Even though I don’t listen to these guys anymore, there are those classic songs that marked me at some point in my life and that still thrill me live. My favorite, “the kiss of Judas”, opened the concert and that alone made it worth it.

Timo Kotipelto was sick – some bacteria, which even forced them to cancel some shows before that one – so he had to make pauses between songs, letting the other guys play instrumentals and solos. Still, while singing, he didn’t miss a note.

Drummer Jörg Michael had his thyroid removed recently, due cancer, but is now back in action. Everybody applauded heartfully, and Jens started one of his crazy-cartoonish-tunes on his keyboard. Timo added, “unfortunately, Mr. Jens Johansson is also back”. Ah ah ah

Lauri made an AMAZING bass solo, and the guitar solo of Matias introduced “forever”, another fave of mine. The audience sang along from the first verse to the last. Beautiful.

And, obviously, the show ended with “black diamond” 🙂

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