The mini-festival consisted of 5 bands, so with the typical Portuguese delays, PAGAN ALTAR landed on stage at about midnight (00h). A 45 min to a 1h delay caused by numerous small things that summed up to the said delay (all not related to the band, just small stuff that happens when the switching between bands is not well oiled...pratice makes perfect)
They played up to around 2h30 a.m., with two encores like Mordred said, and small pauses to catch their breath and drink water since it was quite hot inside the venue. (they drank gallons of water during the performace, it was all blood and sweet shed in buckets). Also, lots of loud noise and shouting in between songs from the audience, that also raised the time in between songs. A sing along here and there, since English is not a native language of the Portuguese.
A real parade of classic after classic song, full with fantastic craftsmanship and tight playing...the band sounded like one, inter playing like a formula one pit stop team, with each band member playing the right things at the right time and pace. Terry, Andy, Diccon and Alan nailed it, nuff said.
The sound was actually pretty good considering the gear (backline and frontline) available. They were able to squeeze every bit of sound from what they had. Nice balanced sound between bass guitar and rhythm/lead guitar, with quite a good definition. Every piece of the drum kit was also audible and meshed with the bass lines. Vocals cutting through the music and adding a great emotion and stories.
As for myself, it was a gig of a lifetime, I already had very high hopes and expectations since I know that PAGAN ALTAR can do no wrong. But this stormer of a setlist and performance, teared me apart. As I said to Terry and the band...an orgasm lasts for at most 8 seconds or so and is quite a nice feeling....this gig was a full blown ecstasy experience, with lasting value for a lifetime. For this young fellow (I'm 25) this has got to be _The_ best musical experience I have had.
On a side note, me and a friend (Rick from IRONSWORD) spent most of the time with the band and friends, sight-seeing in Lisboa and having great meals with food, drinks and conversation to match. Having spent about three days with them has made me a better human being.
So, enough with talking bollocks and making comparisons between music and sex, here are a few photos..... COURTESY of a guy who goes by the Internet name of Arrakis.
A snapshot of the view from the venue to the river Tejo
In the afternoon, during soundcheck
During the gig, from the theater balcony
A dark one
Hailing crowd after a song
Epic moment
Terry singing his heart out
Alan nailing another brilliant lead
Diccon felling the groove
Sadly, up to this date, no individual Andy photo during the setlist.
I know that the band took a lot of photos, plus a professional photograph (with proper gear and that has done heavy metal gig photos for more than 20 years) also took photos. I am trying to get in touch with him as we speak.
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