Subway to Sally

Wave Gothic Treffen 14 in 2005

Agra Hall: Leipzig, Germany

Review by Travis Baumann

Subway to Sally are a powerful, enigmatic ensemble and no matter how many times I have seen them before, they never disappoint.  

It is fitting that time and again the Treffen calls upon these talented musicians to bring the massive festival weekend to a close.

I would be hard pressed to name another band that is as exciting and fullfilling despite the unbelievable roster of talent that plays at these festivals.

On this occasion, a new album had been released just prior to their festival performance so we were treated to a host of new material as well as their new appearance. They had adopted a more modern look compared to their previous medieval stylings. The fabrics looked like futuristic chainmail with metal and leather accents appearing like a post apocalyptic warrior's dress for battle.

The stage set up had an enormous fixture of pipes rising up behind the band, reminiscent of a giant pipe organ. At certain intervals these would belch pyrotechnics high into the rafters of the Agra Hall and when not projecting flames, they were engulfed in a low lying fog giving an ominous mechanical backdrop.

Simon Michael's drum set was in the center towards the rear of the stage with Sugar Ray playing bass on a riser to stage right and Ingo Hampf playing his double and tripple necked guitars on a similar riser at the back of stage left.

Bodenski played guitar and hurdy gurdy while singing in front of Ingo and Simon played guitar as well as an unusual two stringed instrument while also lending his voice from in front of Sugar Ray's riser.

Front and center was Eric Fish singing lead vocals and occasionally picking up a lute or bagpipes. All the while Frau Schmitt weaved in between her band mates with her lively violin playing.

You can tell from each of their facial expressions that they really love playing music in front of an audience and the crowd on this final night of the Treffen was going to send it off with a party. They all danced enthusiastically and sang along to all of the songs.

"Nord Nord Ost" was the album that had just been released so a number of the songs of the set were from that album but it had been two years since we saw them last so we were also excited to hear songs from their previous full length, "Engleskrieger".

Subway to Sally had recently embarked on an entirely acoustic tour and so for the first encore they came out and gave us a phenominal experience which they refer to as "Nackt" or naked.

This group of seven really are amazing musicians capable of holding sway and carrying a festival sized crowd with just their voices acapella. Ingo switched to mandolin for some of the acoustic songs which, when mixed with the other traditional instruments, invokes a brilliant medieval folk mentality.

Eric Fish has a very unique voice that sets the band apart from any other act, whether the songs are their heavy metal power sets or their softer, acoustic versions.

Another stand out quality of Subway to Sally is the vocal harmonization that occurs when Simon and Bodenski join in and sing with Eric. There are moments when all seven musicians are performing where the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.

After a climatic final bout of pyrotechnics and a second awesome encore, the Treffen was over and it ended, as always, on a very high note.

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