AA.VV.
Gods Of Metal @ Idroscalo Milano - 30.06.07

And so this Gods Of Metal 2007 has passed, and for all of us metalheads in Italy, it brought both emotions and disappointments. Personally, I cannot recount the first part of the festival featuring Motley Crue, Velvet Revolver, Heaven & Hell, or Dream Theater, but surely names of such caliber must have offered a worthy show. I, on the other hand, enjoyed the second part of the festival, the one held on June 30th, essentially the Ozzy-Day, marking the return to Italian stages after seven long years of the Prince of Darkness, the godfather of heavy metal in general, Mr. Osbourne. Before him, heavyweights of metal, both modern and classic, like Korn (already at their second GOM, after their performance last year), Megadeth promoting their latest album, Black Label Society with Zakk Wylde, faithful bandmate of the ex-Black Sabbath and protagonist of the day twice, etc., etc... In short, the festival's lineup was certainly enticing. Now let's sum up that Saturday, June 30th, still imprinted in my and your mind.

Arriving shortly after Slowmotion Apocalypse (Rating: 7+) started, I was immediately struck by the tightness and excellent sound the band showcased on stage. The time available was short, but the Italians gave their all to warm up an audience eagerly awaiting much more renowned names, in my opinion succeeding. Sure, the band's groove-rich thrash/death metal doesn't seem very original, but it's powerful and raw enough for Gods Of Metal. To put the cherry on top, GL Perrotti from Extrema joins in with an unexpected personalized cover of Maiden's "Be Quick Or Be Dead". What can I say? Approved! Next on stage at Idroscalo are the Swedish Deathstars (Rating: 5), the most mismatched act of the bill. They move the audience at the beginning of the live set, but gradually their power industrial metal, indebted to Marilyn Manson (the singer blatantly imitates his look, moves, and style), and Nine Inch Nails, fades into boredom. Fortunately for those present, they have a relatively short time and leave the stage to the much more convincing Sadist (Rating: 7.5). Already seen in great shape opening for the maidenian mega-show 10 days prior, the Italian band once again offers a lot of substance, firing in succession the tracks from their latest self-titled album and their classics. The singer Trevor Traverso once again proved to be the star of the group, entertaining and screaming throughout their given time. In conclusion, as long as bands like Sadist take the stage, Italian metal will remain alive and well.

After the Genovese, the first "big names" of the event start to take the stage, the controversial Type O Negative (No Rating). A band I wasn't particularly interested in and of which I only heard the first part of the concert, a very fast and angry industrial metal, but it definitely doesn't attract me, so I queued up to buy food. I apologize to those who wanted to know more, but it was the only good moment to grab a bite since soon after, the legendary Zakk Wylde with his Black Label Society (Rating: 8) would enchant us. The American band starts powerfully with "New Religion" and dives into classics like "Suffering Overdue", "Bleed For Me", and "Suicide Messiah". Zakk is at his peak, entertaining and playing the guitar like a true deity of rock. How can you not appreciate such a man? He's skilled, perfectly suited for the occasion, and what's more, he would also take the stage with Ozzy. Simply great! The rest of the band also goes all out, thanks to a very appetizing sound resulting from the blend of hard rock, booming metal, and warm southern atmospheres. The anthemic "Fire it Up" from the penultimate album "Mafia" wasn't missing, arguably the highlight of the show. There was also room for the new album "Shoot To Hell" thanks to the excellent "Black Mass Reverends" and "Concrete Jungle". It all closes with "Stillborn", leaving a bit of a bitter taste, not so much for the Southerners' performance, but for the too short time they had, which heavily conditioned the setlist, reduced to the bone. But Zakk, you really gave it your all, hats off!

After the bearded Zakk and his band, the much-acclaimed Megadeth (Rating: 7.5) take the stage at Idroscalo. Riding high on the success of their latest album "United Abominations", they offer a more than decent performance, but not quite enough to be brilliant. Dave Mustaine churns out his riffs and solos, and the other band members give their all, but deep down, some slips, some little mistakes were there. Dave, with his usual voice (which personally doesn't drive me crazy), heats up the crowd but it's clear he wanted to be the main attraction of the festival before Mr. Osbourne. In short, Mustaine was visibly pissed about his band's position in the bill (because that's what it is, the 'Deth will always and only be Dave, period!). Nonetheless, although altered, the red-haired guitarist ignites Idroscalo with the best extracts from the latest album (the opener "Sleepwalker", "Gear Of War", and "Washington Is Next") naturally pairing them with classics like "Reckoning Day", "Peace Sells...", "Hangar 18", the romantic "A Tout Le Monde" (without Cristina Scabbia from Lacuna Coil, whose appearance was expected since we were in Italy, bad bad...), and a strange experimental medley intertwining "Holy Wars" and "Mechanix". They did not disappoint!

Before Ozzy, the Korn (Rating: 9) take the stage, delivering the best concert of the day. Thanks to a still very large formation, supported by a backup band that enriches, strengthens, and invigorates a lineup that, if one were to count the original members, is reduced to three elements: singer Jonathan Davis, who appeared in evident shape with a characteristic and nice military kilt, bassist Fieldy with an unexpected Iron Maiden t-shirt (when it’s always been known he’s the rapper of the formation, a nice step forward I’d say), and the erratic Munky, churner of rock-solid and powerful riffs, who appeared a bit static compared to the last Korn appearance (still at Gods... a solo date no, huh?) with white dreadlocks and the usual black makeup under his eyes. Then there's the series of session men: Rob Patterson is gone, replaced by Clint Lowery (ex-Sevendust), a good guitarist and surely a more active character with the audience than his predecessor, then second voice and percussionist Kalen (who helps Davis in several parts), the other percussionist Michael (the least useful of the ensemble), Zac Baird on keyboards, and the prestigious substitute for David Silveria (on break from the group due to stress), directly from the Slipknot seat: Mr. Joey Jordison who gave Korn that professional drummer touch, that extreme touch that made all the songs more aggressive in their new arrangements.

The band is charged and wants to play for Italian fans, who flocked many to the event, even Jonathan Davis, historically reluctant to create a rapport with the Italian audience, talks more. It starts as per script with the cannon shots of "Here To Stay" and it's already delirium, people sing, dance, mosh, and headbang, it will continue like this for the entire evening. The opening song is preceded by an all-drum and percussion intro (the latter overwhelm in "Here To Stay", improving the groove of the piece). It continues with the classic "Twist", but the surprise is "Good God", a recent recovery that goes somewhat to "replace" "ADIDAS" and to represent the "Life Is Peachy" album, an "antique" piece for Korn and well dusted off. It moves on to recent production with the single "Coming Undone" directly from "See You On The Other Side", which takes on much more substance and vigor live, but much more striking are "Falling Away From Me", modified and extreme in some growled parts becoming pseudo-death metal, and the subsequent "Somebody Someone", also modified with a strong use of percussion. The beautiful "Right Now" returns vehemently in the Korn setlist from "Take A Look In The Mirror", anticipated by a heavy and dark intro, dominated by Zack's atmospheres and Joey's heaviness. The song flows powerful and "wicked", but the highest point was perhaps "Shoots And Ladders", a super-classic from Korn that, in the introduction, saw a small tribute from Joey to his Slipknot, since instead of the original parts, he introduced the main riff of "The Blister Exists", and that really made everyone sing, followed by tradition, with "One" by Metallica, also much appreciated by both fans and non-fans of the Bakersfield group.

We can say that with "Shoots..." the first part of the show ends, which immediately restarts with another "ad hoc" recovery with "Divine", from the debut album, a fast, schizophrenic song and well reinterpreted especially by the acrobatic Joey. Staying on the theme of classics, "Got The Life" suddenly arrives, another historic song very appreciated. The most awaited moment was definitely the performance of the latest single "Evolution", a track from the new album coming out in July. Perhaps many were disappointed, but I liked the piece quite a bit. With that rock cadence and keyboard arrangements, it stands out, remaining the only new song performed on this tour, but unfortunately, we are approaching the end. Jonathan urges us to raise the middle finger and shout "Fuck That", and this is the signal for "Y'All Want A Single", very well performed. It continues with "Twisted Transistor" (which wasn't performed badly, on the contrary, but could've been skipped after a song like "Y'all Want A Single" all against hits and the record market). "Freak On A Leash" is as always very sung, and "Clown", another debut piece, brings it all together well, but the finale is, as always, entrusted to "Blind", which once again makes the Idroscalo explode into furious headbanging. As in recent dates, Jon made the fans sit down before saying "Are You Ready?", another influence from Joey since that's what Slipknot does in "Spit It Out". Ultimately, a very exciting concert with a good setlist (16 songs are a lot for being at Gods without being the headliner), much better than the last edition (when they played much less, a medley and 11 songs), the members were charged and in shape; what more to say: they continue to give me strong emotions even at my fourth live experience.

After the Americans from Bakersfield have left, after the usual break of about 20/30 minutes, we are all in eager anticipation of Ozzy Osbourne (Rating: 8). The madman is as crazy as he was in the good old days, but I'm sorry to admit it, the 8 I gave him is mainly for the other band members supporting him, the good setlist, and the stage presence. We all would've wanted to give a 10 to a historic name like the one the Prince of Darkness carries, but dear ones, the voice is not there anymore. Sure, could an Ozzy concert, featuring Zakk, Mike Bordin, and Blasko be bad? NO. But it wasn't that great comeback everyone had prophesied either. A good concert, nothing more, nothing less. Ozzy moves still, but he struggles in many parts. At the end of the concert, he repeats with various "I Love You All" or his wild "Fucks", but perhaps we expected a little something more from an artist who hasn't been to us in 7 years. The concert opens with "Bark At The Moon", a spot-on choice and song sung at the top of one's voice. There were many cheers for Ozzy, always very loved. Another great hit is "Mr. Crowley", performed with heart. The first extract from "Black Rain", the madman’s latest and excellent effort, is "Not Going Away", even more vigorous live than on record, but it immediately gives way to the first Sabbath-song, a more than sufficient version of the immortal "War Pigs". It follows with sufficient performances of various "Believer" or "Road To Nowhere", before the excellently interpreted "Suicide Solution". This is followed by an endless solo by Zakk Wylde, about 10/15 minutes long, which surely served to oxygenate and recharge uncle Ozzy.

The show resumes in its second part with "I Don't Know", which as the first track of "Blizzard Of Ozz" so many years ago, kicked off the solo career of the former Black Sabbath. Simply "moving" was the amazing "Here For You", a ballad from "Black Rain" with many lighters lit (unfortunately, I had nothing to create light). There was great acclaim also for the famous "No More Tears", where, however, Ozzy begins to struggle terribly, and this occurs throughout "I Don't Want To Change The World" and part of "Mama I'm Coming Home", the latter very beautiful in its final part, sung by the attendees. The finale was entrusted to his two most famous tracks, the well-known "Crazy Train", the public’s delirium and the Sabbathian "Paranoid", obligatorily THE song par excellence by Ozzy.

To conclude this long report, I'd like to spend a few words on the location, which was really ugly and uncomfortable. In the end, the ground (very narrow and limited) on which to mosh became a cross between a battlefield and a swamp. Also, a few lines on the sound quality, which was decent, and again on Ozzy: the final rating is relative—it could have been 10 or 2. I preferred to put an 8 for the many emotions that former-butcher has given us over the years, emotions that were partly relived on Saturday, June 30th, despite, or due to age or the usual "bad day", Mr. Osbourne was not quite "in shape".