Review by Ramon Claassen:
The next big surprise were NWOBHM daddies WEAPON. Back in the 80s they only released a 7” and a 12” with the same content, toured with MOTÖRHEAD and disbanded quickly afterwards. There was a short lived reunion back in the 80s as far as I remember but except for a couple of warm up gigs around London, this was their first gig for well over 20 years! And those old farts rocked the place almost as massive as FIST in 2004! Those who have their single or own that NWOBHM sampler presented by METALLICA’s Lars Ulrich knew 1 or 2 songs but their other stuff was pretty good as well! So it’s time to get familiar with their 2003 “Set The Stage Alight” collection of unreleased tracks. Danny Hynes proved to be quite an entertainer, constantly flirting with the women in the audience. Definitely a memorable way to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Hope to see ‘em live again some time! For a full review of the Headbangers ball, click here

Photos by Michael

Review by Holger Andrea @ www.powermetal.de/

After the event (Necrodeath) my body needed a nourishing something in form of a cold yellow liquid (beer of course!), this way, sort of being relaxed, the whole thing could continue with a band I was quite eagerly waiting for: NWOBHM-legends Weapon, of who I only knew 2 songs so far. And the quartet actually started off with one of them, namely: "Set the stage alight". Even 'though the four gentlemen didn't really look like being in the prime of years they were able to spread joy and great spirit everywhere! Singer Danny Hynes convinced by a first class performance and the other 3 showed just how experienced they are. Totally supremely they filled the young audience with their enthusiasm and by this they could take up the success of FIST of the previous year. No wonder, when it came to such hammers as "Killer Instinct" or the Kerrang-chartbreaker "Mad Mad World" yes, the magazine has actually written about HM in older times, I really have material to prove it. I for one was very pleased and thus in good waiting spirits for my big hope of this decade RAVETHORN.

and in German:

Nach dieser heftigen Einlage brauchte mein Körper erstmal eine nahrhafte Stärkung in Form einer Gerstenkaltschale. Mit ebenjener bewaffnet, konnte es entspannt mit einer der Bands weitergehen, auf die ich sehr gespannt war. Die HWOBHM-Legende WEAPON, von der ich bis dato lediglich zwei Songs kannte. Und mit einem der beiden - namentlich 'Set The Stage Alight' - legte das Quartett auch sofort los. Auch wenn die vier Herren nicht gerade wie das blühende Leben aussahen, verbreiteten sie dennoch mit ihrer Spielfreude überall gute Laune. Sänger Danny Hynes überzeugte mit einer erstklassigen Leistung und den drei anderen Musikern merkte man einfach die Erfahrung an. Völlig souverän verstanden sie es, auch das jüngere Publikum zu begeistern und konnten somit an den Erfolg von FIST im Vorjahr anknüpfen. Kein Wunder bei Hämmern wie 'Killer Isticnt'oder dem damaligen Kerrang-Chartbreaker (Ja, das Magazin hat früher noch über HM geschrieben. Ich besitze noch Beweismaterial) 'Mad Mad World'. Ich für meinen Teil war sehr angetan und damit gut eingestimmt für eine meiner Hoffnungsträger dieser Dekade: RAVENTHORN.

Photos by Wolfie

Playlist:

Set The Stage Alight
Liar
Take That Bottle Away
Midnight Satisfaction
One Night Stand
Olivia
Light Of The World
Mad Mad World
Killer Instinct
Remote Control
Bad Love