Uli Jon Roth/Osaka,Japan 2008

12 years have passed since the beginning. “UNDER A DARK SKY” was finally released in 2008 as the first part of “SYMPHONIC LEGENDS”… The “SYMPHONIC LEGENDS” trilogy, a series of grand concept works, was initially created with the first part being “SOLDIERS OF THE GRACE”, the second part “EUROPA EXFAVILLA”, and the third part “HIROSHIMA DE PROFUNDIS” (the idea for the third part changed a few months later). It was planned to be released sequentially as “SYMPHONIC ADAPTATIONS” (which Uri also refers to as “SYMPHONIC ADAPTATIONS”), but even after the prologue (“PROLOGUE TO THE SYMPHONIC LEGENDS”) consisting of excerpts from that trilogy was released in 1996, Uri continued to release it. Ideas continued to flow and the concept expanded further, and it took time to explore the uncompromising sound world of creation and recording. The long-awaited first part of the UNDER A DARK SKY Japan tour will be held in Hiroshima on November 7, 2008, Nagoya on the 9th, Osaka on the 10th, and Tokyo on the 11th and 12th. All songs except the Osaka performance were made into sound sources. And the Osaka performance, which has been blank until now, has finally been made into a sound source for the first time and is finally here! The person who recorded this important sound source was the same Mr. West Japan’s strongest taper as the main story! When all the parts are playing, the sound image can be heard with a bit of treble and glitter, but when only a few instruments are playing, the sound quality is excellent, with outstanding clarity and optimal sound pressure. From the beginning, a series of fast-paced songs such as “Sky Overture” and “Firewind” accelerated the audience’s attention to the stage. By the way, this song order is only in Osaka (“Sky Overture” (only in Osaka and Tokyo performances on the 11th). The opening of the remaining performances is “The Sails Of Charon”, which changes daily. “Firewind” (only in Osaka and Tokyo performances on the 12th). After attracting everyone at once, they performed six songs in a row from their new album “UNDER A DARK SKY.” Just like the studio album, the vocals are performed by Mark Boles and Liz Vandal.Although this alone is gorgeous, there are also some songs where Niklas Turman plays the main role. With backing vocals and a twin-triple vocal system, Uri emotionally sings about the peace of the soul in the faintly melancholy song “Stay In the Light”. I’ve heard some critical voices say, “Isn’t this a 17-minute masterpiece that has a song image that can only be expressed with that voice?” Tanz In Die Dammerung”, the contrast between slow and fast, stillness and movement develops in a dizzying and thrilling way.At the beginning, Uli’s acoustic guitar is taken over by the guest vocals of his beloved daughter Akasha (Akasha = sky, Dawn = dawn, Roth = red). (It’s named after a very unique motif), and it quickly takes over with Mark’s cheerful classical singing.In this song, Mark and Liz deliberately sing the lyrics in German. It succeeds in creating a sound.The way the Middle Eastern and exotic melody accelerates while stirring up anxiety and impatience is reminiscent of Act 3 of Saint-Saëns’ opera “Samson et Dalila”. Baccanale”. After the solo time, the second half is a parade of songs from his time with SCORPIONS. When you listen to “Life’s Like A River,” you will realize the true meaning of “making the guitar sing.” You can do it! Also, this song is valuable in that it was not performed in 2015 and the latest 2019 performance in Japan, a missing link for the 2008 Japan tour, a gem to examine the Osaka performance. “Under A Dark Sky Japan Tour: Osaka 2008”. Live at Namba Hatch, Osaka, Japan 10th November 2008 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 (74:28) 1. Sky Overture 2. Firewind 3. Land Of Dawn 4 . The Magic Word 5. Inquisition 6. Letter Of The Law 7. Stay In The Light 8. Tanz In Die Dammerung 9. Keyboard Solo 10. Bass Solo 11. Drum Solo Disc 2 (65:18) 1. Fly To The Rainbow 2. ‘ll Burn The Sky 3. The Sails Of Charon 4. Polar Nights 5. Pictured Life 6. Catch Your Train 7. In Trance 8. Life’s Like A River 9. All Along The Watchto r 10. Band Introductions 11. Little Wing Uli Jon Roth – Guitars, Vocals Liz Vandall – Vocals Mark Boals – Vocals Nillas Turmann – Guitars Lars Lehmann – Bass Michael Ehre – Drums Corvin Bahn – Keyboards