Versailles, Ohio is starting to feel like a second home, and I know I\u2019m not alone in this. Every time I leave, I start counting the days until I can return to see all my friends again. The Immortal fans are the best, bar none. We\u2019ve got Ed and Dwayne, the Greenville welcoming committee- who ended up starting an impromptu pre-party at the Holiday Inn, Billy and his air guitar, Shonda and George, our autograph collectors, Ernie Lonewolf and his wife Liz, cross-country bikers and downstairs neighbors, fellow bloggers, vloggers, and journalists Dave, Christian, David, and Rex, Anthony the merch man and his whole crew, the one and only Syke, Dorn and Su from Darth Plumber, BMI staffers Angie, Dave, and Mark, and you! An inexhaustive list of other musicians in attendance is members of: Weapons of God, Nostalgia, Telestai, XL & Death Before Dishonor, Grave Robber, Monsterus, Slamcat, Innersiege, Messenger, and Trytan. And the artists themselves make it seem like a big family outing. They make themselves available to the fans, and not just at meet and greets, mingling in the audience, talking, hanging out, breaking bread with the fans, listening and praying with them. It\u2019s easy to see why the same faces keep returning and I pray that we see many new faces as well. This was part 2 of this year\u2019s Immortal Fest, the so called \u201cclassic\u201d lineup of faithful metal missionaries returning to the field to sow the seeds of the gospel once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saturday was kicked off by GARY CHAPMAN armed only with his acoustic guitar and his sense of humor. He was followed by MATTHEW WARD with a full band (who seemed a bit reticent to hop in the van when I was asked to chauffeur them from their hotel to the venue). Matthew played a set of songs from his days in 2ND CHAPTER OF ACTS, as well as his extensive solo career. Even after 50 years of recording and singing, this CCM pioneer still has quite the distinctive voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first heavy act of the night was FEAR NOT. From the band\u2019s pop metal beginnings in the late 80\u2019s\/early 90\u2019s, original members Larry Worley and Chris Sorensen (guitars), Rod Romero (bass), and Gary Hanson (drums) returned to the scene, now fronted by Eddie Green on vocals for a modern hard rock sound, by way of Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd and with biker attitude for the For the Wounded Heart ep in 2019 and the highly successful Fields of Sorrow in 2022. The band kicked off with attitude with \u201cDon\u2019t Want None (Come Get Some)\u201d from their ep, before delving deep into their current album with \u201cStruggle,\u201d \u201cBlack Soul Sonshine,\u201d \u201cVoluntary Madness,\u201d title track \u201cFields of Sorrow,\u201d \u201cLay It Down,\u201d and \u201cBeautifully Broken,\u201d sometimes stopping to explain the song or exhort the audience, as with \u201cVoluntary Madness,\u201d a song exploring the dangers of alcohol addiction. Next was \u201cCarry Me,\u201d off the ep, before returning to Fields of Sorrow for \u201cRiptide\u201d and The Who cover \u201cJoin Together,\u201d joined by Rey and Dylan Parra, Les Carlsen, and Syke Mochek, and closing with \u201cWe Have A God,\u201d from the band\u2019s 1993 debut. Fear Not put on quite the show, Eddie crooning passionately into his vintage looking mic, Chris and Larry laying down the bluesy riffs, and the aforementioned being the most friendly and down to earth rockers you\u2019ll find anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next up was SAINT. In the late 70\u2019s\/ early 80\u2019s christian headbangers had Sweden\u2019s Jerusalem and Chicago\u2019s Resurrection Band (Rez) to soothe their itching ears, but not much of a heavier nature. That was soon to change in 1984 with the emergence of Saint, who brought the more traditional metal sounds of Judas Priest and King Diamond to Christendom. Main man and bassist Richard Lynch is the sole founding member left, but the lineup of Lynch, David Nelson on vocals, Matt Smith and Jerry Johnson on guitars (with Jerry in the band for almost 20 years now), and Jared Knowland on drums have been a stable lineup the last few years. The current band is extremely tight and their new music is some of their strongest material ever, while paying homage to the band\u2019s extensive history. The band opened with \u201cHeaven Fell\u201d and \u201cVengeance,\u201d both excellent offerings from the band\u2019s current cd Heaven Fell. The band fully utilized the screens around them to display the cover of said album with a cathedral falling to the earth (heaven coming down) with pigeons flying amongst the clouds throughout their performance. Next was \u201cRise,\u201d from The Calf, before going back to \u201cThe Choice,\u201d from Jerry\u2019s first cd with Saint- In the Battle, which merged right into \u201cThe Mark,\u201d from the album of the same name. Similarly, \u201cPhantom of the Galaxy\u201d bled right into \u201cSteel Killer,\u201d the last 2 songs off the classic Time\u2019s End album. Singer Dave, acting like he owned the stage- and yes, he did- stopped to introduce the band members. On to \u201cToo Late for Living\u201d and \u201cThe Path,\u201d from classic era Too Late for Living and \u201cIsland Prisoner\u201d from Time\u2019s End and Dave throwing himself down on the stage after the exertion of singing the near impossible vocal acrobatics of his predecessor Josh Kramer. Next was \u201cHellblade,\u201d from the 2010 album of the same name, Matt and Jerry showing off their guitar prowess, Rich speaking, and then we had the privilege of hearing a new song \u201cSalt in the Wound,\u201d from the band\u2019s next masterpiece. The band then laid into a medley of songs (an excellent idea when your discography is littered with so many must plays!) which included snippets of \u201cPlan 2,\u201d the song from the debut ep Warriors of the Son that made me a lifelong fan,\u201dRyder,\u201d from In the Battle, \u201cSpace Cruiser,\u201d from Time\u2019s End, and \u201cHoly Rollin\u2019,\u201d again from In the Battle, before getting cut off by schedule conscious stage managers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing Saturday night would be X-SINNER\/ZION. It was a once in a lifetime chance to see both bands together. Since both bands shared singer Rex Scott, a set from both \u201cresurrected\u201d bands was possible using fill ins and shared members. X-Sinner was made up of powerhouse singer Rex Scott, rocking his red mic stand wrapped in chain and topped with a skull and guitarist Greg Bishop, drum kit ably filled by Zion\u2019s Tommy Bozung and fill-in bassist Jason Ellsworth. The band opened with \u201cPeer Pressure\u201d from Peace Treaty with the band and audience both yelling \u201cTell \u2018em NO!\u201d Next up was \u201cWhat Rock Is For\u201d from World Covered in Blood, a tale of the not always glamorous life of rock stars. Greg Bishop stated that their setlist was the result of polling the fans about what X-Sinner songs they wanted to hear, and the majority called for songs from the 1989 debut album Get It, even though that predated Rex\u2019s time in the band. And \u201cget it\u201d- they did- in spades with \u201cMedicine,\u201d Accountable,\u201d and \u201cWalking Evil,\u201d before playing a new song called \u201cRunnin\u2019 Out of Time,\u201d and then returning to Get It for \u201cLiving on the Edge.\u201d \u201cWanna Be Set Free\u201d comes from the X-Sinner\u2019s latest cd from 2009, and then closed with the worshipful \u201cLift Him Up,\u201d again from the debut. Set change. Greg Bishop out and guitarist David Moore in and Zion is on. Though the band only released one album, Zion\u2019s Thunder From the Mountain produced more than a few chart topping hits, many of them in this setlist. Zion\u2019s set kicked off with the haunting riff from \u201cWho Pulls the Strings,\u201d Rex Scott switching from the Bon Scott\/Steve Whiteman vocal mode he employs with X-Sinner and GX Project to melodic metal vocals for Zion. Next came the monster hit \u201cIs It A Crime,\u201d before slowing down for \u201cHelp Me.\u201d After \u201cKick in the Gates,\u201d the band left the stage, returning (with Greg Bishop) to play \u201cHe Loves You\u201d for an encore. Day one down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping things in the proper perspective, Sunday opened and closed with worship. Rockers and headbangers we may be, but it is God that we worship, not music. LARRY WORLEY did us the honor of leading us in worship with some popular choruses on acoustic guitar. For those that don\u2019t know, Larry was the original singer of Love Life and Fear Not, still slings guitar for Fear Not and now Deny the Fallen, has a worship album titled Larry Worley and Friends out on Roxx Records, and is the genuine article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next up we had the privilege of having GLENN AND WENDI KAISER with us. Glenn and Wendi were known for the pioneering christian hard rock band Resurrection Band, aka Rez Band, aka Rez from 1972-1996. After Rez retired, Glenn continued playing electric blues with Glenn Kaiser Band, and still performs and records acoustic blues, all while pastoring at JPUSA in Chicago. Glenn gave a message from the Word before beginning his acoustic set. He began with \u201cBabylon\u201d from his recent album Swamp Gas Messiahs. Those praying for Rez material got their wish with \u201cI Need Your Love\u201d from DMZ. And then it got one better when Wendi came out to join her husband and sing \u201cWaves\u201d off the 1978 debut Awaiting Your Reply and \u201cHouse is On Fire\u201d off Innocent Blood. Once Wendi exited the stage, Glenn continued with \u201cFor A Change\u201d from Cardboard Box and \u201cLovebomb\u201d from Long Way From My Home. \u201cI Wanna Live So God Can Use Me\u201d is a Son House cover on harmonica, then Glenn broke out a one stringed guitar (a Didley bow) to play \u201cNews for the Blues,\u201d also from Long Way. \u201cWhat You Did For the Least\u201d comes from Cardboard Box and \u201cIf I Leave This World Tomorrow\u201d comes from the excellent GKB Live album. And then Glenn left us with \u201cMud and Spit,\u201d returning to his current album Swamp Gas Messiahs, again playing the Didley bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Turning up the amps, Toronto\u2019s DANIEL BAND gave us an impressive show. The band recorded and toured on 5 albums in the 80\u2019s, but far from being a nostalgic act, the trio put on as powerful a performance as any band still out there gigging. This time around, the Canadians were represented by founding members Dan McCabe on vocals and the moustachioed Tony Rossi on guitars, joined by Frank Catrambone on drums. Daniel Band kicked off their set with \u201cParty in Heaven\u201d off 1988\u2019s Running Out of Time, Dan then nailing the high vocals that start off \u201cBethel\u201d from Rise Up. The band then revisited track 1 on their debut On Rock for the worshipful \u201cHe\u2019s the Creator,\u201d before performing a hat trick from Run From the Darkness with \u201cDon\u2019t Give Up,\u201d \u201cNever Gonna Die,\u201d and \u201cRun From the Darkness.\u201d The excellent \u201cI\u2019m Sorry\u201d and \u201cYou Don\u2019t Need the Blues\u201d also appear on 1982\u2019s On Rock. Tony struck a chord with the audience with fan favorite \u201cWalk On Water,\u201d from Run From the Darkness, before playing another pair of songs from their debut: \u201cNever Again\u201d and \u201cTwo Roads,\u201d and returning to 1984 for the hit \u201cSixteen.\u201d The band closed out their set with \u201cSomebody Loves You,\u201d last song on their debut, along with a handful of audience members on stage, providing bgv\u2019s. Daniel Band was a force to be reckoned with. The analyst \u201cnerd\u201d in me feels obligated to point out that their setlist was heavy on album #1 and #3, included 1 song each from #4 and #5, and totally ignored #2 Straight Ahead, undoubtedly orchestrated to give us the heavy hitters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On deck was WHITECROSS, anchored by famed axeman Rex Carroll, with longtime members Michael Feighan on drums, and Benny Ramos on bass, with relative newcomer Dave Roberts bringing his raspy vocals to the show. The band kicked off with hits \u201cWho Will You Follow\u201d and \u201cEnough is Enough\u201d off their 1987 eponymously named debut. Then they turned their attention to the horizon, to new material off their yet to be released album Fear No Evil, with \u201cMan In The Mirror\u201d and \u201cFear No Evil,\u201d both of which appeared on a 3 song pre-release last year, with \u201cGood Enough,\u201d from In the Kingdom sandwiched between. For \u201cBlind Man,\u201d first time performed, the band came to the front of stage unplugged style, while Rex Carroll played a mandolin. \u201cTake It To The Limit\u201d is from the excellent Hammer & Nail album and then they again ventured into uncharted territory for the new song \u201c29,000.\u201d Rex is known for his elaborate guitar solos and this time around he brought us \u201cNagasake,\u201d off the debut. WC closed out their set with 2 winners from In the Kingdom, \u201cNo Second Chances\u201d and the title track. Rex Carroll\u2019s prowess on the 6 string generally commands a lot of attention, but I happened to find myself backstage for some of this set, and couldn\u2019t help but notice how Michael Feighan put as much flourish into his drumming as Rex did on guitar, twirling his drumsticks and throwing them in the air and catching them. The band\u2019s upcoming album will be quite anticipated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After Whitecross, it was time for LES CARLSEN, legendary voice of Bloodgood. This time around, Les\u2019 band consisted of Les and Joyce Carlsen on vocals, longtime Bloodgood guitarist Paul Jackson, longtime collaborator Craig Church also on guitars, heavy hitting mohawked drummer Jeff McCormack (and no- not the Heaven\u2019s Metal writer), and for the first time Juan VanDunk on the bass. Les\u2019 setlist leaned heavily on his album He\u2019s Coming, released late last year. The first 4 songs, title track, \u201cI Wanna Know You,\u201d \u201cFaith is Tested,\u201d and \u201cJesus Freak Show\u201d are taken straight from that album, before playing \u201cI Will,\u201d from Bloodgood\u2019s final studio album Dangerously Close. Then the band returned to He\u2019s Coming with perhaps their heaviest new song \u201cJudas Is Dead,\u201d before tapping Detonation for the equally weighty theater version of Christ\u2019s crucifixion and burial with \u201cCrucify,\u201d and \u201cThe Messiah.\u201d Les Carlsen has always been a master at using his acting skills to present the gospel in a visual, as well as auditory manner. The band then returned to their current album for the heavy \u201cScars,\u201d ballad to Les\u2019 granddaughter \u201cRiver,\u201d and the excellent \u201cReturn Me to the Fire,\u201d with Joyce on vocals (and Joyce\u2019s voice is an asset to the band!). The final 2 songs \u201cPray\u201d and \u201cLamb of God\u201d again come from the final Bloodgood album. 2 things I\u2019d like to note. Firstly, Bloodgood\u2019s body of work began and ended with Jesus- \u201cAccept\u201d the Lamb to \u201cLamb of God.\u201d Secondly, it would be easy for Les to come out and play all Bloodgood songs. It is to his credit that he honors Michael by laying the Bloodgood name to rest until the reunion in heaven. Les\u2019 new material proves that there is still fight left in this cat. God bless him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The final act of Immortal, Part 2 was SACRED WARRIOR. The band was made up of founding members Rey Parra on vocals, Bruce Swift on guitar, Steve Watkins on bass, and the mighty Tony Velasquez on drums, with more recent member Tom Sanderson on keys. Guitarist Jonathan Johnson was missing for family issues. We wish him well. Warrior were known in the late 80\u2019s\/early 90\u2019s for their hard hitting melodic power\/ progressive metal, topped by Parra\u2019s soaring vocals, inviting comparisons to Queensryche and Iron Maiden. The band opened with \u201cDay of the Lord\u201d from their debut Rebellion, then fast forwarded to their last album with Parra Obsessions for the \u201cTemples On Fire\u201d (gotta love Tony\u2019s drums on that!) \u201cRebellion,\u201d title track from the debut merged right into the instrumental \u201cOnward Warriors\u201d from Master\u2019s Command. \u201cRemember Me\u201d from Obsessions has a softer haunting melody, and then the band went with a trio of songs from the acclaimed Wicked Generation- namely, \u201cNo Happy Endings,\u201d \u201cWar Torn Hero,\u201d and title track \u201cWicked Generation.\u201d \u201cHe Died\u201d from Rebellion saw the band in a mellower worshipful mood, before \u201cMad Man\u201d from Obsessions. The festival closer was Sacred Warrior playing metal worship at their finest with \u201cHoly, Holy, Holy,\u201d from Master\u2019s Command, with Fear Not members, Syke Mochek, myself, and other fans joining them in song and worship. A powerful and unforgettable way to close out Immortal this year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you, once again to Steve Barhorst for having the vision and supplying the resources to put this on, thank you to all the staff, bands, and unsung people working behind the scenes who keep making it a reality. If you like what you see, support it. Don\u2019t just say \u201cmaybe I\u2019ll go next year.\u201d Next year is never a guarantee. Tell your friends. Bring your family. Most importantly, this is not about metal- it\u2019s about God moving and stirring. Look at the disaster all around you and you\u2019ll see that we need God now more than ever. We are humbled that God would bring repentance and revival, using the christian metal world again to spread the gospel and bring glory to His name. Be salt and light to the world around you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IMMORTAL FESTIVAL, PART 2Sept. 2-3, 2023BMI Event Center, Versailles, OH by Chris Gatto with excellent…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":10086,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1025,1020],"tags":[1777,457,2234,510,460,2235,302,160,443,366,358],"class_list":["post-10074","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-live-report","category-review","tag-daniel-band","tag-fear-not","tag-gary-chapman","tag-larry-worley","tag-les-carlsen","tag-matthew-ward","tag-sacred-warrior","tag-saint-d96","tag-whitecross-d95","tag-x-sinner-d0","tag-zion-d62"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Matthew-Ward-photo-by-Chad-Fenner-1024x819.jpg\")
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