Live | Rhapsody Of Fire + Freedom Call (& Xeneris) – Nieuwe Nor-Heerlen [NL]

17 November 2024

Sunday, November 17, was power metal night at poppodium Nieuwe Nor, Heerlen. The well-filled hall was a mix of people from the Euregion. Dutchmen, Germans and Belgians came for an evening of unadulterated power [happy & symphonic] metal performed by Rhapsody Of Fire, Freedom Call and Xeneris.

FIRST BAND – XENERIS

Kickoff was at 7:30 p.m. by Italian-based Xeneris. A relatively new power metal band. I personally found the 19-year-old drummer Stefano Livieri especially cool to see and hear. What an energy, passion and skills this young guest already has at this relatively young age. Impressive!!

Vocalist Maryan has a pleasant voice and for a change does not join the typical female fronted metal vibe, by which I mean the power vocals of her. She also manages to get the audience involved in the performance. Guitarist Federico Paolini and bassist Roberto Donati are clearly enjoying themselves as well. What I find somewhat unfortunate is that a second voice came along of backing tracks, to support singer Maryan during every song. Something that is not necessary in my opinion, because she has enough talent to put down a great show even without these tracks. A nice short [6 tracks] show of this band.

SECOND BAND – FREEDOM CALL

The second band to take the stage is Freedom Call, who fire unadulterated happy metal at the audience. That these gentlemen around singer/guitarist Chris Bay can do this I know by now, and so we can prepare for a small party. Besides, the band exists 25 years and has something to celebrate.

That the tour with Rhapsody Of Fire was a success and that a real camaraderie has developed among the bands becomes clear when just about all of Rhapsody Of Fire enters the stage during the set to drink beers &  shots together during the show. [Water only]. After all, this was the last joint show of this tour, so a small farewell party was celebrated.

The well-known backing tracks also run in full force at Freedom Call to make the already fat sound even fatter. Bassist Francesco Ferraro and drummer Ramy Ali together form a mega tight rhythm section. And guitarist Lars Retkowitz, together with Chris, happily plays the solos.

If you like Happy Metal in the trend of Helloween, Gammy Ray, Freedom Call has been a name you cannot and should not miss for at least the last 25 years. Personally, I can especially enjoy the fiery enthusiasm that Chris shows on stage, because the guy just exudes fun. Top performer.

Songs like ,,Out Of Space”, ,,Silver Romance”, ,,Warriors” and ,,Metal Is For Everyone” go down like sweet cakes with the enthusiastic audience.

THIRD BAND – RHAPSODY OF FIRE

It’s up to Rhapsody Of Fire to top this fine performance. But as soon as the intro runs and Christopher Lee’s warm voice provides us with the introduction to opening track ,,The Dark Secret” it is clear that these gentlemen have also only come to Heerlen to deliver a amazing symphonic power metal show.

The sound is optimal and the band around keyboardist and founding member Alex Staropoli sounds tight. They have to be, because also this band uses backing tracks to the max. Personally, that is the only downside to a show like this. You hear the choir singing or the second voice of the lead vocalist, but no one actually sings along with vocalist Giacomo Voli.

The audience does not mind at all, because they enjoy the band to the fullest. Roberto De Micheli (guitar), Allesandro Sala (bass guitar) and Paolo Marchesich (drums) form a fat unit and know how to perform the songs convincingly live.

Singer Giacomo knows how to enthuse people in a sympathetic way and during ,,Land Of Immortals” he creates a real circle-pit after jumping into the audience. He was also eager to learn a few words of Dutch; the familiar ”dankjewel’’ was practiced several times.

As was to be expected, a payback came from the members of Freedom Call. Dressed up and instead of carrying swords, fighting with bananas and apples, the band members came on stage and this time played along with Rhapsody of Fire. And shots were handed out once again.

The performance of Rhapsody Of Fire was a nice calling card for the band and the fans in attendance enjoyed it to the fullest. This evening in Heerlen may therefore go in the books as a successful evening, with 3 fine bands on the menu.

SETLIST RHAPSODY OF FIRE

The Dark Secret
Unholy Warcry
I’ll Be Your Hero
Chains Of Destiny
The March Of The Swordmaster
Challenge The Wind
March Against The Tyrant
A New Saga Begins
Diamond Claws
The Magic Of The Wizards Dream
Dawn Of Victory

ENCORE

Reign Of Terror
Kreel’s Magic Staff
Land Of Immortals
Emerald Sword

All photos by Raymond Helebrand