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Seroius Black, Orden Ogan, HammerFall @ Stadthalle, Langen, Germany 4/2 2015

Posted in Concerts, Music, Thiz Izz Djermani, Uncategorized with tags Germany, HammerFall, orden ogan, serious black on February 5, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Alright people! Yesterday was the D-Day, and it was fucking amazing I’m telling you! So, once we hit the hotel we started to get ourselves ready for the gig, mentally and physically. After an hour or so (we actually had to go pick up some candy at a store, hello!) we were ready to hit the road. We had planned to be by the venue by 16-17, so yeah, hurry hurry!

Since we didn’t manage to get on the train we planned, we had to take a later one and after running around a little bit in Langen we finally found Stadthalle. And you know, remember what I wrote about Amaranthe when we got to queue INSIDE with a private bar and everything? Like, sure, we didn’t have a private bar, BUT we did get to queue inside! And that was more than enough for us. The queueing system was a little fucked up, but yeah. It’s inside, what more can we ask for. We even spotted a REALLY cute guy, and that doesn’t even happen that often.

But aside that, it was fun as hell. Being with the girls on the road again just makes you SO FUCKING happy. Of course – most of the people around must have thought we were insane given that we were pretty rude to one another, but you know. This is how we roll, so if you ever see us at a gig and catch us almost starting to beat the crap out of each other, that’s good. If we sit in silent, that’s bad. VERY bad.

They opened the doors around seven, and after a few ifs and buts we managed to get to the front row and Paula and Michelle held my place as I dashed to the merchtable to pick up some Serious Black merchandise. Tank top as planned, as well as a patch! Bingo! Ran back to the crowd, which wasn’t even a crowd and eagerly waited for Serious Black.

At around eight sharp, Serious Black entered the stage and opened the show with “Temple of Sun”. To my surprise, we seemed to be the only fans upfront for this band. And what disappointed me SO MUCH is that everyone else, but us, stood completely still. You remember how said in my Amaranthe review that there really is a certain place in hell for people who aim for the front row and doesn’t do shit? Well, they are gonna get some new people down there!

The band however, was really energetic despite bad lame as fuck. They continued on with “Setting Fire to the Earth” before ripping off “High And Low”. Gladly, some people seem to awaken a LITTLE when “H&L” started, but I was still very surprised. I thought they had gained a LITTLE more popularity than this. Appears not.

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Well, I’m gonna have to admit that I was again defeated by my camera this time around, so not a whole lot of good photos sadly. The show went on with “Older and Wiser”, “Sealing My Fate” and wrapping it all up with “I Seek No Other Life”.

This was was REAL good. I really enjoyed it, despite it being very short, but then again, how long can you go with only one album? I was well pleased, and to top it off even better Mario flipped his pick at me! Woho!

Urban said on stage that the band would be by the merchstand so naturally, me and Michelle dashed! The first person we came across was Mario, and this is insane. He asked us what brought us here, all the way from Sweden, and I told him that I was really only at the HammerFall show because of them, and do you know what happened.

Do you fucking know what happened.

He got down on his knees.

And kissed my shoes.

LIKE. WHAT. That’s what I could have done with him. I didn’t even know what the hell to do, I was just standing there like oh my fucking god.

We worked our way around the band, and since Orden Ogan just started, we didn’t manage to Urban THIS while, so we dashed back to front row (how the hell was that even possible?) and rocked it out to Orden Ogan.

The only album I ever heard really and thoroughly with Orden Ogan is “Ravenhead”, so obviously I wasn’t very familiar with them aside the “Ravenhead” songs. BUT – they were REALLY good on stage, REALLY good live. I enjoyed it far more than I usually enjoy bands I’m not too much into.

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After Orden Ogan was done, we dashed back to the merchtable and caught up with Serious Black again, and this once around, we actually got to Urban thanks to Jan. I’m quite shy as you know and I don’t like interrupting other fans, but eventually we got there. At first he asked me, in Swedish, if we should exchange necklaces, but being half deaf as I am, apparently, I had to ask him three times what he said haha. But all was well – and we got to meet&greet him before running back with a LITTLE better time plan to HammerFall than we did for Orden.

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Like, this is something that intrigues me though. How the hell is it possible for us to continually running in and out between the shows, and still make it to the front row? The people didn’t cheer much more for Orden, I might add. I was so surprised, I thought “Well, this is gonna suck” but on the same time I felt like, have we gone this far, and managed to get to the front row, then we sure as hell are going to stand in the front row too.

Pretty much right on time they entered the stage and opened with “Hectors Hymn”. FINALLY – the audience awoke a little, not a lot, but a little. They followed the epic opening up with “Any Means Necessary”. I fucking love this song, do you even know? Like, “No Sacrifice, No Victory” is really my FAVORITE album with HammerFall, and particularly this song is SO FUCKING GOOD it ain’t even funny.

“Renegade” was next song to go, and I’m just. This is like the perfect setlist. Why are the bands treating me so good these days?

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“B.Y.H” was the next song to go, unfortuneatley, the amount of people ACTUALLY banging their heads was close to zero. Like, I expected SHIT TO GO DOWN in Germany, but it appears not?!

After “BYH” it was time for the song Paula had been waiting for all night – “Bloodbound”. Seriously, why are they so good to us? All this amazing songs, we don’t even deserve it! The band was going hard at it too, giving us a damn good time.

“Heeding the Call” was next, and finally we see some fists in the air and some singalong. Damn. Took you long enough.

Something that caught my eye on this particular gig was Stefan. Not that he was there, because that I knew. But how happy he was. Like, he seemed to be so FUCKING HAPPY to be back with the crew. I don’t mean to say he was unhappy before, I know nothing about it, but on the same time, it was just… so good to see you know?

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After “Heeding The Call” it was time for the big ole one – “Let The Hammer Fall”. And here’s the deal people. You know you’ve seen HammerFall live before if you can even talk with Jocke with all he says – “What do you say if I say Let The Hammer?”. I’m not sure how I should deal with that.

A new song was the next “Live Life Loud” before it was time for Stefan to get some spotlight. At first it started with Pontus doing his thing, and all of a sudden he let go of his guitar and it kept playing. Oscar made himself visible, so everyone was like “what?!”, ok, not really, most of us understood it was Stefan.

So he came out, and together with David, Oscar and Pontus on bassguitar they went over quite some HammerFall solos from many familiar songs. LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT.

Right after, the continued on with “Threshold”. “Threshold” hold a bit of a special place in my heart, as it was my first HammerFall album EVER, and my first HammerFall show ever was a the Threshold tour. So yeah, it was kinda mighty to hear it again.

“Last Man Standing” was next to be executed and they soon continued with “Glory To the Brave”. I fucking love it when they play this one live – it’s so mighty in a way, you know? Joacims voice doing all the work in the beginning and then it just.. it’s like “Amarathine”.

Another song off (r)Evolution was next – “We Won’t Back Down” before they wrapped the whole show up with “HammerFall” and left us wanting more.

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They soon returned, of course, and started off with “Templars of Steel”, “Bushido” and then wrapping the whole show up with “Hearts on Fire” (what else). And here’s where the next weird thing happens.

Throughout the show, Stefan has continuely played by me. He’s looked at me, and he’s interacted with me. Almost ALL the time. Afterwards, he locked eyes with me and threw the pick my direction, but someone else took it. So at first, he went onwards to the other side, BUT. He returned, and again locked eyes with me, POINTED at me, and I pointed at myself and was like “me?” and he nodded, and threw the pick at a closer distance and this enabled me to catch it.

Like. This is kinda surreal for me. This has NEVER happened to me before, that bandmembers have LITERALLY locked eyes with and been like “YOU are gonna have it”. Jesus fucking Christ.

After HammerFall was done, we headed back to the merchtable, first in order to pick up “Ravenhead” and have it signed by Orden Ogan and then to catch up a little more with Serious Black before we were removed from the area.

Seriously, I cannot remember a single time where I’ve interacted so much with bands as I did this time. And I’m kind of proud of myself, as I’m usually so bad at this because of my shyness. So yeah, I’m proud and happy. Together with Paulas friend (who is a doll, who kept our spots when we chased after Serious Black) we went back to the trainstation, back to Frankfurt and back to our hotels with one of the most epic experiences in our hearts.

Now we just prepare ourselves for Lordi. Second night – COME AT US.

// Sara

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Amaranthe @ Konserthuset, Västerås 30/1-15

Posted in Concerts, Music, Uncategorized on January 31, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Finally! I haven’t been to a show (officially) since Lordi’s release gig, which is in my opinion, WAY too long, and gladly I managed to get time off to go and catch Amaranthe live in Västerås, supported by no other than Engel!

Conveniently enough, the gig was set to end at 23.15, and when checking out the buses I noticed the bus home to Karlstad would leave Västerås at 23.45. SCORE! No need for hotel, so it would be a quick trip. LOVE IT.

So anyway, I got on the bus and the busride was long and yada yada, and finally I reached my destination. To make this already convenient trip even more convenient, the arena happened to be placed just like, two minutes or LESS from the busstation. PERFECT. I spent the first 20 minutes or so walking around trying to find the entrance before I decided to go into the hotel/restaurant-lounge kind of thing to ask for directions, but was instead greeted with “Resist and Bite” echoing from the speakers and a host telling me the doors hadn’t opened yet, so I was very welcome to sit down in the lounge area with a private bar while waiting.

Like… what? Seriously? Private bar? BATHROOMS? This is how queueing ALWAYS should be. Wow, what if it was always this high-end fancy.

So, after seating down and everything, we had to wait an hour or so before the opened the doors, and after a while the manager of the place came up to me and told me they had opened so I could just go in and also showed me the way. Like, what is this place? The ticket price was SOO cheap, but this service? Like, you just sent ALL other, ALL OTHER venues to SHAME! (ticketprice was 20 euros)

After getting in I first hit the merch-stand to pick up on a “Massive Addictive” shirt. I have some plans for this one, so we’ll see how it works out. And then, finally, I got into the arena. I made it to second row, or maybe first and a half row, I don’t know how I should properly put it. It wasn’t completely stacked, but yeah. It was a small and cute little arena called the club stage, so yeah, tiny and cute.

So, after an additional amount of waiting, Engel finally entered the stage! I wasn’t familiar with this band at all prior to this show, but I must say I really liked them! I’m also a little up in the air from the fact that the singer sang one of their songs to ME, despite me not even being a fan. But then again, this might have something to do with me being the only one giving the band some energy to feed off from…

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Oh yeah… I might warn you. My camera didn’t cooperate this particular night, so do not expect any fancy pancy photos. Engel played for a rough 45 minutes before they left the stage to Amaranthe.

Pretty much exactly on spot fifteen minutes past 22 Amaranthe entered the stage, and to my surprised, started off the whole gig with “Digital World”. I swear to god, this is the second time in a row I’m wrong about the opening tracks! (Lordi release gig, I were so certain they were gonna open with ‘Scare Force One’ I couldn’t even recognize what song they actually opened with). Band was on top, I was on top, small parts of the audience was on top… and most weren’t. There is a special place in hell for people who push their way to the front row and then end up there doing nothing.

Right after “Digital World” they decided to fire off “Hunger” and… ok. So here’s the deal people. It’s never a good idea at any time to bring any sort of bottles of beverages in the crowd, for your safety, for others safety, and for the right people should have to NOT have beer or anything else thrown over them. But it is the worst idea ever, to bring in a glass of red wine. And it’s an even WORSER idea to take that glass up when not one, not two but THREE singers says “EVERYBODY JUMP”. Because it will get smashed. Without warning. I panicked for a while since the glass got stuck in my earrings, but it was ok. I’m more pissed about the fact my hair and WHITE(!!!) clothes got soaked in red wine… oh well. What do you do.

After “Hunger” they had to take a small break because something was up with Olof’s guitar, in where Jake suggested Elize should sing something for us. After being a bit timid and thinking for a while, she ended up doing an acapella of “Amaranthine”. Or more like, she sang the first two lines and then the crowd sang the rest. It’s pretty much “Community Property” or “Primo Victoria” and so on… was majestetic, thinking we were only like what, 200 people in there? I don’t know for sure.

Olof returned with a fixed guitar and they fired off “Invinceble” as amazing as ever. Ok, this is only my second time seeing them so perhaps I should be easy on the love-words here, but seriously, Amaranthe is like the PERFECT metalband, much like H.E.A.T is the perfect rockband. You get my idea.

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“Razorblade” was next to cut, which makes me SO happy as it’s one of my favorite songs off “The Nexus” alongside 99% of the other songs. It was followed by “1.000.000 Lightyears” before it was time for them to, according to them, do a world premiere of one of their new songs, “Over and Done” from their latest album. Jake screwed up a bit with the lyrics, seemingly forgot them, but hey! Who can blame him. Tour start and everything, I’ll give him this one.

The band had an amazing energy on stage. They connected A LOT better with the fans than last time I saw them even though there is one person in the band I still feel has a bit of a way to go, it’s improving!

“Trinity” was next on the list until it was time for THE moment. THE moment I had been waiting for all night.

“MASSIVE ADDICTIVE”.

Seriously people, I cannot explain to you how much I love this song. The heaviness, the… AAAH. I just CANNOT EXPLAIN. And when I saw in an interview with Elize that they’d be playing this live, I was just waiting for it. And it was BEYOND amazing live. Jesus Christ, this band knows how to deliver. Seriously one of the best moments of the night!

The song was followed by “Afterlife” and as the fangirl I am, I managed to have a little moment with Henrik. Like, I’ve always been bad at interacting with the band on stage, mostly out of embarrassment and shyness, but it’s getting better and better. Another favorite of mine, “Electroheart” was fired off right after this, which surprised me A LOT! I always felt this one and “Razorblade” would exclude each other, but apparently not! Ahh I love it.

An I love so much how they do this. Like, the musical part of the band – Morten, Olof, Johan – they do their thing. And then you have Henrik, being a screamer and just heavy as shit, Jake like the vocalist to bring the viewers in, and in the middle you have Elize dancing and evening it all out. It’s the perfect combination. I was always a little “huh?” about three vocalists, but this just… it’s so perfect.

Morten had his little moment after “Electroheart” to show off his skills (they are killer!) after which they returned to fire off “Leave Everything Behind” with new found energy. “Amaranthine”, this time with music, was being played afterwards and the CHILLS PEOPLE. With first having Elize embracing the spotlight all on her own with the flashlights going everywhere, and hearing like the entire arena sing with her… it’s just… I can’t even tell you. You need to go see this yourselves, and it WILL be worth it.

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“Call Out My Name” was the last song for the night before the band said thanks and good night…. not really. After a little bit of collecting their breathes (At least for me, haha) they came back on and started with the song I thought was going to be the opener – “Dynamite”. This was followed up by “Drop Dead Cynical” which would also feature my second moment with Henrik (woho!) before they wrapped the whole thing up with “The Nexus”, which is like, my all time favorite song by them. After this, they thanked for the night and walked off stage for good.

The band was top notch. A few insecurities here and there, and some technical difficulties sure – but seriously, this was just… perfect. This is really a GOOD band, you know? GOOD fucking band. And I’m also soooo happy to see like, ALL my favorite songs collected in one setlist, even though it surprised me “Automatic” wasn’t on the list at all. Huh.

Right after this, Elize actually came out and greeted us in the audience. I was a little shy at first, seeing her upfront and so close, but I complimented her on the show before getting back to the merchstand to pick up the “MASSIVE ADDICTIVE” vinyl and one of Engel’s CD’s and rushing like hell to the bus. The show had been a little delayed, so they didn’t end until 23.30. At this point I had also realized I hadn’t been drinking ANYTHING since 16 or so, and I was dehydrated beyond belief…

I didn’t have anything in the wardrobe, gladly, so I just went out and ran over the driveways and caught the bus just in time. We had the funny busdriver this time, and he got so happy when I came and was like “REALLY? You got me albums?! Ohh you!!!” I love when we get this bus driver. Please never leave your job.

And this is kinda where it ends. Got on the bus. Put “Scare Force One” on repeat and slept all the way home. Ran through snowfall while hearing lines as “Grandpas footsteps in the snow are clear and then disappear…” in order to catch a bus I didn’t managed to get on anyway. After a few ifs and buts, I got home to my bed and take a quick shower, have a snack, and DRINK SHITLOADS OF WATER before falling asleep in bed.

Next week: Lordi, HammerFall, Serious Black and Orden Ogan! Can’t wait!

// Sara

Oh right. This also happened.

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Oh I know I’m getting wild when you look at me like that…

Posted in Music, Uncategorized on January 25, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Ruslana is a Ukrainian artist mostly known for her victory in Eurovision Song Contest 2004. However, this is the song that really got me caught up with Ruslana.

She performed this song live at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 as the opening act of the whole show. Not only did I love the live performance of the song, but just… the like, how do you put it, the passive aggressiveness in the song and the lyrics and just the whole product you know? The beats the drums… her voice… Yeah. Ruslana is quite the thing, if you ask me. The song can be found on the album “Wild Energy”, however, I’m not sure how easy it is to get a hand of it. I sure have to do it now that I know what album it’s on.

// Sara

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REVIEW: U.D.O – Decadent

Posted in CDs, Music, Uncategorized on January 22, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

All the lights are turned towards social injustice and the decadence of the upper class on U.D.O’s newest album “Decadent”. It’s been two years since “Steelhammer” came out, and he’s now back with a new album where he points out all the large bad habits of the society, and the division between the poor and the bad. The album was recorded at Double U Studios and was mixed by Mattes and mastered by Jacob Hansen.

The album is twelve tracks long and consists of pure metal ala U.D.O as we know him from before. To sum this album up, you could say it’s like riding a small boat on the ocean in stormy weather. The album opens up with the fairly speedy “Speeder” and launches right into the heavy title track and the storm is a fact. After this, it’s calming down for a little moment before starting to storm again in “Mystery” and “Pain” before going down again and up when “Breathless” arrives, only to calm down for the rest of the album.

While the subjects indeed touches my heart and he’s done a good work pointing out all the things we do “wrong”, I can’t say this album is perfect. It’s pretty okay – but nothing revolutionary, and most importantly, nothing new. It’s the same solid and bold kind of “power”metal we are used to hear from U.D.O, all the way back to Accept, and the album has more dips than it has highlights, if you ask me.

The album is fine – it’s pretty much what anyone would expect of U.D.O. It’s sure worth having in your record collection, at least.

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Label: AFM Records

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// Sara

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When All Lights Fail

Posted in Music, Uncategorized with tags favorite, go west, lordi, metal, music, pop, rock, songs, tatu, tnt on January 18, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

I have pondered for a few hours what to blog about, as most of my day has been consumed by school assignments I really don’t know what to write about. So I thought I’d give you a little share of some of my favorite songs, Alright? Alright.

So, I will put these songs up in no particular order, just as I come to think of them.

First of all, “Don’t Be Afraid of Your Dreams” by Go West. I’ve already written about this before I believe, in the 30 Days song challenge. I consider this my all time favorite song. Mostly because it’s pretty perfect as it is, but on the same time, it inspires me. And I discovered this song at a time when I needed it the most, and despite being the soundtrack for a slasher movie, it just… means so much to me. The music makes me happy because it’s that PERFECT 80’s kind of pop that you can’t even replicate these days, that just pumps me, those beats hello? The keys?

But on top of that… the lyrics. THEY inspire me. THEY make me strong, helps me let go of some of my anxieties as it goes and… yeah I don’t know what else I can say about this song. It’s just amazing. And important. So important.

Next song is “Intuition” by TNT. I’m sort of starting to notice a pattern here – both songs are about not being afraid to do what you want and keep fighting for what you want. And this is basically what my life is about, so no wonder really. But aside that, this is probably, to me, the most ultimate 80’s rock anthem. I don’t think TNT ever really got the success they truly deserve, which breaks my heart. The melody-line in this one just… It just puts me in a happy place. This is the kind of song I put on when I’m really down, or need to make a decision. Hearing Tony Harnell going “One decision” in my ear kind of you know… sets me off. To achieve things.

Can’t make an entry like this and not include Lordi now, can I? “Deadache” by Lordi. This is also a song I can relate to so much, since I also keep the skin of my mothers face… no just joking. “And loneliness – it makes nights endless” has sort of become my tagline in everything and anything. I should probably have it written on a vest if I ever get one. This is an easy-peasy song, 80’s kind of vibe to it (do you sense a pattern here?) but it’s the chorus – the “big” chorus, especially the last one with the pitch change that just… How do you even describe the feeling, you know that one where it feels like your whole inside is about to jump out because you are so excited and happy? That’s what “Deadache” do to me.

“Days Gone By” by Slaughter. Ahh Slaughter… how much don’t I love this band. I usually consider it my number one band, but on the later years they have fallen down to third place as I started to judge bands a little more on how much I can “interact” with them – like, how close they are and such. Lordi gets closer because I have more memories with them. And so on. I waited up until 2012 before I managed to catch the lovey-doveys live, and it was one of the best days of my life. I couldn’t even BELIEVE it. Slaughter. In Sweden? Like really?

Anyway. “Days Gone By”…. first of all, this song is so beautiful. The melody line, the simpleness of it leaving Mark and his amazing voice to do the work just ahhh. And the song… well. Sometimes it feels like I have lost a lot, friends, and what not, because of time slipping out of my hands. I especially think about one person, I’m not going to mention her on here though. So yeah.

Last song I’ll bring up for this time is “All About Us” by t.A.T.u. So, all of you who were surprised – raise your hands. Interesting fact, this, still to this day, marks my MOST PLAYED SONG of ALL TIMES. This was before LastFM days though, so no technical record of it, but I remember it having 888 plays on my iTunes before the computer died. And no other song has reached that far since. t.A.T.u and I go waaay back, many, many years. They are one of my favorite duos (alongside Go West and Lili & Susie) and particularly this song.

I remember the video terrified me like hell when I was younger, when it was new, and I saw it. But what I love so much about it, is the friendship. The fucking strength of friendship. They are fighting, but despite that Jelena turns around to come get Julia after the dude is doing major shit business. That, is friendship that doesn’t die. And those are the kind of friendships I strive to have, and well, I do have them with a close amounts of friends, for example, Jennie whom I’ve had ENDLESS of fights with, someone I’ve stopped talking to for YEARS and yet we always found our way back to each other. Because it’s all about us.

Wow. So this turned out to become a lot more personal and emotional than I had actually planned this blog entry to be, but I guess it just allowed you all to get to know me a little more and my priorities in life. You should always pay attention to what songs people like the most – they can tell you so much more about the person than you ever knew.

// Sara

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REVIEW: Orden Ogan – Ravenhead

Posted in CDs, Music, Uncategorized with tags afm records, german, Germany, metal, orden ogan, ravenhead on January 15, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

People! Orden Ogan is back, three years has passed since their latest release, “To The End” which gained them international success. “More metal, more chorusses, more Orden Ogan” is how vocalist Seeb describes the album and while Seeb is the main contributor to the album, it has had all of the band members involved. Teamwork, if you like.

The album starts off pretty aggressively with the title track, but to my surprise it turned out to be very melodic. I’m going to be honest with you – I was fairly unfamiliar with this band prior to hearing this album, so I excepted it to be a lot heavier than it was. This isn’t anything bad though, as you know, I love power metal more than pretty much anything.

I think the album is pretty good – or perhaps decent. There’s a few tracks that stands out quite a lot for me – the bombastic “F.E.V.E.R” and “Sorrow Is Your Tale” where our ever so loved Joacim Cans happen to guest sing on. Aside them two tracks, I think the album is pretty even. Not bad, not at all, but also… nothing amazing, you know? Nothing new. What I do like a lot with this band, as a band, is the vocals. Seeb has one of the more interesting voice I’ve heard in the genre, which I’d say defines the band a little extra.

Production-wise, however, it’s pretty solid. Mixed by Seeb himself and mastered by Dennis Köhne it’s a polished product that is given to us, the only thing I can remark on would the vocals which I find a tad bit low, but it’s just me.

While this is a good album, it still leaves me wanting just a little bit more, despite it being very promising. It’s like, ALMOST there.

3,5 / 5

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Label: AFM Records

Amazon I EMP Online I CDON

// Sara

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REVIEW: Serious Black – As Daylight Breaks

Posted in CDs, Music, Uncategorized with tags afm records, as daylight breaks, metal, reviews, serious black on January 14, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

You may ask me, Sara, what is Serious Black? Well, I’ll tell you. Serious Black is the result of musicians from various successful metal bands coming together as one – but unlike most all-star bands, this is an actual band rather than a project. The idea for the band formed during a backstage talk in Spain during 2013, and after if’s and but’s they got together in the studio in Munich in January 2014 and started working on material, which ran real smooth and already after seven days together they had the foundation of what would become “As Daylight Breaks”.

The album is 11 tracks long and… how do I describe it. Imagine you taking your favorite songs from various different bands, and put them together as on a “Best of” album, and you get this album. Aside this isn’t a best of album by various bands.

We are talking about 11 powerful, melodic and at times EPIC songs. Like, first of all, we have the pretty raw and intense opener that is “I Seek No Other Life” – I can’t help but somehow think of the formation of this band when I hear “The time and place must be now”. The intensity and, how do I say it, seriousness in “Sealing My Fate”, the epicness that is the title track – sweet, serene and later on bombastic power-ballad. And this is only mentioning a few of the amazing songs on this album – if I was to go through each and every song, this would be a very long review.

A song I NEED to bring a little extra attention to though, is “High And Low”. This is the single, but it’s also the best song on the album, for a change. Normally I don’t fall for the singles, but this one… I can’t even. I’m literally sitting here, listening to it right now and swearing over the fact I won’t be seeing them any time soon.

This is a good production – solid material, fantastic production technicality wise and just a damn good start. I don’t know what else to say, but let me just say this: This album is so good, I was pulled over by the cops while driving. Headbanging deluxe!

4.5/5

Label: AFM Records

Amazon I EMP Online I CDON

// Sara

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Skallbank

Posted in Music, Uncategorized on January 12, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

So, when checking the email of Hårdrock.com I came across an email from a band called Skallbank which made me instantly interested. Apparently, it turned out that this is a local act as well, from my hometown!

This band was formed on a late June night in 2014 here in Karlstad, Sweden and is the project of a few other bands coming together as one. Vocalist Tömte, guitarists Mats and Rickard, drummer Jocke and bass player Janzon it was makes the band what it is. They entered the studio already in September to record what would become their first single “Falsarium” which they later recorded a video to and released on Youtube, and you can see it later on in this entry.

I know, I know – it’s really my own fault I lack of knowledge of local bands, but it took me a little bit by surprise to see a local act sending on an email, and I was glad to see it because I really liked what I heard! How about you guys?

// Sara

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Just put your hand on my heart

Posted in Music, Uncategorized on January 4, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

I just wanna talk about someone. Someone special. Someone very special.

Olly Murs.

I laid in bed a little earlier, because I’m sick, and I was rambling for myself all the pop-artists I listen to when I looked to my left and saw the signed Olly Murs booklet standing on my Frozen/Eurovision shelf. And seriously… this man.

This man has changed my life for the better alright. I still remember the very first time I heard him – his song “Dance With Me Tonight” was in one of the Re-Micks episodes, and then, because sometimes I’m stupid, I spent almost six months trying to track down the song and the artist. My TrackID on the phone wouldn’t get the song, so after, yeah, six months or so, I typed “Re-Micks dance with me tonight” into Youtube and instantly found Olly. Right after I found him I got his album, and nowadays I hold all his albums but one (his very first, I’m still trying to track it down) and I can tell…

This is one of those artist whom I can just sit and listen to for hours, and hours, and hours. This is the kind of artist that I’ll never leave out on my LittleBuddy ipod. Olly Murs is the artist I turn to when I’m sad, he’s also the artist I turn to when I’m happy. He has songs for every single mood, everything from amazing party tracks or happy tracks to sad ones.

My favorite song of his is “Hand on Heart”, from the “Right Place, Right Time” album. I can’t even begin to describe to you what this song means to me – but the bridge, the:

“When you don’t feel that you’re strong enough to make it,
When life treats you hard and don’t think you can take it,
When you don’t know where you stand you’re close to breaking,
Just put your hand on my heart,
Put your hand on my heart”

These words, despite me not even being able to put my hand on Olly’s heart (yet) these words has helped me through so much. I don’t really like becoming all vulnerable and bleedy here in my blog, but I kinda have to about this one. Olly should have the biggest of thanks from the bottom of my heart and soul and everything I’m worth for his existence.

May 22nd will be fantastic. When I’ll finally see him again, and dance the evening away to him and his amazing music. I can’t wait.

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// Sara

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My year in music according to LastFM

Posted in Music, Uncategorized on December 30, 2014 by Sara Hammerzmith

So, here comes a little more true summary over my year in music: My LastFM! My lastFm scrobbles my iPod plays, my iTunes plays and my Spotify plays.

And the result of this year is as follows…

TopArtists2014

In first place is Lordi. This is no surprise to anyone, now, is it? This is the immediate effect of “Scare Force One” being released. That is one KILLER of an album and it’s been played on repeat.

2nd place, a bit unexpected is SlipKnot. This is VERY unexpected to me, seeing that I got my first album with them on October 21st, when The Gray Chapter was released and I hadn’t listened to them on Spotify or anything. They are only four tracks ahead of Amaranthe though, so I guess it’s a fair game. This MIGHT have something to do with many of their songs being on my sleep-list… hm.

Third place is Amaranthe, my new babies as I call them. No surprise at all for me that they are so high on the list, I’m basically obsessed with their music. They are the perfect amount metal and the perfect amount of disco for me to scream out their lyrics any time of the day.

Fourth place – Sabaton. No surprise. I stated earlier this year I believe that Sabaton is that one band whose music you can put on to ANYTHING. It doesn’t matter the occasion or mood – Sabaton is ALWAYS perfect.

Fifth place is H.E.A.T. What can I say. I said it four years ago, and I’ll say it again – the most perfect band ever. Nothing to complain about. And their latest album, “Tearing Down The Walls” is as close to perfection as you can come.

Sixth place belongs to my baby Olly Murs. “Never Been Better” is a decent album, but not the best he’s done. But does that matter when you can put songs like “Dance With Me Tonight” and “Hand On Heart”? Absolutely nothing. He’s one of the artists I can listen to for hours and never get tired of.

Seventh place belongs to Lady Gaga. “Artpop” which came out late 2013 was decent, far from her best, but it has definitely started to grow on me more and more since the concert. But it should be no surprise that she’s so high on the list.

Eight place, Alan Menken, also known as Disney Songs. These are the instrumental pieces from Aladdin, Pocahontas and Beauty and the Beast which I used a lot for studying. But Menkens works… I can’t even start to tell you how much I adore Alan Menken.

Ninth place is Dynazty. THIS was a bit unexpected. But “Renatus” was a hell of an album so I guess it makes sense.

Tenth place, Phineas and Ferb. Don’t really need to say that much about that. Phineas & Ferb is the shit.

Eleventh place is Reckless Love. Spirit is a good album, but it appears I don’t listen that much to them all in all. Their show in Stockholm earlier this year was great though!

12th place is Steel Panther. THIS is so weird. Why the heck are they so low? I guess it’s because “All You Can Eat” wasn’t as good as I had hoped it would be. Oh well.

13th – The Pretty Reckless. “Going To Hell” was a really good album which I enjoyed heavily to write about, and I’ve found myself listening to it more and more.

14th – Disney. This is the Frozen karaoke songs and also some Hunchback songs in Swedish. Not at all odd.

15th – Alice Cooper. It’s a lil odd to see him so low on the list, but he’s on it I guess.

So yes. Apparently, this is how I’ve listened to music this year. Of course, this doesn’t include all the time I’ve listened to the CD’s in real and such, but a little hunch. And a better hunch than the one Spotify provided, haha, as I can actually make sense of this one.

// Sara

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