METAL EAST INVASION TOUR 2008


25.10.08 – Ul’yanovsk, Arbat Club
26.10.08 – Saransk, Victory Club
27.10.08 – Penza, Hard Rock Cafe Zahvat
29.10.08 – Yoshkar Ola, Taboo Club
1.11.08 – Ekaterinburg, Strela Club
3. 11.08 – Novosibirsk, Prime Time Club
4.11.08 – Kemerovo, Kuzbass FM Club
5.11.08 – Krasnoyarsk, Havana Club
6.11.08 – Tomsk, Zasada Club

Long before 2008 was Welicoruss obsessed by the idea of the big Russian tour. Thanks to Metal Spirit Ressurection Agency, our joint efforts have resulted in the long-awaited tour in Ural and Siberian largest cities. On tour we were accompanied by young, yet already famous Russian bands: Sinful (Moscow, symphonic black); Apokefale (death/black/core, Tomsk); Demogorgon (doom/gothic metal, Yoshkar Ola) Although the tour had been planned only 2 months beforehand, and we’ve had some difficulties to manage, it was of great success. All of the musicians returned with indelible and vivid impressions; for our fans the tour packed a wallop, indeed! Here are the brightest moments from our tour diary…

29.10.08 Yoshkar Ola (Taboo Club)
Yoshkar Ola (meaning ‘red city’ in local Tatar dialect) is the capital of Mariy El Republic. 2500 km from Siberia by train to Kazan, and then hours by cars! Not very large city, although we were impressed by its traditional 2-3 storied houses, pleasant prices and locals’ hospitality. At the gig in Taboo Club we were the 4th. The backing of our fans was of such great enthusiasm, we surrendered ourselves to them. Our gig was absolute success – thanks to local headbangers! Naturally, having seen such public we’ve aceepted to participate in Metal Party the next day ( at Inside Biker Pub). At this small, yet cosy club we played with Demogorgon, whose gig I liked very much. In spite of small difficulties with sound checks and dressing rooms, the general impression is quite ok. Our special thanks to Bogomolov Roman for accomodation and to Andrew Rayer for sound!

1.11.08 Ekaterinburg (Strela Club)

We’d like to put an emphasis on the gig organization by Parabellum Promotion Agency. Indeed, everything from sound-check to meetings at the stations was quick and clear. The club was full – although it’s not a large one, there came more than 500 metalheads and, to our surprise, goths. We were a bit nervous, having realized that people might not know the group from far Siberia, but it was a blast there, indeed! Another positive moment was quite a long queue for our merch and signatures. From Ekaterinburg concert review, www.darkgrot.ru : “ …Welicoruss was quite a surprise, if not to say revelation for me… They’ve broken stereotype about Siberian metal stage – rarely do we see such professional and stage-prone band. Fans made real slam while Welicoruss’ gig, enjoying both band’s hits and their Finntroll and At the Gates covers… ”

3.11.08 Novosibirsk (Prime Time Club)

Oh yeeeeah! Novosibisk, the capital of Siberia and our hometown at last. Our co-travelling bands expected much of the city, as it’s the 3d largest in Russia – and not in vain. The sound was excellent, fans- enthusiastic, club – right in the gloomy forest of Akademgorodok. Here are the concert review extracts http://forum.nskrock.ru: “…Welicoruss progress is evident for everybody. The drummer was especially good… Although the music is undoubtedly specific, many enjoy it – and it is the feature that marks the band out of others, for sure…”

4.11.08 Kemerovo (Kuzbass FM Club)
Our trip to Kemerovo had to be without any extreme situations, it seemed at first. Nevertheless, we’ve experienced the absence of front portals… Yet, the gig was successful, thanks to our fans for headbanging and Andrew for the sound.

5.11.08 Krasnoyarsk (Havana Club)

Exhausting 10 hours road to Krasnoyarks made us nearly dead – that’s why our happiness when we’ve actually reached the city was beyound any limits. Owing to the receiving party’s energy, everything went very well. Although we were a bit confused by the size of Havana Club (more than 1200 capacity), by the mid of our gig it dawned to us that the crowd had began to slam at last. Everybody who wanted to hear us came to the concert, so it was the main and the best reward for us. During the cheerfull afterparty we relaxed at last and became ready for the road to the last point of our tour – Tomsk.

6.11.08 Tomsk (Zasada Bike Bar)
At first, we were a bit stunned by the Bike Bar… Not a usual place to have a gig. Winged bikes jutting out from the walls, worn faded jeans hanging from the ceiling, sexy bar-girls whose jokes made us blush – real biker style, indeed. We played the second. Although the stage was not very large and we weren’t able to move and headbang, the gig went quite well. Signing session and chat with our fans made us like Tomsk even more.

7.11.08 - Novosibirsk
So our tour came to its end at last… We’ve come home really exhausted, nonetheless satisfied and in high spirits. We’ve performed all our planned gigs not without success and fans’ enormous support; got new acquaintances and new listeners, and, what is more, loads of experience! I think that there is no band while it plays only in its hometown… The real taste of glory one can expect only having had live gigs while touring your country and abroad. Of course, being on tour may be not only constant delight, but somitemes harsh and hard experience. However it hardens band, makes it more mature and professional. What is more, you see other bands on fests, and suddenly realise you should try more hard to be the best. In a nutshell, our greatest thanks both to fans and organizers!

Metalheads, don’t forget to check our tour section! See you in your cities soon! Cheers!