On 17 October, the day they’ve all been waiting for will finally arrive: the long-awaited Band Bash housed by M.A.DE. for Kids e. V. is taking place. This charity is the organizer of annual Rock & Metal Day’z. Initially, three bands were invited, with a fourth – a local up-and-coming band – added later.
Final preparations get underway as early as midday: getting the clubhouse ready, setting up the stage, soundchecks for the bands, and all the little bits and pieces that nobody notices once they’re done, but which stand out immediately if they’re left undone. In between, there’s always time for a quick chat with the musicians and club members, who are already turning up in droves. This is how I learn some fascinating details about the life of a social worker who ‘plays heavy metal on the side’ and swap a few stories.
At 6.00 pm sharp, the doors open to the audience. Admission is free; instead, guests are asked to contribute to the donation box at the entrance on a voluntary basis, according to their financial means. This ensures that even those on a tight budget can enjoy an eventful evening of music, and the clubhouse fills up nicely as a result.
Before the first band takes to the stage, however, there are three significant donations presented to M.A.DE. for Kids e.V. Firstly, a donation of €512 from the Alloheim Senioren Residenz in Magdeburg; secondly, a donation of €100 from Oldschool Metalheads; and thirdly, a donation from Opa Rolle, who had already made his donation of €500 at the Rock & Metal Day’z. However, the organisers had postponed the official handover to this weekend due to the temperatures at the time. On behalf of all club members, the council would like to thank them for the donations and, as always, will put the money to a worthy cause.
At 7.00 pm, Burning Misery – the up-and-coming band from the Braunschweig area mentioned earlier – will be the first band to play that evening. Two long-haired lads on guitars, along with a bassist and drummer with slightly shorter hair, will be thrashing away like there’s no tomorrow. It must have looked something like this in the early days of genre giants such as Metallica. Admittedly, the four musicians are young in years but highly skilled on their instruments and confident on stage. More bands like this, and the future of traditional thrash and death metal is secure.
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After a short break for set changes, the Magdeburg trio Junkyard take to the small stage, and with a bit more space but no less explosive energy, the show continues. Even though the influence of Metallica, Slayer and the like is certainly unmistakable, the discerning listener and spectator can pick out the subtle nuances. Here, the sound leans more towards technically refined stoner and alternative rock. It’s all super-loud, brutal and rebellious, much to the delight of the indeed very large audience.
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.Whilst the guests pop to the bar, the loo and the outdoor area to have a drink or a wee, and to get some fresh air whilst having a cigarette during the interval, the stage set is being busily rearranged. It’s not actually that much work, so there’s barely time for more than two or three beers or cigarettes before the Bavarian band Wanted Inc. strike up the first gentle guitar chords.
It’s getting cosy; the five cheerful musicians ‘just about’ fit on the stage – during the soundcheck, some of them were still standing in front of it… The music on offer is cosy and homely – at least if you’re into hard, fast guitar chords and the very best Upper Palatinate thrash. These seasoned musicians know their craft down to the smallest detail and, of course, are no strangers to the audience anyway – after all, vocalist Flo Schmöller is also the booker for the RMD’z and the singer for both, RMDZ and Mysterica – Metallica Cover. Today, however, with Wanted Inc., it only sounds somewhat similar when they play their own original songs. In the meantime, we have a laugh with him about the various line-up changes at Nightwish, Delain and Mission in Black, so we can look forward to seeing which band Flo(ra) joins next. 😉
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And then suddenly it’s that time already – who’s turned the clock? Is it really that late already? Does that mean, well folks, that once the bands have played their last song, that’s it for today? Yes, it is – but no, nobody’s turned the clock. Time simply flew by until Zappenduster brought the convivial evening to a close late into the night. The five Oberharz lads present their own musical genre, Mystic Mountain Metal – 3M, so to speak. And it goes down really well – so well, in fact, that after the finale and the obligatory group photo, there’s an encore, followed by ‘just one more’. A brilliant end to a very successful evening of music at the clubhouse.
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The party, of course, carries on a little longer until it’s really over well past midnight. The next morning and the inevitable ‘cleaning spree’ are already waiting with a sly grin for the last night owls.
Thanks to the team at the clubhouse, the good soul Kalle in particular, and all the volunteers throughout the day and the following morning – without all of them, this day wouldn’t have been possible, and the next party is already waiting, just a week later. Don’t forget the big event coming up next year as well:
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Please buy physical music or download it from the bands official sources and don’t stream it for free because it steals your artists’ income.
All pics and text by Friend.X aka Mr. Deep