Posted by Metallifreak on 22.02.2006 at21:13:
European Metallibash 2006 Report [ 2/22/2006 ]
European Metallibash 2006 Report [ 2/22/2006 ] [ back ]
After a 5 hours drive, I finally made my way to Zurich, Switzerland. It is Friday, February 10th. Andy (Damaged Switzerland) comes to pick me up, we gotta hurry up! There still are some things to do to make sure that Metallibash 2006 will be something to remember.
When we reach our hotel, my good friend Jorg is impatiently waiting for us outside the hall. We've been working to this project for a couple of months now, we're all excited cause tomorrow will be the day!
We're gonna have dinner in Zurich to set up the last details, decide the prizes, double checking the running order for the evening.
On Saturday morning, we go shopping in Zurich, but we just can't wait to be at Abart Club. At about 4 pm, we arrive at the Abart. Orion, the official Italian Tribute Band, and also official band of my chapter, are already loading in. The club is small, but very nice. Everyone's in full working mode, so we decide to go in the backstage room and start checking the guestlist, passes, prizes and so on.
One by one, the chapters are reaching the club. MetalMonster and Whipping Dancerz from france, Belgian Fuel from Belgium, Harvester of Holland from Holland. In a while, there are more than 50 people in the room, and it's just 6 pm! Absolutely great.
When Orion soundcheck starts, everyone moves out of the backstage room and n front of the stage. God, the sound is crystal clear and Orion are in a great vibe! The intro starts, and the guys try to fill in over the Blackened taped intro. It works out perfectly, everyone's staring as these guys plays really good! The pressure grows each minute. We just can't wait!
After the soundcheck, we all have dinner together in the backstage room, then we set our stalls for the record and memorabilia fair. Every chapter presents its tshirts, and I think I have never seen so many metallica records in one room!
At 8 pm, the Abart club opens its doors and people slowly flows in. A lot of fanns from Switzerland and Germany but also from Italy, Austria and other countries show up at the respective chapter stalls.
Fans are staring at the records, you can really find everything in one room! Vinyls, CDs, Pic Discs. Unbelievable!
At 9.40 pm the club counts 200 people at least. The lottery begins and I, Andy and Jorg are going on stage to draw the prizes. First prize is an autographed SKOM poster, donated by the mighty Metclub. We try to warm the crowd a little bit, the French guys from Metal Monster and Whipping Dancerz are a real bunch of Metalheads! They rock!
Right after the Grand Prize has been given, light go down, the Ecstasy of Gold begins, all the fans gather close to the stage clapping hands. Orion hit the stage and play a two hours set. First rows are really going crazy. All classics have been played, from Blackened to 4 Horsemen, from Master to Sandman. The guys of Orion played fast leaving everyone breathless and astonished!
So What is the encore, the club is packed with people everywhere, singing all songs as loud as they can. At midnight, the show ends, and some metal classic on CD are played.
It is time to thank everyone involved in this crazy night, most of all I would like to thank Andy from Damaged Switzerland who did a great job as always, and Jorg from Don't Tread On Austria, who has been a loyal partner all the way through.
A very special thank go out to all the Local Chapters who made the Metallibash 2006 such a great event! You guys ruled and we really appreciated your support.
I and Andy are already working on the European Metallibash 2007, but that's a whole new story! Stay tuned for more and bang that head that doesn't bang!
Riccardo De Santis
Chapter Head of
The Italian Metallibashers
More pics of the event can be found here:
http://www.donttreadonaustria.at/forum/thread.php?threadid=331
http://www.donttreadonaustria.at/forum/thread.php?threadid=332
.