I’m going to be completely honest, because first and foremost, you blogreaders deserve that, and secondly, I think I already told you what I’m about to say. I had forgotten about this gig. When I stood with my co-workers and made jokes about some clubs that are closed, I forgot that I for REAL had this day off, and not that I the club I was working had closed. And I couldn’t for the life of me remember at first WHY I had the day off before I remembered I was going to see my dear Butcher Babies again. I think, in all honesty, that my brain is still you know, mashed potatoes because of my upcoming job and because I have yet to land after Australia, but like, how is it even possible? Like, this is Butcher Babies premiere in Sweden, so it’s not just any gig!
I spent most of my journey to Stockholm listening through Sumo Cyco’s debut album. I’m going to be honest – I had doubts in my mind last night about going in the first place because of stress reasons, but upon hearing Sumo Cyco and falling in love more and more for every second I listened to, I figured I had to go.
Once in Stockholm, I got to the hotel, checked in, bought some food and watched Gossip Girl before it was time to get ready and make my way to the venue. Unlike other times, I’m actually staying at Vanadis this time, which is my second choice hotel after Hotel Micro. I had completely forgotten Vanadis actually includes breakfast, but I’m not so sure about the damn hill you need to walk…
Anyway. I got to the venue about 30 minutes after the doors had opened, praying that Sumo Cyco really DID begin at 19.30 so I wouldn’t wind up missing them. But no problems, really. Once there… well. There were close to NO people there. The front row was covered, and then maybe… five or six more people? I just stood there and gasped and were like “where are all the people…?” So I went back outside to hit the merch. I picked up Sumo Cyco’s debut album and a shirt from both bands.
Back inside the venue and eagerly waiting Sumo’s start… which they did right on time and opened with “Cry Murder”.
And seriously… Like… This is a band in my taste. I don’t quite know how to explain their music to you – it’s metal, but very influenced by either like… hip hop? Or world music rythms. It’s very very funky, very rythmic at times, and I’m IN LOVE with their charismatic singer. She’s all over the place. ALL OVER.
Like literally. More often than not would she really run into the crowd to get it going, and during “Fighter” she got up on the guitarists shoulders and they both got around the venue.
Well, I… I’m sort of speechless. Despite being short, it was an amazing set. I’m not sure if they managed to pin all my favorite songs, or if the album is just that good, but I honestly couldn’t have had a better set with them, under these circumstances you know. Seriously, thank you Sumo Cyco, you guys alone made it worth coming out.
So, OH. By the way. After “Cry Murder” I found that Robert had just arrived, so I pulled him up next to me. I dumped my stuff on him before going to the bathroom, and by the time I came back he was gone. And I was like “what on Earth…” and then I noticed he’d just gotten us front row spots. Kaching! Thanks Robert.
Right on time, the lights went out and Butcher Babies hit off their show with “Blonde Girls All Look The Same” (haha Heidi, very funny, especially now that you’re blonde again). And… Well, first of all, by the time they entered, a few more people had found their way to the arena, I can’t give you an exact number but at least a 50 – 100 people where there by now. So that’s good – but there wasn’t any major pressure, which was good for us.
They continued the set with “The Butcher” followed by “Gravemaker” and well, gladly, the crowd was… I must admit a little cold, I guess there were some pits going on, but not a lot. BUT – After “Igniter”, when Heidi asks if there’s any crowdsurfers there for “Jesus Needs More Babies To His War Machine”… then shit got started. Crowdsurfers came from EVERYWHERE, and I’m not sure if you guys know how I feel about them but… They are fine, as long as I don’t have to get them on me. And it’s hard to avoid them at front row, you know?
“Mr Slowdeath” was next on the list before one of the bigger hits of the night – “Monsters Ball”. I guess… I talked to a guy when I was at the merch, who didn’t really know either band, but “it’s metal so I’ll go”. And I got the feeling he wasn’t the only one, because everyone seemed to know this song. Which is all fine by me, but you know. You noticed the difference.
As far as the band goes… Butcher Babies are Butcher Babies. Carla and Heidi as front women are absolutely amazing and charismatic, but… it was something that didn’t just catch it. I guess some of the things they said or so felt a bit forced. And you can sort of tell directly when that happens. But hey – everyone can have a bad day. Or perhaps I was too blown away by the woman on stage before them that it was hard to melt it in time for the Babies. BUT – despite this, they all had a good energy and a good vibe, despite the lack of audience response.
One of my personal favorites followed – “Dead Man Walking”. Seriously, I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this song and how happy I was that they actually played it. Damn. “Thrown Away” was next on the list before they walked off stage, and everything went green. And then we heard it. Those small notes. Robert and I just looked at each other in excitement.
“They’re Coming To Take Me Away”.
It’s really a cover, but damn they do it so good! Seriously… it was about to become one of the highlights of the show… until they brought up Henrik Englund from Amaranthe to sing it with them. That moment, having Henrik join them on stage made it THE highlight of the night. Oh my god, seeing him on stage again was one of the best things ever. It reminded me of how long it was since I saw Amaranthe. Good grief.
“Magnolia Blvd” followed – and for those of you who know me for long, this is the song that got me into Butcher Babies in the first place, and it’s always a party when this song comes on. The song was followed by the Deathsurrond Medley, which consists of “The Deathsurround”, “Goliath” and “I Smell A Massacre”.
They wrapped up the entire set with “Axe Wound”. They thanked for themselves, and left the stage.
Well… It was a good show. In all honesty, I feel they had a better energy at Graspop -but I really don’t blame them. But despite that, I did really enjoy the show, they put on an amazing show and I still love them. But you know… Sumo Cyco might have overshined them.
After the show, Robert headed for the meet & greet and I went back to the merch table to pick up on the other CD available with Sumo Cyco because, why the hell not? Met one of the bandmates and had the oppurtunity to tell him how much I loved the show.
After this, I left the venue and headed back to Vanadis. Seriously… Despite this night being a bit “outta sight, outta mind”, I’m so glad I finally went, so THANK YOU Sumo Cyco for with your music convincing me to go, because I enjoyed it so much. Thank you all, I hope to see you soon again.
// Sara
Sara Hammerzmith 