Sauna Open Air Festival 2009
Sauna Open Air Metal Festival, Tampere 05.06.07 -07.06.07 Review
Day 1 – 05/06/09
The gates open and the first band start but only 50 people were watching poor Deuteronomium open this year’s Sauna Open Air festival to start with. Blonde singer Miika still managed to smile his way through their metal performance however with growling vocals and it’s a good start to the festival.
Over on the next stage was Amorphis, at number 1 in the Finnish album charts with Singer Tomi Joutsen with ridiculously and awesomely long dreads. He also uses a square shaped antique style microphone which makes him stand out from the crowd. Amorphis had melodic and gothic guitars and Tomi’s voice was melancholic over the top and they delivered an hour’s set to an appreciative audience although some of the songs started to sound a little repetitive to me.
45 Degree Woman were up next on Stage 2 and although they were very well rehearsed, their songs weren’t particularly strong and didn’t stick in my head as soon as I walked away.
International draw Duff McKagan’s Loaded took to the main stage. Not a Finnish act so normally we wouldn’t give much of a review, but Hanoi Rocks’ singer Michael Monroe turned up on stage to do three songs with Duff, covers of "It's So Easy" by Guns ’n' Roses, "Attitude" by The Misfits and "New Rose" by The Damned). Mike Monroe was soon climbing the light pylons and doing the splits as he always does and it was great to experience this special performance.
Medeia were playing instead of Meshuggah who had cancelled but unfortunately we didn’t make it to see those guys. Back at the main stage Swedes Soilwork got a mosh and circle pit going, which was pretty good as the Finnish crowds are not usually so manic. Viikate were pushed up the bill and played their popular folk/ cowboy tinged rock to a pretty large crowd despite a lot of people heading off to get place for Apocalyptica. Singer Kaarle Viikate with his sideburns, old fashioned glasses and cowboy hat got the crowd going as they rattled off a few hits that all the Finns knew well.
Apocalyptica headlined the main stage, spending the whole show smiling and having a great time, laughing and joking and teasing each other. The stage set was similar to previous shows in the last year or so, with thrones, but they only had two with them so took it in turns to perch on a stool. Now down to a 4-piece, drummer Mikko pounded away at the back with energy as the three musketeers at the front, Eicca, Perttu and Paavo commanded the stage. They still managed to make cellos sound metal. They still managed to make playing cellos have plenty of movement and rock out. Old and new songs alike were mixed up in the set list, and there was huge excitement when Sonata Arctica singer Tony Kakko joined them on stage to sing I’m Not Jesus and Life Burns during the main set, and I Don’t Care in the encore. A stunning show even by Apo’s high standards and it looked like they loved every minute of it too.
Day 2 – 06/06/09
The very metal Profane Omen singer, Jules Näveri, launched day 2 of the festival on the 2nd stage with power and aggression, cheered on by the watching Petteri of Nitrokiss. Meanwhile Sparzanza from Sweden put everyone in an excellent mood over on Stage 2 with their catchy powerful melodic rock.
SuomiRocks faves Sturm Und Drang were next up on Stage 2, rattling through several songs from the latest album ‘Rock ‘n Roll Children‘ and an Iron Maiden cover ‘Fear of the Dark’. Guitarist Alex had shocked us all by going bleached blonde and was so cool in his shades that the temperature dropped a degree. Singer André’s vocals didn’t seem on top form, a little strained in places, and it wasn’t the best we’ve seen them. No pyros either. Boo.
Ville Laihiala‘s breathed his way through a surprisingly excellent hour on the main stage with Poisonblack. With his shiny flying V glinting in the sun, Ville was on form and the band sounded powerful and heavy on this massive stage. ‘Rush’ made my spine tingle. One of the best performances we’ve seen by them.
There was a special treat for the old rockers on stage 2 next as Prestige had returned after a decade in the wilderness. After 20 years together the old boys seem to have now discovered the delights of Jäger, and Singer/bassist Aku Kytölä grinned drunkenly as they played and drank to a crowd that were mainly over 40. They were unexpectedly hardcore though! Don’t write these ol’ boys off yet.
Swedish power metallers, Hammerfall showed the Finns that predictable classic rock and leather trousers is still a great way to spend an hour at a festival, before back on Stage 2 Finntroll’s singer Vreth appeared with a huge branch-like twig growing out of his hand before launching into some powerful black metal. If anyone knows why he has twigs coming out of his fingers please let us know!
Finally it was time for MÖTLEY CRÜE who just wowed the Finnish crowd from start to end with a brilliantly chosen set, mixing old classics with a few new album tracks. Starting with Kickstart my heart was genius. Chats from Tommy Lee and Nikki Sixx broke up the set so Mick and Vince could get their breath ;-) The band truly looked like they were getting on and enjoying it again. The finale saw Tommy Lee running round the stage getting the crowd to respond to his chants before throwing himself on the piano. A fantastic end to the Saturday.
Day 3 – 07/06/09
Kotiteollisuus had to open the third day, and bearded singer Jouni Hynynen launched his rather serious heavy metal to a hungover and sparse crowd…and a pile of queuing Nightwish fans that were already at the barrier for tonight’s headliners. Kotiteollisuus are renowned for abusing their audience at shows, but today they mooned at them instead. Not pretty!
Over on stage 2 Omnium Gatherum kicked off the day with smiles and awesome guitars before singer Jukka Pelkonen made my ears bleed with really deep thrash vocals. Shame, it was going well until then.
Three more international bands followed today, the marvellous Kamelot from Florida, who put on a mighty show with pyros, and just commanded the stage through charismatic singer, the Norwegian Khan. Over on stage 2 Swedes Bullet were having plenty of beers and lots of laughs as they inflicted their catchy and fun classic rock on us.
Novelty act Thor from Canada entertained with masks and costume changes on Stage 2, bending steel on stage.
On the main stage was Stratovarius were playing a bit of a blinder, with singer Timo Kotipelto coming into his own on a large stage that could intensify the huge sound Strato already make. Power metal was made for stage like this and Timo made use of the large area, running around and grabbing various invisible items in huge movements regularly, his voice soaring.
After a marriage proposal on stage by the presenter, and little 5-year-old Rony introducing the headline band we finally came to Nightwish. Um, what can we say? Sometimes you really shouldn’t drink quite so much before you go on stage! They had Troy over from the UK to play his strange bagpipe types things on tracks such as The Islander, which was great to see. Unfortunately, however, by that point Marko wasn’t coherent enough to remember the words! They had to restart the song with Anette bailing Marco out and singing the song. Much shambling around on stage ensued, with Marco tripping a couple of times. Not being a huge Nightwish fan, especially of the Tarja era, I struggled with the set list, which included a lot of slower and stranger stuff rather than the obvious new album tracks and hit singles. Certainly not the best Nightwish show we’ve ever seen despite the pyros and contribution from Troy to make it a bit special. I suggest they don’t let Marco drink quite so much Jäger before they go on next time!
Many thanks to and all at SOA for their hospitality again this year. See you in 2010!
© 06/2009 Suomirocks.com
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