Music | Sara Hammerzmith

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Woman Crush Wednesday: Janet Gardner

Posted in Music, Uncategorized with tags females in metal, janet gardner, vixen, women in metal on March 4, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Alright. Again I struggle to find things to write, thus, we’re making this a woman crush wednesday, much like a music crush. First out in line is Vixen’s singer Janet Gardner.

(Press pic for source)

So, like I said. Vocalist in Vixen, a band she joined back in 1983 and has been in ever since except from a break in 2001-2012. It has been a little on and off with how Vixen worked out – break ups, reunions, namechanges, reunions, break ups… But what’s a band without a little drama, huh?

Without getting too… obvious, what I love about Janet is her voice. She doesn’t have this polished “typical” kind of pop voice, but rather a stronger one with a lot of force. While I love polished voices (like Elize’s for instance) there is something quite special about her, and this band in general. And her voice fits so damn well to the music, to the style, to the whole thing. You know when bands just have the EXACT right singer? Yeah, right here.

Of course, I tried to avoid it a little, but I guess I need to put it here too: Janet is pretty much my number one source of inspiration when it comes to physical appearances. Seriously, this girls style beats everyone else. Fucking love it. This is basically the one rockstar, along with her bandmates, that I’d have pictures of in my closet for lookbooks. Seriously. haveyouseenher?

I often speak about how bands are so perfect and things, and I’m going to say it once again. Vixen is pretty much perfect in every essence there are. Musically, visually, persona… Just perfect. My kind of thing.

// Sara

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Music Crush Monday: Olly Murs – In Case You Didn’t Know

Posted in CDs, Music with tags olly murs on March 2, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Well, I guess we’ll see how long I actually keep this up, but lets give a try.

A record I want to shine a little extra light on today is Olly Murs’ second album “In Case You Didn’t Know”. Olly Murs, as I’ve stated many many times to all of you, is a huge favorite of mine. I spotted him during one of the “Re-Micks” on Disney Channel and spent the next six months tracking down who he was since I was to stupid to remember I could just search for the lyrics on Youtube. But you know, better late then never, right?

InCaseYouDidn'tKnow

“In Case You Didn’t Know” came out in 2012 and like I said, it’s his second album but it’s also the first I got of him. And what can I say besides that I absolutely love it? It’s huge feel-good record through and through, with of course, some heavier and downbeat songs (“This Song is About You”, “I Need You Now”) but aside this, I guess you could call him the male version of Taylor Swift. And this is meant in a good way. But, nothing of this can beat or over-shine my personal favorite, “Dance With Me Tonight”, which was also the song that was in the re-micks. A good beat, sweet rhythms that makes literally anyone dance.

So basically, if you are not too high up in the metal zone (yes, I do recognize most of you readers are metal heads) you should give this album a try. IT WILL make you feel good. IT WILL make you happy. I am absolutely certain. And we all need that happy pill known as music. Sorry, I’m just gonna dance the night away now.

// Sara

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Cocaine Cowboys

Posted in Music, Uncategorized on February 26, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Wow, so okay. Sofia hit me up on Facebook chat today with some REAL bad news.

Simon Cruz has left Crashdïet.

First of all, when I read it my eyes almost popped out of my head and I gasped PRETTY loudly. I REALLY, REALLY liked Simon in the band, perhaps not as much as I did Kita, but enough to feel my heart sink. But the more I continued on reading, and the more I’ve thought about it, the whole thing seems absurd. So, this is the message that Crashdïet left:

“Dear crashdiet fans

There is a reason for our lack of news lateley. The reason for that is that Simon Cruz has left CRASHDÏET. Well, actually he decided to leave in the midst of our mini tour in Japan… With no notice what so ever.
The last few months have been confusing to say the least and we haven’t been sure of what to make of this… other than that our collaboration with Simon is over.

However… The recording of the new album will proceed as planned and you can expect hear more from us soon!

Yours truly
Martin, Peter and Eric” (Press the statement for source)

So, basically, what we have here, is a Fatal Smile 2.0, but without the bitter consequences of having the band disbanded. And you know, of course, we have yet to hear (if we ever will) Simon’s version of it all, but this smells like a rotten cat you know? Leaving the middle of a tour? Without notice? Sounds quite weird and selfish, but I shan’t be too hard already now.

The only thing I DO know, is that the whole situation sucks HARD, both for the band with all the fuck ups that was caused because of this, but also to the fans who lost a pretty good singers. And also for the band, for losing their THIRD singer. At least this one lasted for two albums instead of one, but still.

Thanks for those years though, Simon. Thank you.

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// Sara

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Music Crush Monday: Tigertailz – Bezerk

Posted in CDs, Music, Uncategorized with tags tigertailz on February 23, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

So, instead of a man crush monday, I decided to make it Music Crush Monday. Of course, when I planned this earlier today I didn’t expect Stone Sour to almost rip me off with the idea, but lets just say epic people got the same ideas.

So, anyway. I was really sitting around and pondering to myself, what should I write about? And for some reason my brain yelled “TIGERTAILZ”. I’m not even sure why, because it feels like it’s been ages since I actually listened to them, but you know what? I’m glad my brain reminded me about this amazing band.

So, what is Tigertailz? For those of you who don’t know, Tigertailz is a glam metal band that was formed in Cardiff, Wales back in 1983 with the original lineup featuring Jim Dovey on vocals, Pepsi Tate on bass, Ian Welsh behind the kit and Jay Pepper and Phil Harling on guitars. Jim was replaced fairly quickly by Stevie Jaimz, and in 1988 enters Kim Hooker, who is probably the most known vocalist of Tigertailz. Nowadays we find Jay Pepper on guitar, Rob Wylde on Bas, Jules Millis on vocals and Matthew Blakout behind the kit.

They released their debut album “Young and Crazy” in 1987, but their most famous album is the one coming three years later – “Bezerk”.

And that’s what this entry was supposed to be about to begin with.

To anyone who knows their glam metal, are very much familiar with the song “Love Bomb Baby”, which I guess you could say is the hit of the album. And it’s also one of my personal favorite songs in the genre. But it’s not only this song – the whole album is a really, really, really, REALLY, really good one. It has that bombastic theme about it (which I’m a sucker for, as you know) but it also got those you know, sleaze, naughty tunes (“Sick Sex”, for instance) rounded up by more lighthearted “Twist and Shake”. Pretty much EVERYTHING you could ask for in an 80’s kind of record.

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So yeah. If you are as much of a sucker for 80’s glam metal as I am, then this should be right down your alley. I actually had the pleasure to meet Tigertailz back at Stockholm Rocks in 2010, when Sarah Firebrand was still in the band. She’s still one of my favorite people, and role models. Ever. Love her. She was in the band between 2010 and 2011, for those who wonders.

Anyway, the thing with this album is that it seems to be very hard to find. There’s a “Bezerk 2.0” released, but it ain’t the same, so be careful when you get it. But here’s an Amazon link that collects a few who sells it used.

You’re not a lady you’re a love bomb baby, love bomb baby come on blow me away

With all of this said, I also wanna pay my respects to the late Pepsi Tate who passed away late 2007 after battling cancer for a few years. Rest in Peace, you’re a love bomb baby man. Much love.
// Sara

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A- 5 bands I love

Posted in A-Z Music, Music, Uncategorized with tags Cinderella, Taylor Swift on February 22, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Since I don’t have anything better to write about, I’ll start one of these things again. It hits me I still have the Gravity Falls one going, but it’s been quite a lot Gravity Falls lately and I think this one will be fun. So basically, it’s A-Z and it’s about music. Alright? So lets go!

First is A, 5 bands I love.

This one could be easy. Lordi. Sabaton. Steel Panther. SlipKnot. Lady Gaga. (HammerFall, Amaranthe, H.E.A.T)

But you know what? I’m not going to make it that easy. Instead of repeating the same shit about the bands you all already know I love, I’ll focus a bit more on the bands that you may NOT know I love.

1. Alestorm

Well well well. Where do I begin? First of all, something you all should know about me: I have a very weak spot for pirates. And when I say this I don’t mean “oh I love Pirates of the Caribbean!” but I REALLY like pirates. The legacy, the clothing, the music, EVERYTHING about pirates. They are my favorite kind of… I don’t even know how to put this, but you know about vikings and all? Pirates are preferred. I loved Pirates of the Sea when they were in the Eurovisions, so having a METALBAND making a cover of “Wolves of the Seas” is quite a big thing.

And that’s my first memory ever of Alestorm and how I discovered them. Entering Nöjesfabriken and being greeted with nothing else than “Wolves of the Seas”. I had to sit for a while and comprehend what I was actually hearing. No? It can’t be? Of course it was. Looked it up, pirates bands. PIRATES. Enough to get me sold.

I finally got to see my first proper Alestorm show last summer on Skogsröjet, and I enjoyed it TREMENDOUSLY. I’m just waiting to get home my costume, and then I’ll ravage the gigs like no one else. We had planned to do it already for Röjet, but damn money you know. But yes. Conceptbands, you know I’m weak for conceptbands.

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2. Butcher Babies

Depending on who you are reading this, you may or may not know about my obsession for Butcher Babies, but as far as this blog goes, not so much. This is a band I discovered while watching Knotfest’s live stream and I was pretty much blown away. I don’t normally listen to this kind of music, but seriously, it was something about it that just had me hooked, and once I got their album I was MORE than hooked. Fucking epic.

They are pretty much the reason I’m going to Graspop all in all, and I CAN NOT WAIT to see them live.

3. Cinderella

Cinderella is no surprise to anyone music-wise, however, this band holds a lot higher spot amongst my favorite bands than most people would know. When I list my like, top ten bands, I usually base the list on first how much I like the bands, but also on what kind of an inpact the band has had on me, for instance why Wig Wam is always on the list despite me not listening to them for so many years.

Cinderella, on the other hand, is one of those bands who are never on the list, yet one of the bands I like the most “outside the ten”. Still to this day, there has been no better moment than Sweden Rock 2010 – sunset going down and it’s a little bit of rain so there’s a rainbow there too, Cinderella is playing Festival Stage and in the midst of this wonder they are doing “Nobody’s Fool”. I had some gorgeous photos of Tom Keifer in the sunset on my camera, but as you guys know, it was stolen on the LAST DAY of the festival. Just my luck isn’t it? And that’s what pisses me off the most, the pictures from that one show.

“Don’t Know What You Got (Til it’s Gone)” is still to this date one of my absolute favorite songs ever, even though I must admit “The More Things Change” are still my number one Cinderella song.

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4. Taylor Swift

BUUUHUUU, not a band fair enough but she needs to be mentioned. This one, on the other hand, can come as a complete shock to most of you. Taylor Swift?? But you literally just wrote about Butcher Babies??? What the? Yes people, no need to make some drama over it. She falls in together with Katy Perry, Olly Murs, Lady Gaga, Anki Bagger and all those other amazing non-metal musicians I listen to.

I must say myself, I was in the beginning pretty surprised myself that I fell for her music, but this proves again how much you may miss out on when you’re too busy conning yourself into a corner and saying “nothing else than this”. The song that got me into her was “We’re Never Ever Getting Back Together”, and considering the songtitle I have a certain feeling I know exactly why she stepped into my life. Regardless of reason, I love her tremendously. My terrormaggottwin, commonly known as my platypus, got mer her album “Red” for my birthday and seriously, THANK YOU MICHELLE. All her songs speaks to me, in one way or another. Maybe I’m becoming more and more of a weak cry baby as I write this, but seriously. Taylor and Olly, you speak to me the way no other fucking band has ever done (Perhaps The Ark, but that’s it)

Now I’m just pissed that Graspop is going on Sunday. Who the fuck has festivals on Sundays? Belgium apparently. Taylor has a gig in the Netherlands on Sunday you see..

5. The Ark

This isn’t maybe a too big of a surprise, but I was battling with this one vs Dschinghis Khan, but I decided The Ark needed to get some space. I think I wrote about DK pretty recently, and seriously, The Ark…

The Ark is basically the band that saved my life, nicely put.

The Ark… Where do I even begin. It’s a band I discovered, just as with HammerFall, back in 2005 through Grynets Show but became more active as a fan around 2007. This a band that basically made a career out of giving people better self-esteem, and I know PLENTY of people who have grown from insecure teens to AMAZING strong and wonderful adults, much thanks to this band. So many people, me included, has thanks to this band seen another tomorrow, have been able to pull through the harassment’s, pull through the dark thoughts, get through the other day. I don’t even know how to even put out more about this band without soaking my computer in the tears that are being shed when I think about it, about how I basically owe my life to them. Most bands write angry music you can let go of some energy from, but The Ark took it one step longer and made sure to FIX the problem as well.

“It’s worth being called an idiot if that’s the price for going your own way”.

Still to this day, I put on “It Takes A Fool” whenever I’m feeling low, and my mantra will always and forever be “I’m dangerous, cause I’m ridiculous” and that “if you think I’m corny, then it will not make me sorry it’s your right to laugh at me”. This is a band that has shaped me so much into accepting who I am, that I’ll never be like the others (who become unhappy mother and fathers of unhappy kids, and why is that? Because they’ve forgotten how to play) and that it’s okay. It took this band to make me realize that, and I’m thankful. I’m always gonna be a dork. And a nerd. And a child at heart. And it’s okay. Because it takes a fool to remain sane.

The band disbanded in September 2011 after their very last gig at Gröna Lund. Too many emotions for one show.

arken5

This is forever going to be my favorite pic. On their very last gig, that’s when I finally managed to get a picture of Sylle jumping.

Well, that’s that. Haha, this became a LOT more emotional than I originally planned it to be, but I guess there’s where you end up when you write about music and music is your life.

// Sara

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The One That Kills The Least

Posted in Music, Uncategorized on February 20, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Okay. So, one of the most dangerous things you can do as a professional fangirl, is to look through setlists of a band of the gigs you didn’t go to.

I thought that “Hm, it could be cool to see what songs they played in Oslo and Copenhagen, since we weren’t there”. So first I checked Oslo – the same as Helsinki, “Dead Memories”, “Opium of the People” and “Disasterpieces” + “The Blister Exists”. So I figured, Denmark probably has the same shit we in Sweden had, which is “Three Nil”, “Eyeless”, “Vermillion” + “Wait and Bleed”.

Oh no. They didn’t.

They had “Eeyore”, “Liberate” + “Left Behind”.

And “Purity”.

“PURITY“.

Do you guys… I mean. I LOVE “Eyeless” and “Vermillion”, they are pretty much my TOP TOP TOP SlipKnot songs… but together with them are “Purity”. And they fucking played it. BUT IN COPENHAGEN.

GODDAMNIT. And do you know what pisses me off even more?

I LITERALLY WAS THIS, THIIISSSSS CLOSE to actually do Copenhagen as well, out of boredom of being stuck in Finland for so long without company. I was literally INCHES AWAY FROM DOING COPENHAGEN. But then I was like “no, I won’t”.

Well. Never again. NEVER AGAIN. Next time: Hop on SlipKnots tourbus and follow them all over Europe. Just in case.

Oh sweet fangirl problems…

slipknot7

// Sara

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Slipknot @ Jäähalli, Helsinki, Finland 15/2 – 15

Posted in Concerts, Finland, Music, Uncategorized with tags helsinki, jäähalli, metal, slipknot on February 16, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Everything has a beginning, but everything also has an end. And this was the final date on what we refer to as the “SlipKnot” week, even though it was a bit all over the place. It was a bittersweet taste in my mouth when I woke up that morning, and the reality hit me even harder when Argo left to go home to Estonia.

But, fear not! As I was sitting in my dismay, in my beautiful room at Omena Yrjönkatu, which was very messy because it’s me, the lovely Jasmin hit me up for dinner before I headed over to Jäähalli. Said and done.

I had been thinking a LOT about what to wear. And with that said, I mean I had no clue at all in what so ever. I thought maybe a Lordi shirt and some pants, but then I figured I’d just go with a stripped down version of what I was wearing in Stockholm. Said and done.

So, Jasmin and I met up outside the hotel and headed down to McDonalds for a sweet dinner. And it was sweet already. Lots of talking, catching up, laughter and gasps and just pure epicness. Eventually of course, I had to leave as Jasmin guided me to the trams that would take me to Jäähalli.

Because of the awesome company, I was actually getting pretty late to the venue! Not my kind of style huh? Shows you how much good company can do! But just as I got into the bathrooms, the LONG intro of King 810 started so you could say I made it just in time! Ran downstairs and didn’t miss a second of King 810.

king810hel

Well, there isn’t a lot more to say about King 810 that hasn’t already been said. I assume it was the same setlist, and the band was on top, just as in Stockholm. Still miss that little cameo of the crew member of course but you can’t get everything!

So, after they left the stage it was time for the fairly short wait for SlipKnot. I had checked on the events page – SlipKnot would start at 20.20 (odd time anyone?) and precisely 20.24 did “XIX” start echoing from the speakers. And as it did so, I felt some people pushing from the side. I was like “Oh come on, not back here?” and then I realized what was going on.

They were preparing for a moshpit.

And I was basically the star of the show.

So I basically, in true “Wait and Bleed” mannor yelled out a “GOOD BYE!” and ran the opposite direction. Some time in the future, you WILL see me in a moshpit to “Surfacing”, but not today. Not here, not now.

With that said, the curtain raise up and they hit it off with “Scarcastrophe”. Within the first few sounds of the guitar, the arena pretty much exploded. Had this been a 2-floor building, the floor would have broken. They continued on with “The Heretic Anthem” just as in Stockholm, tightly followed my “My Plague”. Damn. You could cut the tension with a knife you know? You could sense that this was something special.

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Which it kinda was, you know. It was the tour finale of the Prepare for Hell tour in Europe. But on the same time – there isn’t a whole lot to say. The band was on top – just as they were back in Stockholm, perhaps a little more on the edge. They followed suit with “The Devil in I” and “Psychosocial” and later on “The Negative One” – and I tell you.

Being in the arena, regardless of arena really, when these three songs are being blasted… Well, they call the tour prepare for hell, right? Because it is. But it’s a good hell. The kind of hell one would commonly refer to as heaven. At least if you’re a hyper, jumping, headbanging metalhead that is. And I am all of this. So hell, nah, more heaven.

But it was right here it happened. When it was supposed to have been “Three Nil” we instead heard the lyrics telling us “I wanna slit your throat and fuck the wound…”

And in all honesty, at first I didn’t even realize what happened. I sang along to all the lyrics, jumped at the right spots, and headbanged and what not. But I never realized what happened. Neither did I when “Eyeless” was exchanged for “Opium of the People”.

I didn’t realize what was happening until they started playing “Dead Memories” were there was supposed to be “Vermillion”. And at first I froze.

And then my eyes grew big. So big they almost popped out of my head. Grabbed my camera quick, need to record this shit for Michelle. Halfway in the verse I realize NO I SHOULD FUCKING CALL HER. Started digging for my phone, managed to call her. My bill is going to be sky high, but it’s worth it if you let your best friend hear her favorite song live.

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Afterwards they continued on as “normal” – meaning “Dead Memories” was followed by “Before I Forget” and “Duality” before the next surprise of the night came – Where there was expected, from my side, to be “Wait and Bleed” we instead got “The Blister Exists”. Hello mindfuck. And after this… hihihi. My favorite moment was here.

Sure. I’ve only seen this band two times now. But already after the gig in Stockholm did “Spit it Out” become my favorite moment of the entire show you. And I guess you all know what I’m talking about. Yep. That’s right. According to Corey, the Helsinki crowd was the fastest in all of Europe to get the fuck down on the fucking ground. Doesn’t even surprise me. AND GOD DAMN THIS MOMENT PEOPLE. If you ever have the chance to experience a SlipKnot show, do so from the middle of the crowd. Might seem a little… speaking against myself, but seriously, there’s nothing like being in there, sitting down with all these people around you, and all of you, ON THE SAME TIME just jumps the fuck up. Oh my fucking god man, as Corey’d say.

This piece of action was of course followed by their, I suppose new, jumpfest “Custer”. Seriously, if the arena wasn’t already blown up, this was the moment when it happened.

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After “Custer”, they left the stage, leaving us all chanting wanting more, and of course, like the good band they are, they returned. Starting off with “742617000027” and then driving RIGHT into “(sic)” just made your inner organs kind of explode. I’ve used that word a lot in this entry, I do realize, but how else am I to explain an explosive show?

“(sic)” was followed by “People=Shit” before they wrapped the whole thing up with the moshers little favorite “Surfacing”. Like I said in the beginning, ONE DAY I will be in the mosh, but it’s gonna take some time. Like, I need to get Iron Man’s costume first. And a few pillows. And a sumi-wrestlers outfit. But until then, have fun people.

After “Surfacing” they thanked for the night and left the stage and soon we were all ushered out of the arena by Geoff, their right hand, if you like.

It was with a fairly heavy heart I left Jäähalli. It was a bittersweet taste in your mouth, when this one week you’ve looked forward to for SO LONG is just over. Just like that. Gone. Away. No more.

As the loser I am, I didn’t find the tram-station so I end up walking all the way back to the hotel. Which was pretty sweet, it only took about half an hour and it was kinda nice to walk home and calm down a little bit from the extreme amount of endorphins that had just been released inside the ice hall.

Seriously though, from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you SlipKnot, for these two shows. They were amazing, and I can’t even wait for Graspop to come now. NOW. NOW.

// Sara

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SlipKnot @ Hovet, Stockholm, Sweden 11/2 -15

Posted in Concerts, Music, Uncategorized on February 11, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

THE DAY IS HERE! Or was here. The day we’ve been waiting for since October. It’s finally here. SLIPKNOT!

As you guys know, I arrived in Estocolmo already the day before so today we basically… first I went up very late. And then we did some quick shopping – finally got my hands on THE DRESS. Woho! And then, back to the hotel to get ready, or put some trash on my face as I usually adress it, and then hit the arena.

We arrived at the arena around 15, 3pm. Unlike Germany, there were already QUITE THE LINE outside Hovet! Ok, maybe not that many, like 20? Still quite a lot. We went and picked up some food at subway (BREAKFAST AT LAST) and then began the long, long wait. Or technically, it wasn’t THAT long, it just felt that long, because just as in Frankfurt ITS FUCKING DEAD COLD. LIKE SERIOUSLY. Never again concerts in the winter. NEVER. Mark my effin words.

Anyway, there isn’t a lot to say about the queueing process. We had already on beforehand given up our hopes on front row since SlipKnot has this BEAUTIFUL THINGS called “Early Entrance”. My feelings about tickets like that, I’ll save for another entry. I promise you. Anyway. A little after 18 they finally let us in the arena, and as suspected, 2nd row. Not too bad, I guess.

And that’s where the long wait for the opener began. Ok, I’m lying. We really only waited about 45 minutes or so before King 810 entered the stage.

I hadn’t listened to the band anything beforehand, and I must admit that this band was NOT my cup of tea at all. They did a good job opening though, and it was nice celebrating your crewmembers birthday with you. Although, I’m still curious as to what was up the with sound. Too much bass.

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They played for cirka half an hour before leaving the stage to SlipKnot’s crew to start prepping. The curtain fell down sealing up everything, and farily early to my surprise) they started rolling “XIX”. Ahh. The sing along people. I still wish they had actually done this live though.

At the end of “XIX” the curtain was lifted and the band set off with “Scarcastrophe”. And ok.

So, in Germany, we had been pretty lucky. We had been able to come and go as we pleased, visiting bathrooms and saying hello to bands and things like that. Well. That wasn’t the case here. I was praying and hoping somewhere that MAYBE the audience wouldn’t press so much. But of course they did. As soon as “Scarcastrophe” began, the pushing began.

And the thing is, it’s not that I can’t take the pressure. I can. But it’s not fun you know? When you are being squeezed past your bodys actual shape where you can’t jump, you can’t headbang, you can’t even take up your arm. It’s not fun.

So already in”The Heretic Anthem” did we surrender and walk further back in the arena. Well, that’s those 3 hours to waste… Anyway.

The band was on top, the energy was on top, the audience obviously were on top as they continued with “My Plague”.

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After that one’s been shred to pieces, Corey asks us how many of us has .5, and that it was time to play a song from that album.

To step inside, the devil in him.

And the arena BASICALLY EXPLODED. And the fire! The pyrotechnics on this tour are fucking stunning, I’m telling you. They have a purpose. A lot of the times, when bands has pyros, they are just there for the sake of pyros. Not to fill any function. These ones actually worked well with the music. Thanks!

“Psychosocial” was next song on the list and again, the arena basically exploded. Are you surprised? I’m not. “The Negative One” was next on the list, and we basically lost it. Corey asked us all to lose it, and we did. God damn, it’s always nice with a good neck-work out!

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“Three Nil” was next on the list, massive! And talking about massive, there’s something I wanna talk a little bit about. The stage.

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I mean, sure, I have seen pictures of the stage on Tumblr prior to the show, and I saw the livestream at KnotFest… But JESUS FUCKING CHRIST IT’S MASSIVE! JUST FUCKING MASSIVE! THIS is what I call a show without a doubt.

With that said, “Eyeless” was the next song on the list and again…. Ahh. This is by far one of my favorite SlipKnot songs, so I was very satisfied. But nowhere near how satisfied I’d end up being in just a few seconds.

Because after Eyeless, they opened with some very sweet tones. Sweet tones that we could all recognize as one certain song.

“Vermillion”.

I’m not lying when I’m saying my eyes almost popped out of my head (eyeless anyone?) and my jaw was hitting the floor. And I had to cover my mouth and NOT start to cry because of the sudden surprise. “Vermillion” is probably my NUMBER ONE SlipKnot song, but as far as I was concerned, this wasn’t a big live favorite, so to actually have it thrown in your face when you weren’t expecting it was just… No. I don’t even know what to say. Still now, many many HOURS after the gig, I’m still giggling and fangiriling over this little surprise.

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After “Vermillion” being done they fiercly continued with “Before I Forget” which seemed to the audience favorite of the day. EVERYONE lost it. “Duality” and “Wait and Bleed” was ripped off with some MASSIVE sing alongs before THE moment came.

“Spit it Out”.

I must admit, after seeing a lot of live shows of SlipKnot on Youtube, I was really WAITING for this part. You know what part I mean.

Jump the fuck up.

I was a LITTLE anxious – I’m not that strong in my legs, so I was concerned that I wouldn’t manage to get up properly and eventually be stomped to death (what a great way to go though) but once we all sat down, literally ALL, and Corey starts singing, and building up and finally releasing and we are ALL jumping up on the same time… first of all. It was EXTREMELY liberating.

But it was also not as bad as I thought it would be! I was reallllly worried, but it was basically nothing! I’m glad. I can’t wait to do it all over again on Sunday.

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They wrapped the whole show up with their new little baby “Custer”. Ahh. I LOVE this song people, I LOVE IT.

They left the stage, and a little while later “742617000027” started, and you all know what that means. “(SIC)”! “(SIC)!”

God, I love this song. I’ve said that twice in a row now, but damn. So. Fucking. Epic. Live. I can’t even begin! And if it wasn’t massive enough, next song to be executed was “People = Shit”. And seriously.. The singalong people. To hear the ENTIRE Hovet go “PEOPLE EQUALS SHIT” is just… I can’t even describe it! Goosebumps!

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We noticed how the audience separated after “People = Shit”. A big hole in the middle, with people on the sides…. oh. It’s a wall of death. I’ve never actually seen a Wall of Death in real life before, so when “Surfacing” started on stage, I’m not sure which one I was more excited for – the song or the pit. I wasn’t in it myself, because I’d probably end up dead if I tried, but it was pretty cool to witness one for the first time ever!

And “Surfacing”? Epic as hell. A worthy ending for the whole show! After this, the band thanked for the evening, threw out their picks and sticks and eventually left the stage.

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Michelle and I pretty much DASHED out of the arena and picked up a bottle of water. SO FUCKING DEHYDRATED. I have never emptied a bottle of water quicker before, but this means you REALLY had fun. I hit the merchstand quickly to pick up a tourshirt before we left Hovet for good and headed home to our destinations.

Thanks SlipKnot, for an EPIC night we will never forget, and I cannot wait to do it all over again on Sunday.

Cut cut cut me up and fuck fuck fuck me up.

// Sara

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Our leader’s heart is made of gold

Posted in Music, Tankar och funderingar, Uncategorized with tags Frankfurt, HammerFall, lordi, serious black on February 7, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

So, it’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that just mere two days ago, I was in Frankfurt, Germany enjoying six amazing live shows. Serious Black, Orden Ogan, HammerFall, SinHeresY, Palace and Lordi.

And not only that. But this could possibly the best trip that I have ever done. That I have ever been on. Together with my two best, and most pathetic I might add, friends, going to the scared land of Metal (yes, Germany is because you guys get all the concerts!) to catch some of the best bands in the entire world live.

I still can’t comprehend what happened during HammerFall – how Stefan literally locked eyes with me, stuck with me for the majority of the gig and made sure I got a pick after the show. Like, since when did this happen? Or Serious Black, where do I even begin with these amazing people? Down to earth friendly kind of people. People are seriously missing out on something fantastic.

And then we have the monstars. The best band in this world, that award will always go to Lordi. I don’t want to know how much money I have spent on this band, but I sure as hell know that it’s worth it. It’s worth it, for everytime we’re there and raising our Swedish flag with pride, most certainly during “Hard Rock Hallelujah” and “Would You Love A Monsterman” because yes, we would love a monster. Or would, we do.

Some people don’t get it. Why we do it. Who the hell travels to Frankfurt, to catch the opening act of a show? Who travels to Frankfurt to see some stupid Eurovision band? Well. I can only say one thing.

Passion. It’s the passion for music, the love for music that drives us. The long days outside the venues, despite the minus degrees. It’s the moments when a bunch of Lordi fans stands together in a pile to keep warm, it’s the moment when you sit outside the doors at Neue Stadthalle and people ask you if you are really there all the way from Sweden.

It’s about the adrenaline rush that hits you when the doors open and it’s a game of life and death to hit the first row. It’s about the moment when Mana hits the drums after the keyboard to set off “Blood Red Sandman”. It’s the moments when you are all there singing “Ooooh Ooooh Ohhh HAMMERFALL!”. When you come home and see that the amazing people you met want to stay in touch with you.

And you know everything was worth it, when you get home and find these kind of messages waiting for you.

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Our leader’s heart is made of gold. It sure as hell is.

I can’t wait to get on the road again. I seriously can’t.

// Sara

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Lordi @ Batschkapp, Frankfurt, Germany 5/2 -15

Posted in Concerts, Music, Thiz Izz Djermani, Uncategorized with tags Amen, lordi, OX, Scare Force One on February 6, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Alright folkens! HammerFall and Serious Black and all was epic, but after sleeping waaay to short, it was time for us to prepare for Tour Force One! We started the day off real lazily, sleeping in as much as we could and took a quick shopping trip before getting ready for tonights show.

Paula and Michelle decided to crash my outfit picture this time, and it’s good enough. Not a whole lot has changed but the shirt and the necklaces, hahaha.

So, first we stopped by at the station to pick up some crepes before heading for the subway, or UBAHN that would take us to Batschkapp. We arrived a little later than we had for HammerFall, and at first we ended up completely off, but after some help we found the right destination. And then began the waiting.

We arrived around 17, and…. seriously. IT WAS FREEZING. Like ok, what did I expect, it’s winter time and everything, BUT JESUS CHRIST? I almost froze to death? I even ended up bothering a friend so much because I was close to freezing to death. God. A few more fans came and after a while we started a little penguin farm. About half an hour before doors, they opened the gates and we RAN.

And like, I couldn’t feel my legs. I know I was moving, but I didn’t feel my legs. I was practically flying. Must have looked like it, considering that my Swedish Lordi flag was flying in the air on the same time. After half an hour or so they opened the door and we ran for our lives inside the arena. We managed to score spots on Amen’s side, which I never really complain about!

We started off to take turns at the merchtable and the bathroom, and I end up buying one of the new Scare Force One shirts. I had some starting plans for the shirt that I have now ditched, so I’m not sitting with an oversized shirt. But I think I know what I want to do with it. Gladly.

After waiting for a little while, SinHerseY entered the stage. I hadn’t checked out any of the support bands for this part of the tour, since I wasn’t really planning to catch any of the gigs, but I must say I really liked this one!

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Uh yeah. My camera doesn’t work with me. I’m sorry about all the sloppy pictures, but I really don’t know what to do about it for now! Right after Sinheresy got off stage we hit the merchstand to pick up one of their albums. Had to wait a little for the band, or, the singer to come down and we had a short chat with her and got the CD signed before dashing back to the front row.

Or well… dashing and dashing… Just as on HammerFall, it wasn’t ANY pressure! All people stood pretty casually a little here and there, so no troubles getting in and out. We even took an extra bathroom break, just because we could, you know.

While waiting for Palace we decided to do an upgraded version of The Mumblers and recorded our first song, which is “Nailed by the Hammer of Frankenstein”. If this recording ever will surface, I do not know, but we had fun. Until Michelle put her cold hands on Paulas neck. Uuughhhh.

So, without further notice, I might just say that Palace started playing. It’s kinda fun, Daniel told me when we were waiting for them that he recognized them from somewhere but didn’t know where, and I felt the same. I am certain I haven’t seen this band before, yet I too recognized them from somewhere.

This was also a band I was fairly unfamiliar with, and I was maybe not AS impressed as I was with Sinheresy, but it was a good show nonetheless!

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So, interesting thing number two. Daniel was the only one seemingly to go hardcore for Palace, so naturally, the singer/guitarist came and gave him a pick, and then gave him a second one which Daniel passed onto me. He then leaned in and told me that the vocalist had said “give this one to your girlfriend”.

Uh. What? Hahahahaha. Love it! (Before hate: This is nothing against Daniel, he’s amazing as hell. It’s just fun considering I had known him for less than 24 hours) Oh. Well, okay sure why not. Still curios as to how he thought we were a couple, as far as I’m concerned he hadn’t even seen us talking to each other… Oh well!

——- SPOILER ALERT. SPOILERS FROM LORDIS SHOW WILL FOLLOW——–

So. With Palace leaving the stage, the anticipation in the room rose. Like, real high. Even for me. Now, soon, soon, soon! And sure enough, a little after 22 “God of Thunder” started echoing in the speakers. And ALL Lordi fans knows what this means.

Next thing we know, a flight attendant comes out and “Estimated Time of Arrival” starts playing as she demonstrates the safety routines. Or perhaps the killing routines. I really didn’t know how to interpret it.

She leaves the stage, the band enters and fires everything off with “Nailed By the Hammer of Frankenstein”. This song really cuts it as an opener! The band was on fire, we were on fire, crowd…. not so much to my surprise! A little better than HammerFall, but far from approved.

They continued on with “This is Heavy Metal”, WITH THE RETURN OF THE METAL DUDE, and “Hard Rock Hallelujah” before it was time for one of the highlights of the whole show.

“Deadache“.

So, as most of you people may or may not know, “Deadache” is my number one Lordi song of all times. I cannot tell you how much I love this song, or why I love this song, but if you go through my archive, I have written about this particular song many, many times stating how much I love it.

And they haven’t played this song since the “Deadache” tour. And I never really thought it would make a return. Like ever. Because it felt like I was the only one who actually wanted it back. But when I saw that tour teasing video… I just lost it. Just as much as I lost it when they played the song live. It was BEYOND amazing. Although my eyes hurt a bit when Mr L pointed the flashlights RIGHT INTO your eyes…

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After “Deadache” it was time for Hella to have her little moment, and not only did she play her beautiful little song, but she also had some effects. There was a baby trolly (?) rolling out and a clueless woman strolling about, checking on the little baby that OF COURSE was haunted and started to pull her into the wagon. I remember I actually hesitated to look, because I figured there’d pop up SOMETHING yet I didn’t know what, when or how. But there it was.

“Hell Sent in The Clowns” was next, with those amazingly cute clowns who just ruin about everything. “Blood Red Sandman” made it’s entrance before it was time for Mana to have his little moment.

Alright, so what happened is that this lady comes in with a skull lying on a table with a cloth of some kind. Mana put the piece of fabric over the skull, and then the skull starts acting very haunted and flying around, aalllmost out of control. After getting the skull back into it’s place, he fired off a VERY impressing drumsolo. Yes, for me, it was.

After the drumsolo it was time for “Give Your Life For Rock n Roll” before the big surprise of the night would happen.

Ok, so it wasn’t that much of a surprise for me, since I had read the setlist beforehand, but still.

“Don’t Let My Mother Know”.

A single B-side. WHO HAD EVER THOUGHT WE WOULD HEAR THIS LIVE? I SURE AS HELL DIDN’T. Was epic, BEYOND FUCKING EPIC. Jesus Christ, I could kill someone! Or no, on the contrary, this is what STOPPED ME from killing someone. The epicness, my god.

And it doesn’t stop there. After “Don’t Let My Mother Know”, it was time for OX’s little moment, and he sure as hell got a raise! He used to do Kalma’s old thing, but now he has his own. So what they did is that they brought out this trolley with a guy inside it, called “OX’s Special Soundbox” or something like that, who was tied up. They gave OX a lug wrench, and while he was playing the bass, he stopped every once in a while to beat the dude up. Moans. Moans. And then, after beating him quite a good, he digged into him. Opened him up and dragged out his insides.

The dude kept pulling out his insides as OX kept giving us some fierce basstones.

“How To Slice A Whore” was next on the list, and this one had been upgraded quite the bit too! On the releasegig, he had done the same thing as he had in “Dr Sin”, but this time he actually CHOPPED and SLICED The corpse on the table instead, and of course ate it’s insides. I’m never going to be okay with seeing that. Like. Ever.

Our paradesong was next on the list, “It Snows in Hell”. As usual we turned around and hung upside down. But there was a catch. For this tour, they have started to have white foam dropping from the roof. It was…. “amazing” getting your throat filled with that. But you know – it’s worth it. Considering that Amen seemed to thrive off it. Us hanging upside down, that is.

“The Riff” was next on the list, followed closely by “Sincerely with Love”. You all know my *love* feelings about the latter one, but I can forgive it. Like come one, “Deadache” makes up for everything.

The next surprise, or perhaps, AWESOMENESS that was on the list is “Man Skin Boots”. I fucking love the song, obviously, it’s from Deadache. And this song is like… PERFECT live. And yeah. Sometimes I relate to it a bit. You have been warned.

AFTER Man Skin, it was time for Amen to have his little moment. What started out pretty small, as him standing on the side playing “Amen’s Lament To Ra II” soon escalated to the great Pharaos curse as he stepped up on a Pharao grave and had (fake)fire burning next to him as he kept showing us what a guitar god he can be. For the first time ever I really got that Pharao / ancient Egypt feeling from him. It was like being down in the thombs in The Sims 3, yet this was for real. RAD And EPIC as hell.

This tour is just so fucking amazing. I don’t even get it. I mean, I know “Scare Force One” is an amazing album, but I couldn’t imagine how amazing the tour would turn out. They really, UPGRADED themselves.

Right after Amen’s solo enters what I believe is one of Amen’s favorite songs, “Not The Nicest Guy”. The song was followed by “Sir, Mr Presideath Sir!” which… See.

I didn’t care much for the song on the album. It’s good, it’s decent, but perhaps not the best. HOWEVER – this song is like 200 times better live. And it serves a fucking purpose you know? “WE ALL KNOW WHAT WE’VE BEEN TOLD – OUR LEADERS HEART IS MADE OF GOLD”. It was MADE for live shows. I fucking love it.

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Amen came up front and did his normal routine. One devil horn, two devil horn, going up, going to the sides, going down, cross your arms…. “Devil is a Loser”. Seriously, this song gets me going like fucking crazy, yet I had to see a LITTLE more from the rest of the crowd. Seriously, what is the point? Come on people! Energy!

They left the stage, only to allow “SCG7” to start and to fire up the Scare Force One and would later return to fire of “Scare Force One”. The best song on the album with the same title. Jesus christ, this song gets me GOING you don’t even understand. Of course, I think you all can notice the similarities between this one and Deadache, and yes, that’s why I love it. I’m so glad they play this live. It’s AHHH. Can’t even describe the feeling to you!

“Who’s Your Daddy” was next. If I didn’t have a slayer neck already, this is when I got it, My god, why do you always get so pumped in this one? Who the hell knows!

“Would You Love A Monsterman?” was the very very last song of the whole night, and there is something special jumping with your friends and raising the Swedish Lordi flag high with pride. We love our monsters, and we’d go, and HAVE GONE the distance for them. Any time, any day. YES. We do love our monstermen and woman.

They said thanks and good bye and walked off the stage for good. Alright so, look. The band, they were on fire. They were fucking KILLING it. It’s a SHAME that the audience doesn’t pay the same respect. I mean… come on. Show a little appreciation!

And you know.. The concert was awesome. Being there with friends was awesome. But what was even more awesome was the crewmember, who, without hesitation, walked straight up to me and handed me Amen’s setlist. Like, I didn’t even have to ask or whatever, he just went straight up. It’s a bit deja-vuish from Wednesday, haha.

We hung around a little bit to catch our breathes, drink a little and pick up some last minute merchandise before going out in the cold Frankfurt night again and head home to the hotel. We picked up some night food on the way home and then just sat in the hotel room and talked about everything Lordi for hours.

Until Michelle fell asleep of course, because then we obviously put toiletpaper all over her face (what else would we do?) before drifting off to a very fulfilling sleep….

Thanks, Lordi. Thank you so much.

// Sara

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