Thanks to Z-Rock Radio I was very lucky to shoot some of the biggest concerts in Bulgaria. I will try to make an overview of these events with little text and more photos.
Anthrax and Slayer, 31 May, Winter Sports Palace
The beginning was set with half of the Big4. Anthrax and Slayer in the Winter Sports Palace, Sofia.
Striking beginning with Anthrax, which I couldn’t say are a support band.
Slayer! Despite the loss of Jeff Hanneman and the lack of Dave Lombardo this band is an aggressive machine full of energy. Another concert in Bulgaria, and they cut my head again 🙂
Foreigner, 12 June, Arena Armeetz
40 years on stage and 8 years after their previous concert in Bulgaria Foreigner are in Bulgaria again. The fans in the full Arena Armeetz hall enjoyed an explosion of emotion, senses and love.
Megadeth, 7 Jule, Universiada sports hall
Megadeth, another membеr of Big4 visited Sofia this year. A gift for the fans after releasing the awesome new album Dystopia. The Swedish guys from Beyond All Recognition were the supporting band.
Despite the not so good sound in Universiada hall, everything else that Megadeth showed was on an extremely high level. Dave Mustaine and the crew played a well selected mix of new and old songs to which the fans were responding with ecstasy.
Scorpions, 17 July, Arena Armeetz
Scorpions have never been one of my most favorite bands. And I was very pleasantly surprised. what impressed me was that there were people from 6 to 106 years. And the young and the older knew and were singing the favorite songs. As a result the band made a terrific show.
Nightwish, 14 September, Arena Armeetz
The long waited first concert in Bulgaria. Despite being delayed due to border crossing formalities, the audience was patiently waiting for their favorites. Congratulations for the organizers for actively informing the fans about the delay and the start of the show. Lots of people continue to compare Nightwish before and after Tarya Turunen and probably some have left disappointed from the two hour tale shown on the stage, but this is the band at the moment. And Tarya will visit Sofia on the 7 February next year.
Sully Erna, 20 October, National Palace of Culture
The event of the year! 10 years Z-Rock. A very special guest Sully Erna with Acoustic show in the National Palace of Culture with the special participation of the musicians from Classic FM Orchestra. And not only one, but two concerts in the same day. The tickets were sold in very short time. And it was worth it. Unforgettable, emotional, unique show for which people were talking long after.
Lordi, 30 October, Universiada sports hall
Lordi in the day before Halloween. Supported by Nufry and company. Personally for me Bastardolomey were much more impressive. Maybe because of the masks of Lordi or another reason, Bastardolomey were having a direct and emotional connection with the audience.
И чудовищата от Lordi
Ian Gillan, 4 November, National Palace of Culture
Ian Gillan’s daughter, Grace was warming up the fans with her band Papa Le Gál. Quite a nice surprise for me, with a mixture of jazz and funk, creating an easy mood.
Ian Gillan stepped on stage with Don Airey Band and Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra. Fantastic show, awesome emotion and travel in time. And during next year we expect him again, this time with Deep Purple for their farewell tour.
Max & Igor Cavalera, 15 November, Universiada sports hall
The Cavalera brothers visited Sofia as part of their “Back to the roots” tour, celebrating 20 years from the release of “Roots”. Max and Igor have not lost their energy and for the joy of the fans, played the whole “Roots” album.
Amon Amarth, 3 December, Inter Expo Center
The last show for the year was the one of the Swedish band Amon Amarth.
Grand Magus were their support band, and in my opinion made very pleasant impression.
And Amon Amarth themselves were greeted again from the Bulgarian audience very warmly and they told some Viking sagas in a row. Spectacular as music and as presence on the stage.
I hope that the next year will be full of events as this one.
Happy holidays!