Metal Hammer - April, 2001

by Mark Hughes

Guns n Roses, The Gunners, call it what you like they've been THE talking point of this RIR festival. Asked what would make a better world, Noel Gallagher said world peace no more guns and roses. Dave Grohl claimed never to have heard of the band but after last nights blistering performance Guns n Roses were back. Big time. A quarter of a million people are carmmed into the purpose built rock city for what must be THE best come back gig by any band ever. The 6 piece line up featuring legendary LA based guitarist Buckethead, and NIN's axeman Robin Finck, plus former Primus skinman Brain on drums - roar through one of the best two and a half hour set this music writer has ever seen. As the lights go down a bizarre video plays to the crowd with the voice of an angst ridden Axl telling people what he belives in before a little cartoon comes on of Axl's asking if we have been good little boys and girls in their seven year absence. The opening guitar strains of Welcome To The Jungle bleed out and the crowd erupts as the band literally run on stage. Axl takes advantage of the wings that extend 20 meters out of each side of the stage to get closer to the screaming crowd. Its So Easy follows next during which Axl spots a photographer (whom were banned from the show) and yells to security, "get that guy outta here." As the band breaks into Mr. Brownstone before Axl stops the show to let his feelings be known on a number of things. Just to make sure the crowd get it he speaks with a translator telling the huge crowd his message word for word. The first oration was to his former band mates and went something like "some people meaning my former friends have worked very hard to not allow Guns n Roses to play here tonight, to them I only have two words, '@#%$ that'" Axl then introduces his new band saying "how hard they have worked to bring you this show tonight," in particualarly third guitarist Paul Tobais, Axl credits him by saying if it werent for him there would be no more Guns n Roses. And the only man to stay loyal from the old band, Dizzy Reed. Axl makes it clear that nothing can stand in his way and tonight nothing can. A full throttle Gunners play all the hits including the full version of November Rain, complete with grand piano and extended lead breaks plus all the biggies SCOM, Patience, and Paradise City. Mid-show, Finck looking post apocalyptic with his whited-out face, semi shaved head and black rags, and Buckethead, have thier own little solo pieces. Finck becomes the new hero of the Brazillian crowd by singing a traditional Brazillian song, all in portuguese, but re-styled with a rock beat and searing guitar work. Buckethed comes out for his solo with green lasers beeming out of where his eyes should be. He displays his nimble versality first with a set of Nunchukas, and then on the guitar a pun on the KFC hat with a country fried picking tune and then enterains with a good ol fashion noodly speed lick guitar solo. Before long its back to Axl who seems to have mellowed out and found love after seven years in the wilderness to implore all the people of S. America that no matter if they are from Brazil, Argentina, or Chile, not to fight anymore and that Love is the only way. People aren't sure what to make of this new compassionate Axl but they sure as @#%$ love the show and really and really dug the four new songs the band played from their soon-to-be-release album. From the sound of the tunes one titled Chinese Democracy and another that embraces new technology (Silkworms) with an electronic drum beat, the Gunners could once again be on the threshold of becomming the biggest band in the World. The set closes after two encorers with axl introducing the woman that has been his saviour/friend/manager/agent/everything for the past seven years who turns out to be the woman who has been translating for him all night. We dont quite catch her name as she gets all emotional and breaks down crying in Axl's arms in the middle of the stage. Its quite a surreal way to finish off a rock show, but it's been a damn long seven years and this wasnt an ordinary gig, its the return of Guns n Roses to the World stage. But there was no leather and no spandex, although the red bandana did make an appearance, reports that axl is now a tubby bastard are untrue, he looked like he did seven years ago and is still choc full of attitude. FORGET TRENT, MARILYN, AND FRED, AXL IS BACK TO SAVE ROCK!!!!!

Thanks to Chindem