ROCK THE BALKANS
29.06.2009, Festivalna Hall, Sofia-Bulgaria.

words by Metal Willie, photo: Danny Boy

Well now, Rock the Balkans did happen after all! Despite all the doom and gloom and all the, erm, “wellwishers”. Despite the not so impressive ticket sales and the lack of mass hysteria surrounding the festival.

Festivalna Hall did get invaded by 2500 people – people who could have very well stayed at home to watch the new Jonas Brothers video on MTV. Anyway, let’s not talk ticket sales and such old hat – I’d rather concentrate on the music!  Which was, as a matter of fact, quite diverse. 

It all kicked off with a solid set by homegrown talent, namely Skre4, who delivered and delivered good.В  They were followed by incendiary Turks Manga, who were welcomed warmly by the gathering crowd and seemed a perfect opener for Limp Bizkit with their rap /metal/dj-propelled wall of jumpy explosive sound.В В 

this photo: Yassen Neinski for Balkan EntertainmentВ 

At this point I began to notice a few SAGA fans slowly strolling into the venue. Bear in mind – this band started out when even your dad wasn’t born.  This was Saga’s first ever gig in Bulgaria and their fans were understandably excited, even overwhelmed at times. Better late than never, as the saying goes. The amount of transfixed 45-50 year olds in the venue was amazing. These people had waited for their favourite band all through the dark age of Communism and now, finally, they had their moment. 

Saga were followed by a band which they said they’d love to tour with – QUEENSRYCHE!

It’s been a whole 18 years since Queensryche’s heyday and the absence of the mega talented Chris DeGarmo has taken its toll. The newer songs sound tight and Geoff Tate’s voice is in excellent shape, helped by some pre-recorded backing tracks. What’s missing though, are the epic and clever arrangements, as well as the brilliant melodies provided by DeGarmo in the past. There’s a decisive difference in the way the new tmaterial sounds and is performed when compared to classics such as 'Best I Can', 'The Thin Line', 'Jet City Woman' and 'Empire'. In any case, the crowd lapped it all up and gave Queensryche a very warm reception during their hour long set.

At 10 p.m. the venue went ballistic at the slightest hint of scratching from DJ Lethal. All were now ready for a devastating set by that band from Jacksonville, Florida called Limp Bizkit.  Let’s get something straight here – whether you love them or hate them with a passion, Limp Bizkit live are one helluva a band!

They opened with 'My Generation' and had the whole venue jumping and singing along!  Absolute mayhem! Dj Lethal had a Bulgarian flag with the words “Bulgarian Limp Bizkit Fans” draped across his deck riser.

Fred

Durst was wearing his customary red baseball cap, John Otto was pounding the drums, Sam Rivers was hammering away at his bass, while Wes BorlandВ  was, yet again, clad in a spooky mask and playing the fuck out of his guitar! That, alone, was worth the admission price!В 

“You didn’t come to see us, we came to meet you”, said Durst to the fanatical crowd and summoned a few of them onstage for a moment they are not likely to forget soon. Nookie blew us away, followed by the peculiar drum beat from 'My Name Is Mud' by Primus, during which Durst sang “my name is Fred” and then proceeded to say  “Have you ever heard a cheesier song? Well, there’s this one” as the band launched into their famous cover of George Michael’s 'Faith'.

В 

The crowd was going mental throughout, which seemed to inspire the band as well.  We got a three-song encore complete with 'Rollin' and, thankfully, no 'I Would For You' by Jane’s Addiction.

Anyway, let’s not criticize a very good live band who put on an excellent show!

GALLERY