Archive for August, 2016

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We Are Not Like Others

Posted in Music, Uncategorized with tags on August 31, 2016 by Sara Hammerzmith

I’ve spent these past days pledging a few albums, such as The Lounge Kittens upcoming “Sequins and C-Bombs“, Sumo Cyco’s second album as well as Martin Sweet’s new project Sweet Creature’s debut album, “The Devil Knows My Name”.

While I am excited for all three of these albums, most certainly Sumo Cyco’s seeing they very quickly made their way up to one of my favorite bands with their first album “Lost in Cyco City”, I’m getting more and more intrigued by Martin’s new project.

Today, they posted their third single for the album, “Our Moment”

No surprise, that it does sound a bit Crashdiet, but with Martin on vocals, but I do really like the song, as well as what they have released before. It’s showing he still got it in him, and I think this album could potentially be a killer. It does sound very promising.

Sweet Creature consists, aside Martin Sweet, of Linus Nirbrant from This Ending, Tin Star from Gemini Five and Michael TxR from Toxic Rose, which sort of makes this band a bit of a supergroup, on the underground level, so to speak. If you also want to contribute to this album, here’s a link to their Indiegogo so you can order the album yourself. I have included links to the other two mentioned bands as well on the top.

All I can say, I’m super excited for all these releases, and I can’t wait to get them home.

// Sara

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Delain – Moonbathers

Posted in CDs, Music, Uncategorized with tags , , on August 30, 2016 by Sara Hammerzmith

Delain, the Dutch metalband most famous for “We are the Others” are finally back with their fifth studioalbum “Moonbathers”, following up the success of “The Human Contradiction” and EP “Lunar Prelude”. For me personally, since I heard “The Glory and the Scum” I’ve been waiting like crazy for this album, and it’s finally here!

Listening to “Moonbathers” is like watching a movie – it’s start off with it’s opening track “Hands of Gold” which is a foreboding song about the adventure yet to come, introducing our hero and perhaps also our villain – in this case portrayed by Alissa White-Gluz. Our first encounter with the hero and the conflict is shown in the second track – “The Glory and the Scum”, giving us an idea what is about to come, and the conflict just culminates in “Suckerpunch” before it’s slowed down and dawned upon us in “The Hurricane” and “Chrysalis: My Last Breath” where our hero gets betrayed.

The climax of the movie, the battle of the movie, starts off with “Fire with Fire” where our hero sees red in her eyes and gets prepared for the ultimate showdown which takes place in “Pendulum”. But then it happens. “Danse Macabre”. Our hero lost. Heroes don’t always win, and heroes don’t always wear capes. A shot at redemption is given with “Scandal”, despite being a Queen cover fits the narrative perfectly, before our hero and the villain break down in “Turn the Lights Out” and finally reach the settlement, and let the credits roll with “The Monarch”.

Not only are the songs placed the way they are to give you this kind of narrative, but the musical arrangements of this albums help enhancing the image of yourself watching a movie, where you let your imagination paint the graphics.

With all of that being said, it’s a very very good album. What gets me the most is all the arrangements. Every single song, every single arrangement behind it just leaves you speechless, sitting there not sure what to feel – you follow the feeling of the music and takes you both up and down, without even paying attention to the lyrics at first. And once you do, you get drawn into a dark world, but not without the little light in the dark – which was also the inspiration for the title, “Moonbathers”, for those of us who find comfort in the dark rather than the light.

I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is – but this album simply speaks to me. Perhaps it’s on a more personal level rather than anything, but I can only salute Delain for bringing us this musical masterpiece of an album for us all to enjoy, laugh and to cry to. Thank you Charlotte, for understanding all of us moonbathers.

Delain-Moonbathers-52319-1

// Sara

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Demonarchy

Posted in CDs, Uncategorized with tags , on August 29, 2016 by Sara Hammerzmith

Today it arrived! My Delain Moonbathers box, I’ve seriously been waiting for this box ever since the album came out. I’ve been wanting to dig into this album right away. The single, “The Glory and the Scum” got me so excited for the album so what can I say aside FINALLY!

CDis

So this is the little box. I must admit I was happy to see it was a bit smaller than Sabaton’s gigantic box, and it’s all made out of wood, which gave it a more… authentic touch.

So, what’s in it?

CD

First and foremost, the album! I was happy to see it wasn’t a gigantic earbook, but simply one of these mediabooks – so it fits in my recordcollection, haha. Finally, finally I have the album in my hands. I’ve been waiting.

pendant

A Delain pendant. At first when I saw the image I was a bit worried, because it looked rather big, but this – this is the perfect size. I like it!

flaggis

A wallflag, with the “Moonbather” motive. I prefer not to open them until I’m going to use them, so sorry for the, well, shitty image!

vinylis

Lastly: A 7″ single of “Chrysalis” and “The Monarch”. This was a nice extra touch – apparently, it’s supposed to be silver, I have yet to find out when I open it!

So, that was that! I’m glad it finally arrived so I got the album most importantly!

// Sara

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Sabaton – The Last Stand

Posted in CDs, Music, Uncategorized with tags , on August 28, 2016 by Sara Hammerzmith

So finally, after a few ifs and buts it’s time for me to write about this album as well. “The Last Stand” is the 9th studioalbum from Sabaton and is, as the title suggest, dealing with the topic of famous last stands, the final battles. I must admit, I did have quite high expectations on this album – as I’ve always come to have when it comes to Sabaton.

At first listen, I was a little taken aback by “Sparta”. The more recent opening tracks has been pretty fast, in your face kind of songs, while this one is… how do I put this, slower? It’s calm in a way, the calm before the storm perhaps. But it is very, very big, or large, on the other hand.

The album picks up it’s pace a bit already in the second song – “Last Dying Breath” and keeps on in a pretty usual Sabaton-kind of manner. It’s very big – as usual – big choirs and epic arrangements, but it’s also pretty bland. It’s just… like one line. Songs melting together at times, aside for the few oddies like “Ballad of Bannockburn” which is probably the most out-there song on this album.

Something that makes me a bit torn about this album is how easy it is to place some of the songs on previous albums. It’s not simply that the sound is similar, but down to the fact that I can say “Ah, this is this song!” the most obvious one being “Winged Hussars” – basically the result of “The Carolean Prayer” and “The Art of War” having a lovechild, with the only exception of “Ballad of Bannockburn” who’s completely off the trails, as far sa Sabaton goes.

It’s a very, very typical Sabaton album. You got the big, epic songs like “Sparta”, “The Last Stand” and “The Lost Battalion”, the songs that are a bit more low-key and heavier such as “Hill 3234” and “Rourke’s Drift”. However, perhaps I’m just cheated by “Shiroyama”, but this albums feels… a bit softer? Perhaps it’s the added layers and layers of keyboards that gives me this feeling, but I would have no problem seeing “Shiroyama” in Eurovision, for instance.

Something though, that I simply loved and that took my breath away on the first listen of this album – “Diary of an Unknown Soldier”. I’ve already told you many many times about how much I love the orchestral arrangements before “Nightwitches”, and this sort of intro to “The Lost Battalion” just left me breathless. That kind of build up before a song… Sabaton, they know how to paint with music. Perhaps I’m the only person in this world feeling this kind of passion, but I just cannot get over how amazingly made that combination was.

My personal favorite song on the album, on the other hand, is “The Last Stand”. I love the cheerfulness, the epicness, the melody lines… I can’t even begin to describe how amazing this song is. Seriously get’s my adrenaline pumping.

I’m a bit torn. It’s a fine album, and as a fan I really love it. As a critic, I’m not THAT impressed with how similar it is at times, but on the other hand – I’ve been listening to this album non stop since it was released, so I guess that says something. All I can say is – I love Sabaton more than anything in this world, and that didn’t change in the slightest with this album.

Sabaton-The-Last-Stand

// Sara

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Sick Flick

Posted in Uncategorized on August 27, 2016 by Sara Hammerzmith

So, after finishing off a review for a new album, I decided it was time for me to finally get out and get into the new Lordi album, “Monstereophonic” or as I call it – “Månster-e-ju-fånict” which translates to “Monsters are really lame”. It’s all a parody, folks, don’t take it too seriously.

So basically, what I did was to put the album on my iPod and get outside, perhaps a little later than I had originally planned, and head out in the forest, just me and the iPod. There’s nothing I love more than being out in the nature, walking around, climbing around, basically being on the move, and I came to realize I pay a lot more attention to the music if I’m out, away from distraction, away from other people, just me, the music and the nature on our own.

And let me tell you something. When the SCG for “Demonarchy” started, it was just like something was changing. I’d look right into the pitch black forest and almost feel like fairies were twinkling behind the trees, like magical sparkling mushrooms would grow out of the ground, like mythical creatures would start surrounding you, the world would be glittering, while feeling the magical notes coming through the earbuds before it aggressively changes rhythm and the feeling of being unsafe would take over, looking out for werewolves and zombies.

Isn’t it amazing, how a simple instrumental track, can trigger a vivid imagination, and what sort of feelings and mood they can set? That, my friends, is the beauty of music.

// Sara

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The Sacred Vow & Hug You Hardcore

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on August 26, 2016 by Sara Hammerzmith

What an interesting day it has been. So, Lordi did finally release their new music video for “Hug You Hardcore”… and well…

First and foremost – I’ll give you the censored version. I’m not at all a fan of the uncensored version… which makes me not so much a fan of the video at all in all honesty. I mean… I like the parts where you see the band play. But aside that… it’s too much for me. It’s like, it doesn’t make sense anymore. Who here remembers music videos like “Blood Red Sandman”, “It Snows in Hell” or even “Would You Love  a Monsterman?” – both versions of it? It just… it’s like… they are just trying to shock in a way that it just becomes tasteless and boring. Sounds horrible to say, but it’s the truth.

However, the song on the other hand I love! I love the riff and the groove, I feel this will be one of those songs you go really crazy to on the shows!

And then, yesterday, HammerFall released a lyric video of the first single of their upcoming album, “Built To Last”, “The Sacred Vow”

I’ll give you this link to Decibel Magazine, since they are the one who has the “right” to publish the song.

It’s a very typical HammerFall song – much in the veins of “Templars of Steel”, lyricwise, about them defending the sacred vow that is the heavy metal lifestyle. The lyrics seem to made up of a lot of old HammerFall lyrics or songtitles, which just adds up even more to what I already said – it’s basically a homage to their own vow to defend heavy metal, to show the way like they did way back in 1998.

Musicwise, it’s also that very HammerFall – big choruses, heavy riffs and even some speed thrown in the mix. Very, very HammerFall’ish.

This song makes me really excited for the new album, I honestly can’t wait! Sadly, I have to wait A LONG TIME, since I won’t even be home when this precious little album will be delivered to my doorstep. Luxuary problems, huh?

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Sabaton Open Air – Sunday

Posted in Uncategorized on August 25, 2016 by Sara Hammerzmith

Let me tell you about this night alright. We went to bed at about 3 am in the morning, I was lying on nothing but my not blown up matress in the gig clothes, not having done anything, when I’m woken up at 4.30 in the morning by Jonathan screaming. At first I’m like, what the hell? And I’m asking him what is going on, apparently, someone tried to push over his tent and steal the rain protection. What the fuck guys? Since when do metalheads do pranks like this? And considering the camping searched all the bags and shit, where were the guards if the safety was so important? Jesus christ. We commonly refer to this as the “Tent-Attack”. And the name is so funny I can’t stop laughing at it.

Tried to go back to sleep, not sure how successful it was, but I sure as hell woke up at nine as we planned in the morning only to realize Jonathans tent was filled with water. Oh well..I guess we can safely say he had the ultimate first festival experience!

We packed our stuff, which wasn’t a lot, and then went to the car, and headed down into the city centre. We walked around for quite a while hoping to find a café only to notice how utterly DEAD Falun is as a city. We did find a nice Pride staircase though!

falunbyday

We gave up very soon and headed over to MAX which was a very good decision – as we ran into Martine and the gang there! It was nice to be able to say one last good bye before going to our destinations. And also, it was nice to see a fast food restaurants filled with nothing but metalheads. How often does that happen? We had a nice breakfast / lunch whatever you want to call it, and as we got ready to leave, Michelle and her gang walked in the door! How amazing isn’t this. We said goodbye to them too, walked out on the parking lot being a bit confused for a while, only to remember we didn’t drive here and then walked back to the trainstation. It was a heartfelt good bye, but more of a “until next time!” and then Jonathan got on his train, and I got in my car.

I stopped halfway home as usual to take a break and enjoy Swedish nature, and of course take a haul picture for you all to enjoy!

loot

Small, but significant. I had “Heroes” prior, but got it signed there. It’s “The Last Stand” and Hysterica’s “The Art of Metal”, also signed.

I continued my journey home, stopped by IKEA to pick up a frame for the vinyl and then crashed at home.

Thank you, all of you who were involved in making this trip and festival absolutely amazing! You rock, and I love you all!

// Sara

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Sabaton Open Air – Day 2: Saturday 20/8 2016 pt.2

Posted in Concerts, Music, Uncategorized with tags , , on August 24, 2016 by Sara Hammerzmith

So. The wait begun. It was six very very excited and happy Monstermaniacs that eagerly awaited Lordi. It’s always so weird for me to see their backdrop, to see their crew and everything appear in Sweden. I’ve gotten so used to see them overseas that the mere thought of them being at home is just so strange. I can’t quite grasp it. And this was the first time Jonathan would ever see them, and it was great to get to enjoy it together with Martine as well… It was just.. perfect.

LORDI

And even more perfect did it become when “Estimated Time of Arrival” started.

I swear to God, the guards looked very suspiciously at us when they saw me and Michelle lip synching the entire thing, but you know… heard it so many times now. They got on the stage, and set off with “Nailed By the Hammer of Frankenstein”.

They quickly followed up with “Bringing Back The Balls to Rock” and then “Get Heavy”, which was a supernice surprise! Ever since I heard it again at Tuska I’ve been asking like literally every Lordi fan where the hell that song was, because it’s absolutely killer! “This is Heavy Metal” – With the heavy metal dude – and “The Riff” where the next songs on the list, I am not a hundred percent sure about the exact order as I didn’t write down all the songs, but.

And then. Somewhere around this part of the setlist, one of the major surprises for me came: “Scare Force One”. As you all know – this is my absolute favorite song on that album, like it’s not even fun how much I love that song, and to hear it again… It’s like, Lordi did everything right with this era for me. They brought back “Deadache” for the regular tour, and they played “My Heaven is Your Hell” on Sweden Rock and now “Scare Force” was back. It was so amazing. And most amazingly of all was acting out the song together with my original GroupieBFF Martine. Seriously.

Then of course, the highlight of the night “It Snows in Hell”, and according to Jonathan, the guards had looked so confused at us. That they weren’t sure what they were supposed to do. And for the first time forever, Mr Lordi even turned his own head upside down to us. Speaking of that. The band interacted so much with us. It was almost like the six of us where the only fans that existed for them. It was.. a nice feeling, but also odd. I’ve never seen them so on their game before as today. It was nice to see.

“Devil is a Loser” was next, followed by “Hard Rock Halleujah”… and then.. exit and Mr Lordi came back, asking us if we wanted more. And that’s when we did it. What we’d waited for to do. He asked us if we wanted more and we said…

“FACE DOWN, ASS UP, FACE DOWN ASS UP!”

Mr Lordi looked so confused at us, going “What…?” and we started yelling “HUG YOU HARDCORE, HUG YOU HARDCORE!!!”

And he just shook his head, “no no no” and we yelled back, “OH COME ON!!! COME ON!!! PLEASE!!!” and he just said “No, that is not going to happen” and we gave up. It was worth a shot, and we have also now finally managed to completely freeze Mr L on stage. Fantastic.

Lordiii

The encores were the usual ones – “Who’s Your Daddy” and “Would you Love a Monsterman?” And then they left the stage. Jonathan actually got Mr Lordis towel!

It was an amazing set. I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing this set felt. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Lordi so on top of their game as I did today. Thank you so much for a mindblowing show guys!

Right after this show, we wrapped Jonathan in the Swedish flag and sent him off to his meet & greet while we headed off towards Sabaton.

SABATON

The runtimes on the running schedule were a little confusing, as it never mentioned if it was any breaks between the bands, but clearly it was. We got ourselves some good spots in the back, and I must admit, because of the break, I started to question myself if perhaps we should have gone to the meet&greet as well, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it.

Then, “In The Army Now” started, and I started to get excited, feel my adrenaline pump… intro started… “Hello FALUN! We are SABATON, (…) and this is GHOST DIVISION!” and off we go… but it wasn’t until after this, when Jocke says “ARE YOU READY FOR SOME CAROLUS REX” where I knew that no. I was exactly where I was supposed to be. “Carolus Rex” is honestly one of my jams. “Carolus” and “The Art of War”. Those are simply my jams.

“Ballad of Bannockburn” was third song, and as Jonathan hadn’t gotten back from the meet&greet yet, I decided to record it for him since it’s his favorite, but just then he came back, so all good! And then.. jumpfest deluxe: “Swedish Pagans”. Seriously, I had a little circle around me, because no one wanted to stand close to me. Probably because I’m jumping back and forth, side to side and my hair has quite a radius when headbanging.

Then, “The Diary of an Unknown Soldier” started and I just stopped breathing. Like I already told you, when these orchestral kind of arrangements starts… I just stop for some reason. This was of course followed up by “The Lost Battalion”, and god I just love that song. “Soldier of Three Armies” was next on the list, it’s like every band is just doing it for me tonight!

After this, the show stopped up for a moment to take a moment to appriciate and thank Thobbe for his time in the band. It was, after all, his final show. To do this, they had put together a little video of him. It was… emotional to say the least to see this. It was just.. it’s so weird to think about that this was the end.

Right after this – “Cliffs of Gallipoli” was brought back. And seriously… First and foremost, I simply love this song and this album, but it also became monumental because all of this festival, because of some things happening right before departing, I’ve had the line “broken promises they won’t be coming home”. All festival. And to then have Sabaton play the song live just became… very emotional.

“Counterstrike” was next on the list, followed my other jam “The Art of War” before something big happened. About guitarist. And a little blonde fellow was invited on stage.

Tommy Johansson. 

Better known as, Sabaton’s new guitarist.

160820sabatontommyfalun

It was amazing to get to see the new guitarist being introduced to the band, seeing him brought in, and get to see his very first show with the band. So, I can know say I’ve heard “Resist and Bite” with four guitars, and the rest of them with three guitars.

“To Hell and Back” was next song, followed by live premiere of “Sparta”. I’m not a big fan of this song on the album, but it DOES make a VERY good live show I must admit. Holy hell.

“En Livstid i Krig” was brought out before we had a bit of a breakdown on stage, Hannes accusing Tommy of being a bit cocky for “having been in the band for like 15 minutes” so they dared him to sing a song. And that’s when we knew. “Gott Mit Uns”.

And this was just soooo good. I’ve missed this song since “Noch Ein Bier”, so it was great to see it again. And Tommy is one hell of a guy!

After this, they left the stage and my personal favorite moment of the show started. You know what I’m talking about.

Lights out.

Helicopter siren. 

Redlights. 

Orchestral arrangements.

“Nightwitches”. 

Seriously. I can’t describe to you how amazing this is. It’s like I said many times before – these guys, they know how to paint with music. Like Pocahontas paints with the color of the wind, Sabaton paints with music.

Next song on the list was “Shiroyama”, seriously, I love this one. “Primo Victoria” and “Metal Crüe” with the fireworks from hell rounded up the show, and the boys thanked for themselves and left the stage.

While I do miss some songs – “The Last Stand”, “Winged Hussars” to mention a few, I enjoyed this show so much. And I love this band so much. Everytime I go to a Sabaton show I remember why I love these five men so much, and why I have devoted my life to them. Sabaton, again, I love you.

Sabaton

Right after this, Jonathan and I headed back to the car for some late night drinks talking about Sabaton and Lordi and whatnot and then going to bed.

What a day it was!

// Sara

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Sabaton Open Air – Day 2: Saturday 20/8 2016 pt.1

Posted in Concerts, Music, Uncategorized with tags , , on August 24, 2016 by Sara Hammerzmith

It was really the best feeling in the world at the moment when I woke up in the morning, in only my regular pyjamas and even feeling it being a little on the warm side. Never before have I felt this amazing feeling at a festival, and trust me, this has just given me a blooded tooth as we’d say in Sweden, to do this again and again and again. And how convenient, isn’t it, to already have the living place set up when you arrive? Oh yeah.

Started out originally with sitting down, trying to figure out the lyrics to “Hug You Hardcore” and chatting with some people before a wild Paula appeared outside my car door for some breakfast hang out. After a while she left and I started to drag myself out of bed, and with the help of Michelle and the very kind guy Lalla, I put up both mine and Jonathans tent before going back to make my car less messy and then, onwards to Falun Centralstation to pick up Jonathan.

It’s the craziest thing – I’ve known this guy for like, eight years, and this is the first time we’d ever meet. I was unsure if I’d find him, but once I arrived (late, of course, what else?) and I saw the blonde guy in a jeans jacket I knew it was him. And it was SO WEIRD. To see him, and hug him and talk to him in person, that the person you’ve talked to on the computer for the past eight years is actually a real person.

We got back in the car, talking about everything and nothing while getting back to the site. Went to campsite to drop things off and then continue to sit and talk and essentially, catch up. After a little while we got into the area to catch the first band of the day live.

Amberian Dawn

So, this band was one of the supporters of the Delain show I caught in Belgium last year, and I’ve been dying to see them again, so believe me when I said I was excited to finally see them again, and the convenience of them playing Lordis stage on top of it all.

They performed a good and enjoyable set, and I’m glad we managed to catch them!

Amberian

After this, we dodged for the front row, put up our Swedish flag and the long wait for Lordi began. We decided, since we had the flag up and everything, to take turns watching it when no band was playing the stage. So at first, I went off to get some food because I was basically dying from hunger, and after that, Jonathan took a stroll around the area to check it out while me and Michelle guarded the flag. Not too long after that it was time for me to leave to get in the very, VERY long queue for the Sabaton signing session…

At first I stood there, 15 minutes prior to start and being angry with myself for not taking “The Last Stand” book with me so I would have had something to read. My phone was running out of battery and dumped by the Swedish Caroleans so I literally had no entertainment and I get bored and restless so easily.  I thought of asking Jonathan to go pick up the book for me, but we solved it in a better way – Jonathan kept me company the whole line, and also wound up getting signatures as well!

signatrues

We queued for almost two hours for this session. That is seriously the longest I’ve ever waited in a SIGNING line. I’m sure someone out there was waited longer, not to mention the people who were in the front, but yeah, it got a bit heavy because of the burning sun. And to make it even worse, the Swedish Military Defence had their little obstacle course with them, and I stood there with my Boda Borg veins pumping me wanting to go through it. But, at least we got to see Helle do it! That was fun.

We got to the signing, got our signatures and then went off to the car to drop them off and to pick up the stuff Jonathan had planned to bring to the meet and greet with Lordi. Because yes, that’s right folks! He did win it, after all! So happy.

After this, we decided to get dinner and watch Sorcerer from afar before Equilibrium, in order to not take any stupid risks. We were a bit unsure sitting up there, because unless we heard something wrong they said something like “We won’t wait 27 years til next time” and we were like WHAT THE? But then again, they only had like one album out so… Well, it gave us a brainteaser.

DSC05606

After we were done with dinner we went down to Bandit Stage again and joined Paula, Helle, Ted and his friend at the front for Equilibrium.

Equilibrium

So, I have a lot of friend who likes this band, so I got a bit excited of finally seeing them myself, and I really, REALLY enjoyed their show! I have to pick up some albums with them, that’s for sure!

It was also a big show for Jonathan – he experienced being crushed by a moshpit for the first time, and he also witnessed his very very first Wall of Death in person, up and close! It was monumental. The boys in the band put on a really, really good show, like I already said, I really enjoyed it. Thank you!

160820equilibriumfalun

And after Equilibrium, we reclaimed our spots at the front row and the long wait began.

TO BE CONTINUED

// Sara

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Winged Hussars

Posted in CDs, Uncategorized with tags , , on August 23, 2016 by Sara Hammerzmith

I’ll make a quick break in writing about Sabaton Open Air because of an unexpected early delivery in the shape of the Tank Edition The Last Stand! It was expected tomorrow, but gladly, for me, it arrived today! Seriously, I came home from work for a quick lunch when I saw the big package from Nuclear Blast and my insides essentially exploded. And now, several hours later I finally got to sit down with it and go through it.

The first thing that greeted me when I opened the box was a Rhapsody of Fire album, more to be exact “From Chaos to Eternity”. At first I was confused, and then I remembered it was the surprise CD that Nuclear Blast would throw in. Amazing! And I’m so happy it actually wound up being a band I like a bit, and wanted to check out more for some time since I got “Into the Legend” through AFM.

rhapsodyoffire

Move on to the big box! First and foremost, it came nicely packaged in a, well, almost stylish box! Will be awesome once you start decorating an apartment, you know?

ladan

When opening the box, the first thing that greets me is the photo, that actually turned out to be a twosided photo. On the one side, it’s the “The Last Stand” motive, and on the other side it’s a picture of Sabaton. I must admit, I have yet to decide what side I’d want to put up. I actually really love the artwork of “The Last Stand”, so I might as well fram it that way.

bildis2sida bildissida1

Next up was the large fold out poster. I’m stuck with this one, because it was big, but I did expect it to be bigger. I’m not disappointed though, it’s still a good size!

poster

And then it was the vinyl. I’ve been waiting for this, to be able to crank out “The Last Stand” on vinyl… Seriously, I can’t wait to do it. I’ll probably do it tomorrow or something.

vinyl

Then, I was greeted with the three picks. These are actually an item I never really understood, but I guess it’s sort of fun? They looked pretty nice, though.

plektrum

And lastly… the earbook. And ok, so let me tell you something funny about this.

Ever since the “Carolus Rex” album, I’ve been fancying these little books Sabaton makes – you know, the albums that looks more like a real book rather than a CD case. It’s sort of unusual for me, who don’t even like digipacks, but I guess I remember the feeling of standing in the line for the signing session in 2012 and learning more about the Caroleans in that line than I ever have in school, and I just like that feeling you know? So I got the album, as I already told, on Sabaton Open Air. I was a little worried, that I’d end up with complete doubles but then I saw a picture of this album and saw they weren’t the same. Oh yay.

I just didn’t realize how different they were.

You see, I do have a small section, next to my leopard patterned CD stand where I put oddly shaped CD cases, like Taylor Swift’s “Red” or Sabaton’s “The Art of War” you know, the edition that included the book by Sun Tzu. However, I am not sure at all that this earbook version of the CD will fit there.

hugeearbook

IT’S SO HUGE! Yes, you are all free to laugh at me. I have actually never had an earbook version of an album before, and now I’m starting to get a bit scared about the Epica pre-order I’m about to place… I sort of you know, like regular albums that fit into regular CD stands, haha! Oh dear god.

I did notice I’m missing my dogtag, so I’ll go over the box again some other time to make sure it isn’t in there, and then talk to Nuclear Blast about it.

However, I am sooo pleased with this order, and now I’m just eagerly awaiting the tank itself. I’m so excited! I just love these sort of special editions.

// Sara

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