OST Fest, Romexpo, 17.06.12

OST Fest was *not* a good festival for me! I was stupidly enthusiastic about seeing WASP for the first time, but except for WASP I didn’t get to see much else.

I was pretty much alive for Reborn, a very young Romanian band that didn’t sound half bad. Props to them being able to make a pretty good show despite the fact that they were the opening band in a festival with icons like Motorhead, Megadeth and WASP and the weather wasn’t exactly their ally (to put it mildly). I’d like to listen to them again in better conditions.

By the time Metrock got on stage, the completely unbearable heat was beginning to take its toll (seriously, concert organisers, you have got to stop making festivals that start at 12 at noon in the middle of summer in giant parking lots filled with concrete and absolutely no place to hide from the sun!). I was feeling dizzy, exhausted and started seeing dark spots in front of my eyes. I don’t cope well with heat in general, but I don’t think I’ve ever been so badly struck by it. Needless to say I have absolutely no idea what Metrock did, said or sung.

Lake of Tears was one of the bands I was pretty excited about, but I had the distinct pleasure of listening to them from the eco toilets section, lounged on the ground and trying hard to suck it up at least until WASP came along. It smelled like shit (literally and figuratively), but it was the only place where there was some sort of shade, so we stayed there. I don’t know if it was the location, the sickness or the fact that Forever autumn just doesn’t work that well in a 40 degrees sun, but they left me completely numb.

For WASP I made the huge effort of getting up and having some fun and I have to bow my head to them for making me get over how horribly sick I was feeling. It was a pretty fun concert, though, all things taken into consideration. Blackie’s age and years of partying hard are starting to show, but he still is one of the most compelling lead singers ever and his kick ass voice is still very much alive. Just listening to that voice was enough to make me happy (even if he did pass on some of the higher parts to the younger/more in shape band members). What disappointed me slightly was the setlist. Sure, it had the iconic Wild child, LOVE machine and I wanna be somebody, but I really really wanted to hear Heaven’s hung in black, Into the fire or Babylon is burning. I’m well aware that most of the fans where there for the more lively songs and too many ballads will kill the energy of a show, but I’m more of a fan of their ballads. For example, the moment they played The idol was probably one of the best for me, it filled my heart. It’s amazing what beautfy and emotion some crazy rockers are able to produce!

After gathering all my strength to see WASP, I almost passed out again and my husband decided I had enough for the day and that we’re going home. I protested a bit knowing that he’s a huge Megadeth fan, but apparently he was so disappointed by their show at Sonisphere that he didn’t care to ever see them live again. That, and the fact his protective instincts kicked in, of course. From what I gather, the show was much better then the last one and Mustaine was in the right mood for once, but I can’t say I’m sorry we left. I don’t get this, I know music is a vessel for the emotions, but you are also a paid performer. People made efforts of all sorts to finally see you live because they respect you; no matter how not in the mood you are, you owe it to them to at least try to look like you’re having fun. It definitely won’t be the same as actually having fun, but at least it won’t look like you don’t give a shit about your fans and you won’t disappoint thousands of people. The only thing I’m sorry for is not seeing Motorhead, but I guess that whether it was on my own two feet or in an ambulance, I was leaving anyway at one point or another and this probably won’t be my last chance to see them.