Female Fronted Night 2016

Female Fronted Night 2016

Location: die börse Wuppertal
Date: 16. 04. 2016

Female Fronted Night in Wuppertal, the third round. One year ago I spontaneous took the train to Wuppertal in Bergisches Land. The second Female Fronted Night gave me so much that I said, I’ll come back. And the announced bands never gave rise to a doubt for me – this year I absolutely have to be there. So I have re-booked the hotel, bought a train ticket and packed cameras. This year I also took a voice recorder in addition. Before the show started two of the singers had to answer my curious questions, Jen Majura (Evanescence, Knorkator, DOZ OF HELL) and Liane Vollmer-Sturm (Lion Twin). You can see the pictures of the evening on Flickr.

The opener of the evening, Diversity Of Darkness, had a home match. The band recently celebrated its first birthday. But no sign of nervousness. After the spoken intro by the band manager Anja (Morph) the band began punchy. The clean vocals of frontwoman Veronika took turns with Timo’s gloomy growls. The proven concept of the interplay “The Beauty and the Beast” mixed with symphonic metal was not reinvented by the band, but presented sovereign and with great enthusiasm.

During the construction break three stools were placed on the stage. Jen Majura, known as live guitar player of Knorkator and since nine months, also guitar player of Evanescence, presented the fans a very special acoustic gig. Reinforcing and second guitarist Adrian Weiss sat beside her. The show started with „The One That Got Away” by Pink. But above all, the next song made for pure goose bumps! An acoustic cover of “My Immortal” (Evanescence). Amazing. And in “Where To Go” Jen sang then a duet with the good fairy of the evening, Liane Vollmer- Sturm (Lion Twin). Unfortunately, after five songs already the show came to an end. But “The Show Must Go On!”.

The melodic metal band Valkyrie from the Belgian city of Ghent can look back on over 15 years of band history. Established in late 2004 / early 2005, there were various changes of cast and style. When I saw the band in the backstage area, I immediately had to think of Therion, with hat and dark sunglasses Bass player Wouter Verheyen somewhat looked like the mastermind of the Swede Christofer Johnsson. It is no wonder that Therion next In Extremo, Kamelot and Nightwish are mentioned as an influence. After so many years, this now was their very first gig in Germany. And like they did at the Metal Female Voices Fest 2012 the Flemings impressed with their atmospheric and very melodic metal.

Lion Twin, the band of organizer Liane, had some personnel changes over the previous year. Jan (guitar) left the band, and with a new drummer, but with the clear announcement now to be a “real band”, the local matadors hit the stage. Like last year, I was once again impressed by the powerful and charismatic voice. And Lion Twin presented the songs of the debut album “Nashville” with great enthusiasm. Especially Stefan Stürmer, who among others also plays for Axxis, enchanted with his grandiose guitar play.

One year ago they still opened the Female Fronted Night, this year they were the culmination, La Ventura from the Netherlands. The band around frontwoman Carla Van Huizen could wow me again.  The EP “2.0” was published in November last year. All four songs of the EP were presented this evening. The list was added with songs from their two previous albums. Highlight of the evening was the guest appearance by Liane at “Falling Down”. This were forty-five minutes melodic Power Metal at its best. After the encore (“Neverending Story”) a super evening was coming to the end just before one o’clock.

Also in the third edition of the Female Fronted Night outstanding bands were presented. Five female singers have presented a varied mix of music, as it could not be more different. Sound and light at the Börse Wuppertal were very good. A big thanks to the entire crew of the location. A very special thank you goes to Liane, who has made all possible owing to her sedulous work. I’m already looking forward to the fourth Female Fronted Night.

Rainer Kerber

This author is no longer associated with Metal On Loud Magazine.

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