When there is an open air festival happening in Germany, it is always a risky Business, - no question. In eight out of ten cases, the weather god does, what many people do in August: he goes on a vacation, - very far away in the deep south. And we've got all the rain, he didn't wanna take with him onto his journey. Although the Earthshaker Festival had all the luck in the world what's up to weather conditions during the past years.
Yes, there was some rain coming down on thursday and friday this time, and the camping site almost drowned in mud. But on the whole it was okay, and the promoter was able to hold the pigstall in a fairly good shape.
On the other hand, those guys weren't that lucky what's up to the line up. 
First of all, the highly announced superstar and Dracula actor Christopher Lee did never turn up on friday to support italien Metal export Rhapsody at their live set. 
                       
                                                 Rhapsody


Dracula probably preferred to stay home in Transylvania
pardon, - C.Lee in good old England of course
 to keep his good reputation

Then some bands cancelled their appearances, like Testament and Overkill. They never turned up and fans were given no reasons for that. However, at least there was Manowar, the ultimative Heavy Metal Kings, most of the fans actually came here for. Manowar who had announced months before this event, that this will be their one and only performance in Germany this year. And you really could see, how many people only came for Manowar at the autograph session  the day before friday, queuing up for hours in a never ending row. These kids even didn't dare to leave their spot for a loo, just to get the whole signings on whatever is usable to write on. Also the fanconvention was well visited. Even the promoters charged another 45 Euros in addition to the regular festival entry fee. Therefore the fans could go up on a stage joining Manowar, who were asking them, how much Manowar music they would listen to every single day. - And all this, including the queuing, getting wet, and the waiting for hours - just to experience their personal  highlight of the month or even of the year.


Yes Brothers - we are the Kings of Metal


----oh shit.... I forgot my chocolate bar today!!!

After quite a long gap, Manowar started offensively, and the first songs let us hope, that even without a Christopher Lee, - this happening will be a real good Heavy Metal party. Most of all, because the band had promised the fans a 3 hours show in the afternoon. Yes, the spirit was there, and no doubt about it, - the right mood as well. Even one or the other may have asked himself, if the fact - to be the loudest band on the planet is also a bonus for quality. Alright, the first three songs went down quite well, and every fan on the spot did realize, that up there is a true Metal legend.
But then things went somehow wrong and became quite unprofessionall. Probably due to a electric failure, the sound was gone. But instead of entertaining the people, while technician are gonna fix the problem again, bassist Joey DeMajo set on a soundcheck for the drumkit, and even continued, after the energy was back on again. The audiance did not understand, why there was not one but even four soundchecks  in the middle of a show. And didn't seem to have a quick end. Joey DeMajo's reaction for all this whistling and complaining from the audiance came with the comment: "if you can't wait, then just f....off. And you're not a real Manowar fan. Manowar will only give and do their best." The applause for this speech was rather low, so he tried to get the situation a bit more straight and concluded the argument, that people paid a lot of money to see the show, so they should only get the best.


The Chippendales of Heavy Metal

Another interruption of the show was Manowar's honouring of Mr. Reiner Hänsel (legendary concertpromoter and RR Animal for 30 years) They got him on stage, he did not say anything and left the stage again after only minutes. Almost noone in the audiance actually knew, who was honoured up there. Nice move -Manowar, - but wrong place.
For the final Manowar got all their past bandmembers on stage to join them including Ross The Boss, who certainly nowadays don't spend that much time in fitness studios as his ex collegues still do. Also the highly announced 100 man orchestra  counted only half the amount of musicians, exept you were shortsighted or drunk.


Manowar's Live Philosophy next to Heavy Metal

Result: once again a lot of blood and sweat went down the drain. Although you couldn't avoid the feeling, that the bombast and show, was left behind for miles after all these big announcements before including disappointed fans, who left the spot with the words: "Manowar sucks". - Maybe they were not the true die hard fans. Or they were just fans, who'd been happy with only a solid Rock'n'Roll Show without the 45 Euros extra for some redicioulas fan cult.


Lyrics & Live Pics: Sandy Caspers
 Translation:ebl/musicmirror