11.12.2010 Revamp

Atak, Enschede (Netherlands)

(Pentax k-x with Tamron SP AF 17-50mm 2.8 XR Di II LD Asp IF and Sigma AF 50-150mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

Around 22:00 finally Revamp entered the quite narrow and small stage. First only the guys (Mathias Landes on drums, Jaap Melman on bass, Jord Otto and Arjan Rijnen on guitars as well as Ruben Wijga on keyboard) and shortly afterwards also Floor Jansen.
The Atak was meanwhile quite well filled and guessed 200-300 people were directly from the start on following really great when it started with "Here's My Hell" really powerful. The complete debut album "Revamp" was played. During songs like "Million" or "Face Your Demons" not only on stage it was getting really down to the nitty-gritty. All band members were really in a good mood and were giving really everything just as the audience did. A great show on stage with everything that such a small stage allowed. Greatly used light and fans. Besides that also finally a sparingly use of fog!
Really goose bumps came up during the very emotional presented "I Lost Myself" when only Floor supported by Ruben was standing on the completely blue enlightened stage. But not only all songs of the album "Revamp" were played but also two songs of Floor's former band After Forever: "Face Your Demons" and during the encore "Energize Me". Furthermore Revamp also played a really great cover version of Lady Gaga's hit "Bad Romance" which I even found better than the original.
Two special things were there that evening: On the one hand guitarist Jord Otto celebrated his birthday that evening and after Floor's announcement the audience started celebrating him. On the other hand the foundation of the first official Revamp fan club "Sweet Curse" was announced.
The only negative point regarding the concert was that it was already over after only 90 minutes. But that were really great. A powerful band, a terific audience and an overall pleasant evening. In my point of view that concert was even better as the one watched two month ago at Wieze on Metal Female Voices Fest VIII. Especially the small location (250 persons can maximum stand in front of the stage and 50 more on a gallery) provide a really intense concert experience (so to say the band as near in front of you so that you could touch them) what in a larger environment would not be possible at all. That is also the reason why I normally prefer the smaller locations compared to the larger ones.