Pretty Maids @ Copenhell 2024
Defying death and expectations
Growing up in Denmark, I soon learned that our national kings of heavy metal were (i.e., are) called Pretty Maids. No, not Mercyful Fate. Because as much as they do rock, it's about time we all face it: King Diamond's vocals are silly. But I digress.
Exactly as is the case with HammerFall, I've had the pleasure of seeing Pretty Maids several times during this last quarter of a century. In fact, they're one of the bands I've seen the most times in my life. (Just in case you might be wondering about my qualifications here.)
When I heard that lead singer Ronnie Atkins had terminal lung cancer, that was a bucket of cold water right there. I thought I'd seen them for the last time. But, in a display of pure fucking defiance and testosterone, Atkins countered his death sentence by putting out three solo LPs, two EPs, and one LP with side project Nordic Union all within three years. And now, the Maids are back in town.
If hearing about Atkins' cancer was a bucket of cold water, then, seeing him on stage again is like plunging into the warm Mediterranean Sea. I've said it before: The man is Denmark's finest heavy metal vocalist. And while he might save a bit of energy on the highest and longest notes tonight, his voice and performance are impeccable.
Pretty Maids never fully got the international recognition they deserved – and still deserve. And I'm saying this about a band that's sold way over 2 million albums worldwide.
Set-wise, we're dealing with a curious mix of very old and very new. (And yes, 10 years ago is still very new. Shut up.) And just as ballsy as the band is to play two of their biggest bangers, "Back to Back" and "Red, Hot, and Heavy" as the third and fourth song respectively, just as mature are they in standing by new cuts like "Serpentine" and the wonderful power ballad "Will You Still Kiss Me (If I See You in Heaven)?".
2010's "Pandemonium" was sort of a comeback album for the Maids, and it suits them to treat that album almost as canon at this point. Atkins' frenzied vocals during the equally frenzied title track are awe-inspiring. The grand "I.N.V.U." is an overlooked gem from that same record. And even though "Little Drops of Heaven" might have been written as the mandatory radio-friendly single, it also suits the band – Hell, perhaps even more so – in standing by that one as well.
I'll always be a tad bitter about the fact that, just like with our national hard rock luminaries D-A-D, Maids never fully got the international recognition they deserved – and still deserve. And I'm saying this about a band that's sold way over 2 million albums worldwide.
Because they're world-class. Sure, Atkins and lead guitarist Ken Hammer are the only original members, but the entire current band is – dare I say it? – probably the most solid and professional incarnation of Maids to have graced a stage. (And this is in spite of not one, but two clumsy missteps by presumably somewhat tipsy guitarist/keyboardist Chris Laney.)
If hearing about Atkins' cancer was a bucket of cold water, seeing him on stage again is like plunging into the warm Mediterranean Sea.
And sure, it could also be said to be a bit unfortunate that a cover song – John Sykes' "Please Don't Leave Me" – turned out one of the band's biggest hits. Not because it's a bad song – in fact, you'd have to actively despise rock music to stand here and not partake in the veritable singalong party that it engenders. But because Maids' own great songbook is at least as qualified. And much like with other shows this year, the biggest problem here is that the band simply doesn't have enough time.
Especially seeing as how Maids' biggest album, i.e. 1987's "Future World", is, although not surprisingly, a bit over-represented, power banger "Love Games", for example, concluding the main set, and the encore being its eternally blistering title track. Atkins once again demonstrates his vocal prowess as though lung cancer were a village in rural Mongolia. So far, this is Copenhell 2024's concert of the year.
Goddammit, I love this band. I'll be expecting a longer show when they headline the Jailbreak festival 8 weeks from now, and you can be expecting more coverage and more fangirling.
Rating: 5 out of 6
Genre: Heavy metal / hard rock
Venue: Copenhell, Hades stage
Date: Thur., June 20th
Setlist:
- Mother of All Lies
- Kingmaker
- Back to Back
- Red, Hot, and Heavy
- Will You Still Kiss Me (If I See You in Heaven)?
- Serpentine
- Yellow Rain
- Rodeo
- Pandemonium
- I.N.V.U.
- Please Don't Leave Me (John Sykes cover)
- Little Drops of Heaven
- Love Games
Encore:
- Future World