HIGH VOLTAGE FESTIVAL 2010

DATE:

VENUE:

Saturday 24th July - Sunday 25th July 2010

Victoria Park in London, UK

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER; MARILLION; OPETH; URIAH HEEP; MAGNUM; UFO; WISHBONE ASH

ZZ TOP; TRANSATLANTIC; HEAVEN & HELL; SAXON; DWEEZIL ZAPPA; HAMMERFALL; BIGELF; ORANGE GOBLIN; FOCUS; PENDRAGON; TOUCHSTONE

Dweezil Zappa onstage at Victoria Park, 24th July 2010

Photograph copyright © 2010 Ross Cooper - www.extantphotography.co.uk

Reviews by Elena Francis; Photography by Ross Cooper (www.extantphotography.co.uk)

Reviews by Elena Francis; Photography by Ross Cooper (www.extantphotography.co.uk)

TOUCHSTONE

The day begins early with English proggers Touchstone on the Prog Stage. With their first recording released in 2006, the band has not been going for too long but have commanded a wealth of respect and appreciation from prog rock circles. Beginning with ‘Wintercoast’, the title track of their latest full-length released last year, the band reels in attention with their strong prog rock, dipping its toe into melodic metal territory every now and then. Vocalist Kim Seviour is naturally the focus point with her black and purple dress and confident stage presence with the energy lacking in plenty of more established prog acts. After the lengthy ‘Wintercoast’ passes, the band launches into the emotive ‘Shadow’ from their second album, ‘Discordant Dreams’. ‘Joker in the Pack’ is a more tender title on the set with fragile keyboards providing an ethereal soundscape and less heavier moments. An important announcement is made regarding the band’s line-up: stand in drummer Henry Rogers is now an official member of Thunderstone and the audience reply with applause. Serviour sees ‘Strange Days’ as an opportunity for the audience to become involved and has them singing “strange days” when it appears in the chorus. Touchstone have such an interesting inventory of tunes that it seems a shame when they close their set with a cover of Gary Jules’ ‘Mad World’. Some members of the audience sing along while others appear slightly bemused at the band’s decision. It is a shame to see them leave the stage. They are truly a highlight of the festival and judging by the crowd they summoned, they are bound to have made some new fans.

SATURDAY 24th JULY - PART 1

PENDRAGON

Still remaining at the Prog Stage, fans await British prog veterans Pendragon. Commencing with ‘Indigio’ from their last studio full-length ‘Pure’, the colourful riffs and keyboard melodies set the tone of what to expect from this band. Continuing with ‘Eraserhead’ from the same album, watching Pendragon becomes a little demanding in the heat of the sun. The dreamy soundscapes combined with the sacrifice of stage presence in favour of concentrating on instrumentation makes Pendragon somewhat dull to watch. Musically, they are all on form and, between songs, even joke about the turning down the Metal Hammer stage as the music interferes with their own but they do not seem to fair so well in an open air environment. Still sticking with ‘Pure’, Pendragon ask if there are any freaks in the audience, setting up ‘The Freak Show’. The final song is actually the sole non-‘Pure’ track and it is ‘Masters of Illusion’ from ‘The Masquerade Overture’ from 1996, less dark than the ‘Pure’ material. Pendragon are a very accomplished bunch of musicians who can be quite flexible with their compositions but they are not so much of a live band, with the only real visual interest emanating from their choice of bright clothes. Perhaps they are better in a more intimate venue, like the prog haven that is the Peel.

FOCUS

Dutch prog rockers Focus are next on the Prog Stage, most recently revived through their most popular song ‘Hocus Pocus’ being featured in Nike’s 2010 World Cup advert, and the song gaining entry into the British charts this year. Starting with ‘Focus III’, their music is quite quirky in an idiosyncratic way, equipped with a strong personality. Lengthy instrumental breaks demonstrate the band’s virtuosity and creativity involving the hammond organ and flute for additional dimensions. ‘Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers!’ and ‘Focus II’ follow in a similarly well-executed fashion but, unfortunately, I had to split my time between these proggers and Orange Goblin.

ORANGE GOBLIN

Over at the Metal Hammer Stage, Orange Goblin are half way through their set. Although named the Metal Hammer Stage, it should be appreciated that the stage does not host a bunch of Metal Hammer flavour of the month bands and chooses more mature and longer-lasting options. Orange Goblin’s stoner doom feels perfect in the festival atmosphere, with the stench of illegal substances in the air seeming very appropriate. As a metal band, Orange Goblin do not stop moving around on stage, putting on a dynamic performance. ‘Cozmic Bozo’, ‘Some You Win, Some You Lose’ and ‘Blue Snow’ are fed to the audience in all their heavy glory. Naturally, the closing song is ‘Scorpionica’, which satisfies the metalheads with ease.

BIGELF

Killing time before Hammerfall, I watched Bigelf on the Prog Stage…but, sadly, only ten minutes worth. No doubt they raised their profile on these shores thanks to their appearance on the Prog Nation tour with Dream Theater and Opeth late last year. ‘The Evils of Rock & Roll’ from the ‘Cheat the Gallows’ album begins the show. The opener is bombastic and theatrical, prog rock with doom-laden sentiments. The older ‘Neuropsychopathic Eye’ follows and the Los Angeles quartet with nostalgic psychedelic moments and a uniquely dramatic grandeur. After this song, it is time to see what Hammerfall are up to.

HAMMERFALL

Sweden’s Hammerfall are headbanging away on the Metal Hammer Stage, instilling similar energy into their fans down at the front. Opening with ‘Punish and Enslave’ from their mediocre ‘No Sacrifice, No Victory’ effort, the band’s lacklustre efforts stand up better live. ‘Any Means Necessary’ and ‘Hallowed Be My Name’ from the album also stud the set and these songs, while insipid and bland on record, are not remotely insufferable in the live setting. Joacim Cain’s voice packs an almighty punch live and probably goes unappreciated on the albums (due to the poor guitar work). The heavy metal riffs bulk up the music and, in a metal festival, this show may not have been a particularly memorable one but given the bands playing High Voltage, Hammerfall are likely to be remembered and even make some new coverts who realise that not all heavy metal is growling noise! ‘Renegade’ and ‘Blood Bound’ automatically have the audience singing along to these very memorable Hammerfall tunes and the Swedes are obviously pleased to have such a reaction from a less metal-centric event, yet knowing what to expect from their loyal fans. All the Hammerfall fans know what the final song is and have been calling out for it throughout their set. ‘Hearts on Fire’ is indeed the curtain call and a chorus of voices unite with Cain’s one last time. It seems like Hammerfall prefer playing live than writing new material judging by the amount of spirit in both. Perhaps they should stop writing albums and tour exclusively.

DWEEZIL ZAPPA

I caught the end of Zappa Plays Zappa on the Prog Stage, dubious as to what precisely to expect from what is essentially a tribute act. For those that are unaware, Zappa Plays Zappa is led by Dweezil Zappa, the son of eccentric American guitarist Frank Zappa and performs the songs of the late musician. With numerous members crowding the stage, it was clear this was not going to be music from the ordinary. The experimental music was quite a curiosity, never settling into one genre. Zappa’s guitar work is very accomplished and his persona is down to earth and arrogance-free. ‘Keep it Greasy’ invited the audience to dance before ‘Peaches En Regalia’ closed the set to a great ovation.