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Sabaton @ Hovet, Stockholm, Sweden 24/3 -17

Posted in Concerts, Music, Uncategorized with tags accept, hovet, sabaton, stockholm, the last tour, twilight force on March 24, 2017 by Sara Hammerzmith

Third time’s the charm, eh? Well, it sure as hell were time for yet another round. If there is any band in this world I cannot in any way get enough of, it’s Sabaton.

So, off I went to the capitol of Sweden. It has been fairly unusual for me to attend gigs in other cities closer to home, so going away on the usual Swebus toward Stockholm was nice, but also… weird. Which is really odd.

Once arrived, I headed off to Subway to pick up some food, off to the hostel to get ready and have some early dinner simultaneously. After that, off to Hovet I went. Much to my dismay, a line had formed (what did I expect?) but I tried to keep my spirit up – some of these fools were wearing coats, meaning they’d have to go through wardrobe. I can’t believe people still wait in lines with coats. Will they ever learn?

Hovet however, this time around, had quite the different set up. So basically, they opened the doors and let us in, but didn’t let us down to the venue. Instead, we stood and listened to Twilight Force rehearse. Which just made me even more excited.

So, there were several gates, and I randomly chose one. I lost my first spot in the gate because of my shyness, but it turned out to be the best thing ever, as they opened the gate (this is sounding more and more like a Twilight Force song) right next to us, which allowed me to get further in the line. Once down, I saw how a group of people were ahead of me, but because of their strict “no running” rule, a lot of people were forced to the back of the venue, whereas I, who are used to walk big and fast after all these years in the stable, could secure a spot in the second row. I usually don’t do second rows, but I figured I’d try it this time. After all, I can just move back you know.

Twilight Force

So, right on time at 19, the mighty warriors walked on stage and hit off their show with “Battle of Arcane Might” – which has grown so much on me. What a battle song, what an opening song! They followed up strongly with “To The Stars”, and later on “Riders of the Dawn”.

A song that has grown to be my personal favorite of said band, “Flight of the Sapphire Dragon” followed suit before it was time to enter the “Gates of Glory”, before wrapping it all up with “The Power of the Ancient Force”. With that, the band thanked for themselves and left the stage. It was a good vibe on the stage, and the audience was pretty good for once! I like that.

Accept

So, the more I see this, the more fond I grow of them. I guess it’s some sort of tourfeeling – that we are in this together. They don’t know that, because they don’t see me, but I know. Different venue, different city but same routine as every night. And there is something comforting in that, don’t you think?

It’s all of us together.

They started the show off with “Stampede”, which is quite the powerful starter, like, in your face kind of starter, and quickly followed up by “Stalingrad”. “Restless and Wild” was next song on the list, followed by a song that has really started to grow on me the past shows – “London Leatherboys”. It’s something about the groove in the song that I just love so much.

“Final Journey” off their most recent release was next on the list, followed by a big favorite “Princess of the Dawn”. The lowbeat song was then followed by “Fast as a Shark”, which served as a good wake up for the somewhat tired audience. Stockholm, why you so lame?

Personal favorite “Metal Heart” – a song I’ve loved of Accept for as long as I have been a metalhead – was next, and it is magical to see and hear this song every night. I can’t deny that.

“Teutonic Terror” was next, before wrapping up the ever so energetic set with “Balls to the Wall”. The band thanked for themselves and then left the stage.

After this, the eager wait for Sabaton began. There is something extraordinary special, waiting for them to begin. Hearing the moodsetting music, seeing the soldiers running around on stage… and then… “In The Army Now” starts and the whole show starts.

Sabaton

So, it has been a while since I saw Sabaton from the front row – so I have completely missed out on this whole routine with the two soldiers blowing up mines through the intro. And I absolutely love it. Talking about setting a mood! Made it a whole lot more intense.

“The March to War” started, the video started rolling on the screen and then… “HELLO STOCKHOLM, WE ARE SABATON AND THIS IS GHOST DIVISION”

And the whole place went up in flames. Such an energetic start! Finally Stockholm is showing what it’s made of. And then, the Spartians marched out on stage and it was time for “Sparta”. I think I mentioned it already last time I wrote, but this has honestly become my favorite moment of the show. If it is because of the Spartians, or the song, or the whole package – I have no idea, but I truly love this part. The song is just so powerful.

By the way. When the show started, a very familiar blonde got up behind the drumset, and you could hear the crowd whispering “Hannes is back!” Here in Sweden, we have had the pleasure of having Twilight Force’s drummer Daniel Sjögren behind the kit. But now, Hannes’ daughter has been born and he’s back.

“Blood of Bannockburn” was next on the list, what a fun little song that is – seriously, if it continues like this, this song might end up in my top songs. “Tommys Choice” a.k.a “Swedish Pagans was next – Jocke didn’t even get a chance to say anything before the crowd, annoyingly, was already humming the tune. To be honest, I really am so over that song. Or more like, I’m over the hype of the song. It’s not that amazing.

But then again – “Swedish Pagans” meant that the next song is “The Last Stand”. And I cannot get over how good this song is, and how dreamy and magical it is live. Perhaps explosive is a better word of use when it comes to these people.

“Carolus Rex” was next – pretty mighty to be in Stockholm and hear the line “Hela Stockholm ser mig krönas” (All of Stockholm witness my coronation), adding so much to the show. It’s really just a question of semantics and feelings attached to a word, but it’s still… its massive. Or it was for me.

“Gott Mit Uns” with Chris and Tommy on the vocals were next on the list, before the unknown soldier appears on the television screen, providing the intro for “The Lost Battalion”. What an intense experience that is – this song really just… I guess it’s something in the lyrics or in the arrangements, but it fills you with emotion.

The song was followed by “Lejonet Från Norden”, complete outlet of energy. And the band, like, still after this long tour, so energetic. It’s good to see.

After this, the piano was brought in, “The Final Solution” performed beautifully – its a real powerful scene.

“Resist and Bite” was to be the next song on the list – but instead of being provided with a guitar, Jocke was instead provided with a Gold record. “The Last Stand” has sold Gold in Sweden. How amazing isn’t that? I’m so happy for these people. So happy to see this.

We quickly got thrown into the epicness and awesomeness that is “Nightwitches” – I really cannot get enough of that intro. It’s just.. I can’t describe it, to be honest. They then wrapped up the set with “Winged Hussars” before leaving the stage.

The little movie of the battles of Normandie started, accompanied with the amazing pyrotechnic and sound effects, exploding into “Primo Victoria”. And the arena exploded! It is so good to see. “Shiroyama” followed suite, then “En Livstid i Krig” and wrapping up the whole set with “To Hell and Back”.

The band thanked for themselves and left the stage, oddly enough without waving the flag. Well well.

After the show, I hit up the merch and acquired a Twilight Force bag and a tour shirt – I’ve come to realize I have no tourshirts of this band, so it was about time. Afterwards, I headed back home to my hotel and quickly started packing and going to bed.

To only sleep a couple of hours.

// Sara

Mötley Crüe @ Globen, Stockholm, Sweden 16/11 -15

Posted in Concerts, Music, Uncategorized with tags alice cooper, globen, Mötley Crüe, ripmötleycrüe, stockholm, the final tour on November 16, 2015 by Sara Hammerzmith

So… I don’t even know how to begin this blog. I’ve been seeing Mötley Crüe live quite a few times on and off since 2007, and knowing that this is supposed to be the last time I’ll ever see them. It feels a bit surreal… I don’t… I don’t even know how to put this to words. So I won’t for now.

The day began lazily. For once, ONCE we actually had the opportunity to sleep in. I think we got up around noon, had breakfast and took a quickie downtown before we met up with our amazeballs friend Robert for some dinner before the show. It was raining like there was no tomorrow, but we somehow made it to Taco Bar anyway. We had a fun dinner with lots of jokes and plans and whatnot before we headed out in the rain again to get to Globen and the very last show.

As soon as we got out of the metro, we ran. Not because we were late, but because THE RAIN. Rain is all cool when you sit inside, with your window open and a few lit candles and a “nice” (*cough* Hunger Games *cough*) book, but not when you are about to go to a show. Gladly, since we were so “late” there were practically no queue at all, so we got in immediately. Directly, we headed for the merchandise to get the for me, mandatory tour programme. That is pretty much all my current budget allows, but on the other hand, I must admit there weren’t a whole too many good designs.

At this point, it was about ten minutes left until Alice Cooper would go on stage, so we went down to the standing area. To our surprise, it was actually pretty…thin. I mean, not entirely, but I really thought there would be more people than this.

With a five minute delay, Alice Cooper went on stage to the rhythms of “Black Widow”. He quickly followed up with “No More Mr Nice Guy” and kept up that pace throughout the whole show. The set of the night were pretty similar to the shows he’s done earlier this year, of course a bit shorter because of time, sparing only the “hits” or the “good ones”, in what also felt a quicker pace than usual.

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Regardless of this, Alleysan never, and I tell you NEVER, fail to entertain. Like I told you before – I wasn’t sure if I came for Mötley Crüe or for Alice Cooper, and despite seeing this set for about the third time this year, he still entertains me. And also. Seeing the Frankenstein doll on the big screen did freak me out a bit. I’ve never seen it so up-close, and now I was actually frightened by the details. Good on you, Mr Cooper.

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Alice left the stage, and left us waiting for Mötley Crüe. I’d lie if I say I wasn’t having mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I couldn’t wait to see Mötley Crüe again, because despite them being so “bad” they are still Mötley Crüe, it’s still all those songs I love. But on the other hand, I didn’t want it to be over.

And right now time, the intro song started and the boys started the show with “Girls, Girls, Girls”. I must admit, I was a bit surprised by the choice of song, but… how can I care, how could I possibly care that much when Tommy, Vince, Nikki and Mick are on stage. It’s hard to comprehend that it was really only five months ago I saw them before this… But it’s something with Mötley Crüe, and it has always been. Whenever they come, I come.

Second song of the night were “Wild Side” followed by “Primal Scream”. And what can I say… This is a big show. There are pyros and fire-spewers literally everywhere, explosions and what else. A pricey show, I guess you could call it.

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The second guitar was brought out, and the very song that actually began my entire fanhood of Mötley Crüe was ripped off – “Same Ol’ Situation”. For the last time. This was followed by “Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)” and “Smoking In The Boys Room”.

“Looks That Kills”, “Mutherfucker of The Year” and “Anarchy in the U.K” was fired off before the arena went completely dark, only to be lit up by Nikki Sixx putting his mic stand on fire for “Shout at the Devil”. For those of you who may not know, Nikki Sixx’s current mic stand hangs from the top of the stage down, and has a up-side down star on it, much like the album cover.

“Louder Than Hell” came on before it once again becomes completely dark, but this time to the tunes of “O Fortuna”. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this, more than that I stood a long while thinking about from where I recognized the song (Clash of the Choirs, Team CANS) and then, Tommy Lee came out for his drum solo.

And finally, I got to figure out what the big metal thing standing half way into the arena was.

It was the rollercoaster.

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After all these years. After all these years, and all these prototypes.. it was finally here. The rollercoaster. The Rollercoaster Tommy Lee had spoken about so much in the past. Finally, it was here. And it was damn good. He started his drumsolo accompanied by some club music as the rollercoaster slowly started going upwards and then starting to twist and turn a bit. He went for the ride all the way to the center of the arena, which so happened to be exactly where we were standing.

When sitting there in the middle of the arena, Tommy got emotional and talked about this moment, and how important it was for him, but also how saddened he was, and how heavy his shoulders were from what had happened in Paris just a couple of days prior, and asked for a minute of silence. Of course, there will always be jerks who has to yell through things like this, but it was really, really beautiful. He then started his ride back to the stage where Mick joined him for a mind-blowing guitarsolo.

“Saints of Los Angeles” was quickly fired off after this, followed by “Live Wire” and “Dr Feel Good” before wrapping the whole set up with “Kickstart My Heart”. And what an ending, my god. Nikki and Vince were put up on “elevators” and shoved out in the audience. Oh my. What an ending. Confetti and pyros EVERYWHERE. It’s like they used all their last power.

They thanked for the night, and left the stage.

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In the middle of the arena, where Tommy’s rollercoaster ended, there was a drumset. We weren’t sure what to make of it, but we hoped that maybe Tommy’d play it. And when we saw the crew start to prep it, we realized that we, or at least I, would come closer to Mötley Crüe than I have ever done before. And we were right. After a bit of time, they came up on the little podium together for one last good bye in “Home Sweet Home”.

And by that, it was over. Done. Finito. The very last time I’d ever see Mötley Crüe… was over. But this, this my friends, were the best good bye I’ve witnessed so far.

I went to this show with the worst expectations possible. I expected to barely even recognize the songs, to see Mötley Crüe being out-shined by Alice Cooper, but at least see the people who meant so much to me. But I got more. I got a Mötley Crüe who could play together. I got a Vince Neil that actually SANG all, or at least most, of the words, which he hasn’t always done in the past. I got to see Nikki Sixx talk about how a knife represents persistence and that with that, you can go far. I got a Mötley Crüe who seemed genuinely happy to play. I wasn’t sure if I came for Alice or Mötley, but I came for Mötley. I really did. And most importantly…

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