Some kind of Magic

Damn, time flies... That's for sure. It has been some crazy weeks trying to fit everything into the schedule. Some concerts (and I'm actually catching up quite good on the writing at the moment), a few Festivals, Business trips, rehearsals and more...

Of course it was hard but some of it paid off last weekend when it finally was time to hit the stage with Void Moon at Metal Magic Festival in Frederica, Denmark. We managed to squeeze into the Kia without too much hassle and off we went. Me and Peter stayed for the whole Festival while Thomas and Jonas caught the train back to Sweden after Hobbs Angel Of Death, who did an amazing gig. 

 It sure was a lot of fun to play and it's great to be greeted like we did when we arrived. Lisa showed us around explaining where we should be an when, what we could and couldn't do, introduced us to the sound guy who also did a great job fixing the sound on and off stage. 
The downside was that everything before the gig took more time than expected so it all was a bit stressed before we got everything together and could start playing.
Afterwards it felt really good and it was great to have the rest of the weekend off just to enjoy it.

Best bands? Apart from Hobbs Angel of Death I'd say that Emerald, Death Rides a Horse, Procession, Altar of Oblivion and The Black were the ones that did the biggest impression on me. And it sure is a shame that Martyr had to cancel, I was really looking forward to see them again.

 So now it's a years waiting until it's time to visit Metal Magic Festival again... One of the best and nicest smaller Festivals in Northern Europe I'd say.

 
It wasn't all fun to go back to work directly after the Festival though. I guess the biggest reason for this is just knowing vacation is only a few days away. This really kills the inspiration to work but I have so many things to fix it's crazy. I guess most of them will have to wait until later occasions though.

Anyway, I gathered some strength and did some cleaning in the shoe-box apartment before I leave it for a few weeks. Always better to come back if it looks nice and smells like a flat, not like something died here. (not that it does but it had potential to do so if forgetting to take out the garbage). I also took the opportunity to build a mini-guitar-park...

I've had the gear here since day one but no inspiration to put it up or get more cables to connect it all. But Musik Verkstan was nice enough and had a summer-sale so take 3 and pay for 2 was a good deal. Even if neither the Vamp-2 nor the 20W Marshall are the most fun to play on it still is better than nothing and counting in how much (or little) volume I can use it works quite ok! It sure beats playing without the amp at all at least. 

Just two more days to work now, then vacation!!!

Cheers
E

NP: BLITZKRIEG - Theater of the Damned

 
 

List of the Year 2012

Where did 2012 go?It sure doesn’t feel like over a year ago I applied for the job I got just before Christmas 2011 and I hardly remember the summer. Well, that can depend on that it hardly was summer at all of course but anyway, I remember two weeks, one before and one after Headbangers Open Air. But it sure as hell has been a very eventful year.

I think it was in March when I and Peter decided to try to find a place in Skåne rather than in the Borås/Gothenburg area. We listed the criteria’s and since both of us had issues with our neighbors making a hell lot of sound we both dreamt of a quiet place far away from everyone. Driving around in the villages around Malmö (Bökarp, Bösetorp, Tittente, Skivarp, Börste, Trä… to mention a few) we realized that civilization isn’t so bad after all. At least when it comes to commuting to work, even just 10km outside of Malmö could be a 4 hour bus ride one way… So, in the end, fulfilling all requirements apart from being the last house on the street we found the Void Mansion. For us it seemed like a very well preserved (perhaps not top modern but who cares, I even start to like the pink flower wallpapers un the upstairs bathroom) and solid house, big and perfect for what we wanted. I must say, me as well as Peter was really surprised when no one else was interested in it at all. When we were there looking at it several other couples and families were there looking. Good for us of course and in mid-July we closed the deal. Then everything turned out so perfect we had 2 weeks overlap with our flats when we got the house in mid-October. Crazy weeks it became, to move and clean everything in that short time was really hard but so good when it was over. We are still working on getting the house in order, the rehearse-room/studio need more gear. My office needs more bookshelves, Peter’s library to. But it is ok that it takes time. I’m not moving in the next 50 years now!

Then of course the Void Moon album “On The Blackest of Nights” was released in November. Of course, Cult Of The Fox’s debut was released in 2011 but since I got into the band when everything (almost) was already written and set I wasn’t as involved in that record as in the Void Moon one and of course the coming Cult Of The Fox record. But the Void Moon record was almost finalized when it was time to start to record the next and now, since I’m the sole guitarist in COTF I had a hell of a job to do. Of course I’ve been recording earlier but not this way. I learnt a lot and had a blast doing it but it was also very frustrating when things didn’t turn out the way I expected them to. But ok, some things turned out even better. So it will be exciting to see how that one is received once it is released. And the Void Moon album has been received very well, a lot of good reviews and that feels great.

And then of course my new Job! Or, I’m actually doing about the same as I did before but with a bigger area and more responsibility (of course a better paycheck as well). I actually didn’t expect to get it, I applied for it to push myself and prepare to move on some day. But I did get the job and it has been a mix of free fall and control this last year. But to be able to set a plan on what to work with for the future, put a budget for it and then make it happen has been very rewarding. I really enjoy what I’m doing and I have great people around me to work with. But it has been A LOT of work and with the recording of albums and buying the Void Mansion and of course moving in, there has not been time for anything else for the last 5 months. I’ve hardly been to any concerts at all during the fall and that too feels strange.
But after a long Christmas vacation I’m back and really have the urge to get a doze of loud music again!!! So my calendar is filling up. The only really annoying thing is that it feels like all concerts in Gothenburg are on Friday’s and Saturday’s these days and the ones in Malmö mid-weeks, SHOULD BE THE OTHER WAY AROUND!!!


But again it has been a good Metal year, and a lot of great releases.
Here’s my list; 

1. MASTERS HAMMER - Vracejte Konve na Místo

 
It was Brutal but when the Hammer finally hit, it hit really hard. I got hold of this one just in time for Skogsröjet Festival and was supposed to dig into Testament’s “Dark Roots…” and as anyone can agree on, that is one hell of an album. Nothing else was good enough around this time but Master’s Hammer. And with this one hitting as hard as it did, the rest of the catalogue went down well too with the exception of “Salgary”. As weird it might appear, with the Czech language and odd harmonies, but that’s what I like.

Favorite Track: “Námořnická”

2. ACCEPT – Stalingrad

 
I guess this one could have been in top as “Blood of the Nations” was two years ago. The reason why it’s not is not because it’s weaker in any way, still as fantastic but no surprise this time. “Blood of the Nation” was overwhelming, this one expected. But one thing’s for sure, Accept is back and really has the capacity to write awesome music.

Favorite Track: “Shadow Soldier”

3. SLEEPY HOLLOW - Skull 13

 
I thought this one was ok initially when I started to listen to it, I got it for review and couldn’t really find anything to say about it. I let it roll, over and over again which was well worth the effort. The first four songs are really good, they set a really nice tune to the album. But what comes after is something else. From “Bleed Steel” to “Midnight” this album is full perfection, the first three songs are really good also. So this is what I’m really looking forward to see live later this year.

Favorite Track: “Inquisition”

4. ANGEL WITCH - As Above, So Below

 
Oh my… I didn’t expect Angel Witch to release an album as good as this one. The best thing with it is that it sounds like the 80’s from a song perspective but the sound is neither retro nor modern. It is just an organic sounding Heavy Metal album with some fantastic songs.

Favorite Track: “Into the Dark”

5. RAM - Death

 
One of the best bands in Sweden these days! Ram is an awesome live machine that keeps releasing great records. I can easily say they’ve taken one step up for each record. 

Favorite Track: “Under the Scythe”

6. GRAND MAGUS - The Hunt

 
Well, Grand Magus isn’t far behind Ram of course. Even if “The Hunt” didn’t strike as hard as “Hammer of the North” this one still holds extremely high class. Perhaps it is more the style that bugs me rather than the songs. I liked the raw sound Grand Magus used to have, this is more polished but of course still really good.

Favorite Track: “Storm King”

7. JESS AND THE ANCIENT ONES - Jess and the Ancient Ones

 
This I really didn’t expect. Since I have a personal shopper when it comes to record I tend to buy more than I should have. But hey, it’s served and a few weeks later it shows up in my mailbox. So this was more impulse buy from my side but I’m SO glad I bought it. I love it! It’s mellow, melodic and just very cozy.

Favorite Track: “Twilight Witchcraft”

8. WITCHCRAFT – Legend

 
Then another one I didn’t expect. Frankly, I haven’t listened much to Witchcraft at all, which is rather strange since I really liked it the times I’ve seen them live.  But I gave this one a chance and then, a little as it was with Master’s Hammer, I couldn’t change the record at all for a few days.

Favorite Track: “It’s not Because of You”

9. TESTAMENT - Dark Roots Of The Earth

 
My expectations on this album were really high, this since Testament has been one of my favorite bands almost since the start of my Metal career, which mean I’ve followed them since their first album “The Legacy”. So I’m glad they could push out an album like this one. It’s very dark and powerful.

For me the production could have been a bit more primitive, which I think could have given a more dynamic sound. But it sure is a good record. Also, me and Peter ran into Eric Petersen at Skogsröjet and got starstruck, even the local radio station had to wait a while to interview us!

Favorite Track:  “True American Hate”

10. DEMON – Unbroken

 
I was browsing the web just taking a break at work and found out that Demon had released a new album. Strange perhaps since they’ve mentioned that they should quit altogether on occasion, then play a few gigs if the deal was right and now this… But this is how Demon should sound. This record has the same feeling as Demon live, just joyful and a good rocking band.

Favorite Track: "Fill Your Head With Rock"

Then Peter's top 10 list looks like this;

1. Manowar - "The Lord of Steel Hammer Edition"

2. Overkill - "The Electric Age"

3. Manowar - "The Lord of Steel Retail Edition"

4. Candlemass - "Psalms for the Dead"

5. Accept – "Stalingrad"

6. Testament - "Dark Roots of Earth"

7. Wino - "Heavy Kingdom"

8. Hellwell - "Beyond the Boundaries of Sin"

9. Grand Magus - "The Hunt"

10. Grave Digger - "Clash of the Gods"

And the ones that almost made it (alphabetically);

Bedemon – "Symphony of Shadows"

Candlemass – "Psalms of the Dead"

Huntrss – "Spell Eater"

Kamelot – "Silverthorn"

Kreator – "Pantom Antichrist"

Manowar - "The Lord of Steel"

Overkill – "The Electric Age"

Paradise Lost – "Tragic Idol"

Pharaoh – "Bury the Light"

Ufo – "Seven Deadly"

Also, I have to mention two more records that I really wanted to have on the top list but since only Studio Full Length albums count they were excluded due to that!
Colossus - ...and the Sepulcher of the Mirror Warlock
Sledge Leather - Imagine me Alive
I know the Sledge Leather album is listed as a full length one but out of the 11 tracks, 5 is just around a minute long and total playtime is just over 31 minutes. And that is the same as Colossus, which 6-tracker is listed as an EP.

And the ones that could have made it if I’d found it/got the thumb out earlier (alphabetically);

Bloody Hammers – "Bloody Hammers"

Gojira - "L'Enfant Sauvage"

Grave - "Endless Procession of Soul"

Grave Digger – "Clash of the Gods"

Magnum – "On the 13th Day"

Nightmare – "The Burden of God"

Obsession – "Order of Chaos"

Tank – "War Nation"

Thy Majestie - "ShiHuangDi"

Wildestarr – "Tell Tale Heart"

A few I missed completely that I need to check;

Banshee – "Mindslave"

Cloudscape – "New Era"

Mekong Delta – "Intersections"

Mob Rules – "Cannibal Nation"

Pallbearer – "Sorrow and Extinction"

And then the Concerts I enjoyed the most;

1. Arch / Matheos @ Keep It True Festival

It sure was a dream come true to get to see John Arch sing! And damn he sung. Sounded amazing, both for the Arch/Matheos tracks as well as the Fates Warning classics. http://www.metalkaoz.com/live-reports/8711-kit-xv-day-2-lauda-koenigshofen-de.html

2. Jon Oliva’s Pain @ Turock, Essen

The Mountain King will always do great shows! This was no exception, the sound was great, the band charged. Jon had his grand Piano but also, he was up running on stage for a few songs. And of course, the place was packed and the whole crowd was on 100% all through the show.
http://www.metalkaoz.com/live-reports/8567-jon-olivas-pain-turock-essen-de.html

3. Hammers Of Misfortune @ Roadburn

Peter worked hard to get us tickets to Roadburn just so we would get to see Hammers Of Misfortune. Sure, I was a bit nervous that I boosted my expectations too high for this but Peter was almost breaking into pieces the day of the concert. Sure, we missed a few bands because we couldn’t get into the stage area (013 has 3-4 different stages and the rooms varies from 200-2000 people). Bt everything worked out fine and we took our spots in the front. And yes, it was as good as we expected.

4. Hobbs Angel of Death @ Headbangers Open Air

I can’t remember being this “smacked” by a band before. It actually felt being hit by a steamroller, complete fury and so much fun to watch.

5. Anthrax @ Copenhell

Anthrax has always been really good when I’ve seen them live. But this was even high over their standard. Joey Belladonna was absolutely fantastic, damn his voice is good… And the energy!!!

6. Y&T @ KB Malmö

Seeing Y&T is like going to a party hanging out with your friends. The atmosphere is very friendly all the time and it’s so charming when Dave Meniketti is just chatting with the crowd between the songs, taking requests and such. Then of course, Y&T has always delivered high quality music as well.

7. Judas Priest @ Cloetta Center Linköping

Yes, Richie Faulkner sure got the guys moving. Judas Priest has always sounded good but now they seemed to have a lot of fun too. Awesome set, awesome performance.
http://www.metalkaoz.com/live-reports/5880-judas-priest-cloetta-center-linkoeping-swe.html

8. Griffin Device @ Malta Doom Metal Festival

They sure know how to play Doom at Malta. This was the second time for Griffin Device and even if it was good the first time it felt like everything has come together now. And yes, when Drone becomes intensive, then it really is special!

9. Argus @ Dublin Doom Days

This sure was something I was looking forward to see. And Argus sounded just live as on record. I’d boosted my expectations high here as well, wondering if they would play “Pieces of your Smile” since it is a rather long song. Sure, it was a bit of an anticlimax when they opened with it but still an amazing show.

10. Paradise Lost @ Sticky Fingers Gothenburg

Paradise Lost has found their old form again when producing records and playing live. They blew me away 20 years ago and even if they don’t have the exact same drive today it still is awesome.
http://www.metalkaoz.com/live-reports/6464-paradise-lost-gothenburg-malmoe-swe.html

Cheers

E

NP: HELLOWEEN - "Straight out of Hell"

The Void Mansion taking shape

Even if it still isn't back to normal fully after the stomach flue, at least it is going in the right direction. The apetite and the energy is coming bac. So this weekend I can arrange a candlelight suppoer in best Hyacint style, apart from the Royal Doulton china though... My fanciest brans reaches to Gefle China år Lasse Åberg design!!! So that will be nice. Still haven't decided what to make though.

 

But even if things happened slow, at least something happened last weekend. Salary day and all we decided to go to IKEA to do some shopping. I needed an Expedit to my office and Peter some bookshelves for his library. Also we needed some spareparts for the shelves in the CD room!!! (yes, we will have a room for CD's only)





 

I need one or two more Expedit for the office the first one filled fast and there are more things that need to be stowed away. I also need a good chair, Peter's old one can't be adjusted the way I need it to so the home work situation is just ok for now (still much much better that the old flat) I'm very satisfied with my office and now when things are coming into place one by one, I hope I can use it a bit more. 

 

 

And I never thought it would be this easy to adjust to use the kitchen for dinner and other meals. I think I used the table in Gävle twice in 12 years, the one in Borås 4 times in 2 years. Now all meals has been ejoyed at the table. At it seems like the storage space will be enough for all our gears, with some help from my wine cellar (ok, food cellar but it is mainly wine in there now). Gonna buy a glass cabinet also beacuse the Pizza plates doesn't fit anywhere.

 

 

It still is a bit empty in the living room. But I think it will be ok as soon as the curtains are up (just need to find suitable ones also) and a bigger table than the one there now. I still think it is very good it is empty now when everything is sort into place, would have been a shame if we'd filled it up right away. 

 

 

The vinyl wall got rather massive. I realized I have been buying a lot of vinyls lately. But ok, since there's been space left for vinyls but not for CD's I guess that's natural! The issue with space for CD's is solved now though! 

 

 

Peter has been working on Sound proofing the rehearseroom/studio also. There's not much needed, just some for some small basement windows and some to avoid the sound bouncing off the walls while rehearsing. And I've saved a spot for a Piano as well... The dumb thing though, checking Blocket, around Borås there's an almost unlimited selection of "come and get them" Pianos, old massive ones. The offering is not as good around Höör though. But it will come!

 

Last week I started to sort out my small shoebox of week-day flat too. It was a big improvement getting the furnitures in place. To get the armchairs from the bathroom to the livingroom was a bit of a hassle though.

 

 

The flat includes furnitures. The guy who lived here before me had his own though and had the ones belonging to the flat stored away. Trying to move the armchairs into the flat I realized the wardrobe was in the way. Trying to move that one it completely fell into pieces. Need to point that out to the landlord so I don't have to pay for it when moving out. Still, there's EXTREMELY much furnitures of 18m2 worth of flat.

 

 

And I guess it will be ok for sleeping a few nights per week. Looks like the 2 days a week in Kista will continue until the summer. And hopefully there will be a few more exiting destinations on the way too.

 

Then there's a kind of dilemma... I bought tickets for Iron Maiden in Stockholm and Malmö, of course. Then just to realize Metal Magic Festival is the same weekend as the Stockholm concert. So Malmö is on no matter what but I don't know what to do with the Stockholm show, if to go or to stay at the Metal Magic Festival.

 

 

Maiden is always Maiden and I think this tour will be very special. To start with, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son was the first real concert I ever went to. Counting out Swedish Monsters of Rock at Folkparken in Hofors, Sweden the month before. Also because that same album is one of my all time favorites of Maiden!!!

 

But I get to see Maiden in Malmö... And the line up for Metal Magic is mighty fine already!!! Hobbs Angel Of Death was fantastic at Headbangers Open Air and I really want to see them again. Also The Black, great at Malta Doom Metal festival but they deserve another chance because they played rather late at Malta and I was DEAD tired. But they were still very good. And of course Martyr, always great to see, an amazing liveband! Life is hard sometimes! :O)

 

 



 

Then the mixing of Cult Of The Fox's second full length album, titled "Angelsbane" is finished. Again Studio Fredman was our choice and it turned out really good. I'm really looking forward to listen to the final product. I guess this record is more personal to me since I didn't take much part in the writing of the last one. This I've been a part of all the way through, contributed to the song writing and arrangements and played almost all guitars. Almost? Well, we invited a few guests but that will be a secret for a little while longer.

 



 

We still need to finalize the artwork and booklet layout. I have some photoediting to do but need a bit of input first to set the right mood in the pictures as well. Anna has again painted the cover and again done a fantastic work... The flyer is just a small pre-taste of what's to come! No release date set yet, Rock It Up Records wanted everything in place before planning everything but I don't think I'm completely out of place if I say it will be a spring release!!!

 

And for Void Moon... Things are moving, interviews coming in as well as reviews, mainly good ones so that feels really good!!!

 

Cheers

E

 

 

NP: SAXON - Strong Arm Of The Law