Viernes 5 Feb 2010, 10:10

Sun 24 Jan – Stratovarius, Tracedawn, Winter's Verge
Despite of the cold weather lots of true metals gathered in front of Hristo Botev Hall in this chilly day. Definitely it worth it - the reason was the first concert in Bulgaria of the Finnish power metal gods Stratovarius.
In 4 o'clock pm there were no more than 5-6 metal heads in front of the hall. Of course they were well prepared for the cold weather with the right liquids.
The entering was planned for 6 o'clock pm but it was postponed with 30 minutes for unknown reasons. There were no more than 100 metals in that moment. The reason for this was the last minute change - everyone knew the entering will begin in 8 o'clock. Around 6:25 I got into the hall. The stage was situated like on W.A.S.P.'s concert (this is the moment for me to say that it is finally the time someone to build a concert hall in Bulgaria, because the acoustic qualities of Hristo Botev Hall are very very low and I notice this on every fucking event). No more to say about the hall, the organizers from Loud Concerts were once again very good and I greet them for this.
The concert started with the Cypriot power metal band Winter's Verge. They sand some of their old songs and several from their new coming album. They were good.
Then Tracedawn came on the stage, though very young they were very good, their progressive melodic death metal/metalcore was very good. All the fans in the hall admitted that these guys have a future! But here a problem occurred - the clean vocals were very silent. I personally headbang all the time and at the end of their set-list got a problem with my neck.
During the pause Winter's Verge's band members and Tracedawn's band members photographed the public and said some nice words for us.
After the long pause the familiar sound of Destiny went through the hall and everyone started singing. Short after this the Finnish power metal gods appeared on the stage and with them the well-known singer Timo Kotipelto. Total meltdown :D Stratovarius proved that they are one of the best bands in the genre and their vocalist Timo Kotipelto is one of the best vocalists in the world! He constantly spoke to the public and played different games with it. He threw bottles (I caught one) and then shaked with the front row (I was really lucky to really handshake with him, most people just touched his hand). The time went quickly and soon the familiar sound of the DIAMOND went through the Hall, yes the BLACK DIAMOND!!! With this my comment on this event ends.

Sincerelly yours Nikolay Rayanov

I want to express my special greeting to the brothers from the Bulgarian Panzer Battalion, the two girls that were with me for the very emotional moments before, during and after the concert. Oh, I forgot I want to greet and thank my friend Theodor who sent me the discography of Winter's Verge. With those who have planned to visit more concerts - see you on Gamma Ray's ;]