Rockezine.com concert review for Molly Hatchet on Dec 12, 2001 in the Podium Hardenberg/Hardenberg

Molly Hatchet

Podium Hardenberg-Hardenberg

Dec 12, 2001

Company Of Snakes
"Have you got trouble? You`ve got: Whitesnake!" Who doesn`t know these famous words at the beginning of one of the greatest live rockalbums ever recorded, "Live…In The Heart Of The City" from 1980? Since 1997 we`ve got The Company Of Snakes and this band features three original members from the very first (`78) Whitesnake line-up: guitarists Micky Moody & Bernie Marsden (composer from million-sellers "Here I Go Again" and "Fool For Your Loving", just to name a few, JG) plus bassplayer Neil Murray (ex-almost every band in rock, JG).

With some 200 visitors at the Podium (it`s a Wednesday after all…, JG), "Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues" is the opener. Yes, this is what we`re here for. Songs like these are just timeless. "Sacrificial" and "Kinda Wish You Would" are new ones, after which "Trouble" represents the very first Whitesnake album. "Ride Ride Ride" and "Little Miss Happiness" are also new, as where "Slow And Easy" plus "Ain`t No Love In The Heart Of The City" take us back some 20 years in time. "Burst The Bubble" is the titletrack from the upcoming C.o.S. album and the mega-seller "Here I Go Again" is the last one from this show.

It`s so cool hearing the old Whitesnake songs with the original guitars from Marsden and Moody. They still know how to rock after all those years! The fairly unknown Stefan Bergren can`t compete with the mighty David Coverdale, but that`s no real suprise. It doesn`t matter that much really, he`s doing a fine job. Watch out for a cool interview with Bernie Marsden soon at REZ. Great show!

Molly Hatchet
This southern rock band made some great albums over the past 20 years. Recently, albums like “Devil’s Canyon”, “Silent Reign Of Heroes” & “Kingdom Of XII” are pretty exciting again. The great guitar duels between the two axe men plus the rough voice from Phil McCormack are still there and kicking ass at the Podium tonight. Molly Hatchet has become somewhat of a southern rock monument nowadays.

The band seems to have this special and very personal relationship with the fans. The songs they present to us this show are (try and figure out the complete titles yourselves, JG): "Whiskey", "USA", "Gator", "Tatanka", "Peace", "Ride", "Beat`n", "Home", "Dreams", "Journey" and in the encore "Devils" and "Flirt". The gig is as solid as we`re used to from these men and this also means no big surprises.

But, it seems like the fans in front of the stage don`t want to be surprised anyway. They`re here for some good old southern rock and that`s exactly what Molly Hatchet gives them; "Hell Yeah!"

(pics by Erik)

(Review & Pics: Johan Godschalk)

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