Concert Review 5-14-00
Place: Metropolis München, Deutschland
The Metropolis is a club-type
venue, located in an area of
abandoned factories.
The structures have
been turned into various music venues
and entertainment facilities.
Zero ambiance here! Stark and
gray with a good-sized elevated stage
and a large dance/standing area.
Any atmosphere will have to be
generated from the music produced
from the bands.
First up is Twelve After Elf, the support band this tour. I really tried to pay
attention during their set but it was very difficult. My thoughts were elsewhere.
The anticipation of seeing MEGAHERZ was over- whelming. I remember the same feeling
in Detroit, the first time I saw a Rammstein concert – that very special "first
time" feeling. I can tell you that Twelve After Elf were quite energetic
and the singer very good. His face usually contorted and grimacing as he sang.
Time for MEGAHERZ!!!!
Their stage set-up is a bit
different than I had imagined.
Frank (drums) is all the way in
the back, on the right side of
the stage. Wenz (bass)
occupies the far left of the
stage – opposite of Frank. The
middle of the back of the stage
is adorned with a large hanging
of the cover art for the Himmelfahrt
single. X-tian
(lead guitar) positions himself
up front on the right side.
Gerrit (rythum guitar and
Noel's replacement on the tour)
is opposite X-tian on the left
side of the stage. Alexx is
front and center. Everyone
(except Frank) is dressed in
dark blue aviator jumpsuits –
nice choice for the
Himmelfahrt theme of the
Tour. Frank is wearing only
his underwear…… Adrian
(Donnergott) is off stage to
the left. He is the Meister of
the pre-recorded
keyboards/samples that will
create the full MEGAHERZ
sound experience as presented
on their CD‘s.
THE SHOW BEGINS!!!!!
They open with Du Oder Ich
to a very receptive crowd
followed by Gott Sein –
beautifully done. The singing
from the crowd on the chorus
to Gott Sein is deafening!
Everything that
followed Gott Sein simply
whirled past me!!!! I did not
want to mentally be forced to
remember the order of the
songs – I just wanted to enjoy
the moment. Here is what
followed, in no particular
order. From the new album:
Showdown, Ruf Mich An,
WindKind, Hurra – Wir
Leben Noch, Beiß Mich,
Menschmaschine,
Himmelfahrt, and Falsche
Götter. Even though these
songs are quite new, it was
evident that many in the
audience were very familiar as
responsive singing in the
choruses of Hurra and
Himmelfahrt were
unmistakable! Alexx would
frequently shove the
microphone in someone‘s face
down in front – in an attempt to
share some of the text
responsibilities. Of the older
songs, MEGAHERZ included
– Kopfschuß, Miststück,
Freiflug, Rappunzel, Herz
aus Stein, Jordan, with the
closer for the set being a very
rousing rendition of Rock Me
Amadeus. The only song that
mis-fired was Miststück.
That song got off to a rocky
start but the mistake was
quickly forgotten, or so I
thought – more on that
later……
In between songs, Alexx would talk with the audience, always grinning and smiling.
His on-stage presence is confident and exuberant. He constantly prowls, paces,
and pummels the stage. A couple of songs into the set, and he had slipped off
the top to his jumpsuit, tying the arms around his waist and revealing a form
fitting black t-shirt. Much later in the show, the t-shirt is also shed. The entire
band is loose and relaxed with X-tian CONSTANTLY smiling throughout. The MEGAHERZ
SOUND is complete and full! Keine Angst! Their studio sound is wondrously
duplicated in their LIVE performance.
Props and Special Effects. I had been told that a MEGAHERZ show is "natural"
without a lot of distraction thrown in. The props consisted of a pair of goggles
for Alexx during the song Himmelfahrt, 2 bic lighters used during the opening
sequence to Rappunzel, and a couple of pairs of female underwear thrown
on stage during the show that Alexx would pull over his head from time to time.
For Menschmaschine, Gerrit was outfitted with a large metal-type thing
with glowing red lights which totally covered his face/head. There were a couple
of explosions that were set off center stage that TOTALLY took me by surprise
– I did not know they were starting to develop a pyro aspect to their show………AND
the water show – which consisted of a large "Super-Soaker" type device
being pumped into the crowd.
The Encore: Teufel, Liebestöter, Wer Bist Du, Hänschenklein AND a second
attempt at the song Miststück which was flawless the second time around.
At the end, Alexx went up to each of the band members with his "greeting"
of thanks AND Frank delighted most in the audience ;) by removing his underwear
and presenting himself on stage, front and center IN THE BUFF!!!!! This, by the
way, is how a MEGAHERZ show is supposed to end – and 3 days later, in Stuttgart,
Alexx ALSO joined Frank at the end of the Show and shed all of his clothes!!!!!!!
A thoroughly amazing Show
from start to finish. A very
polished and professional
presentation – delivered with
sincerity, lots of herz, and a
playfulness that left you feeling
that the Band was having a
good time as well. Thank you
MEGAHERZ – the journey
was well worth the effort it
took to get there! I am already
looking forward to my next
MEGAHERZ Show – if not in
America, then where ever you
may be – the ocean is not wide
enough to keep me away!