There were plenty of skeptics on the paring of this tour, but when I first hear that the Swedish heavy metal band HammerFall on their Re-Built to Tour 2018, and the Arizona thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam on their Forbidden Territories tour were heading across North America on a five and a half week trek, I couldn’t be happier, two of my favorites. I had a gut feeling this was going to be one tour that leaves a lasting impression on the fans. Southern California was in for a rare treat, back to back nights, first starting off at the iconic Whisky a Go Go Thursday, June 14th, then at the City National Grove of Anaheim Friday, June 15th, this is where I begin.
Starting my coverage early, arriving around 4:30 PM, to interview HammerFall’sfounder and guitarist Oscar Dronjak, plus one of our own local bands based in Los Angeles, California Edge of Paradise. You could feel the excitement in the air, between the sound checks, meet and greet and just the hustle and bustle of preparing for the show.
The industrial rock band Edge of Paradise based out of Los Angeles, California has been making waves, most recently playing at the House of Blues Anaheim prior to Metal Allegiance on NAMM 2018 weekend, behind their recent EP release “Alive.” Frontwoman Margarita Monet, guitarist Dave Bates and David Ruiz, drummer John Chominsky and the debut their new bassist Vanya Kapetanovic, due to original bassist Nick Ericson stepping down to spend time with his newborn baby. Warmed up the fans with songs off their EP, the title track Alive, Dust to Dust, Shades of Crazy, Mystery, Humanoid, even adventuring out to include Face of Fear from their upcoming third full-length album. Edge of Paradise closing the thirty-minute set to with In a Dream. Their fans loving every minute, which was evident to everyone up against the stage wearing Edge of Paradise t-shirts.
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All photos by Tammy Greene
©2018. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
Edge of Paradise:
Time to get a little crazy, up next Arizona’s thrashers Flotsam and Jetsam. I was first introduced to Flotz November 5, 2016 when I covered their show and interviewed frontman Eric AK and guitarist Michael Gilbert, became a fan right away. This was my third time seeing them live; now Ken Mary is the permanent timekeeper, WOW does not come close to describe their set. Frontman Eric AK Knutson, guitarist Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley, bassist Michael Spencer and drummer Ken Mary were on fire; they say third time is a charm, no doubt they put on their best show I’ve seen so far. As the fans await them to hit the stage, their instrumental Incantation off their self-titled album begins to play. There was no stopping them once they hit the stage opening with Monkey Wrench off the album Cuatro. Paying particular attention to the 30th anniversary No Place for Disgrace with songs, Dreams of Death, I Live You Die, Hard on You, and the song titled track No Place for Disgrace. As quickly they hit the stage, sadly their nine songs were done, but no show is complete without Iron Maiden off their self-titled album. Flotsam and Jetsam still have it after three decades they are at the top of their game. Flotz til Death! Watch for their new album End Of Chaos to be released this November via AFM records.
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Flotsam and Jetsam Setlist:
Incantation
Monkey Wrench
Dreams of Death
Hammerhead
She Took an Axe
I Live You Die
Hard on You
Iron Maiden
No Place for Disgrace
Flotsam and Jetsam:
The fans hearts are pumping and their starting to push their way to the front, getting a bit crowded for the headliners HammerFall.
It’s a dream to see one of your favorite bands twice in just over a year. HammerFall laid the hammer down for the ripple effect on May 9, 2017, playing the iconic Whisky a Go Go after nineteen years, on their Built to Last tour, the beginning of what was to come. A year later HammerFall is back with a vengeance on their first headlining tour, Re-Built To Tour 2018, it’s still exciting just typing it. As their mascot Hector is standing tall on the backdrop looking over the stage, all eyes are glued waiting.
In the darkness you can see drummer David Wallin. He doesn’t make the grand entrance, but he’s there, then the shadows of guitarist Pontus Norgren and bassist Frederik Larsson, lights come on, and founder/guitarist Oscar Dronjak is front and center, flexing his muscles with the hammer guitar, kicking off the first few notes of Hector’s Hymn from the album (r)Evolution, as frontman Joacim Cans enters the stage encouraging the fans to raise those cheers, following with Riders of the Storm off the album Crimson Thunder, and rounding out the first three songs with Renegade off the song titled album. That’s how you open a set – the fans fists pumping and singing every word, even a mosh pit had formed.
HammerFall on back to back tours, this was the going to be the test in North America, having issues with unsuccessful trips here, HammerFall had written off touring North America. Sitting down with founder/guitarist Oscar Dronjak prior to the show, I addressed the situation; I could barely contain myself when Oscar stated they are very happy with these tours and will be back, this is music to the ears of thousands of fans.
Frontman Joacim Cans voice is impressive, I’d say beautiful, but this is “Metal” he owns the stage, I’m mesmerized by his eyes they are expressive that tell the story, founder Oscar Dronjak gives it all with a heartwarming smile, while Pontus Norgren effortlessly rips the solos, bass man Fredrik Larsson is a force to be reckoned with, as the trio bangs their heads in unison, drummer David Wallin may be tucked behind the drums, the thunderous tone from the double bass kick drums is felt. HammerFall is a well-oiled machine.
Two decades and ten studio albums to date, the main body of the set included fourteen songs spanning threw out their discography. Including one of my favorites, Last Man Standing from their “Live” album Gates of Dalhalla, debating if I was going to rock out or take photos, I glance to my right to see bassist Michael Spenser of Flotsam and Jetsam standing there to help Joacim Cans belt out the verse. Awesome!! This year celebrating the 20th anniversary of Legacy of Kings, giving it particular attention with a Legacy of Kings Medley, Heeding the Call and ending the set with Let the Hammer Fall.
As Hammerfall steps off the stage, giving everyone a chance to catch their breath, Wallin, Larsson, Norgren, Dronjak, and Cans come out swinging with the anthem Hammer High from their recent release Built to Last, followed by Bushido from (r)Evolution. Cans being very fan orientated, thanking the fans for coming to the show, supporting Hammerfall and keeping metal alive, but he says “One question remains. How can we leave you without setting your hearts on fire” closing out this kick ass night with Hearts on Fire from the album Crimson Thunder.
Thank you for rocking our world!!!
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HammerFall Setlist:
Hector’s Hymn
Riders of the Storm
Renegade
Dethrone and Defy
Blood Bound
Any Means Necessary
B.Y.H.
Crimson Thunder
Threshold
Built to Last
Last Man Standing
Legacy of Kings Medley
Heeding the Call
Let the Hammer Fall
Encore:
Hammer High
Bushido
Hearts on Fire
HammerFall:
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