San Francisco-based heavy rockers ORCHID just recently have been invited by METALLICA’s Kirk Hammett to play at his „Fear FestEvil“, where the band enthralled the audience which was a top-class cast. Fellow musicians like Slash, Kerry King (SLAYER), Scott Ian (ANTHRAX), Doyle (former MISFITS) attended the festival among famous people from the movie and art industry like four times EMMI AWARD and BRITISH ACADEMY FILM AWARD WINNER Greg Nicotero who worked for big players like Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino or Wolfgang Petersen did the honors of attending the festival and Derek Riggs, a British artist who designed the IRON MAIDEN mascot Eddie and since then worked on over 60 covers for IRON MAIDEN.
After their successful European tour in November 2013, ORCHID have now announced the first festivals for the upcoming summer 2014.
01.08. D Breitanbach am Herzberg – Burg Herzberg Festival
02.08. D Schierling – Labertalfestival
06.08. D München – Free And Easy
07.08 D Schlotheim – Party San Festival
13.08. D Dinkelsbühl – Summer Breeze
After a highly successful european tour in spring, San Francisco classic heavy rockers ORCHID will return to the old continent this November.
From the depths of the Bat Cave they’ll return to the rocky roads of Europe: ORCHID
ORCHID will be supporting their most recent chart breaking effort »The Mouths Of Madness« and will be bringing label mates SCORPION CHILD with them.
Commented ORCHID singer Theo Mindell: “We’re really excited to be returning to Europe for this tour with such great bands supporting us. We’re so blown away by the love and support everyone has shown us and can’t wait to play these shows. Looking forward to seeing you all on the road.”
Added SCORPION CHILD frontman Aryn Jonathan Black: „We are enthralled to spread our live show to Europe and what could be better than sharing the experience with ORCHID and BLUES PILLS!“
presented by ROCK HARD, VISIONS, ROCKS, MUSIX, NOIZELETTER, BLAST! & PIRANHA
01.11. D Essen – TuRock
02.11. B Vosselaar – Biebob
03.11. UK London – Dingwalls
04.11. F Paris – Glazart
05.11. CH Zürich – Mascotte
07.11. D Lindau – Club Vaudeville
08.11. D Köln – Gebäude 9
09.11. D München – Backstage Halle
10.11. NL Kerkrade – Rock Temple
12.11. D Trier – ExHaus
13.11. D Hannover – Faust
14.11. D Berlin – C-Club
15.11. D Würzburg – Hammer Of Doom
16.11. D Weißenhäuser Strand – Metal Hammer Paradise *ORCHID only*
Upon my arrival on thursday morning about eight, not even the VIP parking lot is guarded yet. After parking my car at the exact same spot I already settled down in 2012, I pay a short visit to the camping ground to watch the first visitors fighting with the construction of their tents. Hanging out in the green scenery of Nordsternpark Gelsenkirchen where the famous Amphitheater is settled finds a sudden end, as the rain is heavier than the tunes of the growing number of campers…The day ends as it has started, with the rain decided to stay, leaving no room for the sun. A few hours later after picking up my pass, I take the bus to Gelsenkirchen central station to spend a final night home in my own bed before I completely switch to the annual ROCK HARD FESTIVAL mode.
By the rivers of Rock Hard
Despite the melancholy touch of the weather, I can not wait to get back on sight and end up with a bit of a delay towards my own scheduled arrival. Anyhow there is nothing much to be missed in the early afternoon. After a bit of sightseeing and the first few bands of this first festival day – HELLISH CROSSFIRE, FLESHCRAWL and DENIAL OF GOD – comes the first and unexpected highlight of the day: AUDREY HORNE. Fearless of chilling winds or possible rainfall their guitarist on the left side, wearing a white wife beater, is posing as if there was no tomorrow. The mood of the band and the audience is quite well and keeps up to this level during the full hour set. Up next is ASHES OF ARES, the new band of former ICED EARTH vocalist Matt Barlow. To complete this whit friday a true Metal Veteran is welcomed to the sacred stage of ROCK HARD FESTIVAL: Udo Dirkschneider and his ACCEPT successor U.D.O. prove that rocking knows no age. But if it wasn’t for the indisputable ACCEPT classics, above all “Balls to The Wall”, one doubts that there was a sing-along quality to what Dirkschneider and his band play tonight. The day ends after another hour of small talk and drinks at the VIP-tent…
– Saturday –
Since I have pretty much adjusted to the weather at this point, it comes with not that big of an unexpected downer that this day starts off just like last night ended: Cold and wet! At least there is some good tunes I am looking forward to and after an extended breakfast with my neighbours – in fact the same couple from Cologne like last year – swedish Rock fiver is already in the midst of their set. The sound comes in well, but this band works so much better in a hazy club atmosphere as it has been the case at HELL OVER HAMMABURG in early march. Apart from her striking leather outfit vocalist Kristina Karlsson and her rocking mod squad ( Johan Berg – Lead Guitar, Tobias Ander’s live-replacement whose name I still did not catch – Guitar, Niclas Svensson – Bass, Peter Henriksson – Drums) do not seem to be that much in the mood. Might be due to the opening position or a lack of alcoholic beverages at this time of day…
HORISONT singer Axel giving his first Rock Hard assault
Up next are my parking lot neighbours from Gothenburg: HORISONT! The guys are in a far better mood and get right to the audience. Their mix of bluesy riffing, hippie vibes and classic Hard Rock is a real crowd pleaser and the rows fill up quickly. HORISONT play songs from their two records “Två Sidor Av Horisonte” (2009) and “Second Assault” (2012) and look like being in this bands requires a large collection of boots, flared pants, belt-buckles and an exquisite fashion of facial hair. Born too late, but I’m glad you showed up this date! Between lunch and a sudden case of drinking disaster the rest of the day becomes one blurry vision and I have clearly missed D-A-D and Queensryche, which is no pity to me at all.
Setlist HORISONT
Visa Vägen
On the Run
The Unseen
Crusaders of Death
Time Warrior
Mange Kills
Thunderfight
Nightrider
Second Assault
– Sunday –
The final festival day takes off with hope – hope for warmth and at least a short visit from the sun to gleam onto the face of this soaked up earth along the waves of Rhine-Herne-Canal, hope for uplifting tunes as I arise from my car. And for once my hopes won’t be left as a mere mindchild I bear. Opening up under the bright midday sun ATTIC act as they’ve seen many a stages this size, yet their confidence might be due to the fact that all members derive from this very region and certainly have known ROCK HARD FESTIVAL as visitors. Although their being on stage has its entertaining momentum to me at present, the sun requires to put on a necessary protection or else I will turn into a skin-burned person. Missing the rest of the “heirs of KING DIAMOND”, as ATTIC are referred to by some, I return to witness the GOSPEL OF THE HORNS. Their blackened Thrash works as little as ATTICS masquerade around noon, still the sound invites me stay, just before escaping ORDEN OGAN…just not me cup of tea.
ORCHID’S leading hippie Theo showing his aggressive face
After reinforcing my energy I am right up for my highlight-to-be and as it turns out, ORCHID can be called the secret headliner of the day or even the entire event! Expectations are through the roof among all present and in its now 11th year ROCK HARD FESTIVAL might have never seen an act playing on sunday afternoon fully filling up the ranks. “California hippies brought you sunshine“, singer Theo Mindell rightfully points out with the brightest smile on his face. Specially after I’ve met the band just about two weeks earlier in Siegen, the joy and gratitude they feel at this moment comes over me just as well. Just after the first track and title to the current second album “The Mouth Of Madness”, dozens of fans join in for a collective chant, calling the bands’ name – people singing-along with the songs won’t come as a surprise now, but makes it all worthwhile. The set is a brilliant mix of ORCHID’s debut “Capricorn” and its follow-up. Mark Thomas Baker (git.), Keith Nickel (bass) and Carter Kennedy (dr.) along with their charming fronter clearly sink into every second with pure joy and for anyone who has seen them play before, it’s fair to say that they are on top of the world. As the caravan of photographers and journalists – and myself – leave the pit, several concurring glimpses pass my sight.
Setlist ORCHID
1. The Mouths Of Madness
2. Eyes Behind The Wall
3. Capricorn
4. Silent One
5. Eastern Woman
6. Wizard Of War
7. He Who Walks Alone
A final extended break for food consumption and relaxation has me missing most of TANK, THRESHOLD and gets me right back in time for some SEPULTURA classics. The crowed reaches a brutality peak and the sun is still around as setting up stages for one KING DIAMOND lasts long enough for notorious organ entertainer MAMBO KURT to perform a most infamous set. Between amusement and shame, the audience finds itself to be mainly in a good mood and sings along with the weirdest versions of “Ace Of Spades” and some Eurodance trash. As the moment most visitors have been waiting for, since this attendance has been announced arrives, my power goes down quickly, but still keeps me through the whole set of former MERCYFUL FATE singer KING DIAMOND. Worn out but happy having been part of these three days of rockin rituals , I step on the gas and drive right home – thanks so much ROCK HARD FESTIVAL, see you all next year!
KING DIAMOND: Gathering the masses for his sabbath
Setlist KING DIAMOND
1. The Candle
2. Welcome Home
3. At The Graves
4. Up From The Grave
5. Voodoo
6. Dreams
7. Sleepless Nights
8. Drumsolo (Matt Thompson)
9. Shapes Of Black
10. Come To The Sabbath (MERCYFUL FATE-Cover)
11. Evil (MERCYFUL FATE-Cover)
12. Eye Of The Witch
Encore 1:
The Family Ghost
Encore 2:
Halloween
Encore 3:
Black Horsemen
All live pictures courtesy of Jörg Litges / lautundinfarbe
San Francisco-based doom rockers ORCHID have set April 26, 2013 as the release date for the band’s highly anticipated new album, „The Mouths Of Madness“.
Find the stunning cover art for „The Mouths Of Madness“, done by singer & tattoo artist extraordinaire, Theo Mindell, and the albums tracklist below.
Mindell comments on the cover: “I wanted the cover of the album to be really classic and strong, like one of the records from my childhood where when you’d see the colors and shapes on it from across the room, you’d immediately recognize it. A classic “icon” …so it’s very simple really. But then I did a really elaborate painting for the inside that is totally ornate…I wanted people to open this kind of sparse, plain thing and be drawn into another world that kind of visually told the story of some of the emotions of the record. Kind of like peeling a weird fruit open…the inner painting was really inspired by some of the Latino psychedelic murals that were done around San Francisco in the late 60’s-early 70’s….like the cover of Abraxsis by Santana which is a record I grew up on and always loved. So, it’s the “Orchid version” of those murals.”
Guitarist Mark Thomas Baker on the extensive production process:„Most of the tracks on „Mouths of Madness“ were cut in early June 2012. We were pretty fresh off of our European tour and full of confidence. The basics done at that time were the best recording experience that we’ve had so far. Everybody got along great and did great work. We did this album with a completely different guitar sound than „Capricorn“. I think it sounds much heavier in that regard. We take a lot of time to get things right. I hope people enjoy it and let it sink in. I think it’s miles above our past efforts.“
Mastering engineer Richard Whittaker, who also took care of the latest BLACK SABBATH and THIN LIZZY rereleases/analogue transfers, comments: „I’ve been a huge fan of ORCHID since I first heard their debut EP back in 2009, and they’ve certainly come a long way since then. So, as you can imagine, to be asked to work with ORCHID on their records was an honour and a pleasure, they’re a great bunch of guys and a stellar band to be involved with. „The Mouths Of Madness“ is such a well crafted and awe inspiring album. Sonically, its 1974 meets 2013 which, for me, takes the SABBATH/PENTAGRAM vibe to whole new level.“
As an appetizer and collector’s item, ORCHID will also release the 10“ vinyl EP, „Wizard Of War“, on February 22, 2013, containing a brand new track, as well as „Demon’s Eyes“, a song that previously only had been released on an underground Halloween compilation as well as the extensive „Albatross“, from the band’s stunning debut, „Capricorn“.
Tourdates WITCHCRAFT & ORCHID:
26.04. D Lichtenfels – Paunchy Cats
27.04. D Berlin – Desertfest
28.04. PL Warschau – tbc
29.04. PL Kraków – Lizard King
30.04. A Wien – Szene
01.05. D Darmstadt – Steinbruch Theater
02.05. D München – Backstage Halle
03.05. D Siegen – Vortex
04.05. F Paris – Trabendo
06.05. NL Tilburg – O13
07.05. CH Aarau – Kiff
09.05. E Barcelona – Razzmatazz 3
10.05. E Madrid – El Sol
11.05. E San Sebastian – C.C. Intxaurrondo
12.05. F Toulouse – Le Saint des Sains
13.05. I Milano – Lo Fi Club
14.05. I Rome – Traffic Live Club
15.05. I Bologna – Freak Out Club
16.05. A Dornbirn – Schlachthaus
17.05. D Stuttgart – Universum
18.05. D Hamburg – Markthalle
19.05. D Gelsenkirchen – Rock Hard Festival (ORCHID only)
An apparition of a young Ozzy Osbourne, psychedelic music swells in the background, heads are banging – suddenly you wake up and realise the 70s are over BUT still it was no dream.
It is ORCHID.
This foursome creative collective delivers about everything retro&occult, yet manages a very unique outcome. Cleary much of their recognition are the vocals of Theo Mindell, the ever charming centre of attention. Still none of the other three members – Mark Thomas Baker (Guitar), Keith Nickel (Bass) and Carter Kennedy (Drums) – has to hide behind him.
On stage and in the studio this band works in unison unlike a huge part of those who try to get a piece of the retro pie. The bands’ first full-length album “Capricorn” has a more yearningly touch to it, compared to the 2009 EP “Through The Devil’s Doorway” which has a quite forwarding momentum. If this development is “right”, one might figure out him – or herself. As for me, the atmosphere is just right. With all tracks together making a duration of almost an hour, you have to slow down every once in a while. The first fuzzy “half” is an invitation to all headbangers, then it all goes “Down Into The Earth” and in the end the “Albatross” slowy disappears.
The best approach is always to regard the work as a whole and as a result of a certain span: The songs on “Capricorn” are like the memory of a summer and I can picture Scott McKenzie handing out flowers to the people passing by. Considering ORCHID‘s origins it all makes sense and if you can: Grab yourself a tambourine, take the next ride to San Francisco and go with the flow, but beware: This music is highly addictive!
I could not pick one song to name as the ONE hit, cause all nine tracks are special and altogether they make the album complete. But I guess the titletrack “Capricorn” is most memorable.
ORCHID currently are recording their follow-up album, due for release in early 2012.
And as for some trivia: Vocalist Theo works as a (tattoo-)artist and also made the cover artwork for “Capricorn”.
After the mandatory starting problems, the second day of this years’ Hammer Of Doom Festival on October 29th seems to be much of a promising event. The only downer for today has been CATHEDRAL‘s cancellation for their headline show, due to the fact that the band refuses to share stages with THE DEVIL’S BLOOD (who are known for using pig blood purchased at a local butcher…). Considering the fact that Lee Dorrian is a convinced vegetarian, one might be able to understand his decision. Still, with the band doing a farewell tour this does not make their absence any better…but here we go anyway.
Cathedral shirt backprint
At our arrival at about two in the afternoon DEVIL are in the midst of their set and the venue is crowed allready at this rather early time. The Posthalle in Wuerzburg appears quite dark and stuffed with records sellers, whose high prices at the end of the month make me wonder how they make profit at all. On the other hand it’s a nice opportunity to do something while waiting for “your” band to play and to stay awake despite the lack of light and oxygen.
Orchid’s charming singer Theo
Sometime between NOMAD SON and THE 11TH HOUR me and my pals leave the location and enjoy the autumn sun and finally some real food. At 5pm the first highlight of the day enters the stage: ORCHID have not only travelled all the way from the US to southern Germany, but it seems that they also travelled through time with their hippie like cloths, hooped cables and vocalist Theo Mindell acting like a very young OZZY OSBOURE. I am just delighted and the audience all around clearly agrees. Mark Thomas Baker (Guitar), Keith Nickel (Bass) and Carter Kennedy (Drums) keep up to Theo easily and their passion for occult 70’s Rock and Metal fill the entire place. The foursome presents a mixture of their current outputs (“Through The Devil’s Doorway” and “Carpicorn”) and also new material to be released on the upcoming album which is scheduled for April 2012. After just fourty minutes the show is over and I guess I’m not the only one who can’t wait for these guys to return to Europe!
Following is Malta’s FORSAKEN with a frontman being some sort of DIO version with a BLACK SABBATH shirt…THAT was weird! Unfortunatly his taste of music does not make the band sound good to my ears. But this being a matter of taste, contrary opinios appear to be plenty and we take another chance to get some fresh air.
Blood Ceremony favour ears and eyes
Finally the second highlight of the days enters the stage: BLOOD CEREMONY finish their European tour on this very evening. After seeing them in April, expectations are high and this show turns out to be overwhelming as well. Canada’s hottest Rock export truly enchants the international audience with retro sounds and their very talented female fronter Alia O’Brien. It’s a real pleasure to see how she and Sean Kennedy (Guitars), Lucas Gadke (Bass) and Andrew Haust (Drums) play together as a union. Especially the songs from their latest album “Living With The Ancient” are well recieved but also the Self Tiled debut certainly has it’s place in countless record collections. As sure as anyone watching, the band has a great time tonight. “I’ve never had an audience with so many people making out while we played“, bassplayer Lucas points out after the show. 45 minutes pass way to soon and the next act YET SO FAR with a special German Show can hardly keep my interest.
Another hour runs before tonights’ headliner THE DEVIL’S BLOOD fills the stage with musicians, equipment and backdrops. The highly awaited Pre-Release Show ends up as a stiff set with way too many new songs and everlasting red lights, that make it very hard to get good pictures if your camera does not cost a fortune. Especially after seeing this band in much smaller places and at the beginning of the hype they caused, I can say that I’ve seen much better performances than the one tonight. Disappointed visitors are leaving while the rest is totally into the ritual. I am somewhere between those views, but glad to be on the way back before the show ends…
Altogether a great day with some real peaks and just a few weak points!
Psychorizon 
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