On the 22nd and the 23rd of July the ‘Orkus Open Air’ Amphi Festival took place. Just like last year the location is ‘Tanzbrünnen’, an event terrain close to the city centre of Cologne , Germany . The Tänzbrunnen terrain is based on a circle, which make you able to see (part of) the main stage wherever you are. The shops and tables around the water in the middle make the terrain feel cosy and create a fun atmosphere.

The honour of opening this second edition of the Amphi Festival is for This Morn’ Omina. It’s been a few years since I’ve last seen this group on stage, and all I can say is that they’ve grown a lot! All three members visibly enjoy the performance, and regardless of the early time the infectious ‘ritual noise’ lets the audience dance. It’s different with Cephalgy. The monotone voice of the singer starts to bore quickly, and there isn’t as much dancing like before. Yet it’s obvious that this Out of Line band has quit a few fans, it’s getting crowded in front of the stage.

Welle:Erdball is next. This band has been on my ‘must-see’ list for a while now, so I’m glad that I finally get the opportunity to see them play live. And indeed, it totally lived up to my expectations! The simple music with the catchy melodies fit the fifties look of the female side of the band perfectly, and the (German) audience responds exuberant to the (German) talk of front man Honey. The big Welle:Erdball balloons flying over the audience strengthen the great atmosphere, and the balloons are taken down in seconds when Honey states that one of the balloons contains a fifty euros bill! With their biggest hit ‘Starfighter’ Welle:Erdball closes this successful gig.

After Welle:Erdball’s ‘minimal-commodore-64’ sound it’s time for Unheilig to please the audience with some guitars. ‘Der Graf’ and his band are totally hot in Germany , and that’s obvious if you notice how many fans are waiting in front of the stage. A huge banner with the clocks based on latest album cover ‘Moderne Zeiten’ and a few candle leers filled with candles create an exciting atmosphere. Most of the atmosphere depends on ‘Der Graf’ of course, ‘dressed to kill’ and enthusiastic as usual. The heavy music works for the audience, and judging on the massive lines for the signing session later that day Unheilig did a real good with this gig.

It’s been a while since ‘The Hellsinki Vampires’, better known as The 69 Eyes, released a new album. It’s on its way though, but today we have to live off older tracks. The first rows are filled with hysteric girls with Finnish flags and 69 Eyes logo’s on their shirts and cheeks: it’s obvious that this is a band with charisma. The security tries to cool the girls down with handing out water, but when the movie theme song ‘Lost Boys’ starts, it doesn’t help anymore. The guys look awesome as ever in their matching ‘Devils’ skeleton suits, and because of the screaming it’s almost hard to hear some music. With songs like ‘Dance D’Amour’, ‘The Chair’, ‘Brandon Lee’ and ‘Sister of Charity’ the forty minutes are gone before you even realize it, and the men leave the stage. Again a great performance by my favourite Finnish rock band, which makes the waiting for a new album a bit less hard.

Subway to Sally is a famous band in Germany , but not really my thing. We decide to take some more distance and grab some food with their music as background music. The audience chants along enthusiastically, and the band turn their gig into a party as usual.

The first band to play in the dark theatre is Lola Angst. On the pictures of WGT it looked like an interesting band: an organ and ballerinas on stage! And indeed, the organ is standing right in the middle of the stage, and with the first song two pretty ballerinas enter the stage. I’m impressed by their skills; unfortunately I’m not impressed by the group’s music. The temperature in the theatre is rising as well, so we leave the hall before the end of the gig.

VNV Nation is the last band to play on the main stage, if you exclude the two readings that would follow. I’m a fan of their music, but for some reason whenever I visit one of their concerts it always disappoints me. And indeed, today it’s not different. Ronan and Mark, as well as the audience, are very enthusiastic, but there’s just something missing live. It’s sad since I really like their music and I can’t name why they disappoint me live. After just a few songs we decide to go to the theatre to visit the following act, one of the most promising bands of the festival…!

Japan is hot. In Holland, but even more in Germany. Especially the ‘J-rock’ works well there, and Calmando Qual has the honour to be the only ‘Visual Kei’ act on Amphi Festival. The hall is filled with J-Rock fans and girls with little Japanese flags, all excited and waiting for this promising foursome. The men are already on stage, sound checking them selves, which gives the concert a bit a weird start. The gig itself totally fixes that problem: what a great band! A few people are obviously surprised by the wall of sound this band creates, and leave after a few songs. Calmando Qual is obviously not for sissies! The band puts down a great gig, and after their playtime is over the response for more is massive. Gladly the guys seem to know what ‘Zugabe’ means, and return to play one more song for their audience. One of my highlights today: Arrigato Calmando Qual!

Because there isn’t any music on the main stage anymore the theatre is getting more and more crowded. Combichrist is the next act on the bill, and anyone familiar with this band knows that it will be a party! The hall has transformed to a sauna when Andy and his men enter the stage with their latest work ‘Get Your Body Beat’, and don’t know about slowing down for forty-five minutes. The pumping beats and aggressive vocals make the crowd go wild, it couldn’t have been different with hits like ‘Enjoy the Abuse’, ‘Blut Royale’ and ‘This shit will fuck you up’.

After a way too warm small hour of dancing, it’s time for everybody’s feet to rest. There are small groups of people sitting down everywhere, and it seems like a bunch of people are leaving too. But not us, because there’s a special ‘Best of’ show by Diary of Dreams waiting for us! The hall is sparingly lightened, and filled with smoke to create the right atmosphere for the dark sounds of Diary of Dreams. Adrian Hates is blessed with an amazing voice, and knows (regardless the extreme temperature) how to create goose bumps on my arms. Final track ‘Traumtänzer’ is just brilliant, with the whole crowd singing along to “Wirst Du mich nie verstehen? Wirst Du denn nie verstehen? Hast Du noch nie gesehen... wie meine Augen glitzern?”. An amazing end to a heavy, yet lovely, first day Amphi Festival.

Review by: Seraphictine