BATTLE HYMS

3 DAYS. 6 STAGES. 60, 000 EXCITED, DRUNK EUROPEANS.

WHAT IS THIS YOU MAY ASK?

HELLFEST 2009

Headlining: MANOWAR

It started with the train ride from the small town of Nantes, France into the countryside called Clisson. The train was filled with more black t-shirt than there were seats. From the stop in a field in what appeared to be the middle of nowhere, we walked for what seemed like hours, mindlessly following the others up the mountainside, down man-made paths and through tiny cobble stone streets. When we got to the monsterous gates however, is where it really all began.

Dust clouds caused by mass motion filled the air, while tents upon tents of vendors sold some of the most obscene merchandise I have ever seen ! This place, in many different languages, was referred to as "The Black Market." The camp sites were a site to be seen in themselves, filled with filthy but elated Europeans gathering to see some of their favourite metal bands. The 2Euro Kronenbourg's (France's signature cheap beer) were being served in souvenir cups which were to be kept and refilled just as quickly as you could finish, or until you passed out and threw up on yourself.

THERE WAS NO ALCOHOL CUT OFFS BY AUTHORITY.

The 3 day music festival featured a bill including: Mastadon, Marylin Manson, Down, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, Dragonforce, Heaven and Hell, Devildriver, Clutch, Amon Amarth, Dream Theatre, Machine Head, The Misfits, Epica, Cradle of Filth, Europe, Pentagram, Electic Wizard, and Vision of Disorder-- to name a few of the 112 which played.

BUT, who we had really come all the way from London, Ontario Canada to see was MANOWAR. After working our way up to the front through 60, 000 people we realized we were in that spot for the rest of the day since Manowar wouldn't be playing until the bitter sweet end. Finally, after 9 hours of standing with no food, no source of hydration, and no means to a bathroom (which were merely portapotties anyways- yes for 60,000 people- GROSS) the sirens began and a voice boomed asking all "posers" to leave. Next Orsen Wells voice powered through the speakers blaring "Ladies and gentleman, from the United States of America, all hail, MANOWAR!"

They opened with their self-titled track and carried on to play various fan favourites. The most amazing part of European music festivals is that everyone brings with them their country flag, so essentially when you look back, all you can see is a sea of colours soaring in the air. The music festivals in Europe are incomparable to those of North America, that however, is even an understatement, there is seriously NO COMPARISON.

Half way through their set, bass player Joey Demaio stopped and asked the crowd, "WHO HAS BALLS ENOUGH TO PLAY THROUGH THE BIGGEST GUITAR AMP IN THE WORLD?!" Before you knew it, a young guy was up on stage and within moments was given a free Manowar tour shirt and told to change into "the uniform." After literally guzzlying back a beers on stage together, the young fan played along with the rest of the band to a track titled "The Gods Made Heavy Metal." The guitar was then signed by the band and given to the boy to keep as he got to watch the remainder of the set from side stage.

This was not the only form of side entertainment. Again, the band stopped, this time calling upon the promotor of the Hellfest music festival, Ben Barbaud. After introducing him and thanking him for having them play France, they gave him a plaque with two big balls of steel on it, telling him he was the only one "with balls of steel (meaning brave enough) to have Manowar come to, and play France." Comments? HAHA, I didn't really know what to say myself.

(On a side note, Manowar is in the Guiness Book of World Records twice- first for being the loudest band to ever play live -and they later broke their own volume record-, and secondly for playing the longest live concert- 6 consectutive albums! So, I guess it does take balls of steel to have a band that BIG and LOUD play in your festival.)

The set began coming to a close around 3AM. The final stunt consisted of the best, most elborate firework display I have ever seen in my life. THIS KIND OF FIREWORK DISPLAY WOULD NEVER GO DOWN IN NORTH AMERICA- ESPECIALLY NOT FOR A MUSICAL PERFORMANCE! It was absolutely spectacular! Again, I cannot stress enough how different European concerts are from ours here. Just picture a giant field, 60, 000 drunk, raging fans who do nothing but eat, sleep, and breathe music.

INTENSE? DEFINITELY!

(check out the very end of this clip)

This show was just 3 days of my month backpacking Europe- but it was definitely 3 of the most unforgettable days I have ever experienced in my entire life!

IF ANY OF YOU, EVER HAVE THE CHANCE TO GO TO ANY KIND OF MUSIC FESTIVAL IN EUROPE- DO IT, IT IS A ONE OF A KIND, KIND OF EXPERIENCE- I SWEAR BY THAT.

THIS POST IS FOR YOU, ADAM SAITTI... I'm so glad we got to experience this together.