CIRCLE II CIRCLE
Masters Of Rock Café - Zlín, Czech Republic
May 23, 2009

Circle II Circle in the Czech Republic? Yes, Why not! Their show in Paris was cancelled so I had to see them somewhere... And after all, what else can you expect! This is the Metal Traveller website!

Seriously, it's quite improvised how I got there.
Low cost carrier Sky Europe realeased lots of tickets for 10€ return. That's how I managed to see Metallica's concert in Vienna, and I also booked a short trip to Prague.

Then I noticed that Circle II Circle would be playing in the Czech Republic while I was there. Except that the city of the concert was not Prague but Zlín.
Anyway, a good concert just some miles away from where I was, was something I couldn't refuse.

I arrived quite late to Zlín so I didn't visit the city. I don't think I missed that much, it's an industrial town without any major attractions. But not far from it there are some castles, so it can be a good base to visit the area some other time.

The concert was held at the Masters Of Rock Café, which is a great venue not far from the train and bus stations.

I wish all rock and metal clubs in the world were like this one!

Just like in the Hard Rock Café, thre are signed guitars and posters on the walls. Except that all items are related to Hard Rock and Metal.

There's stuff from Manowar, Nightwish, Hammerfall, Rage, Deep Purple, Metallica...
Well, when you enter, you know what you're in for!

I missed the first opening act because I was on a train on my way to Zlín.
Manticora had just started as I got into the Masters Of Rock Café.

There were some 400 people attendeing the show that night. Everyone was expecting to see Circle II Circle and was really into the show.
Want the proof? On a country where beer can be cheaper than water, there were only 5 people at the bar!

I was really happy when Circle II Circle got on stage.
The first reason is that I'm a big Savatage fan, so seeing a member of this band performing live is a great satisfaction.

Second, I'd never seen Zak Stevens on stage before. I've been to 7 Savatage concerts but Damond Jiniya was singing. He did great, but he never recorded a Savatage album, so I was really looking forward to see Zak.
Hey by the way... Any news for a Savatage reunion?

And Third, the show in my hometown was cancelled! So finally managed to see the band live!

The sound at the Masters Of Rock Café was terrific. And the lights were very good too.

Circle II Circle came on stage with Fatal Warning, the first song from their latest album Delusions Of Grandeur. A great way to start a show.

Other great moments of the show were the songs Heal You (they did a great version) and Watching In Silence.

Since the begining Zak Stevens showed that he's a very charismatic singer.

He talks a lot to the audience and sometimes even to the fans that are singing, that are taking photos, or that wear Savatage or Circle II Circle T-shirts.

And his voice is as powerful and melodic as on the albums!

All musicians in Circle II Circle did a great performance.
Bass player Paul Michael Stewart was just unchained! He couldn't stop headbanging and running from side to side of the stage.

Bill Hudson did a great job. He's imposing on stage, and his solos are breathtaking.

Tom Drennan's drum style is very good too, and gives a lot of energy to the band.

Only Andy Lee was a bit calm, but the solos he played caught the attention of everybody!

As this was the last show of the tour, obviously a few funny things happned on stage.
First of all, during Manticora's show Paul Michael Stewart went on stage to drink some beer... dressed only with a towel and a shower cap!

The band threw some signed stuff to the audience... except that the signed stuff were pages from a gay adult magazine!

At one point they also started to play football on stage!

The encore was a tribute to Savatage! Of course many people were waiting for this.

It started with If I Go Away, performed only by Zak Stevens on vocals and Paul Michael Stewart on keyboards.

Taunting Cobras was also a great moment, but the climax came with Edge Of Thorns. Christian David Wentz from Futures End was invited to play bass, as Paul Michael Stewart was again on keyboards.

A tour finale is a good celebration so Zak invited every member of the opening bands on stage. Thay were all laughing and happy to be there.

Zak promised that they'll get to the bar after the show and have a drink with the fans.
So they did, and they were all very kind and available to everyone.

A great way to end an amazing concert! Circle II Circle live is really not to be missed!

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Setlist Circle II Circle – Masters Of Rock Cafe, Zlín, Czech Republic – May 23, 2009

01. Fatal Warning
02. Dead Of Dawn
03. Forever
04. Waiting
05. Sea Of White + Tom Drum Solo
06. Heal You
07. Echoes
08. Chase The Lies
09. Souelbreaker
10. Messiah + Bill Guitar solo
11. Revelations
12. So Many Reasons
————————————
13. If I Go Away
14. Watching On Silence
15. Nothing's Going On + Andy Guitar Solo
16. Taunting Cobras
17. Edge Of Thorns

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