M3 Festival 2010

The M3 festival is returning this year. What is M3 you ask? Just an amazing day of hair metal music played at maximum volume and one of the better festivals of 2009. It promises to be just as great, if not better, in 2010.

Being held at the same location as last year, The Merriweather Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, this year’s lineup features confirmed acts of Kix, Winger, Vince Neil, Cinderella, Warrant, L.A. Guns, The Scorpions, Nelson Trixter, and more!

Most of my regular readers know that I also write reviews for Hard Rock Hideout (http://www.hardrockhideout.com/). This is the festival that we have chosen to attend this year. Rather than try and brave the mid-summer heat of Rocklahoma, or attend another unproven festival, M3 is our festival of choice for 2010.

M3 promises to be an incredible festival of hair metal music bliss. Last year’s M3 was an amazing event that was enjoyed by all. 2 stages featuring several acts across the day saw some great bands performing. This year’s lineup is shaping up to be even better. With Winger supporting their fabulous new album (Karma), Cinderella performing, and The Scorpions as the big headliners, this is going to be one amazing day of music and mayhem. It will be an excellent introduction to the 2010 summer concert season.

No word about the on sale date for tickets, but I imagine that it would be soon. The website claims that prices and on sale dates should be announced in the next week.

For more information and updates, visit the M3 Festival website at: http://m3rock.webs.com/

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Sunday CD Review - The Scorpions: World Wide Live

In 1985, the Scorpions were on top of the world. Having released monster hit records in the seventies and early eighties, they struck gold (actually platinum) in the US with the release of Love at First Sting. That outstanding record contained the huge hit Rock You Like a Hurricane, along with the power ballad Still Loving You. On the strength of that record and tour, the Scorpions decided to release a live disc, World Wide Live.

World Wide Live is an excellent sampling of what the Scorpions are like in action. Recorded live at venues in California, France, and Germany, this record is a live greatest hits package that produces quite a wallop. Hit songs from their biggest albums were performed, captured, and preserved for listening pleasure.

Klaus Meine was at the top of his game and the dual guitar work of Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs adds credibility to the amazing performance of the Scorpions. The huge hits sound studio perfect when performed live. Loving You Sunday Morning, Still Loving You, Rock You Like a Hurricane, and No One Like You are all contained on the record and all done at peak performance. These songs still hold their own today, more than 20 years later.

Still Loving You is one of the best power ballads ever recorded, and it sounds even better live. Klaus’ vocals are sharp, his voice does not waver or crack, and the version contained on World Wide Live really does the song justice.

Rock You Like a Hurricane is the Scorpions’ signature song and contains the real 80s feel that the Scorpions became known for. It’s hard to find a person over the age of 20 who hasn’t heard and enjoyed this masterpiece. Even after multiple plays, the song is still strong, and now that it is contained on the Guitar Hero video game, it is sure to get even more life.

The Zoo, a lesser hit, has always been one of my favorites, and putting it on this live album was a real treat for the ears. The mouth harp and mixture of guitars and drums produces a fantastic musical effect and the song has a vibe that gets into your skin and makes you want to pound your fist in the air.

Can’t Get Enough is the big closer to this live beauty. It’s a strong way to end the record and a good decision to end the show with. The song is fast, upbeat, and delivers a message, the fans haven’t gotten enough – they want more. Which is just what any solid performer should do, leave them wanting more.

Overall, World Wide Live is an excellent disc and a must for any Scorpions fan.

Ryo’s Rating: 8 (out of 10)

Tracklist

1. Countdown
2. Coming Home
3. Blackout
4. Bad Boys Running Wild
5. Loving You Sunday Morning
6. Make It Real
7. Big City Nights
8. Coast To Coast
9. Holiday
10. Still Loving You
11. Rock You Like A Hurricane
12. Can’t Live Without You
13. Another Piece Of Meat
14. The Zoo
15. No One Like You
16. Dynamite
17. Can’t Get Enough (Part I)
18. Six String Sting
19. Can’t Get Enough (Part II)