hardcore superstar | Sara Hammerzmith

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Skogsröjet 2015: Day one, Friday 31/7

Posted in Concerts, Uncategorized with tags crucified barbara, europe, h.e.a.t., hardcore superstar, skid row, skogsröjet on July 31, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

So! It was finally time for that time of the year again, for Swedens biggest smallest festival, or also known as the most cosy festival in Sweden – Skogsröjet. Located in the forests in a little community called Rejmyre (now Röjmyre) has the festival been running for ten years now. Yes you heard it, it was their tenth anniversary this time around. And for me, it was my fifth time. In a row.

However, despite this, I decided to go down on Friday to calm my nerves. I guess the epic performances of Noch Ein Bier kind of killed all enthusiasm I ever held for Skogsröjet this year, but at least I promised myself to make it in time for Crucified Barbara, which I did with some time to spare. It’s not a very long ride to Röjet from here – about two and half an hour only, unlike Sweden Rock which takes almost six hours from here.

Crucified Barbara

So, I’ve known about this band for many years, but I’ve never really gotten into them. I saw them in 2013, while queueing for Lordi, so I did look forward to seeing them again, and this time seeing them with a genuine interest. While the band performed almost flawlessly with a lot of energy, I must admit the public response was kind of weak. Gladly, this picked up as long as the show went on.

However, I must admit it was really, really good! I have to pick up an album or two with them now. I’m sad it took so long to convince me, but I guess it’s something about Klara’s personality on stage that is… contagious, in a way. So yes, good show, good band and a great start on the festival for me!

2015skogsrojetcrucified

After Crucified, I went on and picked up my luggage to set up my tent. For some reason, Skogsröjet had closed off half of the camping, so it was a little tricky to find a spot that wasn’t occupied or in a puddle of water. After a bit of time, I found a spot, which was in a puddle of water, but at least it was less water than the other spots. I always wanted a houseboat, so I guess this is one way to get it, no?

After I was done setting up and unpacking, I headed back to the festivalgrounds to catch one of the reasons I went to this festival in the first place: H.E.A.T

H.E.A.T

What can I possibly say about H.E.A.T that hasn’t already been said? They opened on spot with “Point of No Return” followed by “A Shot at Redemption” and it went down the road it has done all festival season really. With one exception.

No “Late Night Lady”. Personally, not being a fan of the song, I don’t mind at all, but it was a bit of a surprise seeing it gone. So was “Heartbreaker” and “All The Nights”. I can live without the last one, but I REALLY miss “Heartbreaker”. It’s such a good song. Why.

2015skogsrojetheat

But you know – you can complain all you want about missing songs, but Erik will very, very, VERY soon make you forget about it. Like I’ve said so many times before, he’s insane as a frontman, and the whole band just levitates from it. Fantastic gig with a bunch of Sweden’s finest, but who was ever surprised?

After H.E.A.T I quickly went to the record store tent and got myself a TOTO vinyl, a Bloodbound album and dropped them both off in my car while getting away from the rain for a moment before I headed back to catch the second big name for the day – Hardcore Superstar

Hardcore Superstar

HCSS…. There’s a certain thing with these bands. Like HCSS and H.E.A.T. HCSS is a band I’ve caught many, MANY times throughout the year, to the extent where I learned the majority of their songs only because I wound up seeing them live so much. At first it wasn’t even by choice, but eventually, it became by choice, because this band… is just so fucking good.

Opening up strongly with “Need No Company”, continuing on with “Last Forever” and “My Good Reputation”…. I’m still surprised how so many people can be so still to a band whose music is just one big party. Not in the sense of Korpiklaani or Alestorm, but it’s just… how can I even describe it? You kinda have to see it for yourself.

Jocke is also up in the run against Erik to be the best frontman, which helps a lot as to why this band is just… beyond perfect. I’ve come to realize stage presence is so important, and I learned during this festival what bad stage presence is. But I’ll talk about that later.

And for the first time in a while (where I have seen them) they invited some guests on stage for “Last Call For Alcohol” and I was so glad to see Angelina on stage with her favorite band again. That’s pretty much where she belongs.

2015skogsrojethcss

They wrapped the whole set off with “Moonshine”, “We Don’t Celebrate Sundays” and “Above the Law” before thanking for the day and saying good night. Seriously, I’m so glad HCSS is practically a houseband at Röjet. We always have at least one fantastic band, I love that.

Skid Row

Right after HCSS, I headed over to Tube Stage to catch Skid Row. I’ve never been a major fan of Skid Row, however, Tony Harnell is quite the housegod here at home, and therefore, Skid Row was a must. I was very… happily surprised when I saw that he had joined Skid Row, and it made me excited for the show.

And they were really good! Can’t speak so much about the material since I, as I said, was never a big fan of the band, but it was so good to see Tony on stage again. And odd, in a way, to see him in another spectra than with TNT, but damn, it was good!

2015skogsrojetskidrow

Europe

Went back to Bandit stage to catch the last band of the night – Europe. It was a nice set they put on – a decent mix of old tunes and new and they got good energy on stage. I love how they incorporate other sons in theirs – like “Here I Go Again” in “Superstitious” and “Du Hast” right before “Rock the Night”.

The only thing I have to say about it, is that I miss “Cherokee” a lot. I love that song, but since Europe isn’t exactly the band I’ve seen the most, I’m not sure what their frequency is with that song.

2015skogsrojeteurope

After this, I headed right back to the tent and climbed in under my poofy blanket and fell asleep after a little while listening to the same song I listened to going to bed last year – “Världens Bästa Tjej” with 2 Blyga Läppar. It made me smile. I heard it last year and did everything I could to track it down, because I really like it, and it was… a bit special I guess, in a way, to hear it being blasted again at the same place.

Fell asleep with a big smile on my lips, that’s for sure.

// Sara

Sweden Rock Festival 2015 – Saturday

Posted in Concerts, Uncategorized with tags avatar, eluveitie, frantic amber, hardcore superstar, Sweden Rock Festival on June 6, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

So, it was time for the last day, and for the first time this festival I was up rather early. Seriously, I woke up already at 9.30. And I woke up to sweet sound of rain dropping down on my tent. It was nice – it wasn’t too warm, and not too cold, it was the perfect temperature for cuddling all to myself underneath the thick blanket. Loved it. Eventually I had to drag myself up – I had planned to catch Frantic Amber at 11.30, and since I already missed out on Delain, I figured I’d actually try and get out. And I was in the midst of finish both my breakfast and make up (yes, I do it on the same time since I’m a very slow eater) Paula called me up and demanded me to come see her, like, now. Which was good, because it was about 15 minutes ’til Frantic Amber would start.

I got out, said hello goodbye to my campmates (hadn’t seen them the entire day yesterday) and then headed off to the area. I didn’t find Paula immediately, so I called her up and gladly, she found me, haha.

FRANTIC AMBER

Conveniently enough, 4Sound Stage is located right across the entrance, so we got in right in time for them to start. Frantic Amber is, much like Rock Godess, a band I’m not all too familiar with more than a couple of songs, but I really like what I’m hearing, and the band delivered like there was no tomorrow! And the outfits! They all had their individual clothing – but at least one piece was army patterned. And I LOVE how they didn’t have the same clothes, but on the same time were connected, you know?

Aside that, they also brought the sun, gladly. Well, what can I say, it was a good gig, a perfect start on the day.

After Frantic, Paula headed over to see Mustach and I did one last dash for Mailmetalorder. Last day and all you know, so I went and picked up a Dream Evil album (United) and an One Man Army and the Undead Quartet album (the name fails me when I write this) and met up with Paula for Hardcore Superstar

HARDCORE SUPERSTAR

It might have been raining in the morning, but by the time HCSS was entering the stage it was burning hot. They played the big stage – Festival Stage and we got decent spots somewhere in the middle. A bit away, but not too faraway. Pretty perfect. They opened up the gig with “Need No Company” and the success was a fact. I do believe HCSS is really, REALLY one of those bands who much like Sabaton, has a bigger fanbase than you might give them credit for.

And here we go again, with frontmen. Like I told you yesterday, Erik Grönwall is really one of a kind. Someone who’s not too far behind is Jocke Berg. Even though he may not be a duracell-rabbit on speed, he still has exactly what it takes to front a band, and he really gets the crowd going.

It was a rather short set, only about an hour long and filled with both new tracks and old goodies. And yes, no need to fear – we did dance jenka to “Last Call for Alcohol”, though I had to do it on one leg.

After HCSS we dashed to foodcourt to pick up some food and sat down at the stage Eluveitie were about to play in a couple of hours. We spent a long time talking and catching up and eating and exchanging CD’s. I had brought her a The Lounge Kittens EP and she’d gotten me a Katy Perry single (Hot N Cold). Dashed over the court to say hello to Hansi and drop off a Monsterman DVD and he joined us back.

He was also the one who told us Eluveitie had changed playtime, and wasn’t going on stage until 22.30 later that night, both to our dismay and also a little joy. Paula headed off to her boyfriend and his friends camp, and I headed back to mine to do some last minute packing. Seriously, the less I had to carry the following day, the better.

After this, it was time to get over to the back-in-business Rockklassiker tent to catch me some circus.

AVATAR

So, a lot of people were surprised when they learned I liked Avatar, and Avatar is probably the first “scream” band I ever liked, but seriously, how can you not? Circus and metal, all together. It’s perfect.

However, this is a band that, in my opinion, should play late at night. It just doesn’t cut it with them playing at like 18, they do it best in darkness. BUT, nevertheless – rather Avatar daytime than no Avatar.

They began right on time, as all the bands have so far, and opened up with “Hail The Apocalypse” and… I’m gonna go there again.

Erik Grönwall is amazing, but do you know who else is AMAZING? Johannes Eckerström. The frontman of Avatar. He is absolutely INSANE. I’m not sure if he IS, or if it’s a part of his character, but he is really the only one I can think of, as of now, who can even COMPETE with Erik when it comes to fronting a band. Man, he’s intense! I love intense frontmen. Who really go for it you know? Still remember how he almost hit me and Maria in the head with his stick the first time I saw them live (funny enough, they were support for no other than Hardcore Superstar)

Despite being a REALLY short set, it was amazing. It was that last finishing touch I needed on this festival to feel really content. Ahh. I love it. So so much.

After Avatar, I did a few last runs to Hot Shot picking up “Back Through Time” and “Captain Morgans Revenge” (Alestorm). I can’t understand, now afterwards, why I didn’t go for “Sunset on the Golden Age” as well while I were at it, but some questions are just supposed to be left unanswered.

Leaving all the stuff in car, doing one last run with luggage, I met up with Paula and her boyfriend for what would become the last gig of the night – Eluveitie.

ELUVEITIE

So, they had to delay their show a few hours due to problems on the airport. Problems that involved them not having a bassplayer and their proper gear. But seemingly, this didn’t stop them from continuing on the show. That’s what’s amazing with metal and rockbands all in all – they don’t like minor, or major, things stop them.

I must admit, I didn’t stay the entire show as the tiredness got the best of me, but I saw the majority of it, and it was really good. A good ending of a good festival.