Coldplay is also auctioning a collection of signed lithographs, which will be sold at $16 each and will appear on the “Kids Company” eBay page at randomly during the sale.
Coldplay call it the “End of the Decade Clearout Sale” and the auction runs until December 31, so Christmas and New year would be a time the band is looking at helping the world with some charity.
13TH DECEMBER ‘09 WILL BE A HUGE HISTORIC DAY IN RAIPUR(MP) AS ONE CAN WITNESS THE WILDEST & MOST EXOTIC PARTY EVER…
INTRODUCING “MODA FEST ‘09″ :
SYSTEMHOUSE33 “ROCK BAND” (ONE OF THE BEST LIVE ACTS IN THE COUNTRY) LIVE PERFORMANCE!!
DJ/VJ NIKHIL CHINAPA (MTV FAME) SWINGING MUSIC ALL NIGHT LONG!!
16 HOT & SEXY MODELS WALKING THE RAMP!! (LAKME INDIA FASHION WEEK FAME)
3 INTERNATIONAL BELLY DANCERS!!
SERVING ONLY PREMIUM LIQUOR: (ON THE HOUSE)
BLACK LABEL
CHIVAS REGAL
ABSOLUTE VODKA
RANGE OF BEERS
RANGE OF WINES
RANGE OF MIXERS
AMAZING VARIETY OF STARTERS & MAIN COURSE INCLUDING CUISINES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE (ON THE HOUSE)!!
CLUB RULES APPLY*
FOR TABLE BOOKINGS & PASSES CONTACT:
9993000055
9202207333
Start Time: Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 7:30pm
End Time: Monday, December 14, 2009 at 4:00am
Location: OBEROI’S GULSHAN, VIP ROAD, RAIPUR!
I had never heard of Deccan Rock Festival before I read about it on Rolling Stones India website. A small article that read Textures and Amon Amarth would come down and play for us. I had that sudden rush of blood moment when it finally began to sink in that Amon Amarth – a band i’ve been listening to for 5 years now – is coming to India. Some weeks down and the poster for this confirmed gig came out, and it featured some real good Indian bands apart from the headlining ones. The entry fee – Rs. 450. woah !
And then it was 5th December. It was the festival day. Even though I wanted to settle inside the venue at the mentioned time of 1 pm, i had this natural instinct of not getting there on time. I reached 2 hours late and i still had to wait for an hour and a half. Talk about mismanagement. The entry began at 4:30 pm. The organisers had hired only a part of the humongous Palace Grounds. I entered and proudly looked around. It was a big day for me and my fellow listeners of metal. But it didn’t look big with just maybe 100 people around me. Comeon it is supposed to be a metal fest. I took time to go around some stalls selling cds and official Textures and Amon Amarth merchandise.
frenzy !
The opening band for the event, playing here after winning some competition was Eccentric Pendulum. This Bangalore-based band with an Ep out showed just how much they deserved to win that so-called competition and be here. They played an all original set ending with my best track of theirs The Sculptor of Negative Emotions.
The enthusiasm among the crowd was still in infant stage. The energy levels around were not too high, with everyone just roaring
Inner Sanctum
and raising their devil’s horns in appreciation towards the end of Eccentric Pendulum’s songs which is the least any crowd could do. But it took an Inner Sanctum to create mayhem. The mere mention of the band’s name was enough to ignite the pit. This band has made quite a name for themselves with every organiser wanting them to play at their event. I can’t say if all these big events happening only in Bangalore helps. Inner Sanctum’s stage presence with each member knowing exactly what to do is what makes them connect. They opened with Eye Of The False and followed it up with tracks from their Ep Provenance.
It was Undying Inc from Delhi next. It was more of a progressive metal day what with Eccentic Pendulum and now Undying Inc. I had only heard them on record but it takes a live act to leave your mouth open. This 4-piece death metal band was so fucking tight that
Undying Inc
it showed just how carefully the bands have been picked to play here at this event. They deserved a standing ovation. Yes, some douchebags were sitting like they have been forced to come here. Undying Inc with their undying spirit came back strong after each original track and left the crowd wanting for more.
Bhayanak Maut is known to create pits and hurt necks everytime they play. For some reason the band was being booed off. Until they began playing ofcourse. Bhayanak Maut has been gigging a lot post their album release in August this year but I happened to miss out on all of these. Watching them live after almost an year made me feel even more lucky. It took 6 members including 2 vocalists to re-create the mosh. Playing tracks from their new album they were majorly appreciated. A special mention to Anupam Roy on the sound console. He was the reason the bands came across to the crowd the way they wanted to.
By now it was dark and the crowd had grown from 100 to maybe 1000. I wanted to see more. A lot more.
With my favorite Indian band Kryptos playing next, I pitied the food stalls behind coz the bands ust weren’t letting me leave my place. Its become common to see Nolan carrying a Liverpool scarf everytime Kryptos is on stage.
Kryptos
They began and I was already swaying to their metal. Everytime they play my belief is re-inforced that they are a near perfect band. Close your eyes and its like hearing them on a player. With 5 tracks ending with Descension it was a treat.
Next up were Demonic Resurrection. They were setting up and i overheard someone saying these guys are funny it seems as they do not play seriously. And i got reminded of DR 6 years ago when it used to be utter confusion on stage. Today they are the most sought after extreme metal band from India. For rural metalheads with limited or no internet access, DR is playing at the Brutal Assault next year with the likes of Corpse, Bodom and My Dying Bride. DR was the most unlucky band of the evening with time for just 3 songs, one of them being their new track The Unrelenting Surge of Vengeance. They promised to be back in January with their new album The Return to Darkness.
Now it was time for THE bands. Crew members from Textures took around 20 minutes for the setup. I really wanted to get into the All Access area. I sneaked in and managed to stay there till the end. All thanks to my friend Madhav from Road Crew Records. So when Textures took the stage i was right under them. Textures hailing from Holland carried forward the progressive metal act. They started off with the track One Eye For a Thousand.
Textures
The enthusiasm and presence of the band on stage showed how much they were enjoying. It was really a big deal for me to watch Eric (vocals) doing the aggressive growling and clean vocals with such finesse. The technicality of the band was something to watch. Stef Broks (drums) was flying. I needed another pair of eyeballs to really understand what he played .They played everything the crowd wanted – Storm Warning, The Sun’s Architect, Laments of a Icarus. It was followed by the favorite Awake and they concluded with Regenesis.
Then came the moment I was waiting for. Videos of all their tracks started playing in my head reminding me of the synchronized headbanging by the members. Setup was quickly done by the crew. The stage was ready to grace Amon Amarth, and their entry was quicker than I realised. They already began playing Twilight of the Thunder Gods before I could let the feeling sink in that the monstrous Johan Hegg was growling in front of me. I was lost banging to their songs. That feeling cannot be expressed, sending the crowd into an absolute frenzy. I was actually witnessing one of my favorite drummers Fredrik do his thing. Perfection right there. Johan was giving a brief intro before each of their songs conveying just how strong the band’s viking roots are. The band went on to play the mesmerizing tracks which included Runes to my Memory, Asator, Guardians of Asgaard. Their set ended with that 1 track everyone wanted – Death In Fire.
Amon Amarth
It was madness. I did manage to get hold of Olavi Mikkonen’s (guitars) pick. Their 1 hour set seemed like just 20 minutes. So wanted them to go on playing. But then it was already past 10 pm. Damn they couldn’t play Cry of the Black Birds, Pursuit of Vikings.
This is one gig that is going to be etched in my mind for a really longtime. It was all about metal. As was rightly put by Johan Isn’t life all about metal..? Oh yeah absolutely..!
p.s. : All the pictures included in the post – courtesy of Madhav Ravindranath (Roadcrew Records).
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