JUNE 22nd 2023
TONS OF ROCK FESTIVAL
DAY 2

Review & Photo Gallery By: Polina Kulikovskikh
Day 1 - http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/tons-of-rock-day-2/

On the second day of the festival, the weather took a turn for the better, lifting everyone's spirits despite the unfortunate news of Nightwish's cancellation due to health issues. However, the excitement remained high as the Norwegian band Madrugada stepped in to rock the stage. The day kicked off with  Storm playing at Moonlight stage followed by Fever 333 at Vampire stage.

The main stage came alive with the electrifying presence of Halestorm, the renowned American rock band led by the powerhouse frontwoman, Lzzy Hale. Their energy and passion were palpable as they opened their set with the crowd-favorite "I Miss the Misery" from their 2012 album, "The Strange Case Of…". The momentum only grew stronger as they followed up with the Grammy-winning track, "Love Bites (So Do I)", which earned them the prestigious award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance in 2013. The audience was captivated as they continued the musical journey with yet another hit, "I Get Off". As expected, Halestorm delivered a dynamic and skillful performance, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of the fans.

The next big name to grace the Vampire stage was none other than Avatar. Their unique blend of traditional heavy metal, progressive metal, and melodic death metal, the band is renowned for their theatrical and visually striking performances, and this time was no exception. The show opened with a spectacular entrance as vocalist Johannes Eckerström emerged from a massive box, holding a red balloon in his hand, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience. Kicking off with the powerful anthem "Dance Devil Dance," Avatar immediately captivated the crowd, showcasing their impeccable showmanship and stage presence. Their performance was a captivating spectacle, enhanced by elaborate costumes and visuals that perfectly complemented the music.

One of the highlights of the show was during the performance of "Violence No Matter What," where the band welcomed a very special guest - Lzzy Hale of Halestorm - to join them on vocals.  
German power metal titans, Powerwolf, took to the stage next, captivating the audience at the Scream stage. Renowned for their unique fusion of power metal, symphonic elements, and dark themes, the band's music draws inspiration from religious and mythological sources. One of the hallmarks of their performances is the visually rich and engaging shows they deliver. Powerwolf's music stands out for its incorporation of religious imagery and themes, often exploring vampiric and werewolf-like characters in a distinctive and playful manner. Their lyrics delve into the eternal battle between good and evil, weaving tales of supernatural creatures and spiritual elements into their songs. This innovative approach to songwriting, complemented by infectious melodies and unforgettable choruses, has earned them a devoted following within the metal community.

Launching their set with "Faster Than the Flame," Powerwolf took the audience on a thrilling journey, showcasing tracks from various albums and providing a captivating overview of their immense talent. The combination of their charismatic stage presence, theatrical flair, and powerful music left the crowd in awe, reaffirming their status as one of the most revered and exhilarating bands in the metal genre.

Almost at the same time with Powerwolf, Soulfly played on the Moonlight stage and right after that a big crowd of fans gathered at the Vampire stage to see Clutch. Formed in 1991, the band has gained a reputation for their unique and eclectic sound, which draws from various genres including hard rock, blues rock, funk, and punk.

Over the years, Clutch has released a string of successful albums, each with its own distinct flavor, adding to their discography's diversity. Some of their well-received albums include "Transnational Speedway League: Anthems, Anecdotes, and Undeniable Truths" (1993), "Blast Tyrant" (2004), "Earth Rocker" (2013), and "Book of Bad Decisions" (2018). At this year’s Tons of Rock they played a 13-song setlist showcasing material from different albums.

As has been mentioned previously, Nightwish had to cancel their appearance at Tons of Rock due to health issues of the vocalist and have been replaced by a Norwegian band Madrugada. It is an alternative rock band that emerged in the mid-1990s and gained significant popularity in the early 2000s. The band was formed in 1993 in Stokmarknes, Norway, and originally consisted of vocalist Sivert Høyem, guitarist Robert Burås, bassist Frode Jacobsen, and drummer Jon Lauvland Pettersen. Madrugada's music can be described as a blend of alternative rock, post-punk, and dark, atmospheric elements. They were known for their melancholic and emotionally charged sound, which was characterized by Sivert Høyem's soulful and powerful vocals, combined with Robert Burås' distinctive guitar work.
It is an amazing band and they gave a truly outstanding performance this evening. However music wise it is very far from Nightwish and unfortunately could hardly be viewed as an equal replacement for the fans who came to the festival specifically to see the famous Finnish band. Though we all understand that in case of last minute changes promoters did their best.

Meanwhile fans of black metal could witness legendary Mayhem at Moonlight stage. Mayhem is truly a legendary band that has a very long and eventful history. In the early days, Mayhem gained notoriety for their involvement in the Norwegian black metal scene, which was marked by its intense and often violent ideology. Tragically, the band experienced a series of shocking events in the early 1990s. In 1991, the band's vocalist, Per "Dead" Ohlin, died by suicide, and it was Euronymous who discovered his body. The band's reputation was further tarnished in 1993 when Euronymous was murdered by fellow black metal musician Varg "Count Grishnackh" Vikernes, who was part of the band Burzum and was once a Mayhem collaborator.

Despite these tragedies, Mayhem persevered and released their highly influential debut album, "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas," in 1994. The album is often regarded as one of the seminal works of black metal and solidified Mayhem's position as a key figure in the genre. Over the years, Mayhem has seen several lineup changes, with numerous musicians contributing to the band's legacy. Their music has evolved, and they continue to release albums that showcase their unique blend of dark and atmospheric black metal. To this day the band continues to be a subject of many controversies including “How true is The True Mayhem right now?” and “What would Euronymous say to this?”. Personally I don’t think it matters that much - most importantly the band continues to exist giving great performances just like the one they gave this time at Tons Of Rock.

One of the main highlights of this festival day was Behemoth with their incredible show. From their early days, Behemoth became known for their uncompromising and blasphemous lyrical themes, often exploring occultism, Satanism, and anti-Christianity. They have never shied away from controversial and provocative imagery, embracing a theatrical and visually striking approach to their music and live performances.  The set started with the intro “Post‐God Nirvana” and continued with “Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer”. Overall the band played a set of 11 songs which included hits such as “Conquer All”, “Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel”, “The Deathless Sun” among others.

The main headliner of the 2nd day was Volbeat - Danish rock band that was formed in Copenhagen in 2001. The band was founded by vocalist and guitarist Michael Poulsen, who had previously been a member of the death metal band Dominus. Poulsen's distinctive vocals, which range from clean singing to gritty growls, are a defining characteristic of Volbeat's sound.

Volbeat gained significant attention and popularity in Denmark with their early releases, including their debut album "The Strength/The Sound/The Songs" (2005) and its follow-up "Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil" (2007). Their breakthrough came with the release of "Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood" (2008), which brought them international recognition. The album featured the hit single "Still Counting," which became a major success and is now considered one of their signature songs and which they, of course, played this evening as well as 13 other songs from different eras of the band's history.