MOTOROCKAS@ 30 May 2008 :

In the town of Como, it's not often possible to see power metal concerts: usually black metal and heavier genres are the ones we have between Como and the near towns. So, we are happy to know that this time Motorockas is ready to make three power bands play: Winter Haze, Raising Fear e Derdian.
WINTER HAZE

Unfortunately, the concert starts quite soon, around 11 pm, and we don't manage to enjoy entirely the performance of Winter Haze, a brilliant power-goth band from Parma, which published the demo "Innocent Dream" in 2004, and is about to release the full-lenght "The Storm Within". They also opened gigs for bands as Domine and After Forever.

Unfortunately, we lose the first songs: "Deconstruction of Mind"; the sweet "White witch", from the demo, and the catchy and melodic new track "Eyes to the dawn", which immediately strikes the listener, being so power-metal oriented and so original and catchy at the same time.
 

We're in time to hear "Unme", a further proof of the upcoming release's worth; and the cover of Helloween's "I want out": great vocal performance from the singer Giorgia, and Raffo, the guitar player, makes his work perfecly in spite of the tendinitis which afflicts him. the rythmic section is compact and precise, while the keyobards gives the right atmosphere to each of the song.

Nowadays it's not easy to inspire to bands as Stratovarius, Helloween or After Forever withouth losing the magic of a personal touch - so congratulations, Winter Haze, a band which manages to bring energy and hope to the italian power-goth symphonic metal scene and has everything it needs to become someone. Let's hope to see them live again soon!


RAISING FEAR

The sound gets a bit heavier with Raising Fear, band which since 2000 - when they started playing - published a demo in 2003 and two studio album, "Mythos" in 2005 and "Avalon" the following year, both telling the saga of Wolfram, traveller in time. A power/heavy more inspired to bands as Armored Saint (from which the bands' name) and to the power-speed in Grave Digger style, more than to melodic north-european power. The band manages to involve everyone, specially on the covers: Saxon's "Princess of the night", and the classic, Motorhead's "Ace of Spades".

DERDIAN

Finally, it's the turn of Derdian, band from Milan which published two demos and two full-lenghts - New Era pt.1 and pt.2 . The sound of the band is between the first two ones of the evening, balancing power sounds with heavier ones: the band names as influences, for example, Stratovarius, Helloween and Rhapsody (of Fire), but also Manowar.

Every track is catchy, with baroque-like arrangements - maybe some of the tracks are a bit too long, but the ability of the musicians compensate it and makes the concert enjoyable. The songs are really melodic and they manage to strike the listener in spite of the lenght of some of them.

Great stage presence offered by the band's members, in particular the singer Joe, looking very viking, and the two guitar players, which get often off the stage to interact with the crowd.

Crowd which is not full, but very partecipating; while the venue is small, but with a good sound quality.

The only bad thing was that they didn't have Weiss beer, but one cannot have everything from life!