ADAMS DRUMMERSFESTIVAL 2012 @ CC Het Loo, Tessenderlo (BE)
By entering the village of Tessenderlo on this beautiful, sunny Sunday you were seeing at first glance some people walking around. Not many though. The rest of the inhabitants seemed to be suncatching in the gardens of their houses or on the balcony of their apartments. But reaching the Vismarkt STOP; What was going on at CC Het Loo? In front was gathering a large crowd. Oh yes, this small village in the Limburg region of Belgium was the “Drum Capital” of the whole world this Sunday as it hosted the ADAMS DRUMMERSFESTIVAL 2012!
ADAMS had made their birdcalls and drum-legends were responding to them.
Each drummer was presented and announced by Dom Famuro and Sean Dhondt. They were rising the vibe amongst the fans and bringing a lot of humour into their presentations by also joking with the fans. Excellent moderators.
So get your magic rhythm sticks and enjoy!
It was the home-advantage as Belgian for Phil Baheux to start the festival. He is the drum-animal of Channel Zero. It was a furious, aggressive and wild session. Phil was powering like wild with his sticks and made his huge drum-kit to tremble. The metal-freaks were headbanging. Phil was to burn out himself totally. Trash-Metal-Drumming that was ear and eyes-blowing.
Gavin Harrison was following. By the sound of Porcupine Tree of which he is the drummer the atmosphere by the music, light and performance was impressive. His play was of highest, precise technique; more calm than his predecessor and also sometimes with a jazzy touch. He is the definitely one of the most versatile drummers in progressive-rock.
Todd Sucherman was to enthuse the crowd performing to the music of Styx. He had his drum-set positioned extra sideways towards the audience to facilitate a better view on this and his play. He was a student of Berklee College of Music. In 2009 the Modern Drummer Magazine voted him number one “Rock Drummer in the World”. He was endorsing this by his creative task.
He was not only a drumming hard-rocker, but he played also very melodic and sensitive. No wonder he needs to if you listen to a song-extraordinaire like “Fooling Yourself”. It was exciting to see him in action spotted and shielded by creative light-design. By Styx words “Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto”
Chris Coleman was the drummer to integrate the fans the utmost in his performance and play. He was dividing them into 3 sections and made them to move and clap their hands in different modes to his assignations and funky, rythmique, hard play. They loved not only to listen and watch, but to be part of the action. He is best known for being the drummer of Prince and Chaka Khan. Sunnyboy Chris was telling in very simpatico, non overdone way that he is a very religious guy, his father and ancestors were already pastors. So he is personally very much into gospel-choir-music and had joined also “Drummers 4 Jesus” Events. Mr. Coleman was “The Groove-Master.
Nicko Mc Brain of “NWOBHM-Gods” Iron Maiden was the stick-man to attract the most spectators to the festival. You could see this easily as a lot of metal-heads were wearing Maiden-Shirts or cowls with patches. If you looked at Nicko’s face and hands closely this evening and if you would have met him later outside around midnight you would have taken him easily as the living-clone of Eddie, the “Iron Monster” – *LOL*. He was the jester of the evening and perfect animator. The freaks had hell of a lot of fun with him. The only negative thing about him being such a too exaggerate blabbermouth was that his real play was only 4 songs. It was extraterrestrial anyhow which style, how dynamic and precise he was playing on his kit.
The Appice Brothers, Carmine and Vinny were starting their “Drum Wars” after an underground guerrilla-sound intro combined with impressive light-flashes. Carmine being long-time drummer for Rod Stewart, Vanilla Fudge. King Kobra and being, as last activity on tour with Vargas & Shortino. Vinny being member of Heaven & Hell, Black Sabbath and DIO. Naturally he was honouring the unforgettable Ronnie James Dio again. It was just amazing what the brothers were playing together and solo. They were to hex the freaks by their twirl of their sticks on cymbals, snare and their double-bass-drum play. Both drum-sets were placed opposite to each other, to able sight-contact. Who won the battle? In sports-jargon – A tie. But it had to be stated that Carmine really proved what a tremendous drummer he still is. They were the real headliners of the evening,
not only on the bill. Carmine & Vinny Appice presenting “Drum Wars” were explosive. “Hot Dynamite”!
ADAMS DRUMMERFESTIVAL 2012 was very spectacular. The line-up of drummers was sensational. The superior light and sound was a delight. It made the performances and drum-solos never boring. The time was passing like a ride in a rollercoaster. It was a pleasure to see soo many young kids amongst the spectators. The music-scene needs the offspring for its future…
So see you again at ADAMS DRUMMERFESTIVAL 2013!