Sabaton Open Air: Day 4 – Saturday

Posted in Concerts, Music, Uncategorized with tags on August 19, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

Last day of the best. Absolutely dead from going to bed too late and getting up too soon in the morning – but what can you do? We had to get up early regardless because of spots for Sabaton. Sjorven went ahead of me as I started to pack up and prepare, but I wasn’t far after him.

On my way to the parkinglot to get changed – for some awkward reason I kept half of my stuff in the car in the parkinglot, and half of it in the tent. But it wasn’t a too bad idea, as I ran into Tero and Susanna, my neighbours from Graspop Metal Meeting earlier this year. I was introduced to some of their friends and we had a nice chat before I had to leave to make it for the first band of the day for me, Thobbe Englund.

Thobbe Englund

I don’t know if this person needs any major introduction – but he’s the previous guitarplayer in Sabaton who left the band last year, and had his last show with Sabaton on this very festival. But now he was back, and with his own band with that.

He opened his set with “Sold my Soul”, and the crowd… I mean, it was okay. I actually thought he’d have a bigger crowd seeing he was once in Sabaton, but I guess a lot of people simply don’t have any interest in him as a solo guy. Can relate though.

“Annihilation” was next on the setlist, then followed by “Steel & Thunder”. “The Glow” and “It Burns” was next on the list before Thobbe showed us a guitar solo – he is a guitarist after all – before continuing with “Wildborn” and “The End of Oil”. The reception from the crowd was pretty good – I’m guessing a lot of people simply know him from Sabaton and hasn’t paid much attention to his own work, and most people were also already waiting in line for Sabaton.

“Break The Chains”, “I Am” and “Trägen Vinner” rounded up this show as Thobbe thanked for the day and left the stage. After this, I headed over to the other stage to catch a local band of mine, Lancer.

Lancer

So, I will admit I have never heard this band before, but I knew they were from here and wanted to watch them because of it. They were really good actually – I enjoyed the show a lot, and they gathered a good crowd. Fun to see, and I will watch again some day.

After Lancer I went back to Sjorven to hang out a bit and slowly watch Eternal of Sweden before I was set to head off back to the other stage to watch Avatar.

Avatar

I prefer to watch Avatar in the dark. So as you know, I was already not a fan of watching them so early in the day at Graspop, and they had yet an early set here in Falun as well, but it’s better than nothing.

The band walked on the stage the way they always do, and they opened the set with “Hail The Apocalypse” as per usual this year, and quickly followed up with “Paint Me Red”, “New Land” followed suit. Something I really love about Avatar – as with any other band like theirs, is that they stick to their concept and really act out on it. Making a show out of their music than simply the music. And you all know I’m very weak for that.

“Bloody Angel” and “The Eagle Has Landed” was next songs on the list, followed by “Get in Line” and “Vultures Fly”. “Murderer” and “Let it Burn” rounded up the show before they ended the whole set with “Smells Like a Freakshow”. The reception from the crowd was great, I’m glad to see how great it’s going for them. Really.

It was such a good show that I barely even wanted to leave my spot up on the hill to go back to Sabaton queueing.

Per default I saw Evergrey, which put on a pretty good show, but I need to admit I’m not a that big fan of this band, despite seeing them a couple of times by now. But still, better than nothing.

At this time, it started to get pretty thick, which isn’t so weird given it was about time for Sabaton to come on, once Steve Harris was done on the other stage.

And finally, after some wait, “In The Army Now” finally started rolling.

Sabaton

“The March To War” started echoing, and “Ghost Division” started off yet another Sabaton show. Soon, it’s going to have been ten years of torture. Ten years of torture. Oh well. I shouldn’t complain too much, should I, seeing that “The Art of War” was next on the list, and I pretty much forgive everything when this song comes on.

“Blood of Bannockburn” was next on the list, followed by “Swedish Pagans”. I’m so glad to just get over with that song so early in the set. I really don’t get it. The obsession. I really don’t.

“Attero Dominatus” was next on the list, and it is sooo good to see this song back. I missed this song during the Last Tour, so I’m more than happy to see it make a return. And then of course, the highlight of the show for me was next – “The Last Stand”. I cannot get enough of this song. Ever. Like, EVER.

You know, Sabaton tend to always have the same jokes on their shows, but this time it was funny. Jocke asked all of us Swedish speaking people to just randomly start screaming at whatever he said, just to confuse and weird out the non Swedish speaking, so he literally just said “ok, lets scream” and all the Swedish speaking people did so, and I know that all my friends that I was there with, that happened to be non swedes, just looked at me like “what did he say, what did he say” and me and the security guard just looked at each other and smiled. Oh if they only knew.

Another favorite back is “Panzerkampf”. I am not sure why this song ever actually disappeared from the setlist, but I’m glad it’s back. The adrenaline rush that is “Sparta” was following next, before it was time for them to play a song that, as far as I understood it, they have only played once before – “Wehrmacht”. Was really cool to see it live, really!

“Screaming Eagles” followed suit before it was time for another highlight of the show, “Carolus Rex”, which was instantly followed by “En Livstid i Krig”. And you know, I’m no big fan of this song in particular, but I’ve learned to appreciate it, only for the baby bears. Those who knows what I mean, they know.

“Diary of an Unknown Soldier” started echoing through the speakers, followed by “The Lost Battalion”. This song is still as magical to me was it was the first time I heard it on Sweden Rock 2016. “Winger Hussars” and “Night Witches” wrapped up the set before they left and the video from the storming of Normandie appeared, and “Primo Victoria” was set off.

“Shiroyama” was next, and they ended it all with “To Hell and Back”, and then left the stage.

While I was a bit disappointed in the setlist – Sabaton is good at false marketing – these boys still never disappoint me with their live shows. And as long as they keep “Winged Hussars” so I can get myself a proper slayer neck I’m very, very happy.

However, the night didn’t end here for us. Next stop for us was up the hill, to watch the last band of the festival – Grimner.

Grimner

I have seen Grimner twice before, when they were supporting Korpiklaani on their Swedish tour, and I enjoyed it a lot. I have one of their albums – “Frost mot Eld”, and I really, really like them.

They put on a really good show. They had a good turn out, despite being the very last band, and I enjoyed every single minute of it. Folkdancing to “Bastu”, headbanging the hell out of oneself to “Eldhjärta” and so on… It was a good ending.

After the show we met up with Helle, Martine and Joran for a one last good bye before going back to the tent and going to sleep. After all, it had been a long day.

// Sara

 

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Sabaton Open Air: Day 3 – Friday

Posted in Concerts, Music with tags on August 18, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

Friday, Friyay! First of the long days at Sabaton Open Air. Sadly, I’m lazy so I spent most of the time lying in the camp, organizing, going into Falun for my daily Pokéstop and just hanging around until the first show of the day for me started, which was Follow the Cipher.

On our way to the show we ran into Jenny, one of the girls I had in my Camp Ellen on Graspop, and we watched the band together.

Follow the Cipher

Follow the Cipher is a local band from Falun, and I must say I really liked them! Not only did they have good music, but they had an interesting stage show as well. And most people who read my blog knows how well I like well planned stage shows. Definitely a band I’ll watch again if I have the chance

After Follow the Cipher I went to the car to eat some left overs from yesterday, going back to the tent to organize some stuff, and then rush back to the area for Dirkschneider

Dirkschneider

You know, we joked on Wacken about that Udo is everywhere. I thought he was playing Wacken, but he wasn’t – even so, he was then announced as one of the first bands for Wacken next year. So basically, Udo is everywhere. And he was at Sabaton Open Air as well.

So, with Dirkschneider he still plays Accept songs, and it was magical for me to hear “Princess of the Dawn” which rapidly has grown into one of my favorite songs with them, made me very happy.

Other than that, the set was really good and I’m glad we managed to catch him.

After Dirkschneider we went up and claimed our spots for HammerFall. This is a small festival and I figured it wouldn’t be impossible to claim a front row spot for HammerFall, and although we managed, it wasn’t super easy.

But, we waited, and then it finally began

HammerFall

The intro started to roll, the band walked on stage and started off their set with “Hectors Hymn”. They quickly followed up with “Riders of the Storm” and this was the moment where it just… dawned upon me.

This band, much like Sabaton, has been with me for ten years. This is the first heavy metal / power metal band that I ever listened to, they are the ones who showed the way. As the years passed, they faded, I faded, and a mixture of emotions came up inside of me when they started playing this song, as I realized how much I love this band – and how much I’ve missed them. It was so good to see them. So fucking good.

“Bloodbound” was next on the list, followed by my all time favorite “Any Means Necessary”. I honestly cannot get enough of this song. Period.

“Renegade” was next on the list, followed by “Dethrone and Defy” from their newest album – “Last Man Standing” and “Let The Hammer Fall” and lastly “Built To Last” was fired off before something special started happening.

They were celebrating 20 years since the release of “Glory to the Brave”, and because of this, they had brought in a group of well established folk musicians who accompanied them for “I Believe”, “The Dragon Lies Bleeding” and “Glory to the Brave” specifically, and before doing so, they had their own solo as well. It was magical to see.

“Hammer High” rounded off the set, and the band walked on stage. When they came back, they fired of “Bushido” and “Hearts on Fire” as encores before thanking for the time and leaving the stage.

While it was a great show, I will admit I had hoped for more seeing it was the 20 years anniversary of the album. But, it was still good. So I’m content.

After HammerFall I joined Sjorven to see some of his friends and we wound up being there until 5 o clock in the morning before finally, going to bed. So late.

// Sara

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Sabaton Open Air: Day 2 – Thursday

Posted in Concerts, Music, Uncategorized with tags on August 17, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

Thursday. First day of waking up on festivalgrounds, it is a special feeling you know. You are home, but o the same time you are not.

Since the festivalgrounds didn’t open until 17 later this day, Sjorven and I had decided the day before that we were about to go and have proper lunch together, considering we don’t hang out much or often, and considering we were going to town regardless to pick up the orders I had made for Sabaton Open Air and Skogsröjet beer, it was simply a perfect oppurtunity.

So, off we went through the beauty that is the small forest before you get to centrum, off to the liqour store to pick up beautiful bottles of Sabaton Open Air beer. It was a large order, carried in a bigger box as I helped my non-Swedish friends to get their hands on a few as well. And of course – Skogsröjet beer.

After this, we headed over to the pizzeria we had spotted the other day and had a delicious meal. We then headed back to the festival area, had a drink or two before going inside the area. The first thing on the agenda for me, was the Sabation signing session. I picked up my The Last Stand vinyl and made way to the line. I stood relativel close to the French Division, and managed to say hi to Alexandre. Always a joy.

I’m legit sure that I stood in that line for a good hour before reaching the front, but it was all worth it. One more vinyl to my collection, and it was indeed nice to meet the boys again. Very chatty, Chris and I ended up in a disucssion about signing sessions, and me and Tommy about haircolors. Nice.

After the signing session, I headed back to the car to rest a bit before dinner and Freedom Call.

Freedom Call

Freedom Call had gathered a nice crowd, and the they delivered a very good set. Despite not being very much into them, I enjoyed the show a whole lot. It was really fun. Strong songs, anthems and hymns. Just what I like.

After the show, we headed off to have some late night snacks and watching some of Pain before going to bed. At least for me, that is.

// Sara

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Sabaton Open Air: Day 1 – Wednesday

Posted in Concerts, Music with tags on August 16, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

So, finally the time was here to get to the last “major” festival this year – Sabaton Open Air. Due to having my friends arrive already on Monday, I decided to get there as early as possible, which would be Wednesday. Delay after Delay made my arrival later than I had expected it – but hey – I made it there, somehow.

Apparently, this was all encountered with issues. Firstly, the parking only offered a pay system I do not use, which means I had to call my mother, who had to make the payment, then go to a electronics store to get help to get a picture of the phone so she could send it to me so I could prove to them I had paid parking. What is so fucking difficult with using cash…? This is a big no no for me that parking is 1. Not able to be pre-purchased, and secondly, only option while at the parking is by Swish. A big no no.

Secondly, since I had my ticket arranged for me beforehand, all I needed was to pick up a camping ticket, which as informed you are supposed to be able to do once there. But this was issues as well. I had to buy it from the website, because for God knows what reason, they could not sell camping tickets at the booth until the next morning. And I could not buy it online – because I had withdrawn all my money to pay for the camping upfront. Ironic, isn’t it? I was lucky as hell though – a gentleman from Germany has accidently purchased a camping ticket which he didn’t need, so we solved it as such that I bought the camping off him, making everything correct in their systems.

After that, I met up with Sjorven and we headed down to Falun to have some, well, it was supposed to be lunch but by this time it had turned into dinner. Dinner means Subway by the river, and it was nice to catch up. We headed back to festival grounds where we put up the tent and then off to see the first band of the evening for me, Mark Zero. – I will let you know something – I did forget my camera at home, as it seems, and because of that, only phone images will happen.

They put on a really good show – the little tent they played in, the bar tent which held the pre-party that this wednesday was, and the tent was packed. Happy to see!

I was introduced to some of Sjorvens friends as we waited for Brothers of Metal to begin.

Brothers of Metal

So this is a band I wound up seeing by accident on Sabaton Open Air last year, and I loved them. So I was looking forward seeing them again, and so was a lot of people.

They put on a really good show – as I expected, and I’m glad I came early, even if it only was to see this band perform.

After BOM I will admit that I headed straight for bed. It has been a long day, and tomorrow was set to be an even longer day.

// Sara

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Time is on Our Side

Posted in Music, Uncategorized on August 12, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

After three years of silence, and a guitarist “change”, H.E.A.T has finally broken the silence and released a new single from their upcoming album “Into The Great Unknown” which is set to be released on September 22nd, it’s moving pretty fast!

As you might remember, Eric Rivers decided to leave the band earlier, and was replaced by previous H.E.A.T guitarist Dave Dalone. Ironically, Dave was always my favorite member, so it’s an interesting situation to end up in. From my side, I mean.

So, they released their new single the other day – “Time is on our Side”. The artwork itself for the album is a bit different from what we know from H.E.A.T, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but of course it makes you a bit… nervous, should I put it that way? I mean, we all remember what Dynazty did.

So, this is the song. I’m a bit torn between it. I really like the verses, not as much a fan of the choruses. And it’s something in the arrangements or production of the verses that I don’t really like either, the plinkiplonki in the background… Perhaps it’ll grow on me.

I do find the lyrics facinating though. I can’t help but feel that this song could be written to Eric Rivers, at least him is what I think about when I hear it. Aside from that, I am as in love with Erik’s vocal works as I have always been.

I’m looking, very nervously, forward to the album.

// Sara

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Friendly Fire

Posted in Uncategorized on August 10, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

Happy Birthday to me! It’s my 26th birthday today. Yay me! Only four more years until 30. I was a bit sad that I wasn’t able to attend Leyendas Del Rock right now, which was the original plan – but shit happens, right? Otherwise I would have seen Epica and Alestorm, and met both of them today. You live and you learn, right?

Either way. It was still a good day. Thomas kept me occupied most of the day, and then I went to the first ridinglesson of this semester. I will admit – it was really good to be back in the saddle, even if I sometimes stress about it. Like, way too much.

After ridinglesson, my family came over to celebrate me a little bit. It was nice catching up a bit, even my brother joined which is a new one for him. They got me some gifts and a cake, and it was all in all a nice evening.

So, I guess people are a bit curios on what I recieved. I was surprised by the amount, to be honest, I’m a humble person who don’t ask for much, so imagine my surprise when the first thing I open is a bike. A BIKE. Then a snail glass decoration – because I love snails.

A major frame for multiple photos, will be perfect for tour photos. On top of that, I got no less than six (!) new albums – which were as follows:

Alice Cooper – The Last Temptation
Accept – Balls to the Wall
Stone Sour – Audiosecrecy
Freedom Call – Crystal Empire
Grave Digger – Tunes of War
Lita Ford – Dangerous Curves

AND, as the cherry on top – I was given a new CD player – and not just a CD player, but a CD player which can shuffle between five different CD’s. Handy, means I won’t have to change CD’s all the time.

In the evening, I together with my empty fridge (becasue of festivals), treated myself some KFC and a nice evening movie. I also recieved a lot of new packages from Wish, but I’ll go over them tomorrow or so.

Good night!

// Sara

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Wacken Open Air: Sunday (Part 5)

Posted in Uncategorized on August 6, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

So, last day. It’s always a bit bittersweet when you hit the very very last day of a festival – the take off day. Gladly, I had already packed most of my things the day before, so it was merely down to the tent and the sleeping gear for me to pack up.

It had been dry most of yesterday aside the nightly rain, so hopefully it was going to be somewhat easier to get back to where the festivalbus departures from, but then again – I did make it there, so there should be no issue. We said a few heartfelt goodbyes to the people who rode in the car and started walking toward it.

It wasn’t too bad – despite the rain, it hadn’t gotten too muddy yet, it could have been much worse. Johan and Jörgen still helped out with the gear, and I am ever grateful for it. Once there, we sat down to wait for the bus to departure.

Once on the bus, we claimed our seats in the back once more, and were joined by some other friends and some others.. not so pleasant people.

The journey home was, aside the annoying people, peaceful and we were driven home all the way to Karlstad, I drove Sandra and Johan home to Torsby and finally at 6 am in the morning, I could go to bed. And – my bunny kept quiet too. Which is unusual for her. Wow.

I want to thank everyone who was involved in this trip for making it the best trip ever. I do not regret missing out on Skogsröjet for this, thank you so much everyone!

// Sara

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Wacken Open Air: Saturday (Part 4)

Posted in Concerts, Uncategorized with tags , on August 5, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

So Saturday, as I mentioned earlier, was quite the busy day for me. I’m not sure if there were particularly any more bands that specific day than any other, but most of the bands played right after each other, leaving no time to do other things once Powerwolf started later in the evening.

But first things first, pretty much the reason I got here started early in the day: Twilight Force.

Twilight Force

Ok so, I know, or have learned by now that bands are probably and usually a lot bigger than I expect them to be, at all times, but this was ridiculous. The tent was PACKED. Which made me really happy to see. And then, the intro started rolling and they opened their set with “Battle of Arcane Might”. They were well recieved by the audience. They continued on strongly with “To The Stars” and then “Riders of the Dawn”.

Funny note: During “Riders of the Dawn” Thomas and I fake galloped, and his step counter hit its daily goal, simply from going to this show. Now that’s what I call a work out!

“Enchanted Dragon of Wisdow” was the next song on the list, quickly followed by “Powerwind” before the paradenumber that is “Flight of the Sapphire Dragon” was ripped of until they closed the show with “Gates of Glory” and “The Power of the Ancient Force”.

While the show was really good, I couldn’t help but to notice that they didn’t seem very tight. It sounded a bit off, but I wasn’t sure if it was just untight, or if they do other versions live.

After the show, we went back to the camp to chill out and relax a bit, and I was getting myself ready for the signing session as the time went by. Got there pretty good on time, there was a small line already gathered up for the Twilight Force signing, but not too bad. The band came and started to sign eventually we got to me, and the “problem” – not a problem but I don’t know how else to put it, is that I got some of the die hard fans in front of me in the line, which cause a huge stop. Not for me personally, but I spent a good ten awkward minutes with Lynd becasue the line could not proceed because they had to greet and talk to literally every single member. It got so awkward Lynd even struck up an awkward conversation where he confirmed they were a bit rusty.

Finally the plug undid and I could proceed and get out – and for those of you who think I’m so rude who just “want to get out of there” – Powerwolf was about to start their show soon after this, and I wanted to drop off my vinyl and put on make up before the show. And, I made it.

So, Jonathan joined me up and we went back to the festgrounds and got positions for Powerwolf. Far in the back, like, real in the back. But better than nothing, right? And you kind of have to choose your positions after where the mud is, in all honesty.

Powerwolf

“Lupus Daemonis” started echoing through the speakers as the band (I assume, couldn’t really you know, see) walked on stage and then fired off the show with “Blessed & Possessed”. The crowd for the show today was huge, which I kind of hoped you’d understand by us being far in the back. We were in the infield still, but really far away. It was an ocean of people. And then I think about the little clubs Powerwolf plays in Sweden… It’s so interesting how different it is.

“Army of the Night” was next on the list and to be honest… I would go through the entire list song by song, but the thing is – it is the same. The same that it has been all of the “Blessed and Possessed” tour, with perhaps losing a song or two here and there depending on if it’s a club or a festival gig. What I really miss is “Lupus Dei” at the end, which they haven’t seem to have had at all this festival tour. Interesting.

Aside that, the band performed a good set and the audience had a good vibe. A well enjoyable show!

Alice Cooper

Right after Powerwolf, I walked over the other stageto witness Alice Cooper. It felt really, really weird I will admit to not have seen him at Gröna Lund as I usually do, but what can I do about it now? Nothing.

For a lot of people happy surprise, he actually opened with “Brutal Planet”. I was really happy to see this. The place was really packed, I’ll also let you know. Somewhere in the start, Jörgen came from nowhere and picked up, as he, Sandra and Johan were standing right outside infield, and wanted to ask if I should join them instead, which I did. Because it didn’t really matter, the band was tiny anyway.

The setlist was good – it was a lot and a bunch of the good old classics that are used to and expect to hear, but also a few that for me where a bit unusual – such as “Woman of Mass Distraction”, “Halo of Flies” and “The World Needs Guts”. It was good to see him perform one new song as well – “Paranoiac Personality”.  Aside that, as I said – the same old, same old. “Frankenstein” and the monster, the beheading, all of the old tricks. I did miss “Billion Dollar Babies” though.

And on top of that, I really appriciate the Lemmy tribute they do. I love it when musicians recognize each other this way.

It was a good show – what else to expect from the man himself if you think about it, perhaps band should look to him and take notes.

After this, it was time for my only small break. I was heading over to Wackinger Village to catch Serenity, but some idiotic person had thought it was gonna be fun to switch the road signs out, so it took longer than it would need to find my way there – and before people flame – I used the break time to look through the shopping part toward Beergarden, so this is why I got lost, otherwise I would probably have wound up in Wackinger right away.

Serenity

So, of course, because of some idiot person, I missed out on my favorite song with Serentiy – but at least I only missed one song. They played a really nice set – short naturally, and was interrupted a lot due to having the same play time as Amon Amarth – we would hear Serenity, but feel the beats from Amon Amarth. George even joked about that they could use Amon Amarths drummer instead of their own.

They had a woman with them on stage to do some duets, but sadly they didn’t do “The Perfect Woman” which I was hoping a bit for as they had her with them, but you can’t get everything, right?

After Serenity, I headed back toward the infields and picked up pizza and drink to have a late night dinner while watching Avantasia

Avantasia

What I really like about Avantasia is the setting and how it works. I know it’s a metal opera, which makes it so enjoyable both simply to watch the way I did with a drink and a pizza, but also as someone who’s into it, as I did, well partially tonight but also on Tuska.

The setlist is somewhat similar as to what they have had the past year – not surprising seeing it’s the same tour, but I thought it would be a little special because you know Wacken. I wasn’t even at the Infield for this one, but holy damn. If I thought there was an ocean of people for Powerwolf, there sure as hell was one now.

The set was really enjoyable though. It was the perfect ending for the festival and the evening, and even though it may only be the third time I’m seeing Avantasia, they have never failed to entertain me so far. I hope I get to see them again some time.

After this, I left the Wacken grounds behind, quite early in the evening for once, and started packing up my camp as I heard the rain smatter on the tent outside. Tomorrow started the journey home, and I wasn’t exactly looking forward to it, I must admit.

// Sara

 

 

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Wacken Open Air: Friday (Part 3)

Posted in Concerts, Music, Uncategorized on August 4, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

Friday! Today I did have a few bands I wanted to see – some of these even being one major reason I went here in the first place.

But, first there is something else to talk about. I got up in the morning, went and got my daily breakfast and everything, and I get a notification of my Wacken app about this one band I had favorited, but I figured I wouldn’t see until Thomas blurts out “Anyone wanna go see Evil Scarecrow”? and I was like “YES!” so, essentially, off we went.

And I am very, very very thankful and happy that we did.

Evil Scarecrow

As someone who knows nothing about this band and knew nothing about them prior to this show, we were quite taken aback with this band. The aliens. Link. The robots and not to mention – “CRABULON”.

A big crab robot that made the crowd go from one side to the other while doing crab claws. This stuck. Quite a lot with me and Thomas. So much that “Crabulon” is in fact our official song now. And this show… well what can I say? It was amazing. It blew our minds, especially since it wasn’t just fun, it was really good musically too!

After Evil Scarecrow, we headed off to some CD stores in order to pick up Kissin’ Dynamites album. Since I had decided so last minute, I had no way of actually obtaining the CD prior to going here. I had hoped to find the vinyl or a vinyl, but I had to settle with the CD. No harm done really.

He headed off to the campgrounds, and I went back to Headbangers Stage to see one of the bands that brought me to this fest in the first place.

Kissin’ Dynamite

Right on time they opened their set with “Highlight Zone”, and I was stunned to see the stage being packed. Not that I don’t think of them as a big band, just that they were put on one of the smaller stages, making me assume they were perhaps not THAT recognized, but they sure were. Happy to see! And the reception for them from the crowd was really good, on top of that.

I did sadly not keep track of the setlist, and the setlists I find online I know are wrong, so I can’t give you a detailed set update sadly (I will improve!) but the show was really good – They had even gotten a dancer for “She Came, She Saw”, which I thought was pretty cool. It was so unusual to see as I have for most parts left the sleaze scene behind, but it was a nice touch, really.

The band delivered very well and it was a well enjoyable show.

After the show, I headed off to the signing session to get my copy of “Generation Goodbye” signed, which went fast, easy and smooth. Don’t get me wrong – it’s fun to meet the bands but when it comes to signing sessions I prefer to make them quick, so as many as possible can make it through.

After this, I went back to the campgrounds for a little while to hang out in the camp – I think I’ve mentioned it before, but seriously, this camp is dope. The people – amazing. Later on, Thomas and I headed off to Wackinger Village to catch Skalmöld

Skalmöld

I must admit I missed out on a bit of the start, as I had to get something to eat. We had met up with Jörgen in the village who had gotten himself a meatstick, I myself was craving crepes so, said and done. After that, we watched the band.

I’ve seen this band once before as supportband for Epica earlier this year, and they put on a good show and set actually. I don’t know much about them, sadly, but I enjoyed this set as much as the last one really.

After Skalmöld I had a big decision to make. To go see Marilyn Manson, or see Turbonegro. I’m equally as small of a fan for either, but I remember really enjoying the past two Manson shows I saw, one of them being as recent as 2015, and Turbonegro I didn’t even remember the two shows I saw – so I decided to see Marilyn Manson.

Marilyn Manson

And what can I say other than for future notice to myself – if Marilyn Manson ever place the same spot as a another band I like a little, I will always go for the other band. Going to Marilyn Manson was the biggest mistake of my life.

I do not possess his most recent album, and perhaps this is why I didn’t get that show – I’ll give him that much of credit, but for the first time in my life I’ve found myself leave the audience ground and sit down in a nearby house because it was so utterly boring. I saw the lights from Turbonegros stage, but I reckoned I wouldn’t really make it there in time anyway, so I remained put at what has gone down in history as the most boring concert I have ever seen in my entire life.

Manson was doing fine – Like, he was singing fine and the band was doing good, but damn I could not take this. I should have gone for Turbonegro. Because that would at least have been fun. Oh damn.

Kryptos

After Manson, I headed back to the tent to catch another interesting band of mine – Kryptos. You might remember that I wrote about them earlier this year when they released their new album, and I was glad to see them on the bill for Wacken. But that playtime – 2.25 – 03.00. That is the latest I have ever watched a band played, and had it been like any other band I would have skipped. But not this one. Because who the hell knows when they will come back.

For being such a late night, there were a group of brave metalheads there, a big group actually. Kryptos is a very classic heavy metal band, which made this a very… Like, I can’t put my finger on the feeling. It’s the same feeling I had as when listening to their album – you are sent back to the 80’s, in a basement with your friends, beer and a taperecorder just partying. And I like that.

The crowd was good too – large moshpits, and people just being into it. I’m really glad. And I’m so glad I got to see this band perform live.

After their show, I FINALLY headed back to the camp to get my well deserved sleep. Tomorrow, Saturday, was going to be a heavy day for me.

// Sara

 

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Wacken Open Air: Thursday (Part 2)

Posted in Concerts, Music, Travels, Uncategorized with tags , on August 3, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

Alrighty! Time for the first official day of the festival, at least for me anyway. It was in fact only one band on the billing I cared to see – which is Accept. So I spent most of the day exploring the area and in the camp. How exciting huh? And it actually was.

For the first time in a very long time, I had a good camp. A camp where you woke up with a smile on your face every day, and you know you’d be sore from all the laughing that was taken place. After all, to begin with, it’s me and Thomas together in one spot. And the rest of the crew – Jörgen, Jonathan, Johan, Mina, René, Anja, Martin, Nicolai, Maria and Sandra made it even better. Because that’s what camps are for, right?

Funny thing. Maria and I went to go shower and pick up food for her. The showers at Wacken are for free, and they are WARM. Unlike the pay-per-shower at Sweden Rock which is cold. Right after we got out, towels on our heads and everything, we felt a few drips come down so we decided to go inside the food tent in order to put on our ponchos.

And just as we got in, the rainstorm from hell broke lose. It was an absolute disaster, and despite standing long inside the food court, we still could feel some of it. We waited out the rain, got food for Maria and then headed back to the camp only to find that one of our partytents had given up and died. But apparently it had been quite the fight to keep it up.

It cleared up, gladly, so we could sit down and enjoy ourselves before we headed inside to catch a bit of Status Quo. After Status Quo, I went over to Accept to catch them.

Accept

As you know, Accept is a band I only very recently started to grow fond of, thanks to the Sabaton tour. I was really excited to see them, and the response from the audience was massive. I was actually far, far in the back because you know, PEOPLE! But it was amazing to see them nonetheless.

What I had missed out on though, was the use of the orchestra. I guess I should check these things out better in the future, but it was quite interesting to see them perform with an orchestra on stage, and “Princess of the Dawn” just became even better with the orchestra.

The show lasted for two hours, and it was two well enjoyable hours. Thank you Accept, for a great evening!

After Accept I headed off to the merchandise to pick up some rainboots. The mud had really done the work with my militaryboots, and I simply gave up. So I got myself a nice pair of Wacken rain boots. Handy, huh?

Got back to the camp and hung out for a little while before I crashed in bed. It had been an exhausting day, despite the little activity.

TO BE CONTINUED

// Sara

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