HAIL! Kicks Off European Tour: Video Footage Available

HAIL! — the new all-star project featuring guitarist Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA),vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, BEYOND FEAR, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ICED EARTH),drummer Jimmy DeGrasso (ALICE COOPER, MEGADETH) and bassist David Ellefson (F5, MEGADETH) — kicked off its European tour last night (Sunday, April 26) at Kytarro in Athens, Greece.

Watch fan-filmed video footage of the performance below.

Commented Ellefson: "We gathered in Athens, Greece this past weekend for our first run of shows in Europe as HAIL!Jimmy DeGrasso, Ripper Owens and I flew from the USA (Ripper home for only a few days after his Yngwie tour of Japan with DEEP PURPLE) and Andreas met us on Sunday after his SEPULTURA show at the Hammerfest in Wales Saturday evening.

"Me, Jimmy, Abba (HAIL! manager) and our friend Ilias Papadikus ('TV War' theme composer and all-around Athens metal good guy) took in some sights at the famed Acropolis early in the day on Sunday, followed by some muchneeded jet lag rest and recovery. We then headed to soundcheck to prepare for the show.

"Media from MTV, Rock Hard, Metal Hammer and more were present for backstage interviews which led straight into a slam-fest set of metal for the evening. A relaxed and fun set of songs established a feel-good tone for the night, which was followed by the after show VIP meet-and-greet.

"Greece has always been a special place for metal and it was great to be back in their presence and hospitality once again, this time with HAIL!

"Off to Istanbul, Turkey."

HAIL!'s setlist for European tour:

* Ace Of Spades (MOTÖRHEAD)
* Territory (SEPULTURA)
* Symphony Of Destruction (MEGADETH)
* Grinder (JUDAS PRIEST)
* Fucking Hostile (PANTERA)
* Walk (PANTERA)
* Neon Knights (BLACK SABBATH)
* Wrathchild (IRON MAIDEN)
* Wheels Of Steel (SAXON)
* Suicide Solution (OZZY OSBOURNE)
* Green Manalishi (JUDAS PRIEST)
* Metal Gods (JUDAS PRIEST)
* Peace Sells (MEGADETH)
* Paranoid (BLACK SABBATH)
* Refuse/Resist (SEPULTURA)
* Whiplash (METALLICA)
* Balls To The Wall (ACCEPT)

Addressing the constant question of why HAIL!'s intention is to play the far-off reaches, Ripper explained, "Our goal is to play everywhere. We want the opportunity to personally say hello and have a beer with every fan on the planet." DeGrasso added, All of us grew up in smaller cities and just because we didn't have the same chance to see our favorite bands play locally doesn't mean it affected our love of music any less — in fact, it made our passion that much stronger. When we did get that chance, it was a special event and we appreciated it that much more. Sure, it costs a lot more money and time to travel to some of these places, but the reward is hopefully making a dream come true and providing an exciting experience that you will never forget. The fans have been super-appreciative of our efforts to play for them, and we will do our best to honor and return the respect they have generously shown to us."

HAIL!'s five-show Chilean tour kicked off on January 22 at Rock & Guitarras in Santiago. The band had its January 23 concert at El Huevo in Valparaiso, Chile professionally filmed, although it's unclear if there are any plans to release the footage.