Reviewed by Olof
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Special guest: Members of Gothenburg Symphonic Orchestra
City: Göteborg, Sweden
Venue: Stenhammarsalen
Date: 11 March 2011
Hellsongs set length: 120 minutes, including 30 min break
Hellsongs
Hellsongs is an example of an idea that could go so wrong but just turns out so right. For those of you not familiar with the band, it could easily be summed up to: a band doing lounge-covers of metal classics.
As I said, it could so easily go wrong. But the unmistakable talent in these guys is what saves them from being banished to the useless-corner in the classroom of music. While most people even attempting such a thing would just play the original songs with acoustic guitar, but mainly the same way, Hellsongs put a lot of effort into transforming and re-arranging the songs to fit their style. Many times you can only tell from the lyrics what song they are playing.
But enough introducing, let´s go to the gig. Apparently, this was supposed to be their last gig, as they plan to take a break for an undecided time. So what can they do for a big finale? They do what any metal band with dignity do: Play with an orchestra! In this case though; pieces of the Gothenburg Symphonic Orchestra.
About half of the songs have been blessed with arrangements to fit the 15-ish people on stage, and it really lifts the songs to a whole new level! During "Seek and destroy" and the following "The evil that men do" (including the very nice transition in between) I am amazed by the quality of the craftsmanship, and I can do nothing but smile like a child on Christmas. Every time the orchestra starts playing, it sends shivers down my spine. French horn, cello, timpani, glockenspiel, violin and whatnot...it´s nothing but amazing!
As for the band, it´s not easy for them to headbang, or do all the other stuff you usually see bands do. But the energy on stage is unmistakeable, and even though there is a lack of movement from some of them, you can see they are enjoying every second of it. Their performance is very close to perfect, and I can actually not think of much that would make this gig better.
The sound is very good, with the exception of the vocals being a bit
loud at times, and the addition of the partial orchestra is really spicing
up the lounge-soup we´re being served. It was all recorded as well,
so I suggest you keep your eyes and ears open for it in the future! I
will!
9 chalices of 10
Setlist:
The Trooper (Iron Maiden cover)
Seek And Destroy (Metallica cover)
The Evil That Men Do (Iron Maiden cover)
Warpigs (Black Sabbath cover)
Blackened (Metallica cover)
United (Judas Priest cover)
Welcome To The Jungle (Guns´N Roses cover)
Heaven Can Wait (Iron Maiden cover)
Sin City (AC/DC cover)
Walk (Pantera cover)
Youth Gone Wild (Skid Row cover)
School´s Out (Alice Cooper cover)
Run To The Hills (Iron Maiden cover)
Skeletons Of Society (Slayer cover)
10000 Lovers (TNT cover)
We´re Not Gonna Take It (Twisted Sister cover)
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I Just Want You (Ozzy Osbourne cover)
Symphony Of Destruction (Megadeth cover)
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