Artist:  Jorn & Attica Rage

Venue: The Classic Grand, Glasgow  

Date: 5th October 2010   

And so once more I venture North of the border to witness the ROCK N MEEETTTTAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!  The fair city of Glasgow beckons me with the promise of soaring vocals, monster riffs and pounding bass and drums. 

I’ve witnessed Jorn only once previously, at Firefest and have been a fan for many a year.  So the chance to catch the band on only one of two dates in the UK was too good an opportunity to pass on. 

Now I hadn’t purchased a ticket before I traveled up to Glasgow, relying entirely on being able to pick one up at Ticket Scotland when I got off the train….but low and behold the place was closed for one day only as it was undergoing some refurbishment!!  So I would have to pay extra on the door, such is life!! 

Now due to the opulence of my hotel and the facilities provided therein, I completely missed the first band, so sorry guys.  The Classic Grand is a small but impressive venue but the turnout for the great man is abysmal.  Talking to a few people later it turns out they found out about the gig when passing the venue a week before, so promotion must not have been high on the promoters list of things to do!! 

Attica Rage were main support and I was expecting big things from these boys as they are down to appear at Hard Rock Hell in December and Hammerfest in 2011. The band are all experienced musicians with an eye on early Metallica/Megadeth riffing. Unfortunately, they don’t have a set of songs that make them standout from the crowd. 

And so to the main event, Jorn Lande, with the 'Live In America' backdrop hanging behind the kit, the intro pumps from the PA and a few hardy souls move to the front of the stage.  In my slightly inebriated state I decide to do so as well, tagging on the end of the barrier on Tore St Moren’s side. The band launch into 'Road of the Cross' from the last album 'Spirit Black', following this up with 'Shadow People' from 'Lonely Are The Brave'.

Now I’m no David Bailey when it comes to photography and I have apologised to Tore in person for nearly blinding him throughout the set (I have since managed to suss out how to take photos without blinding guitarists lol!!!).  

Jorn is an immense vocalist and his tone can straddle both Dio and Coverdale camps. Tonight he made everything sound effortless as the band launch into 'Below' from the 'Spirit Black album'. He doesn’t run around the stage, opting for that old style Coverdale/Paul Rodgers stance. 

Next up is 'We Brought The Angels Down' and Tore St Moren is ripping up his side of the stage, Jorn commanding centre stage with Tor Erik Myhre and bassist Nic Angileri keeping it tight stage right and let’s not forget WILD Willy Bendiksen pounding the kit at the back. 

The band give us 'Stormcrow' from 'The Duke', 'Rock and Roll Angel' and 'Spirit Black' before Tor Erik is let loose on the unsuspecting crowd with a short and concise solo. When I look at this guy he reminds me so much of Steve Gaines, sadly missed guitarist from Lynyrd Skynyrd.

 The band return and it’s The 'Inner Road' and 'Man Of The Dark' from 'Lonely are the Brave', then 'Black Song' before Tore launches into a blistering solo, his fingers burning the fretboard, making it look so easy and effortless. I just love Tore’s playing and the tone he gets and we did get to chat about that after the show. Jorn dug into the 'Worldchanger' album for 'Tungur Knivur' before WILD Willy was given the opportunity to show us what does, a kebab eating, alcohol drinking, chain smoking powerhouse skin pounder! 

The set ended with 'Soul Of The Wind' from 'Lonely are the Brave' but the appreciative crowd were treated to two encore tunes, 'Ekstra' and 'War of the World', 'Song For Ronnie James' being left out, before the band bid us farewell.  This gig was way better than Firefest but the band deserved a bigger crowd, although that didn’t stop them giving it their all.  Jorn Lande has one of the finest voices in the hard rock arena, and in Tore St Moren, Willy Bendiksen, Tor Erik Myhre and Nic Angileri, a band that is capable of conquering anything. 

I must add that a handful of us hung around after the gig and the band were gracious enough to spend some time talking, signing stuff and having photos taken, actually it was after 1.30am when I left and they were still there.  Hope you enjoyed the Chicken Kebab Willy!!!  

Review by: Brassy

 

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