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Dancing with the Beast

Posted in Uncategorized on March 9, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

I have had an interesting conversation with a friend today regarding more pop-based, or at some point, pure pop-songs, released by metalbands. Good examples of this would be the title, a song by Battle Beast, but also “Limitless” by Amaranthe.

And basically, my question is this: Do metalfans buy this, despite it being ‘pop’ just because it’s released by a metal label?

It seems to me sometimes as you come across “metalheads” (real metalheads in my meaning do not judge or bully anyone on their musictaste) that will make fun of you, that will degrade you or even to some point exclude you for listening to other things than the holy heavy metal. Yet, despite this, “MAXIMALISM” as an album gets 9’s and 10’s in the reviews, and “Dancing with the Beast” has become a really popular song within Battle Beast. Especially the latter one, what makes it any different than the average Lady Gaga song, other than who sings it? Nothing, really.

Anyone has any thoughts on this? Is metalheads that easily fooled? Or are they secretly popfans in disguise?

// Sara

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King for a Day

Posted in Uncategorized on March 7, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

Seriously, it feels like the days passes fast these days. Or perhaps it’s just because I’ve lost track of time and space because of all the new that has entered my life recently, I wouldn’t know. March will be a good month – I got three Sabaton gigs to look forward too, as well as one Battle Beast gig. And an album release by Steel Panther, and hopefully, I’ll get Sumo Cyco’s album soon as well.

With that said, I’m afraid my blogs are going to be a bit boring for a couple of days, as I get accustomed to everything new around me. I sincerely apologize for that, but it ain’t much I can do.

But, in other news, I will soon be able to really start work on my festivalcar, so you’ll get a lot of updates from that in a future. How does that sound?

// Sara

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Familiar Hell

Posted in Uncategorized on March 6, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

Finally! After some time, maybe I should not say all this time, it’s here! “Bringer of Pain” !

The reason I’m getting it so “late” is because I was waiting for a giftcard. I’ve spent endless of hours answering surveys online in order to get giftcards, but it turned out that particular company only sends them out once a month, so I kindly had to wait. But you know – whoever waits for something good, gets it in the end.

I have yet to listen to it, as I planned I’d do my first listen to it in the car to work tomorrow. I’ve gotten a new job which is a town over, that allows me to listen through a lot of music in the best kind of ways – when cruising in a car.

// Sara

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Statements

Posted in Music, Uncategorized on March 4, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

So, today the Second Chance of Melodifestivalen aired. I wasn’t too sure about all the songs as I missed one or two heats because of America, but I’ll talk a bit about the songs that got through.

The first duel was between De Vet Du an FO&O. FO&O wound up being the winner, and out of the two, I did prefer the latter. De Vet Du was… It was okay, I’m just very tired of those kind of songs. With that said, I am not a big fan of FO&O’s song.

Second duel was between Axel Schylström and Lisa Ajax. Another battle between songs I didn’t care too much about – but I favoured with Axel simply because it’s a nice songs. I have some sort of problem with these cocky songs at times. Lisa Ajax was the one who did qualify in the end, and it was well-deserved.

Third duel was between Boris Réne and Dismissed. I had heard neither of these prior to the Second Chance, but I fell in love with Dismissed. You could tell Ola Salo had written their song, and it felt like common sense were back in focus. Well deserved, but to my dismay, Boris René was the one who qualified.

Last heat was between Loreen and Anton Hagman. Out of all the songs that competed in this heat, these songs were the two I liked the best, so it did suck that they ended up dueling one another. I did have a bit more hope for Anton Hagman, and gladly, he was the one who got through!

I’m looking forward to the finale next week. My personal favorite, Wiktoria, has already made it through with her “As I Lay Me Down” so now I just gotta vote, vote vote vote vote for the winner!


 

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There and Back Again

Posted in Uncategorized on March 2, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

Traveling day today. You know, it’s been so long since I simply traveled to and from Stockholm from a show. It’s usually that I’ve come from somewhere else, and being completely fed up with everything traveling, but I had had a full, good, nights sleep before walking down to the busterminal for my mandatory Espresso House and write. It was a quiet busride home, and now I’m here.

Despite it being a short tour, I still feel the end of tour depression hitting in. I guess it doesn’t matter how great or not the tour was, or how big or small it was, I always end up here. I guess it’s this whole coming home thing after some delirious days that is just hard.

Some people wonder why I do multiple days, most of the time, of a tour. And the answer is very simple. Usually, when I’ve had my first dose, I always end up wanting more. Perhaps there were this moment of surprise when they finally play your favorite song (Lordi, “Icon of Dominance”), or perhaps the whole band as an experience are just that amazing (Powerwolf, Epica) which leaves you wanting more.

In some cases, it’s also about the people. In certain town, on certain shows, I have most of my friends going. And what is a better way to hang out, if not at an Amaranthe or a Battle Beast gig? Yeah, that’s what I thought too.

And then it’s this whole thing… You never know what gig will be the last. And I want to make sure that once that happens – I will have no regrets. And if I made sure to see a band as many times as I really wanted to see them, I know I won’t regret anything. And that is the most important.

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// Sara

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Epica @ Debaser Strand, Stockholm, Sweden 1/3-17

Posted in Concerts, Music, Uncategorized with tags , , on March 1, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

So! Off again. I had made sure everything was going to move smoothly – not a lot of deadtime, but also no stress, so my plane would be taking off from Vaanta at 14:50, leaving me an hour or so in the city after check out. I headed off to Cybershop to pick up some new shoelaces – I crave those shoelaces, and then I headed off to the airport to get checked in and having my breakfast or more like lunch there.

Of course, as it has it, the plane is delayed. Because why would it run smoothly for once? Gladly it for one, wasn’t a very long delay, and secondly, they always say it takes longer time to travel than it actually does, and a very smooth boarding helped. Once in Stockholm, only ten minute delayed in the end, I headed into the city only to learn the bus will ALSO be a bit delayed because of an incident on the road. Incredible isn’t it?

What a good thing I had a hotel pretty close to the center. Rushed off the hotel, got myself ready for the show and then met up with Robert to have some dinner and catch up time before going off to the venue. And gladly, despite everything, I made it just in time for Skálmöld.

Skálmöld

Skálmöld played a 45 minute set – a very energetic set! I was happy to see that they had a lot of fans in the audience, and I really enjoyed the show. I’ve listened a little bit to them previously, and they were even better live! Thank you!

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Epica

So, precisely 20.30 “Eidola” started echoing out of the speakers and the opened with “Edge of the Blade” with, if possible more energy than in Helsinki. Perhaps they got more sleep this time around? Debaser on the other hand is a very small venue – takes the price of the smallest venue I’ve seen Epica in – I dare to say it’s smaller than the venue in Auckland.

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“A Phantasmic Parade” was next on the list followed by “Sensorium”, much to the happiness of the crowd! I must admit, I wasn’t too impressed by the crowd – I know the Swedish metal scene can do so much better. Why is it, as soon as you go up here in the North, people get boring?

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Next song on the list was from the latest album, “Universal Death Squad” before launching right into “Martyr of the Free Word”, thus cutting out “The Essence of Silence” which is one of my own personal favorites. I don’t know why they did this, but I reckon they had a reason. But seriously, I’ve grown to love this song beyond. Seriously. The rhythms!

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“The Obsessive Devotion” was next, followed by “Ascension”. I’m so happy to hear Simone singing fully, singing her heart out as compared to London. It’s just.. I can’t even. The funky “Dancing in a Hurricane” followed, and seriously… I just love this song, and I love the vibe. It was really nice seeing them in such an intimate place – there were no fence, which seems to have become standard for me nowadays.

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My own personal favorite “Unchain Utopia” was next, and in Helsinki, they had been a little off beat, but this time, much better! And it was fun to see Isaac play around and adding some extra guitarparts to the otherwise pretty silent verses, brought new dimensions. I love it.

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They wrapped up the set with “Once Upon a Nightmare” before leaving the stage.

Coen came back on stage with his bent keyboard and started teasing “Sancta Terra”, soon joined by Arjen and Isaac, and kicked off the song. This time, Simone did NOT have a laugh attack, so we got to enjoy the song in full.

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The days work out routine followed (“Beyond the Matrix”), and you know… I have already said it before that this is one of my favorite songs, but I can’t even describe the feeling I get from this song. It’s beyond me.

They wrapped up the set with “Consign to Oblivion”, and I really had to facepalm. As per usual, they ask for a Wall of Death, and Rob and Isaac even goes out in the crowd to be a “part of it”. Despite counting down, and being split up, nothing happened on “GO”. After a while some people got it, and started moshing a bit. But seriously. That was just embarrasing. METAL SWEDEN?! COME ON! It was nice to have Rob and Isaac in the audience though, they remained there for most of the song.

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After this, the band thanked for themselves and walked off stage.

Thank you Epica, this gig, despite the lack of “Essence”, it was an amazing show – and I’m so glad I got to share this tour just a few more times with you guys. I love you endlessly. Until next time!

// Sara

 

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Epica @ Tavastia, Helsinki, Finland 28/2 – 17

Posted in Concerts, Finland, Music, Travels, Uncategorized with tags , , on February 28, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

Well! It isn’t very long since I returned home from the last “tour” in the United States, but no rest for the wicked, right? Off I was on an early bus to catch a not-so-early-flight to Helsinki. It was weird, but also somewhat relaxing to for once this time be on a short haul flight after all these long hauls.

Once in Helsinki, I met up with a dear old friend that I hadn’t met in the longest of times – Argo. You remember him? The guy I used to travel everywhere with because of Lordi? Yeah that’s right. Turns out he was coming. As I took a somewhat late flight, the first thing we did was getting to the hotel and then getting out on the town for a quick look around before getting back and getting ready for the evening.

We headed over to Vapiano for dinner and then off we were to Tavastia. We were running a little late because of reasons, so we missed out on most of the supportband – however, the supportband for this evening was Crimson Sun, assumingly a finnish band and the little we heard sounded great!

Epica

So, exactly on time as scheduled – 22.00, “Eidola” started echoing through the speakers as the lights went down, and the band slowly entered the stage and later opened with “Edge of the Blade”. Much to my delighted eye, Simone was wearing the “Holographic” dress as I’d call it – the silver black one. I rarely comment on clothing on the musicians, but this time I just have to since I’ve been in love with this dress ever since it was presented.

“A Phantasmic Parade” was the next song on the set, followed by “Sensorium” and “Universal Death Squad” and I must admit… I was a little disappointed in the crowd. They were somewhat responsive, but not at all what I’d be used to when it comes to Epica. Gladly, it did pick up a little. The band delivered really well – last time I saw them Simone seemed to be a bit off, but today everything was going just fine.

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“The Essence of Silence” followed suit, and I think this is around the moment where Simone would drop her microphone. I’m pointing this out, not because it’s bad, but because this is probably the first time I see this band being anything but “perfect” as far as behavior goes. It was funny. And then, what seemed to be a big audience favorite in “Marty of the Free Word”. “The Obsessive Devotion” was the next song, and finally we start get some action in the crowd! I’m glad to see that something started to happen, so the band would have something to go on.

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“Ascension” was next on the list, followed by “Dancing in a Hurricane”, and I seriously love the vibe this song sets, especially live. My own personal favorite – “Unchain Utopia” was next on the list and I cannot describe my love for this song. I don’t know if it is that very special bond you have to the first song you discover a band with, or if it simply is that amazingly good, but every time Simone starts singing the first lines, it’s like something just awakens.

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“Once Upon a Nightmare” wrapped up the set for the night, and the band left the stage. They later returned, starting off with “Sancta Terra” which would become very interesting. Coen fooled around with Simone, leading her to have so much of a laughing attack that she had to leave the stage numerous of times throughout the set, missing out big parts of the song.

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“Beyond the Matrix”, my personal favorite off “The Holographic Principle” was next, and I was very happy to see all of Tavastia jumping with with the band. Again, this song live was just… Indescribable.

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The wrapped up the entire set with a Wall of Death and “Consign to Oblivion” before saying their good byes and leaving the stage.

This even was really good. Despite being sleepdeprived, as Mark claimed, they really delivered. I’m just thinking back to the London show and this was so many times better, I guess it helps it’s in the beginning of a tour. Thank you Epica, for this amazing night! I can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow.

// Sara

 

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My month in Music

Posted in Music, Uncategorized with tags , , , , , on February 27, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

So! It’s not really the end of the month just yet, but as I’m off to Helsinki tomorrow to watch the incredible Epica, I will have to give you this little update right now. Essentially, what I’ll be doing is collecting my data from LastFM and speak a little bit about the top six bands at the moment, that I’ve listened to the most this past month.

6. Danse dE Sade

So this is a new discovery – at least in a way. This band, together with Tower Guard, were the only of Lordi’s supportbands I did listen to one or two songs prior to the shows, but this band was the only one I remembered at the time (sorry Tower Guard).

Probably because as with most bands  I’ve grown to be fond of- they intrigued me. During our stay in L.A. we saw them twice – first supporting Lordi on their show at the Whisky, which was something I will never, ever forget. Honestly. What a band! What a show! We saw them two days later again at the Viper Room, and enjoyed it just as much this time around.

5. Art Nation

No surprise. Art Nation was a band I first thought “hey lets check them out” at Skogsröjet, and have now rapidly grown into being one of my favorite bands. I am beyond excited for their new album “Liberation”, as their previous one “Revolution” just as with H.E.A.T’s albums, is nothing but pure perfection. They recently released the new single “The Real Me” and I’m addicted to it.

4. Amaranthe

I don’t think I give this band enough credit toward myself on how much I enjoy their music. I must admit I was a little bit disappointed in “Maximalism” as it felt far away from what I’ve gotten to know as Amaranthe, and it felt sloppy – the lyrics weren’t what they once were, and as well as singing style. But then again, it’s hard to follow up a masterpiece like “MASSIVE ADDICTIVE”.

3. Lordi

They need no further introduction. I’m a little personally surprised they are behind Powerwolf, seeing we saw Lordi live this month (ok, we did see Powerwolf as well but) but it was only by three songs, so I can survive.

2. Powerwolf

Doesn’t surprise me too much. This is one of those bands whose album I’ll put on when I need something to listen to, be it in the background or just to enjoy myself. It’s something about the music with this band that drags you in – for every time you see this band, you fall more in love with them. It’s a dangerous thing.

1 . Crystal Viper

This is a bit of a surprise. Crystal Viper recently released a new album, the comeback album if you like just days ago, and it appears I liked it more than I thought seeing the numbers. They have twice the amount of plays compared to Powerwolf, would say something.

So. That sums up my month in music. It is interesting to see where your listening patterns actually are. Huh.

// Sara

 

 

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The Real Me

Posted in Music, Uncategorized with tags on February 24, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

So! Seriously, I’ve been waiting for this day to come for ages. It was some time ago, probably over a month ago, that Art Nation teased their first single of their upcoming album “Liberation”. And since that day, I’ve been waiting for the song to be released so badly, and finally, FINALLY – it is here. I found myself the other thinking “Damn, it’ s along time left” only to realize it was just days left. And here it is!

(I hope it works – else here is the Spotify link)

So. What do we think about this song? IT. IS. SO. AWESOME.

Seriously, the song did not disappoint. It’s a bit rawer, faster if you like, than what we are used to from “Revolution”, but the raw verses eventually emerges into an amazingly energetic chorus that fills you with the right kind of energy, leaving you no choice but to jump around the room. And the lyrics… Well, seems like very typical Art Nation lyrics if you judge the first album, but also really great.

God. If the album is only half as good as this song, I’ll love this new album. I really hope it won’t disappoint the way Amaranthe’s new album did.

I’m addicted. I can’t stop listening to this.

// Sara

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REVIEW: Bloodbound – War of Dragons

Posted in CDs, Music, Uncategorized with tags , , , on February 23, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

It’s been two years since swedish metalband Bloodbound released their last success “Stormborn”, and this album is said to be somewhat of a continuation of that album, just a bigger, bolder and better.

My first impression of this album is that it’s not really as simple as a continuation of the previous albums, it feels a bit like a concept album, about well, the war of Dragons. The instant feeling I get when listening through it, is like reading a fantasy book.

It starts off with a massive and epic intro of the first song, taking us out on the quest with determination and perhaps a little bit of fear – the fear of what is yet to come and to be expected. The music and the battles, if I may so say, continues on in this kind of manner – epic, big anthem like songs that shifts between being either a bit more calmer and melodic (“Tears of a Dragon Heart”, “Stand and Fight”), or as I call it – dance friendly, to get fast, aggressive and more headbangfriendly (“King of Swords”, “War of Dragons”).

Then of course, we have te odd one out – “Silver Wings”. It’s got more of a folk touch to it with the flute and the way it’s written, you know, as if you were sitting at the taverna on your road to glory pondering out your next step, that’s what the music is like. With an intro of a pouring lake it really PAINTS a picture before your eyes, and the fact that the whole melody line is nothing but playful, mysterious and enjoyable, making this one of the best tracks off the album.

The album closes with two songs where one if more aggressive – the final battle kind of song, and closes off with a song that brings the thoughts back to movies like “Mio min Mio” after they defeated Cato and all was well again in the world far, far away. It’s rarely I hear the kind of music that so strongly paints a picture before your eyes. I literally sat and envisioned everything. That speaks loudly about this album I’d say.

The only issue that I do have with this album is that I at many times got my thoughts drawn to other bands. “Battles in the Sky” has resemblances to “Lejonet från Norden” by Sabaton, “Fallen Heroes” which is one of my favorites of the album, but I cannot deny the resemblances to “Winged Hussars”, “Hearts of Iron” with a bit “I will Rule the Universe”. Probably, hopefully, just a coincidence, but it does weigh in a bit.

With all of that being said, this is probably one of Bloodbounds best album to date. Epic song after epic song, making me jump around the room as I was writing down my notes, and if a band manages to do that to me, then you damn well know it’s good. Extremely good.

Well done, Bloodbound!

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(Label: AFM Records)

CDON I Amazon I Ginza

// Sara

 

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