Fans
Megaherz live at the "Metropolis"
April 9, 2002 - Munich
Not quite 2 years have elapsed since my very first MEGAHERZ show. I am back in the very same venue, the Metropolis, in Munich to see/hear/experience the new MEGAHERZ show in celebration of their new CD, "Herzwerk II". The Venue is jammed with people (this Show must be a sell-out...) and it is difficult to move about freely . I watch the show openers, Zombie Joe, from the back of the Venue, and as soon as their set concludes I begin the process of moving myself to the front, so I can have a better location for the headlining performance from MEGAHERZ.
As soon as "Licht II" begins, signaling the Intro to the Show, the crowd becomes attentive and somewhat quiet, all eyes looking at the stage. "Licht II" is perfect as Intro Musik. The steady pulsing bass and mechanical drone-like quality of the voice keep building the pressure and anticipation as MEGAHERZ slowly emerge on the stage. As "Licht II" begins to fade, there seems to be a moment of absolute nothingness before everything EXPLODES with the excitement of the energy and force of "Heute schon gelebt?". And I am thinking, "OK, I can die now!" This song is one of my absolute favorites from the new CD and the live version is just amazing. Everything is crystal clear: Alexx's voice, the guitars, bass, and drums. The sound mix is unbelievable! This is what a live MEGAHERZ show is all about. The songs are performed in all their technical/precise exactness, but everything is super-charged with a POWER that can only come from a live show.
The stage set-up is normal MEGAHERZ. Jürgen is in the back, to the right of center. Wenz is in the back, to the left of center. Olli is front-left. X-tian is front-right. And Alexx is front and center. Any attempt to put together a definitive look for this tour is abandoned. Everyone seems to be doing their own thing in the wardrobe department. Alexx appears futuristic in his silver/gray pants with straps and things around the lower parts of the pant legs. A black tank top covers his upper body and a strange metal headpiece on which his stemless sunglasses are fastened adorns his head......but only for the first song.
MEGAHERZ includes all songs from "Herzwerk II". The exception being that "Es brennt" is not amongst these songs. Every one of the new songs was performed masterfully. Either MEGAHERZ are genuinely gifted musicians or their rehearsal time was well spent. Probably a bit of both! Absolute standouts were "Perfekte Droge", "5 März", "Herzblut", and "Glas und Tränen". "Zu den Sternen" was a brilliant STAR! And, yes, Alexx does actually hold those notes for a breathlessly long time. Super lungs! "An deinem Grab" was a delight to see performed live. Even better than the studio track. A good deal of emotion with this song is NOT just with the voice, but with the physical emotion pouring from Alexx's expressions. And if you get a chance to see a live show, please watch X-tian as "An deinem Grab" begins. I was simply spell-bound watching how he taps out the notes on the neck of his guitar, which creates the gentle melody used as a back-drop to Alexx's spoken words.
The older songs included in the set were: "Gott Sein", "Freiflug", "Miststück", "Jordan", "Blender", "Rock me Amadeus", Beiß Mich", and "Hurra wir leben noch". All very good, solid choices from their past 3 CD's.........though I will admit I was surprised to see "Beiß Mich"!!!!
The Show ended after about 2 + hours (1 encore) and "Gold" was played for the Outro. A beautiful way to end the album..........a beautiful way to end the show...........Megaherz ARE Gold............
Betsy Königsberg
15 April 2002