Rock City Stockholm 2018 – Day 1: Friday part 2
Due to it becoming so long, I had to chop this up in two entries. Here comes part two!
H.E.A.T
And like clockwork, “Feel the Heat” started echoing in the speakers and the band walked on the stage. Once they were all on the stage, they hit the show off with “Bastard of Society”. And the energy was on top – isn’t it always with the band fronted by Erik Grönwall?
“Late Night Lady” was next on the list and the vibe in the audience was just soo good. But it’s not that weird if you think about it – this is H.E.A.T’s playground you know. So I’m not even surprised.
“Mannequin Show”, one of like, their best songs ever, appeared and seriously – H.E.A.T is just one fucking big happy pill, aren’t they? They make me so fucking happy. And clearly I am not alone.
“Redefined” off the most recent album followed suite, and you know – I wasn’t too keen on the new album. Not that it was bad, but after hearing the singles I didn’t in fact dare to listen to the album, so only now, a week or so before, is when I actually listen to it.
But these songs, they work more than well live. So why the hell I even had any doubt on this band from the start, I have no idea.
“Into the Great Unknown” followed suite right away, before heading into a song I haven’t heard live in a long time – “1000 Miles”. Very nice surprise, and a lot of energy. “Beg Beg Beg”, a big personal favorite was next and that one completely tore down the walls. Like, completely. And in the midst of it, Erik said he wanted to get to the bar, and that we had to get him there, no matter how we solve it. Is there anyone even remotely close to him as far as frontmanship goes?
After this, it was time for Crash to have his moment in the spotlight for a solo. How awesome huh? It always entertains.
“We Rule”, put together with “Time is on our Side” was next on the list, and it was truly a beautiful moment, I honestly think this album grew a couple of inches on me after this.
“Breaking The Silence” from their “Adress The Nation” album was next, followed by most recent video single “Best of the Broken” which made itself very well live if you ask me! “Livin’ on the Run” featuring Erik Grönwall running around in the crowd. Because that is totally normal.
Dave Dalone, our returning guitarhero was set off to have his little moment in the spotlight. Many years ago, he was my favorite in H.E.A.T, and here he is back again. It’s good to see him back! And he slayed that solo, by the way.
“Eye of the Storm” off the new album was next, before the show was completely wrapped up with “Emergency” and “Inferno”. What a fantastic ending song “Inferno” is, by the way. Incredible.
They walked off stage, and of course, only to return and fire off two fantastic encored – “Point of no Return” and “A Shot at Redemption”. And with that, H.E.A.T paid their thanks, and left the stage.
And the adreanline rush from watching this was no joke. Seriously, this band makes me so extremly happy every fucking time I see them.
But now, shit is about to get real. Art Nation, One Desire and H.E.A.T in all glory and honor, but what was about to walk on stage is something I have only witnessed once before, and I was not sure when I’d ever get to witness again. It felt like my knees were getting weaker, and my heart rate picking up. Slaughter was about to go on stage.
Slaughter
They ran the intros “Still of the Night” and “Highway to Hell” before finally entering the stage. My heroes. Those people who just feel so unreachable, because they just never fucking play here.
Seeing them all come on stage – Zoltan, Blando, Dana and latly Mark… It it an out of this world kind of experience. This is indeed the second time I see them, but it weakens my knees still.
They opened the show with “The Wild Life”, and quickly followed up with “Burnin’ Bridges”. Seriously, I was standing in front of Dana Strum, but yet my mind couldn’t really comprehend what I was watching. Who was in front of me. What band was on stage. It is such an unreal experience – is this even happening?
“Spend My Life” (how much don’t I love this song?) was next on the list, and then “Mad About You”. Surprsingly, or, I guess I aren’t too surprised – the crowd for Slaughter was only half than it had been for H.E.A.T. So it was quite intimate, in fact.
“Take Me Away” followed up, and then came probably one of the most beautiful moments of the night – “Days Gone By” acoustic, with only Mark on stage. I have loved this song for so many years, and it never stops to give me the chills – especially when performed like this.
“Eye To Eye” was next on the list, which was done by Mark following Erik’s moves and moved around the audience singing the song. Amazing.
One of my own other personal favorites, “Real Love” came next.. And this song. Like.. I don’t even really know how to put words to it, and I’m usually very good with words – but this song… And hearing it live.. I can’t even describe it.
“Fly to the Angels” were next, and then wrapping the entire thing up with “Up All Night”.
The band thanked for their time and walked off stage. And I was floored. I mean, it’s hard to follow H.E.A.T as far as performance and stage presence goes, it’s still out of this world to see this band.
But! It is not over yet folks! One more band was set to take the stage – as an after party, if you like.
The Cruel Intentions
So last but not least, The Cruel Intentions took the stage. And by this time it was a mere 10-15 people left in the crowd, but I don’t really mind. Nice and intimate. They delieverd a good show, and the audience seemed to enjoy it well enough as well!
After they were done, I headed back to my hotel and crashed out. Long day, and tomorrow is the final day.
// Sara
Sara Hammerzmith 
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