Friday night, it was time once again to head to Cologne to check out yet another of the city’s many concert venues. Gebäude 9 was a new one for me. Tonight’s lineup features Hardline, who are currently on an extensive tour promoting their latest album, ‘Shout’, under the banner “The Next Chapter 2026.” The tour’s support act is Sevi from Bulgaria.
Upon arrival, it turned out the venue was located in one of the city’s old industrial buildings. Once inside, it felt like we’d gone back in time. I’ve visited nicer venues, but to be fair, everything needed for a great night of music was there.
SEVI
At 8 p.m., the band Sevi takes the stage. This band, led by singer Svetlana “Sevi” Bliznakova, plays a mix of alternative and heavy metal. They’re an entertaining group, but nothing more than that. Still, Sevi and drummer Nick Nikolaev are the driving forces behind the band. Sevi has a great voice and holds her own on stage, and this lady certainly doesn’t lack enthusiasm. What stands out most about drummer Nick is that he plays with incredible precision and power. Every beat hits the mark!
Over the course of an entertaining 50 minutes, the band played a cross-section of their previously released work, as well as a track from their upcoming fifth album.
POWERHOUSE
After a quick 20-minute changeover, the lights go down for the second time at 9:15 p.m. Hardline is ready to go. This show is part of the final leg of their 18-date tour. Add to that the 18 dates singer Johnny Gioeli has under his belt with his other band Axel Rudi Pell, and you can’t help but respect the energy and vocal prowess of this powerhouse. On top of that, the man is also bouncing around the stage like a rubber ball. I think he only stood still briefly during his announcements between songs. What a stunning energy!! Simply amazing.
It’s been over seven years since I last saw the band perform. And apart from new guitarist Luca Princiotta, the lineup is the same as it was in 2019.
The show kicked off with “Shout,” the title track of the new album, followed immediately by “Rise Up.” That covered all the songs from the latest album. Unless we count the Scorpions cover [tribute] “When You Came Into My Life,” in which case the total comes to three.
The sound was perfectly fine, but I think that because of where the mixer was set up in the back of the venue, the sound at the back had a slightly better balance. Up front, the vocals sometimes got lost in the instrumental intensity. But anyway, those are details that didn’t interest the audience much. At the start of the gig, Johnny asked if everyone could leave their troubles behind the club’s walls and join the band in making it a party. And everyone jumped at that invitation with both hands.
A ROCK SOLID FOUNDATION
The fact that Hardline is a tight-knit group of musicians—despite Mr. Gioeli being the only remaining original member—becomes clear when you see how much joy each of them radiates on stage. In keyboardist Alessandro Del Vecchio, the man with the brilliant voice has found someone who shares his passion. Even though he was only 6 years old when the impressive debut album “Double Eclipse” was released in 1992. Drummer Marco Di Salvia and bassist Anna Portalupi play with incredible tightness, laying down a rock-solid foundation. And newcomer Luca Princiotta [ex-Doro] plays as if he’s never been in another band.
Musically, the band also gives the audience what they want to hear, as the classic “Double Eclipse” is more than well-represented in the setlist with 7 tracks. And rightly so—these are truly wonderful examples of how melodic hard rock should sound.
pure craftsmanship, passion, and fun
This was an evening that absolutely did not disappoint. It brought in both old and new fans for the band, which has also released a fantastic new album, ‘Shout’. As far as I’m concerned, Hardline could have kept playing for another hour, because this band is pure craftsmanship, passion, and fun—both on and off stage.
I can’t wait to see the band perform again in the near future. And yet I have to wonder, HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THERE WERE ONLY A LITTLE OVER 200 people in the audience for this band? A band of this caliber deserves to fill at least the larger venues!
Setlist:
Shout
Rise Up
Dr.Love
Bad Taste
When You Came Into My Life
Everything
Danger Zone
Life’s A Bitch
Hands Of Time
31-91
Hot Cherie
Rhythm From A Red Car
Encore:
Takin’ me Down
Fever Dreams
Report & Images by Raymond Helebrand
