Ronnie Romero and guests
– Too many lies, too many masters –
VAZ Burglengenfeld January 12th 2024
Tonight we will talk about legends. One of them is the headliner, the others…, let’s wait and see. Nevertheless, it is a Friday noon and my trip leads me over my “favourite” German motorway, the A3. I expect some traffic jams between Frankfurt and my final destination because a good part of it is “under construction”. Surprisingly I arrive one hour earlier than expected so I can still have a quick dinner with friends before we finally make it to VAZ Burglengenfeld to meet the rest of us.
Fire Rose
The first band tonight are good old friends, our favourite Swiss guys of Fire Rose. Last year, they toured with Jaded Heart and Nazareth in autumn and today they play their first show this year exclusively at this one gig of the tour as additional band. It is no surprise; they still are in a good shape so their set starts intensely. We hear some of the older songs but mainly those of the brand new album, released last September. They had already been part of the live repertoire anyway and just needed to be brought on record. Read our review of the album here.
Swiss Power
Powerful vocals and double lead guitar riffs rule the stage. Driving bass lines and thunderous drums are the backbone of Fire Rose’s unique sound and after 45 minutes they leave us with an appetite for more. Well, Fire Rose’s reputation as an extraordinary live band far over the limit is legend. Eyewitness them at Rock &Metal Day’z 2024.
Absolva
And more legnd comes with the second band, Absolva. Some of you might know them as backing band for Blaze Bayley, the intermediate vocalist of Iron Maiden. Others might remember Luke Appleton as bass player of Iced Earth. Indeed, Absolva is the band of the Appleton brothers. Luke’s brother Christopher performs as vocalist and on lead guitar. They are known as a hard working extensive live band with their roots going back to classic British steel. Absolva still found their own style between bands like Iron Maiden (of course), Saxon, Judas Priest.
Perfect Mood
Thus they build up perfectly on the mood, Fire Rose have already created. Both bands fit together so well, they should think about a common tour, if you ask me for my five pence. Side fact: The girlfriend of Luke Appleton is none less than Becky Baldwin, bass player of Hands Off Gretel and Fury. She was now confirmed as permanent member of King Diamond’s Mercyful Fate, after having toured with them in 2022. Congratulations!
Ronnie Romero
As if this wasn’t be legend enough, the headliner is well known as vocalist of Rainbow and Michael Schenker Group apart from a list of other projects of this busy bee. Tonight Ronnie Romero presents songs of his album “Too Many Lies, Too Many Masters” and a fine selection of cover songs. These cover songs are more or less a cross-section of his musical career across the bands he has played with in the past years.
A legend rules
Close your eyes while you listen to classics like “Child In Time”, “Long Live Rock and Roll”, “Stargazer” and so much more and you will realise, there is no difference to the original vocals. And if there is a difference, then because Ronnie sounds better, younger, fresher. Of course, the success of this legend is built on the solid pillars of his band. Each one of them is a master on his instrument on his own. But most of all, they are his friends and Ronnie Romero has chosen them very well. Otherwise such a symbiosis would not be possible. Well done, legendary!
Legendary
Two amazing bands on tour together, a third band as the additional support act, what do you want more? Exactly, an after show party with your friends from Switzerland. Being the last who left the venue, the bunch of us found a nice bar which was still open in the middle of the night and even offered some basic food beside some drinks. The next morning was tough but it was worth it. That’s Rock and Roll. That’s legend!
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