(Click on the pictures to view more photographs of the bands).

Superfly 69
Here we are once again at the nice Bospop festival in Weert (in the South of The Netherlands). 
Too bad, but as soon as your R-E-Z team enters the Bospop territory, opening-act Superfly 69 has already done their thing. 
Sorry guys! 

Nashville Pussy
Next in line is the explosive, headbanging & sexually fueled rock & roll from Nashville Pussy. Formed in 1996, these rockers have recently released their newest album "High As Hell". Heavily influenced by the pure and energetic rock & roll from especially AC/DC (they even cover the '76 track "Kicked In The Teeth"), Nashville Pussy rocks their way through the set including songs like "I'm The Man", "All Fucked Up", "Go MF Go" or "Go To Hell". Female guitarist Ruyter Suys steals the show with her cool performance, both musically and fysically. 

Paradise Lost
Though lead vocalist Nick Holmes has only just turned 30, this northern rock band from Halifax-England has held the banner high for dark rock music for a good twelve years now, scoring two UK Top 30 albums. 
PL come on stage around 14.15 hours and take it away with the best song from their latest CD, "Mouth". Holmes and his men are all dressed in black which gives their somewhat sober performance an extra mysterious touch. Other new tracks played are "So Much Is Lost", "In Your Face" and "Look At Me Now". 
Of course, they can't leave the stage without doing some really old shit like the popular "As I Die". 

De Heideroosjes
By the time the Dutch punkrockers De Heideroosjes start playing, the rain just keeps on coming down on the already soaking wet audience. Such a shame, but hey: what can you do? Nothing! Having a good time is the best option and De Heideroosjes are a perfect band for this. 
They have sure come a long way, since I first saw them live in december 1991 (together with Wehrmacht -remember them, by the way?- at the Dingus in Venray). "Nothing's Wrong" is a cool new track from their recent "Fast Forward" album about pretending that you're okay, while deep inside you're feeling pretty miserable. DH plays something from almost all of their 7 (!) albums and is the first highlight from today. 

Pendragon
The experienced guys from Pendragon are the only sympho band in this line-up, but they sure show some fine musicianship. The Pendragon story all started around 1977 in Stroud, not far from London. For the last 24 years, without any massive financial support, but thanks to their perseverance and their loyal and faithful public, the band is still there. To this day, Pendragon have sold over 250.000 albums worldwide (!) and according to their performance at this day, one can understand why. This kind of 10-20 minutes sympho compositions (like the beautiful "A Man Of Nomadic Traits") are timeless, really. Solid performance. 

Living Colour
This famous US funky rock band was originally formed by Vernon Reid (guitar), Muzz Skillings (bass) and William Calhoun (drums) as a trio in 1984. The line-up was completed by the induction of well-known vocalist Corey Glover. Too bad, the band announced its dissolution early in 1995. 
After they'd been away for more than 5 years, Living Colour are now back to show the people at Bospop one more time that they're a bunch a very, very talented musicians. Well, they do just that and a whole lot more. To watch these men perform their classic songs like "Time's Up", "Cult Of Personality" or the Hendrixx cover "Cross Town Traffic" is a joy. 
Glover and his men have so much fun on stage and their enthusiasm is truly overwhelming. Funny thing is that they just won't leave the stage after their showtime is up. Despite the angry looks from the stagemanager, LC just keeps on freaking and improvising, it's superb. 
Best show so far! This band really grooves! 

Savatage
Singer Damond Jiniya (ex-Diet Of Worms) and guitarist Jack Frost (ex-Frost Bite and Seven Witches) replacing the talented (musically as well as the on stage presentation) Zac Stevens & Al Pitrelli..…it sure isn't an easy thing to do. Savatage hits the stage around 21.15 hours and at least one miracle happens: it stops raining. Too bad that another 'miracle' doesn't. 
The two new guys don't fit in too well (yet). It seems like Savatage has recruted themselves a way too childish frontman with a blackmetal look (one fine combination?), as where the new axeman jumps around as if he were in a hardcore band. But, it's the musical performance that counts, right? 
Frost does a fine job, but sorry, is Jiniya really the new singer? His voice is good, but only everyone once in a while he's allowed to sing a few lines (except for "Edge Of Thorns"). He's just backing up the also (today!) not-too-well vocals from mastermind Jon Oliva and by doing that, he can't convince. 
The setlist is built up around the classics like "City Beneath The Surface", "She Flies On Strange Wings", "Of Rage And War", "Gutter Ballet", "The Hall Of The Mountain King" or "Dead Winter Dead". The only new track is the great "Morphine Child", which might as well be the only real quality song on their latest album. Sorry, but this isn't the best show from the Sava boys. I've seen them perform shows 10 times better than this one. 
Too bad. 
Hopefully they'll prove me wrong later on this year during their European tour. 

Megadeth
Megadeth is a true headliner. Having seen them recently at the Zeche-Bochum in Germany, their set from tonight isn't a real suprise anymore. 
But, this doesn't mean their show isn't interesting. It sure is! Their gig is on fire, right from the start with the crushing " Dread And The Fugitive Mind". 
Luckily the crowd is still pretty active at this time and Mustaine & his men get the warm welcome they deserve. 
Whether you like their music and the typical vocals or not, you have to admit that these are some fine musicians who are able to write real songs. 

Interested in the rest of the setlist? Here it is: "Kill The King" , "Wake Up Dead" , "In My Darkest Hour" , "1.000 Times Goodbye", "She-Wolf", "Hangar 18", "Return To The Hangar", "MotoPsycho", "Tornado Of Souls", "Sweating Bullets", "Trust", " Symphony Of Destruction", "Peace Sells" and "Holy Wars". 
Great show and a fine ending to this very rainy day. 
Hopefully we'll have a bit more sunny weather next year.