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Noch Ein Bier Fest 2015 @ Amphitheater, Gelsenkirchen, Germany 25/7 – 15

Posted in Concerts, Music, Thiz Izz Djermani with tags , , , , , , , , on July 25, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Due to the heavy rain, there’s a slight lack of pictures in order to protect the camera. So I apologize on beforehand on the lack of pictures.

The D-Day was here! Noch Ein Bier Fest, Sabaton first attempt at a German festival. It it is a one day ”festival” hosting five bands – Bloodbound, Civil War, Korpiklaani, Powerwolf and Sabaton and was hosted in the Amphitheater in Gelsenkirchen.

The day… Well, we started the day with some quick shopping, which I will tell you all about another day, and then headed to the venue. We had originally planned to take the bus to the theater since we got free bus tickets from the hotel, but apparently German buses are wussies. Said to us the bus was full even though it could easily have fitted all of us in there, we people had just moved a bit closer. After further inspection, we noticed that the next bus wouldn’t go until 30 minutes later, leaving us missing out on the first band.

And fuck that. So we went back to the hotel and asked them to call a taxi for us. A nice bunch of guys offered us to go in their taxi with them, however, they apparently don’t carry minibuses here, so it was a no can do. The taxi arrived fairly quickly, and after an about 15 minutes ride we were at the arena.

And seriously, compared to Sweden, Germany is so cheap! The taxi cost us about 15 euros, that’s 5 euros a person! Like, 15 euros would be starting price per PERSON in Sweden. What a nice surprise!

Unlike yesterday, where it was so warm we almost melted despite having barely any clothes on, today was a different story. Rain, A LOT OF IT, and cold. You see, we had originally gone to Primark to pick up a raincoat for me, since I was in desperate need for one. The other two decided to get one each as well, and guess what was the best purchase of the day? Yup, the raincoats.

We arrived at the venue about 20 minutes or so before the door opened, and the line was… half full, now that I look back on it. At the time, it felt like it was A LOT of people, but after further inspection, we noticed the doors were closer than we thought they’d be. Anyway. The time hit 15 and…. nothing happened. At least not in the back. The time hit 15.30. Bloodbound was about to play, and I was so pissed, because, guess what? NOTHING HAD HAPPENED.

But on the other hand, I didn’t hear a band play either so all good. About 15.45, it started moving. Babysteps, one step at a time. At 16, we had maybe gotten three meters. Somewhere after 16, about 16.10 or so, we finally, FINALLY made it in.

The first thing we did was to get down to the arena in order to look for Antoine, and let me tell you this.

I was under the impression this was an indoor arena. So when Madlen broke the news to me about it being outdoors, my mood went from very high to very low, to put it nicely. So when I got in, I got even more of a shock. Basically, what I saw before me, was a smaller version of Dalhalla.

It was a small area infront of the stage, and then lots of stairs all the way up where we stood, where people would sit. So imagine our surprise to see there were very little people down there.

I’ve been to Sabaton shows before, and I know how it goes down. Pressed against the fence, and you can do nothing. Not fun. This is the major reason why I’ve started to withdraw more and more on concerts, because of the freedom to jump around and headbang without being pressed against a fence.

Just right after we got out Bloodbound got on the stage.

BLOODBOUND

So basically, to give you some perspective – Bloodbound was supposed to start at 15.30, and when they actually started, it was about 16.15, 16.20. We are talking almost an hour delay. Did this have an effect on how long their set was? I think so.

I didn’t track time exactly how long they played, but they played only about 4-5 songs. Despite this, the show was energetic. They started off with “Satanic Panic” and seemed to do the best they could with their short set. For my personal record, I’m just really happy they did “Moria”. Thank god.

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This festival did already from the beginning have a pretty tight time schedule, so already towards the end of the last song of Bloodbound did Michelle and I withdraw ourselves in order to catch some merchandise.

Which seemed to be near impossible. After trying to choose which one of the two merchstands we’d go to, we ended up doing the first one, and gladly, this was the very one Jaqueline was working at! It was so good to see her again, although a little odd to see her outside of Lordi, but you know, it’s a small world after all?

After this, we headed back to the “arena” and we arrived JUST as Civil War went on stage.

Civil War

I was pretty excited to see them – I’ve been in love with the band ever since I first heard “Rome is Falling” , so I got quite excited when they got on stage (not SlipKnot or Lordi excited, but excited). Just as with Bloodbound, they delivered a good and energetic set, which sadly came to an abrupt ending when they played “Bay of Pigs” and Patrik all of a sudden goes “That was our last song, good night”.

Like wait what. What just happened? Apparently they were supposed to play longer, but because of the delays they couldn’t. And I really missed “Rome is Falling” in the setlist, I must admit. Oh well, what do you do?

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Korpiklaani

Ok – so here’s the deal with Gelsenkirchen – when I arrived on Thursday, and also during Friday, it was hot. Like, MELTING HOT, it felt like it was twice as hot as it was in Sweden. Sun shining high, no cloud in sight, no wind, nothing. And then, when Sabaton came to town, apparently, they thought it was a good idea to bring swedish summer with them and POF – rain and thunder. So by the time Korpiklaani were to begin, we were all soaked. Like, through and through. Like I told you in the beginning, I wasn’t a fan of this being an outdoor show.

However, in the wait for Korpiklaani my SlipKnot-excitement starting coming to me, and me and Michelle were already bouncing around like rubber balls even before they started, and I may have cursed the short times between the bands earlier, but at this point I was happy. So, since we were already bouncing around, you can imagine what happened when “Viinamäen Mies” started. Yup.

That’s the thing with Korpiklaani – it’s just one big fucking party. Everyone is dancing, everyone is hopping around and everyone is moshing. I told Michelle “We should go in there the next time” and later on we decided to go for it in “Vodka” and so we did.

It was fun actually! I found myself tripping once, and got back up immediatley thanks to strong arms behind me, and this is probably something we’re gonna find ourselves doing a lot more. A sidenote to this: When I tripped, I hit my elbow and got really scared I had broken my new parkas. Gladly, I hadn’t. However upon further inspect, my Swedish Lordi crew shirt broke. What the hell?

But, back to Korpiklaani. The set was pretty similar to Graspop – and even though I love “Sumussa Hämärän Aamun”, I must admit it was a bit of a mood killer this particular day. But this gig DID make it clear for us that we will try to do both Korpiklaani days in September. Happy days!

2015nocheinbierkorpiklaani

However, this festival, or perhaps Korpiklaani, started to take on my powers, so we decided to “sacrifice” Powerwolf (Madlen and Daniel are going to kill me now) and have a seated show and dinner. See guys – there’s the other perk of not being in the front. You wanna sit, you sit, you wanna stand you stand. So we went out and bought crêpes and got back in right when they started and sat on the side and had a calm dinner.

Powerwolf

Because of the weather, the band wasn’t able to use their stage props, so the stage was a bit weak compared to how you usually see Powerwolf, but it doesn’t really matter, in my opinion. They still put on a good show no matter what, and hadn’t it been because of my smaller leg injury I got in the pit, we would have been in the middle of the crowd for “We Drink Your Blood”. Trust us, we really wanted to (because at that time we had finished dinner, ok)

But you know, I don’t really know what else to add to this. It was a good show, they had good energy and delivered despite problems with the props.

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Sabaton

Rather sooner than later, did “The Final Countdown” start, and originally Michelle and I did plan to sit throughout the entire set, because hey, some day gotta be the first right?

Anyway. This show has been real hyped. Like crazy hyped. So many crazy things would happen, the best show ever and so much special and AHH! And then they go on stage and be like

“Hello Gelsenkirchen! We’re Sabaton and this is GHOST DIVISION”.

“Ghost Division”. Still. The. Fucking. Ghost. Division. After. Seven. Fucking. Years. Still. Fucking. Ghost. Division. 

Like, how about spicing things up a bit? “We’re Sabaton, and we are the lions from the north”??? Or how about, for this superextrahypersuperduper special show, why not go further back in time and open with “Panzer Battalion” (Peace&Love 2007). Seriously, none of you, my readers are strangers to my animosity towards “Ghost Division”. I really love the song, as well as “The Art of War” (competing in the top with “Carolus Rex” about best album) but I’m SO. OVER. THIS. SONG. Thank you.

Regardless of that, it’s a decent opener, and the crowd loved them as always. And by the time the intro for “To Hell and Back” came, I said fuck leg injury and we jumped (!!) off the stone staircase and went on the side of the audience (actually fairly close, but very much on the side) and joined in for the jump party. Didn’t feel shit in my leg, I’m happy.

“Carolus Rex” was next, and you know. It’s strange, the fact you feel the most patriotic when you’re not at home. And I still don’t know the English lyrics to it. And it wasn’t until now that the first real surprise came, or well, at least for me. “No Bullets Fly”. Nice! Not my favorite, but finally things are happening.

The crowd started chanting the intro for “Swedish Pagans” which naturally “forced” the band to play it already now, and I do like it, it’s a favorite of mine, followed by another favorite, “Resist and Bite”.

This far in the show, no major surprises had happened aside “No Bullets Fly”. The pyros were weaker than the stuff they had in Karlstad, and this MIGHT be because of the weather, but come on. Lordi has survived without pyros since like 2008, and they still put on a good show. Get creative guys!

2015nocheinbiersabaton1

I am, however, gonna give them some creds for playing “Screaming Eagles” after, at least saying, they saw a sign in the audience requesting it. There was indeed a sign, I just really this is why they played it. But it was fun to hear it live, you know?

And it was right after this, the first real highlight for me came. A guy from the crew came out to “fix” the panzar that is Hanne’s drumset, and Jocke started talking about panzers, and about a song. I said to Michelle “I hope it’s ‘Panzerkampf’, because I really miss it, but it could be ‘Panzer Battalion'” BUT OF COURSE, TO MY DELIGHT, IT WAS INDEED “PANZERKAMPF”.

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU. I’ve missed this song so much, I can’t even! Thank you thank you!

“Attero Dominatus” followed, by “En Livstid i Krig” (in Swedish, thank god!) and then a little.. surprise. “Coat of Arms”.

The thing with “Coat of Arms” for me is that the album as well as the tour is one big blur for me. “Coat of Arms” is one of the weaker eras for me when it comes to Sabaton, was never a big fan of the album or anything, BUT, I do love the song “Coat of Arms”. Maybe Sabaton should have opened with that one, to spice it up a little bit?

This one was followed by one of my all time faves – “The Art of War”. Seriously, anyone who doesn’t love this song can just stop talking to me right now. My hair had been dried, thanks to my intense headbanging, but then it got wet again because my hair kept hitting the ground and the water puddles. Because of this song.

After this, they brought out a song the German fan club had voted up, which is considered a rare song for anyone who doesn’t live in Karlstad and has a hockey-team whose fanclub is called The Wolfpack, because if you do, you are one of the few people who actually had the blessing to hear “Wolfpack” live QUITE a few times, only because of Färjestad. And I don’t complain, it’s my favorite song off “Primo Victoria”.

But to top it off, as what could possibly become the most exciting thing of the evening, was the temporary and very short re-union with Daniel Mÿhr, which started with a sexy dance ala Mÿhr in his military hotpants that showed more than it should.

2015nocheinbiersabaton2

The performance of the song was beyond perfection, and to top it off even more, Daniel did indeed undress completely. Thank you Daniel, for bringing the humor. I love you.

And then it happened… a divine voice out of nowhere…

Pretty much so. I have one favorite song with Sabaton. This number one, that beats everyone else. Which one?

“7734”. I already told you how much I died on the inside when I saw it was the bonus track on “Heroes”, and my brother looked weirdly at me and was like “but everyone loves ‘7734’”, but that was never my impression. So the fucking fact that they actually played, they FUCKING PLAYED IT… makes me forgive them for opening with “Ghost Division”. Yup. I said it, and you heard it.

I fucking forgive them for “Ghost Division”, because they gave my “7734”. Lindyhopping the night away.

After this, they left the stage and the lights went bananas. Michelle turned to me and said “Nightwitches”? and I just nodded. Of course. What else. So first song of the first round of encores was “Nightwitches” followed by “Primo Victoria” and “Metal Crüe” and for the love of God, while we are at it to retire “Ghost Division”, can we also retire “Metal Crüe”? That one has been going on since I even saw Sabaton live the first time in 2006, and if you thought I was over “Ghost Division”, imagine how fucking OVER I AM THIS ONE. Come on! “Metal Machine” and “Masters of the World” are like 100 times better. And again, you readers are no strangers to my animosity for this one either. Ok, I’m calm. Even if I’m tired of it, it’s still fun. I admit it.

They were supposed to leave the stage, but came back again, this time starting with “Panzer Battalion”, and seriously, I love this song. They played “Saboteurs” dedicated to the Saboteurs and wrapped the whole thing up with “Gott Mit Uns”, or as it is renamed now, “Noch Ein Bier”. Haha.

“Noch ein bier, vår konung har talat, hör vårt stridsrop Noch ein Bier!” Uhh. Hahaha.

After this, they REALLY left the stage and thanked for the night.

And ok, time to get serious. To be honest, I think this show was way too hyped. Apart from a few songs, the setlist wasn’t anything extraordinary, the stage setting wasn’t anything extra ordinary, and I even think I dare to say Daniel Mÿhr saved everything with his sexy dance.

But on the same time, I can never be thankful enough for “7734” so I guess it all evens out. Regardless of it all – it was an amazing night with amazing friends, and no animosities for songs or repeating setlists can ever change that.

Right after it was over we left off to say good bye to Daniel and we headed for Burger King for some late night dinner and then hitting home to the hotel where we had a smaller after party and then crashed.

Thank you all for this amazing evening, but a little more so to Korpiklaani and Sabaton. Thank you!

// Sara

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REVIEW: Borealis – Purgatory

Posted in CDs, Uncategorized with tags , , , , on July 5, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Canadian metallers Borealis are returning to the scene with their 3rd album, following the smaller success of their two previous albums, “World of Silence” which was released in 2008, and “Fall From Grace” which came in 2011. “Purgatory” was recorded in the Sanctuary studios, and the recordings and mixing was done by drummer Sean Dowel, and mastered by Thomas “Plec” Johansson.

The album opens up with someone running, assumingly in the hosptial judging on the heart monitor in the background and eventually, when the heart stops beating, it launches us right into the heavy truck that is Borealis, and that track is “Past the Veil”.

And this song kind of sets the mood for the whole album. It’s heavy tunes with fast-beating drums, yet sensitive lyrics that hits hard at home. Despite them taking a step a bit further from their previous albums, it’s still the same Borealis that we already knew of.

However, what it lacks, to me, is variation. We got to ballads on the album, aside that, most of the songs sound very alike, and so do the ballads. Some songs had it’s moments – like the keyboard part in “The Chose Ones” and the trippy guitars in “Destiny” which also held some epicness…. but aside this. It was almost like it was one long song, which necessarily has to be something bad but…

There were a few songs who stood out for me – “Past The Veil”, “My Peace”, mostly because of the child reading the note in the middle of the song, and my personal favorite on the album, “From The Ashes”. I have no idea who the woman singing is, but I absolutely loved the way the song was built up, as a duet which added so much to the lyrics and the song, ultimately making it my favorite song. I have a weak spot for arrangements, and this was perfect.

So, wrapping it all up, a few decent song, but it’s a bit plain for me. But on the other hand, you have to put one foot in front of the other, and see a lot of potential here.

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(Label: AFM Records)

CDON I Amazon I Ginza

// Sara

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Graspop Metal Meeting – Day 2

Posted in Concerts, Music, Uncategorized with tags , , , , on June 20, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

So, last night ended pretty late because of Marilyn Manson, but it was sooo worth it! Got up a bit later the next day, and I took it fairly slow, seeing my first band wasn’t until Korpiklaani, but no rest until your dead, right, so I got up and figured I’d spend the day checking out the metal market and the shopping. I had a few CD’s, or well, a lot of CD’s I was looking for, so why not?

W went around a bit looking for Kittie albums, met up with Robert and Mie and then headed over to Exodus. It was nice seeing the guys again, despite not calling myself a fan.

Right after this, I headed over to Korpiklaani.

Korpiklaani

So, here’s the deal. Without being fully informed of every band in this world, I believe there are two bands, no matter what band you put up next to them, no matter how much you love or hate them, you will, wheter you want it or not, have fun. The first band is Alestorm, and the second one, is Korpiklaani.

The set lasted about an hour, but seriously, it felt like it was shorter. I’m not sure exactly what it is with this festival, but it feels like everything just ends faster. Gladly, unlike Butcher Babies the crowd had a lot better energy and like I said above… Ultimate partyband. I don’t regret going for them over Lacuna Coil.

After Korpiklaani, I wandered off to the market in order to first of all pick up some pins, one Ghost one for Michelle and Alestorm, Sabaton and Steel Panther for me. I sent my mother a picture on Facebook of the SlipKnot t-shirts as I couldn’t make up my mind.

You see, I went to the merch booth so determined to get the Korpiklaani tanktop and the yellow (so to put it) SlipKnot shirt, but once at the barrier I noticed this other shirt that wasn’t freaky-freaky, with all their masks in the shape of an S AND a skull, which wasn’t a tour shirt (opens up possibilities) and with that, my brain was messed up, so I got at first only the tanktop and uploaded the picture. I can’t send actual photo messages with my phone, so uploading is the best option. Only annoying thing is that everyone and no one keeps liking the pic. And I’m like, people. It’s just shirt. A bunch of them.

But, like Johnny Depp once said, “If you are torn between two women, always go for the second one. If you loved the first one, you wouldn’t have fallen for the second one”, said and done. I went for the S / Skull shirt and I’m pretty pleased with my choice. I already have a tour shirt for Prepare for Hell so I’ll live.

This took longer than you think it would, and I headed back to Mainstage 2 to catch God himself play, with other words, it was time for my annual Alice Cooper show.

Alice Cooper

The started off the entire set to big cheers with “Department of Youth” before continuing with “No More Mr Nice Guy” and was quickly launched into “Under My Wheels”. Alice Cooper shows progress pretty quickly thanks to the lack of mid-speaking. I love mid-speaking when it’s Ola Salo doing it, but most other bands could really just shut up since most of them don’t have anything worthy to say anyway.

The show was just as fun and eventful as usual, but I need to highlight one particular event.

Which is “Welcome to my Nightmare”. I LOVE, maybe it’s me who have forgotten, but I love, love, love how he’s brought back the… how do I put it? The Welcome to my Nightmare costume? The big hat and everything. All I need now is the dancers with the bloodfilled bag on their heads, and the song will be perfect. But it is just as good right now.

I’m not gonna go over this much more, due to me wanting to keep these entries somewhat short, but I can only say two things – Alice Cooper never fails to impress nor entertain, and Nita Strauss is a queen.

graspopalice

After Alice Cooper we headed over to the Metal Dome to see Alcest. I must admit I was a bit torn between Alcest and Korn, but feelings decided against Korn in favor of Alcest.

While I do have quite a few friends who enjoy Alcest, I can’t say I’ve myself ever been a fan, but I did enjoy the show. Atmospheric, and despite being metal, there was this certain kind of calm over everything. It was very nice.

graspopalcest

After Alcest was done, I headed over to Mainstage 1 to wait for what was the band I looked forward the most to see, SlipKnot, and thanks to Graspop’s good taste in stage-placing, we could catch Judas Priest from where we stood.

I was really worried. I sat down for most of the Priest set, feeling really tired, and tried to drink in case it was because of dehydration, but it didn’t help. And it pissed me off a bit, since I hate when I don’t sleep properly so I end up tired for the things I’m excited for. But when Judas Priest started playing “Jawbreaker” I kind of woke up a bit, and after that… I couldn’t stand still.

graspoppriest

I just kept jumping around in small jumps to the point Antoine even pointed out to me that SlipKnot hadn’t even started yet, but you know, that doesn’t stop me. Once I’m up I’m up, you know?

SlipKnot

BUT, then, “XIX” started and internally, I kind of exploded. I guess this is what it truly feels like being REALLY exicted for something. Most of the time, I feel excited, but it has been some time (last time was probably Madrid or even Prepare For Hell tour itself) where I’ve felt like my organs were about to explode. And when “Sarcastrophe” began…

First of all, it took me all up to now to realize the song is actually called “SARcastrophe” and not “SCARcastrophe”, so I’ve basically spelled it wrong for over six months. Nice.

But aside typos, I kind lost it. Like you always do at SlipKnot shows. Or at least the two I’ve been with before. Since I completely owned my company I sort of half assed teamed up with some other guys and just you know… like the guy said “You’re in the headbanger zone!” And yes, they were. My hair even got stuck in a guys backpack. Oh dear.

Oh right, the show. After “Sarcastrophe” they continued, just as previously with “The Heretic Anthem”, “Psychosocial” and “The Devil in I” before the first surprise of the evening came – “AOV”.

Like… I can’t say I’ve ever been a fan of that particular song, but it was cool to hear live. Not the best, but it’s fine, you know? And then….. DING DING DING DIIIIIINGGG

“Vermillion“.

The horrible part of me wished for this NOT to be “my” setlist, because I didn’t wanna give Antoine that satisfaction, but I’m also very very very very secretly happy they did “my” setlist. When I’m saying “my” setlist, it means they play “Vermilion”, “Eyeless”(these two are my two fave songs of SlipKnot) and “Wait and Bleed”. Michelle’s setlist is the one that includes “Dead Memories”, “Disasterpieaces” and “Opium of the People”.

After “Wait and Bleed” Corey started talking about some new video they made. And that is basically what made my eyes pop. The only, ONLY SONG I missed during Prepare for Hell Tour earlier this year was “Killpop”, and hearing Corey say in an interview that Clown dislikes playing slow songs, I didn’t ever see them actually playing this piece of art live. But as soon as that man started talking about a new video clip, I knew what was coming.

The moment, the only moment I missed earlier this year happened now.

“Killpop“.

And by this, right here right now, the festival was complete. I didn’t need anymore than that, but again, who am I to complain for some more? “Before I Forget”, “Duality” and my personal favorite “Eyeless” (seriously, how can you not go batshit to that song?) followed by “Spit it Out”, and as you guys know, “Spit it Out” is my favorite moment of the entire show. Wrapped it up with “Custer” and left the stage.

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(This is literally the only decent shot I have, haha)

For encore they did the “(sic)”, “People = Shit” and wrapping up the entire set, and for my part, the festival with “Surfacing”. I’m not gonna lie when I say I was SO TEMPTED to go in the mini moshpit that was behind us. Maybe next time.

And with that, they left the stage and I left the arena. Or actually, I bounced. I’m running on pure adrenaline after a show like that, and even thought I can’t recall actually SEEING anything off the show, more than my own hair and a few dots moving on the stage, I can’t help myself but to keep bouncing around. I need to get rid of the energy, you know? Oh, I also said goodbye to the two guys who just for the moment became my SlipKnot brothers. A shame I never caught their names. Bummer.

Got back to the camp, ate a bit and fell asleep with Dionysus in my ears. Even though I never liked the idea of going home on Sunday, SlipKnot helped me feel content.

// Sara

 

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Graspop Metal Meeting Day 2: Friday

Posted in Concerts, Music, Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , on June 19, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

First day of the festival started off…. at 7am in the morning. My tentbuddy, if you like, thought it was a good idea to arrive early in the morning on Friday, forcing me to get up abnormally early to help him find the spot. Lazy as I am I just stood up outside the tent and let him find his own way, which was.. pretty simple since our camp was close to the entrance.

Spent the next couple of hours what I do best – not socializing with anyone, slowly eating and slowly getting ready. Seriously, anyone who ever plans to travel with me – there is no point in trying to rush me to eat. I’m a slow eater. Around 12 I realized that it might be a good idea I head down to the festival area, which is one minute away to catch H.E.A.T, starting at 12.20.

Here’s the deal. My friend gave me the impression that queueing goes so quickly at Graspop, so I figured, against my better judgement, that it should be no problem “only” arriving about 20 minutes before showtime. I was dead wrong.

I was still in the line when I heard “A Shot of Redemption”, presumably second song of the set, and I was pretty much… Let’s just say, it was a good thing for people in Dessel that day that it was H.E.A.T and not Butcher Babies that was the band I was missing out on.

In the middle of “Tearing Down The Walls” I finally made it in and I ran faster than I have ever done before. Seriously, I’ve never considered myself a fast runner, but two places in this world – Boda Borg and concerts, brings out the marathon runner in me.

I thought to myself that as long as I make it to the stage for “Mannequin Show”, I can slow down, so once I was almost there I slowed down for a moment to not completely drain myself and of course… the melody to “Mannequin Show” started. Oh well then, right back onto it!

Made it to second row (where are all the people?) and got to enjoy the last 20 minutes of the show at least, consisting of songs as “Beg Beg Beg”, my personal favorite “Emergency”, “Breaking the Silence” and wrapping it up with “Living on the Run”.

But you know, despite missing a lot of the show, I enjoyed the bits I did see. Erik Grönwall is an entertainer, even though I must admit it felt a little bit as he held back this day. This might be a direct response to the not so energetic crowd, what do I know. But damn, I love these men.

graspopheat

Butcher Babies

Right after H.E.A.T, who doesn’t even get a headline because of the mishaps, and with only a mere ten minutes between the sets I had to hurry a little bit, despite the stages being next to each other. I made it pretty far in, about second or third row or so, which was pretty good, if you ask me.

And… you know that feeling when you see a favorite band live for the first time? That feeling with “Oh shit! It’s really them!” That’s what I thought when Chrissy walked on stage as first person. I was like “Dude. That’s him. That’s actually him, whom I’ve seen only on photos on the internet before”. Jason and Henry joined followed by two of my heroines, Heidi and Carla.

Like. THEY ARE REAL. THEY ARE ACTUALLY REAL.

They opened up energetic with “The Cleansing” and look. You can say whatever you want about the ladies, about the groups intention, about how they are not “true”, but what you can never take away from Carla nor Heidi is that, just as Erik Grönwall, they are true entertainers.

“The Mirror Never Lies” was the second song on the list, and I must admit, I was surprised, but also glad to see how many people around me were just as, may I use the term “die-hard fans” as I was. I never really heard much about them having a fanbase here in Europe, but I’m glad I was wrong.

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“Goliath”, third song of the list followed by “Beerdrinkers & Hellraiser”. I must admit, when seeing them I kinda come to notice that the three men in the band, don’t really do a lot. They stand back, play their things and leave the show up to Heidi and Carla. I don’t mind, in all honesty, let the ladies do what they do best. Still baffles my mind why people discredits them.

A bit in the set it was time for the new song, “Monsters Ball”. I have never been too much of a fan of this song, as it kinda feel it’s just… pounding through. I always cared more for their melodic songs, but I have to admit something – this song, and especially the chorus works wonders in a crowd. “You can’t stop moving, no you can’t stop moving..” no, we really can’t, haha.

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After “Monsters Ball” it was time for a personal favorite of mine, “Crazy Horses”. “I Smell a Massacre” and “Magnolia BLVD” was the last song of the sets where the babies left the stage for this time.

God. That was a rush. Seeing a faveband for the first time is always such a rush.

Headed over directly to the merch to get a hand on a shirt and a poster before moving on to the Classic Rock tent and catching the first out of three The Lounge Kittens sets.

Most of you who’ve read my blog in the past knows about my small obsession with The Lounge Kittens ever since the Steel Panther tour, so getting the chance to see the Kittens not once but twice during this festival was awesome.

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After their set I headed over to the signing session for Butcher Babies, which was completely in vain. I guess Graspop lacks a bit here – It is never, NEVER a good idea to have the signing session begin neck in neck – there should always be a break inbetween to make sure that in case there’s a heavy flow of people or in case the band is late. It’s more sad for the Aborted fans who were kept waiting PAST Aborted’s signing time because Butcher Babies took so long.

Second thing, it’s never a good idea to allow people to take pictures at signing sessions, and I swear to God – I curse every, single, one of you who ever takes pictures at a signing session. Seriously, fuck you people. I do realize I sound bitter right now, but lets put it this way – there’s a reason Sweden Rock started to forbid photos. After they did so, twice, or even three times, as many people managed to get into the signing sessions after doing so. Also the major reason if I ever get into a band, I’ll never allow people to take pics at our signings. Never. Rather satisfy the many than glorifying the few, you know?

I come off very bitter here, and a little bit bitter, yes. But I’m more bitter about the failure in organization rather than not making it to the signing. Giving a mainstage act only 30 minutes is bad to begin with (Sweden Rock gives at least 45 mins even to the smaller stages) but yeah. Maybe they will learn, maybe they won’t. Spent almost an hour in that line for nothing, and if you hold on to your horses a little bit, I’m gonna demonstrate a bit further in this entry my point, but before that, Epica.

So, thankfully, Epica was starting on the mainstage in the time to make me feel better, and it sure does. Singers like Simone Simons makes everything better.  “Unchain Utopia” was just pure perfection, and I must admit, I’m not sure if the sets are really much shorter here or not, but it was over so quickly. I don’t understand why.

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Right after Epica, I headed over to the classic rock tent again to catch the last our of three The Lounge Kittens sets (one of the sets were during Epica).

The set was just as energetic as fun as you’d remember them, and the set was a little bit different from the previous one, but still including “Rollin'” which I’ve always considered more of a favorite since I love the choreography.

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Now, I’m going to get back to Butcher Babies signing sessions. The Lounge Kittens stopped their set at about 18.10, or a bit after and I thought to myself, hey, why not go to Epica’s signing session? Why miss out on an oppurtunity like that? But what to get signed?

So around 18.10, I head over to the metal market, and go through the hassle to get a wristband, go to the first recordstore I see, pick up a random Epica album (The Quantum Enigma) and slowly started walking toward the signing area. I reached the line about 18.20, and they had signing time until 19. So, I wanna put this into perspective. I made it to Butcher Babies signing session 14.50, and they started 15.00, and they STOPPED signing at 15.45-50 (Epica had already started when they stopped), and this had them going over time by 15-20 minutes.

Here I actively come 20 minutes too late to a session, and guess what. I. Made. It. In. by 18.50 I was in to meet them band, hurrying through of course since I saw the grim reaper coming out (the lady who walks out and asks who everyone is there to see to estimate how many more can get in) and because the faster I get out, the faster more people can get in.

So, what was the difference? They didn’t allow photos. They. Did. Not. Allow. Photos, so I guess they DID learn from earlier on. Of course, some people still took photos, hell, even I took a pic of a guy and Simone. But there is such a difference when ten people take pictures rather than 100, you know?

After the session I headed back to the camp to drop off all the merchandise, or well, all and all, but the poster got in the way and I kept losing it.

Spent some time in the tent resting, drinking and eating before heading down to the festivalsite again, and this time it was time to see a band I haven’t seen in quite a few years: KISS.

They opened the set with “Detroit Rock City” and the show was a fact.

KISS…. KISS is quite the show. I’m not gonna say this in a surprised matter since I’ve seen them live before, but I mean, DAMN. If it wasn’t fireworks it was confettis, if it wasn’t that it was pyro and lights and elevators and Paul did his little ride and God only knows!

I’m not gonna write a lengthy bit about this, since it will be way too long, and I don’t really have a lot to say. What do you say about the best band in the world?

The only thing I HAVE to say is that I completely owned my friend. Nailed to for see every single song, while he could be soooo off. Love it.

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After KISS was done I headed over (alone) to the second mainstage to wrap this long day up with Marilyn Manson.

And seriously, the last time I saw him was in 2007 and I had forgotten how good he was. Not only live, but also musically. He’s not typically the first I turn to when I wanna listen to something, but that sure is about to change. Loved every single minute, and by every song I made it closer and closer to the stage and I found myself almost having the same spots as on Butcher Babies, despite arriving after the first song has started. Thanks for the evening, Manson.

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After Manson I went back to the camp and went directly to bed. Saturday was gonna start fairly late in concert speaking, but I wanted to check out the market properly, as well as catching up on some sleep.

// Sara

 

 

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REVIEW: Burning Point – Burning Point

Posted in CDs, Music, Uncategorized with tags , , on June 12, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

When I say Finland, most of you will say metal. I don’t think there’s any country in the world who is so linked with metal as Finland is, and Finland is also the homeland of Burning Point. They’ve held their spot in the metal scene since the mid 90’s and have previously released five albums – “Salvation by Fire” in 2001, “Feeding the Flames” in 2003, “Burn Down the Enemy” in 2007 and “Empyre” in 2009 and “The Ignitor” in 2012.

In 2014, the guitarist and vocalist of the band, Pete Ahonen invited Nitte Valo (previously in Battle Beast) to take over the vocals, said and done. From that day on, they were a female fronted metalband. Their sixth studioalbum is the first album to feature Nitte and contains of five new songs and six re-recorded classics.

The first thing I notice, especially when I think back on the older material Burning Point has, is how much heavier they have gotten. While the older were more… how do I put it, more classic “calm” power-metal, this has a lot more aggression to it. There is quite the difference between the new songs and the old – the new songs are far more aggressive and fast than the re-recorded ones.  There is some softness though – like in “Heart of Gold” which is still as magical with Nitte singing as with Pete, as well as “My Darkest Time”.

It’s a well-balanced album – heavier songs combined with softer, epic songs combined with fast songs. So far so good, however, I can’t say I’m jumping of joy when I hear the new tunes. They are good, but they don’t quite match up. And the re-recordings… Some are good, some are decent. The production is good – the execution is good. Nitte’s voice is extremely powerful, and it’s one of the things that drags up the grade for me.

It’s a decent album. It’s a good start. I’m looking forward to see what they can do in the future, with their new singer. If you like bands like Iron Maiden mixed with Sabaton, you’ll like this.

Best: “Dawn of the Ancient War”. Love the song, with Nitte or Pete. “Heart of Gold” needs a little attention too, I think.

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(Label: AFM Records)

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// Sara

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REVIEW: Magic Kingdom – Savage Requiem

Posted in CDs, Music, Uncategorized with tags , , , on March 25, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Magic Kingdom is a Belgium based four-piece band, consisting of no less than Christian Palin on vocals, Vassili Moltchanov on bass, Michael Brush on drums and Dushan Petrossi on guitars. The band was launched in 1998 and just a year later did they release their debut, ”The Arrival” followed by two more albums – ”Metallic Tragedy” and ”Symphony of War”. They are now, in 2015, back with their fourth album – ”Savage Requiem”.

It opens up with the epical and big “Umbra Mea” preparing us for the quest we are about to join. We are thrown into the galopping opening song that is “Guardian Angel”, which sets the mood for the entire album.

Brought into the battle ground that is “Savage Reqiuem” we face aggressive and fast guitar riffs combined with epic keyboards and classic drums with sweet voices – pretty much the perfect recepie for a power metal album of this age. It has got it all: the triggering, battle-preparing-kind-of-songs such as “Guardian Angel”, “Savage Requiem”, “With Fire and Sword” and “Battlefield Magic”, more calm, fullmoon-witchcraft-kind-of-songs such as “Full Moon Sacrifice”, and sweet songs as “Dragon Princess”.

However, my personal favorite of the whole album is “Ship of Ghosts”, which so happens to include a piece of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, it’s a trotting melodic song with one of the best melodylines I have heard this year, and epic as hell. The pre-chorus, the chorus, the verses… I could go on and on about how much I love this song, just as with “High and Low” from Serious Black.

However, despite this song, and despite the album being close to previous material, yet new and pretty solid, I must admit it’s only so so. Possibly, I had too high expectations, but it doesn’t meet up just right. It’s decent, solid, but not what I thought it would be.

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Label: AFM Records

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// Sara

 

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Lordi @ Sala But, Madrid, Spain 19/3 -15

Posted in Concerts, Music, Uncategorized with tags , , , on March 19, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Alrighty righty! The day was here, the big massive, explosive day. LORDI at Sala But in Madrid!

First of all, we had planned to wake up REAL early to start preparing for tonights show, but knowing us, this did of course not happen.. The thing is, we planned to hit up my dear friend Marina for lunch around noon, so we were in quite a hurry. One hour late, and a few subways later we were finally at Marina’s place for some italian food and lots of laughing and talking.

The clock got closer and closer to opening hours, and since we planned to queue a little bit outside the doors before they opened we eventually headed over to the arena. Much to our surprise, considering it being a Thursday, there were already a lot of people there. Or a lot and a lot… Might be an exaggeration, but quite a few. But you know, what to do? We sat down as usual and started the long wait, which involved nothing but teasing each other, poking each other and staring at people. And hiding under flags. It was raining, so what do you do? Hide under your flag.

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Right on time at 19 they finally let us in in the arena, and since had to clear the guestlist before entering, all the spots in the frontrow were taken, much to our dismay. But fear not! We found an awesome place to put our stuff and to “live”, in a corner of the bar on a level, so we could see REALLY well.

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The first thing we did actually was to attatch the flag to our bracelets, so we didn’t need to hold it the whole time, as well as finding somewhere nice to hang it. Our dear friend Marina arrived at the venue as well, and obviously found us very easily.

The first thing we did actually, before all of this was to hit up the merch. Not sure if I told you all, but I’m a fan of both Dirty Passion and Hollywood Groupies since before, so sure as hell were I to spend a lot of money on this particular show. The first thing I went to was Dirty Passion’s corner and of course, asked if the merchdude spoke Swedish, which he did so we ended up talking a bit about the tour and all. Lordi’s merchlady joined in as well, and after a bit of talking I left the place with three DP records and two Lordi shirts and then it was Michelle’s turn. But this time I came along, and we got complimented on our flag and hair, LOVE IT.

A little while later it was finally time for Dirty Passion to hit the stage! I’ve been following these guys for some time now, so do you guys understand how freaking happy I was to hear they were touring with Lordi?! It blows my mind.

The boys delivered a really good show. Energetic and on top, and the audience was.. maybe not so much with them, which sucked, but how many can it have been there, a 100? Not sure if it’s even that much! A fun thing that happened though was when the bassplayer, Nasty, was to introduce a song and first pointed out our flag. Top moment!

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Eventually, they left the stage the wait started for Hollywood Groupies! While waiting, two guys approached us after the show and asked if they could have a picture with us and the flag. Of course they could! During DP the merchlady had taken a picture of us as well, we were getting mighty popular, haha.

And before we knew it, Hollywood Groupies entered the stage.

Just as with Dirty Passion, this is a band that I have followed for some time. A very long time. My hopes to ever see them was fairly low, but then they announced their tour with Lordi and I couldn’t even believe it when I saw it. TWO great supportbands? When does that even happen?! Now, apparently.

And JESUS CHRIST were they good! Energetic, onward and thanks to the very charismatic singer, they got the crowd with them for this one. I was so happy to see them again, and I don’t even know what more to add. AMAZING.

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After this, the looong wait for Lordi began. I might as well say it right here. We had planned to wear a certain type of clothes, and we had A LOT of shit planned, but since we couldn’t do the frontrow, we decided to dismiss the mission, and took off the complete outfit, and scaled down to something simple. The anticipation was high and then, before we knew it… Estimated Time of Arrival began.

The band entered the stage and ripped the show open with “Nailed by The Hammer of Frankenstein” and the arena basically exploded, and so did we. Damn, I’ve missed my monsters so much I can’t even believe it. The continued on with “This is Heavy Metal” and then the ever so loved “Hard Rock Halleujah”. Our swedish flag flied high with pride, so to say.

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After this, it was time for my personal favorite – as you all know – “Deadache”. “Deadache” has been my all time favorite song ever since it came out. So seeing it being back on this tour is just pure amazement. I love it.

After this little encounter, it was time for Hella’s little moment. The babycarriage wheeled out and the baby eventually hit the mother. Last time we saw this, we were standing so far on Amen’s side we didn’t really see the moment too well, but standing very far on OX’s side allowed us to see the whole thing. LOVED IT. How many times can one say that?

“Hell Sent in the Clowns” was the next song on the list, with the cute little clowns roaming the stage… no okay. I’m scared of clowns, but these ones are just hilarious. “Blood Red Sandman” was next on the list before it was time for Mana to show off his skills as a reverend.

As you might remember, Mana’s solo contains of him controlling a demon, before he riffs off an amazing drumsolo, first just drumming around and later adding the glow-in-the-dark drumsticks. Fucking epic. I know what Michelle wanna do with those drumsticks. After this, the band came back and continued on their set with “Give Your Life For Rock n Roll” and “Don’t Let My Mother Know”. Seriously, the last one mentioned is one of my FAVORITE Lordi songs ever, and seeing them playing this song lives just… it melts me, you know? Ah god. This tour setlist is so fucking good, it blows my mind.

After “Don’t Let” it was time for OX to have his little moment, this time without his sound effects. I blame the venue for this, the stage was REALLY small! I kid you not. The band barely fit.

“How To Slice A Whore”, which is AMAZING live was the next song on the list and it was as awesome as ever, what can you even say? “It Snows in Hell”… well, as you guys knows, we always hang upside down for this song, and this time, since we weren’t in the front row, we had to work it out some other way.

So what we did was, there was some tables (since this was like a disco) and we brought to the front and sat on them and leaned over upside down. See people, there are solutions for everything!

“The Riff” was the next to be executed followed by “Sincerely With Love”. And here’s the deal people. I know Lordi asks us to flip them the finger, but I can’t. I cannot, and I will not do that. Instead, we shape a heart with our hands and says “Love you assholes”. Peace and love is the key and blah blah, and I cannot show the people I love the finger. Sorry.

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Normally, it would be time for “Man Skin Boots” by now, but for some mysterious reason, this was cut. Instead, they went directly to Amen’s little moment with him being this mighty pharao, and I love it. THIS is the way Amen should have always done it! Right after the continued on with “Not The Nicest Guy” before wrapping up the whole thing with “Devil is A Loser” Yup, that’s right party  people. No “Sir, Mr Presideath Sir!”. To my BIG surprise, this song is perfect live. But I guess you can’t have everything.

They left the stage, only to shortly return to the sweet tones that is “SCG7: Arm Your Doors” and kicked it off with “Scare Force One”. Have I told you enough how much I love this song? Not? Well, I’ll just say it again. I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH. GOD. It’s perfect. Fuck. My night was basically made.

“Who’s Your Daddy” and “Would You Love A Monsterman” finished off this amazing gig and the monsters thanked for tonight and left the stage.

And now, the hurry began. Since we had managed to spread our shit all over the place, we had to collect our shit real quick and hurry for the backstage entrance. We weren’t sure where to go and what to do, but after talking to some crew-members, we found our spot. And before we knew it, the monsters arrived and we were the fist ones to enter.

And this is probably the weirdest meet&greet I have like, ever done. So basically what happened was that we were thrown in, took a picture and then got thrown out. Gladly, we managed to give Hella our little gift, which was basically a pack of chocolate saying Congratulations and a card with greetings.

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After this, we headed over to the merchstand in order to pick up some Hollywood Groupies merchandise and also to have a little chat with Dirty Passion. We kinda had the Amaranthe situation all over, because as I stood waiting for HG to sign, I turned to Nasty and this is basically how it went:

Me: Hej!
Nasty: Hello!
Me: Är det bra? (Everything good?)
Nasty: Ja det…. Hallå de pratar Svenska! (Yeah it’s… Oh my god, they are swedish!)

So basically, we ended up talking with them quite a bit and even taking a few photos as they signed our flag and our CD’s before we were pushed out of the arena. Basically, this was a very, very, very good night.

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After we got out we headed over to McDonalds for a late night snack and one last “dinner” with Marina before we parted ways at the subway. It hurt quite a bit to know you aren’t gonna see her in a while, but what can you do? I’ll miss her heaps!

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With that said, we got on the midnight train going anywhe… to Anton Martin and went to bed far too late….

This day was one of the best days in my life. So was this trip to Spain. But, with all that being said, tomorrow lead for new adventures – getting back to Norway and Steel Panther

// Sara

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REVIEW: Wolfpakk – Rise of the Animal

Posted in CDs, Music, Uncategorized with tags , , , on March 9, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

WOLFPAKK is a metal-allstar project like no other. Started by Mark Sweeny and Michael Voss a few years back, they have managed to collect some of the finest names in metal to make contribution to the Wofpakk Legacy, and “Rise of the Animal”, which is the third album in line, is no exception. Featuring guest appearances by people as Michael Kiske, Ted Poley, Joe Lynn Turner, Don Dokken, Barend Curbois, Ryan Roxie, John Norum, Chris Slade and Mark Terrana, even you can figure out this was going to be something special.

And well…The firs thing I’m going to say is that this album is a little all over the place. It’s starts pretty heavy with the opening track, “Riders of the Storm” followed by “Sock it to Me” only to later transcend into what I’d describe as almost nibbing on the sleaze/80’s kind of genre in songs like “Monkey on Your Back” only to then go back to fast power-metal kind of music, similar to HammerFall almost (“Rise of the Animal”) to AGAIN go back to the more “soft” things. And in the middle of it, there’s a bagpipe solo (“Highlands”). All of this is wrapped out by the calm and powerful “Universe”. Basically, you could call it a musical roller-coaster.

Is it good? Well… yeah. This isn’t the best I’ve heard, but it’s decent, you know? However, there aren’t too many memorable songs for me – the only ones I keep hearing in my head after turning off the record are “Monkey On Your Back” and “Running Out of Time”, and that, for me personally, says a lot. However, the music is done well, and the arrangements are good. You can tell it’s pro’s behind the instruments in this one, and that’s always a big plus. But aside that, it just doesn’t cut it for me. I’m sorry. A few good songs, but that’s about it.

 

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Label: AFM Records

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// Sara

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Slipknot @ Jäähalli, Helsinki, Finland 15/2 – 15

Posted in Concerts, Finland, Music, Uncategorized with tags , , , on February 16, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

Everything has a beginning, but everything also has an end. And this was the final date on what we refer to as the “SlipKnot” week, even though it was a bit all over the place. It was a bittersweet taste in my mouth when I woke up that morning, and the reality hit me even harder when Argo left to go home to Estonia.

But, fear not! As I was sitting in my dismay, in my beautiful room at Omena Yrjönkatu, which was very messy because it’s me, the lovely Jasmin hit me up for dinner before I headed over to Jäähalli. Said and done.

I had been thinking a LOT about what to wear. And with that said, I mean I had no clue at all in what so ever. I thought maybe a Lordi shirt and some pants, but then I figured I’d just go with a stripped down version of what I was wearing in Stockholm. Said and done.

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So, Jasmin and I met up outside the hotel and headed down to McDonalds for a sweet dinner. And it was sweet already. Lots of talking, catching up, laughter and gasps and just pure epicness. Eventually of course, I had to leave as Jasmin guided me to the trams that would take me to Jäähalli.

Because of the awesome company, I was actually getting pretty late to the venue! Not my kind of style huh? Shows you how much good company can do! But just as I got into the bathrooms, the LONG intro of King 810 started so you could say I made it just in time! Ran downstairs and didn’t miss a second of King 810.

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Well, there isn’t a lot more to say about King 810 that hasn’t already been said. I assume it was the same setlist, and the band was on top, just as in Stockholm. Still miss that little cameo of the crew member of course but you can’t get everything!

So, after they left the stage it was time for the fairly short wait for SlipKnot. I had checked on the events page – SlipKnot would start at 20.20 (odd time anyone?) and precisely 20.24 did “XIX” start echoing from the speakers. And as it did so, I felt some people pushing from the side. I was like “Oh come on, not back here?” and then I realized what was going on.

They were preparing for a moshpit.

And I was basically the star of the show.

So I basically, in true “Wait and Bleed” mannor yelled out a “GOOD BYE!” and ran the opposite direction. Some time in the future, you WILL see me in a moshpit to “Surfacing”, but not today. Not here, not now.

With that said, the curtain raise up and they hit it off with “Scarcastrophe”. Within the first few sounds of the guitar, the arena pretty much exploded. Had this been a 2-floor building, the floor would have broken. They continued on with “The Heretic Anthem” just as in Stockholm, tightly followed my “My Plague”. Damn. You could cut the tension with a knife you know? You could sense that this was something special.

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Which it kinda was, you know. It was the tour finale of the Prepare for Hell tour in Europe. But on the same time – there isn’t a whole lot to say. The band was on top – just as they were back in Stockholm, perhaps a little more on the edge. They followed suit with “The Devil in I” and “Psychosocial” and later on “The Negative One” – and I tell you.

Being in the arena, regardless of arena really, when these three songs are being blasted… Well, they call the tour prepare for hell, right? Because it is. But it’s a good hell. The kind of hell one would commonly refer to as heaven. At least if you’re a hyper, jumping, headbanging metalhead that is. And I am all of this. So hell, nah, more heaven.

But it was right here it happened. When it was supposed to have been “Three Nil” we instead heard the lyrics telling us “I wanna slit your throat and fuck the wound…”

And in all honesty, at first I didn’t even realize what happened. I sang along to all the lyrics, jumped at the right spots, and headbanged and what not. But I never realized what happened. Neither did I when “Eyeless” was exchanged for “Opium of the People”.

I didn’t realize what was happening until they started playing “Dead Memories” were there was supposed to be “Vermillion”. And at first I froze.

And then my eyes grew big. So big they almost popped out of my head. Grabbed my camera quick, need to record this shit for Michelle. Halfway in the verse I realize NO I SHOULD FUCKING CALL HER. Started digging for my phone, managed to call her. My bill is going to be sky high, but it’s worth it if you let your best friend hear her favorite song live.

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Afterwards they continued on as “normal” – meaning “Dead Memories” was followed by “Before I Forget” and “Duality” before the next surprise of the night came – Where there was expected, from my side, to be “Wait and Bleed” we instead got “The Blister Exists”. Hello mindfuck. And after this… hihihi. My favorite moment was here.

Sure. I’ve only seen this band two times now. But already after the gig in Stockholm did “Spit it Out” become my favorite moment of the entire show you. And I guess you all know what I’m talking about. Yep. That’s right. According to Corey, the Helsinki crowd was the fastest in all of Europe to get the fuck down on the fucking ground. Doesn’t even surprise me. AND GOD DAMN THIS MOMENT PEOPLE. If you ever have the chance to experience a SlipKnot show, do so from the middle of the crowd. Might seem a little… speaking against myself, but seriously, there’s nothing like being in there, sitting down with all these people around you, and all of you, ON THE SAME TIME just jumps the fuck up. Oh my fucking god man, as Corey’d say.

This piece of action was of course followed by their, I suppose new, jumpfest “Custer”. Seriously, if the arena wasn’t already blown up, this was the moment when it happened.

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After “Custer”, they left the stage, leaving us all chanting wanting more, and of course, like the good band they are, they returned. Starting off with “742617000027” and then driving RIGHT into “(sic)” just made your inner organs kind of explode. I’ve used that word a lot in this entry, I do realize, but how else am I to explain an explosive show?

“(sic)” was followed by “People=Shit” before they wrapped the whole thing up with the moshers little favorite “Surfacing”. Like I said in the beginning, ONE DAY I will be in the mosh, but it’s gonna take some time. Like, I need to get Iron Man’s costume first. And a few pillows. And a sumi-wrestlers outfit. But until then, have fun people.

After “Surfacing” they thanked for the night and left the stage and soon we were all ushered out of the arena by Geoff, their right hand, if you like.

It was with a fairly heavy heart I left Jäähalli. It was a bittersweet taste in your mouth, when this one week you’ve looked forward to for SO LONG is just over. Just like that. Gone. Away. No more.

As the loser I am, I didn’t find the tram-station so I end up walking all the way back to the hotel. Which was pretty sweet, it only took about half an hour and it was kinda nice to walk home and calm down a little bit from the extreme amount of endorphins that had just been released inside the ice hall.

Seriously though, from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you SlipKnot, for these two shows. They were amazing, and I can’t even wait for Graspop to come now. NOW. NOW.

// Sara

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When All Lights Fail

Posted in Music, Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , 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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