Heavy Christmas to you!

No, we're not much for Christmas decorations, ornaments and such things... Basically the only thing we do is put up a star, mainly because it's nice with some more light in the house this time of the year.

And the old Santa who's been in my family for a long time. For some reason he's been accompanied by a Spanish Straw Donkey with wine barrels for a few decades now... Peter though it was a bit strange but the Santa looks happy so why not?

The cats was a bit curious about him though and there's a big risk the donkey will get his ears cut. Yummy they were... It seems it was only exciting for a while, after those first checks they've left them alone. We'll see if this is the case after a day beeing home alone too.

Just one more week of work now and then I'm off until January 9. Need to catch up some though since this damn cold ruined the week I was supposed to work a little extra to be able to relax over Christmas. Really looking forward to that!

Cheers E

Out in the Cold

ARRRRGH!!! I'm so sick and tired of this cold now. But it seems a lot of visitors from the NWOBHM X Mas Rocka brought home the same thing. I thought it was going away but yesterday it took another turn and now I have a fever and the headache from hell, yes still. Feels like someone is baking on my forehead and pushing my eyes out from the inside every time I try to look down or basically just move my head. Snotty and of course taking care of that hurts like hell too.

But, the Festival was a blast, very good atmosphere and a lot of good shows. Cloven Hoof and Mythra being my favorites but Demon, Blitzkrieg, Persian Risk, Tokyo Blade, Tytan, Chariot, Stampede, Venom Inc.... Ok, now it start to be crazy, all did very good shows actually. Apparently since I almost listed the full line-up before even realizing it. 

I really don't want to plan so far ahead but with the latest additions with Satan and Desolation Angels added and Salem, Gaskin, Raven and Diamond Head already on the bill, not much to think about. Also, with the benefit of the discount on tickets offered...

But there are more things (I need to have something fun to think about now you know. I surely missed not going to Malta this year and with the line-up they presented the other day, COUNT ME IN.... Old Grave Fest is always so much fun but it's a bit ironic I have to go to Romania to see the good Swedish bands, not that I mind. It's always fun to hang out with RTMC people and the rest visiting the Festival.

And the NWOBHM France looks REALLY good... Ok, Salem and Cloven Hoof did the trick but the rest is cool too. And we'll definitely go to Storm Crusher this year to see Exciter, they always kick ass and there are some really cool other bands there as well. Tygers of Pan Tang are always fun to watch. 

Keep It True and Headbangers Open Air it will be, no doubt about that. And I really want to go to the Metal Assault too, until now I've never managed to get it into my schedule. And the same goes for Hell Over Hamburg. 

Of the major Festivals both Sweden Rock Festival and Copenhell is tempting, this year I had the opportunity to get press/photopasses for both. I hope I am as lucky next year too. Else, I really want to see Aerosmith one last time and we had the plans to get tickets for Copenhagen, but over 1000DKK for the cheapest ones felt a little much. 

And, the line-up for Up The Hammers is a killer as always. I'm not so sure I will enjoy Greece in May as much as I've done in Feb-March... Will it be too hot??? 

Well, it looks like 2017 will be busy too! It will be hard to make it to all Festivals that I want to but it normally is sorted out in the end anyway. And of course, there will be a lot of concerts also to squeeze into the schedule. 2016 has been a very good concert year, I've seen a lot and I've seen a lot of very good stuff. But more on that later.

And now, back to the Top 10 list of the year. I realized I've missed a couple of albums completely, some I should have listened more to... But I guess that's the case. I'm twisting and turning of the order of the first 9 and have another 5 that really should be in Top 10... Deadline for Metal Kaoz is Saturday (which mean I won't have time to listen to the new Attacker album for example, sounds awesome the samples available). There are a few more being released now also that I won't have time to listen to before the list is due which is a bit of a shame. 

Hmmmm, wonder if I have any Whisky here??? Need to check, should be a good cure for the cold, temporary at least. 

Cheers
Erika

NP: Glenn Hughes - Resonate

 

Burning Star

Damn flu... Or whatever this is. Not really ill but snotty, sneezing and a soar throat. Have tons to do at work but rather little energy to dig in.

But, Mr Phil Strange was right. Helstar's Vampirio record is absolutely fantastic!!! Another clear candidate for the Top 10 this year. Wonder why it took so long for me to get around to listen to it? I still don't have a clear picture on the rest but there sure are a bunch to choose from.

One dumb thing though is that there's a bunch released next week that I know I will like. Sacred Gate and Attacker for example. How should I be able to listen enough to those before the list is due?
Also, I've missed to get the new Sacred Steel, Vader and Root. The last though I had the fortune to get on promo so I've had the chance to dig into that one at least.

Naah, time to feel a little sorry for myself for a while now before digging into some reviews.

Cheers E

Time is running out...

The ending is near...
Yes, it's THAT time of the year again when it's time to list my favorite albums released during the year.
It's hard... I don't think I've ever listened to as much music as I've done this year, been digging into some really strange stuff, nothing I'd picked out myself.  Many came in for review from record companies and some directly from the bands... I really love it but it feels like most other albums got lost in the massive bunch of Metal consumed.

Also, it has been times to revisit things from the past as Nazareth,  Deep Purple, Blue Öyster Cult... And I can't for my life understand why I don't listen to this more.

So, right now I have 4 that WILL end up at top 10, if it will be the Top 4 positions we'll see about, much can happen still. But, Vicious Rumors - Concussion Protocol,  Salem - Dark Days, Fates Warning - Theories of Flight and Sarasin - Sarasin are four that has been spinning like crazy and I think they all get better for each spin...

Then Testament, Glen Hughes, Pretty Maids, Running Wild, Them, Denner /Sherman, Metal Church, Anvil, Blaze, Martyr... Starting to do the list it will be massive!

It's all fun of course but a little tough also...

Cheers
E

Up, down, sideways

Ok, I know I can't go to every show I want and I can certainly not be in two places at the same time.  But... This coincidence becomes a little too much at once.

There's no doubt, we'll see Anvil but to know there's another killer-show on the other side of the wall it hard to melt. Kat were great at Muskelrock but they played rather late so my focus wasn't the best. Would have loved to see them again.
Both bands at the same venue, the same day feel like a joke...

Also, I saw a post that Ross Halfin was having an exhibition this past weekend, in Central London... Would have loved to see that one too. And with a chance to meet the master of band-photography would have been awesome.

It all become frustrating when things are within reach but still not achieveable.

No matter what, gonna be some awesome days...

Cheers
E

Wherever I may Roam

So, staycation has been very good. It's been nice to be home taking care of things pending for too long. The cats thought I was very annoying though running around the house like crazy cleaning up. And of course playing music all day long. Sleepy cats in the middle of the day and me messing around with laundry, dishes and all stuff like that.

I could easily have taken another week though, not done with the laundry (damn we have many Metal-Shirts) nor the cleaning since the week at home was interrupted with concerts.
Saxon with Phil and Mikkey in Ljungbyhed at the Lemmy 500 race. Very cool event.

Then I was on and off about seeing Kip Winger in Copenhagen Tuesday. Mainly since we were seeing Joe Lynn Turner the day after. Bur we ended up going to both and I'm really happy we did. Kip was fantastic, both me and Peter was completely floored by his performance. Joe Lynn Turner was really good too but the setlist left more to wish for. But from a performance perspective it was great too.

I also decided I was going to take a walk in the mornings, so atleast the days it wasn't raining I was out for about an hour. (yes, 3 of 5 days I could get out + today) It felt good to get out and even better afterwards. It builds energy which is needed to motivate the cleaning activities.

And, I finally got time to do the apple-sauce. Home-apples and the old house-assistant from Electrolux I got from my parents. Mid 70's it should be from if remember right. It worked fine and it all turned out great. Also, the apples were so sweet by themselves I almost didn't have to add sugar. Recommended was 2-4hg per liter sauce but after less than 1hg it was enough.

Well, back to Discogs now and dig for more Winger and Joe Lynn Turner records. Was about to order from Cleopatra Record directly but $70 postage for a $35 order is crazy! I'll check with my personal shopper first. Patrik will most likely sort it out the best way possible.

Cheers
E

Take it or Leave it

Yeah, so the Nuclear Blast package finally got delivered. A bit damaged but in general everything was ok inside at least. Should probably have claimed it but I don't want to return the stuff when I finally got it.
Most anticipated in the box was definitely Vicious Rumors "Concussion Protocol". Ok, I've had it for review for a few months actually but a digital promo can't replace an actual record. Need the booklet and smell of new vinyl and such.

And as always, the collection frenzy starts. Now it's not that crazy with Vicious Rumors, the last couple of outings has only been available as CD, Vinyl & Japan print. The Live you to Death ones, only as CD. So, on those occasions even the Argentina releases (hope they are licensed in the correct way) are fun to get.

So, status this far;

Basically just the regulars. There should be some very cool tour editions as well so I hope I'll manage to get my hands on them on the coming Vicious Rumors tour.

(This picture is borrowed from Teelen's timeline, not mine so if violating some copy right...)

Speaking of the tour. As Vicious Rumors come to Sweden they do quite a few gigs here. And at a really bad timing, not only will I have a massive workload that week, Hugo the cat is coming for a stay as Peter's parents will be out travelling, also there're other things already booked before I found out about these dates.
Hmmm, what to do, what to do??? There will be at least one Sweden date and I hope to catch 2-3 from the rumored Headline dates when Dirkschneider head for Russia. Can't wait to get to hear some of these new ones live.

But the fall will be busy for sure. Everything seem to happen in November, the time when we can't travel so it seems I will miss both The Skull and Overkill on this round. Doesn't feel too good. Also, that Warrel Dane posted some "Dead Heart In A Dead World" dates about a week and a half before the tour started... ARGH!!! Really would have wanted to see that and with a few more weeks heads-up, we would have made it to that tour as well. It featured a lot of cities in eastern Europe I really would want to visit and that could have been a good opportunity.
 
Ok, I get to see some really cool stuff the coming months anyway. Starting with Saxon with Mikkey Dee and Phil Campbell as guests at Lemmy 500 race, just 20 minute drive from home, right in the middle of nowhere. 
Then perhpas Kip Winger... Joe Lynn Turner, Huskvarna Rock Art with Blaze, Y&T, Nazareth, Entombed and Anvil...

Hopefully the schedule will hold together as it looks right now. And then it mean some new places to visit, I like that! 

Just one more week to work now and then I have vacation for a week, a real staycation, stay at home and do nothing special week. Will be very nice!

Cheers
E

NP: DEEP PURPLE - Slaves and Masters

 
 
 
 

Hoards of Chaos

Ok... Managed to time in the doctors conference week in Stockholm again this year so the hotel of choice wasn't really my first on the pick list. Last year I ended up at Sky City at Arlanda Airport and for the Eurovision Song Contest I think it would have been Healthier to sleep on the park bench outside the hotel rather than in the room.
Now I got the Sofo Hotel on Ringvägen, it's actually very nice and cozy but no membership program or anything like that...

Anyway, the point was the offer on TV, an orgie in Hoarders on Fox. Else I could see SVT 1, 2 and 4... Not so much. It seems so crazy that people go bananas over plastic boxes, rotten food, old newspapers and so. Garbage really. Others had more real stuff to collect and then I started thinking how I would react if someone came into my house saying I can't keep my records and guitars? Or take the cats away. Family goes first of course and still everything is neatly stuffed away in shelves and rehearseroom. Not causing danger in the house for anyone. Thinking of my flat in Gävle though no rubbish on the floor as these people has, but the space was used to the max. 

Another show on TV is about people who overconsume according to their incoming assets. I'm of course not there either even if there's new records coming in weekly... I just wonder how I would react if ending up in a situation where I hardly can afford to keep the house. Or that the government decides the house is a hazard because of too many things... 

Well let's hope nothing of this becomes a reality anytime soon so I can keep buying music and keep the scene alive.

Cheers E 

Doomsday News

It feels like it was aeons ago we released "Deathwatch" but I guess that's how it feels when work has been ongoing for so long. And when all the frustration has gone and the album actually showed up in the Void Mansion it was more like, oh well...
And of course, not much has happened since April but I guess that's the case for most bands also.

Until now that is. Within a few weeks great reviews showed up in both Deaf Forever and RockHard. 8/10 in both magazines which just feels crazy. I mean, I'm really proud of the release, it's not that. I put a lot of effort into the guitars and to have John Cobbett putting a solo on it was a huge inspiration for me. It still feels a little surreal though, mainly to be IN those mags. I've been buying RockHard for years, even if I don't speak much German. And when Götz took some of the crew and started up Deaf Forever I signed up for a subscription right away. And now this...

Last summer festival is approaching also. It sure has been a great summer. It was definitely the right decision to see all bands I haven't seen before at SRF, well... The classic ones. Not my cup of tea all of it but still cool to have seen it. Vanilla Fudge, King Kobra, Hawkwind, Eric Bell. I also took the opportunity to see Grand Slam, high profile coverband but it sure was good. Perhaps they played a little late though. I'm still trying to catch up though. The momentum I had in the beginning of the summer isn't really there. But it's ongoing at least and hopefully the reports should be up rather soon. I applied for another weeks vacation today so I'll have that one as a back-up too. But it was long since it was this much fun with Concerts, Festivals, Records (which shows in the livingroom, almost out of space), Reviews... And of course Photos! Sometimes I just want to puke when I have 50-60 pictures open from a show. At least before realizing what a cool selection I have to put together a series of 15-20-25 pictures. Some are of course very similar but with those kind of batches, variation should be good too. But it is damn boring to save them to the archive once the editing is done. All coming on Metal Kaoz in the coming weeks/months.

Cheers
E

NP: THEM - Sweet Hollow

 

Bastards with a Masterplan

Well... There was no brilliant Masterplan, just a paint-job on one of the walls in the livingroom. We talked about it a while ago and it gavel me a break in the photo-editing.
To paint wasn't a big deal, took an hour or so but to cover up the things that shouldn't be painted was no piece of cake with two curious cats "helping" with tape and paper.

But it turned out really well and it looks good with the furnitures back in place. The dumb thing is that the cats won't leave the display shelves alone, the flash Motörhead statue has been pushed to the floor once already. Need to glue it to the shelf I guess...

And yes, while editing photos I've been listening to the new VICIOUS RUMORS album. Got it for review and what a Monster of a record it is! Can't wait to get to hear the songs live! November come soon...

Cheers
E

So it shall begin...

It's only one work-week 'til it starts now. Or actually not even that. Only work half Day Friday to get in time for the bands I want to see at the first Day of Muskelrock. There are alot I want to see and I will miss some of it. But I will catch Tysondog, Satan, Rock Goddess, Vardis, Taiwaz, Salem, Neon Rose, Metalucifer, Kat, Mindless Sinner, Diamond Head at least... Will probably be more too. I'm really looking forward to the Festivals this year. Of course I always do but it feels different this year, I've done my homework quite good and studied the bands. And since I hold both the Salem and Diamond Head releases as two of my favorites this far I'm extremely excited to see them live.

It will be a busy summer though. Apart from Muskelrock, Sweden Rock, Copenhell and Metal Magic (only half the summer here...) I'm going to see Deep Purple, Iron Maiden and Evil Masquerade / Wasted before the month is over too. June that is.

For Sweden Rock, checking the billing I only listed Michael Schenker Fest,  Symphony X and Death DTA as must see's. But digging deeper... Argh! Hawkwind, Graham Bonnet band, Grand Slam, Eric Bell Trio... Never seen any of them and there's more like this.

Copenhell it's definitely Black Sabbath and really to see Tony Iommi play. But it's a damn cool line-up with Scorpions, Alice Cooper. Some are of course same as SRF, but that's good. Take some off a few of the clashes.

Metal Magic serves Uli Jon Roth but what I look forward to the most there is doubtless Denner/Sherman... Can't be anything but fantastic. But also Deathriders and Manilla Road. Gonna be a Kick-ass event as usual. 

So for sure, it will be a busy summer but also a very fun one. Just need to make sure my camera is charged and I have sufficient memory to cover it all... Gonna be awesome! 

But first, another busy work-week, looking at long and though days. 

Cheers 

E

Hooligans Holiday

So, according to the registration on Agria insurance Maddox and Tipton tunrns 1 year old today. No one really knows ofta course sinne they were found without their moms outside.
Maddox sat, all alone, on the hard shoulder on the freeway, blinded by an eyeinfection just a meter from the traffic. That someone saw him, stopped and handed him in to the cat-shelter says he's one hell of a lucky cat.
Tipton was found with his siblings in the engine of a tractor, no mom in sight, hungry and cold.

When we first met them they were tiny tiny kittens of ca 8 weeks of age. 6 weeks later they moved to the Void Mansion and been making a mess since. Nothing is safe in the house anymore. They jump around as much that they set off the alarm on occasion. Sometimes it feels like we got more than two cats, they're everywhere!

Even if I don't enjoy being woken up at 4am by Tipton gently biting my toes ord just stomping on me. On the other hand, he's adorable when he wants to cuddle purring like crazy.

Maddox wants to be close all the time. Preferably on me, or mainly Peter but anyone goes really. I've been waking up clearly feeling a cat-butt in my face. Not so much fun but again, what's cozier than having a sleeping cat next to you.

So, happy birthday to Maddox and Tipton today!

Cheers
E

Hello Strawberry Skies

The first week was labelled by many as hell-week since there were so many concerts happening at the same time, and the packages kept moving from town to town.
Then it was Judas Priest with UFO, Motörhead, Saxon and Girlschool and of course Slayer, Anthrax & The Haunted. But also a lot of other smaller things.

But this week too has been rather crazy and it will keep going on for some time. Ok, we missed out on the Denner / Sherman show since we decided too late and it was sold out but I guess that Spiritual Beggars - Friday, The Skull - Sunday, Goatess - Monday, The Skull - Tuesday and Magnum - Wednesday is quite a batch of shows anyway.

And Tomorrow I'm going to Dusseldorf to see Goatess again. Need to check how Peter's doing you know... ;-)

Next weekend it's Keep It True and the weekend after that, Metal Church in Hamburg. Gonna be awesome! Both of them.

But there sure are many tours I would like to see now. Circle II Circle, Trouble...

Tonight me and the cats will have a party of our own, some nice beef from Gunnaröds for me and a bag of Pussi for the cats. That sure beat the canned food.

Cheers
E

Hanging in the Balance

Argh!!! But I guess I have myself to blame as I started a little too soon after the cold and fever broke out. But it's hard to be still when I feel good. On the other hand I don't feel very good now. Everything I eat and drink have a touch of snot and just walking to the car is exhausting. I planned this to be a working week, a lot of things done, long days and so. Instead I've been trying to hide as much as I can to avoid talking to anyone unless absolutely necessary. So I've basically been sulking in a corner of the office all week.
It feels good that it's Friday tomorrow though and I can drive back home. I will take the usual stop at Gunnaröds Gård to buy some nice meat and veggies, presumably also some bread. Everything Ecologic of course. The meat is really fantastic, better quality can't be found in any shop and it's not more expensive either.

But to comfort myself this week I've been shopping a bit... First thing that entered the basket was the Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock - Live in Madrid. It should be a goodie, it's 4-CD's and one Blueray... 

And judging how much I enjoyed the shows I saw earlier this year, this is bound to be fantastic. Note to self, I need to buy tickets for Sweden Rock Festival too, at least Saturday. I have to see that one, will be a first occasion for both Robin McCauley and Graham Bonnet. 

Then what? Some pre-orders... The new Cloven Hoof vinyl, Sacral Rage, Blood Ceremony. And some to fill up the collection, Symphony X, Empire, Royal Hunt, Hammeron. And then... Yep, it was quite some batches. That's fun with Discogs on occasion, it's possible to get music cheap. 

I've also started the summer planning a little more in detail. Ok, May is still spring but as it seems right now we're going to see Metal Church. The record is fantastic I think so to see them live ASAP is a must.

We haven't decided on which date to go yet but it's leaning towards Hamburg or Hannover. I would have wanted to go to Switzerland as Riot V is featured on the bill there too but it's not possible to get that one into the schedule.

When seeing the poster for this year's Metal Magic Festival I got really excited. There are some damn cool bands on the bill. It always is but it's more this year. Uli Jon Roth, Manilla Road, Exumer, Iron Angel, Deathriders and perhaps most Denner / Sherman. It's gonna be awesome!!!!

One more thing that I'm really excited about is to see The Skull. I've seen Eric Wagner with Trouble earlier and he's always been fantastic. And The Skull album is awesome so it should be damn good. If we will manage both Copenhagen and Gothenburg we'll see. I'll go to Gothenburg at least... Perhaps I run into Gabbe again also. That has been fun!

The coming weekend Peter will be rehearsing with Goatess again so me and the cats will rule the house. I don't have any problem to keep myself busy. Still have some catching up to do and there's ALWAYS things to clean nowadays. Those fur-monsters sure know how to make a mess... One thing that feels really good is that I start to feel the urge to play again. It hasn't been fun at all lately... So perhaps I'll lock the cats out and myself in with a beer or two in the rehearseroom and try to come up with some cool Heavy riffs.

I know for sure I have some nice records waiting for me when I come home! Peter got the mission to pick up what TPL sent and apparently it was 2 rather Heavy boxes! :O) Also I should have received a few more packs, as if the TPL box wasn't enough... Perhaps that, and to get home will make me feel a little better.

Cheers
E

NP: MOB RULES - Tales from Beyond

 
 
 

Then there was none...

And that goes for the megabit on our fiber broadband connection today... ARGH! Everything has been so slow today it's very frustrating to do anything. Ok, editing pictures of course doesn't require internet access but when I'm sending them in I need it. 
Still feel the buzz from the Symphony X show, damn that was good. I must admit I was a bit disappointed though that there was no photo pit at Pumpehuset. It all turned out ok in the end but it was impossible to get to some of the guys up on stage so the series of pictures isn't as varied as they normally are. Got the report and pics sent in after a lot of curse-words and a some freak-outs.

Next up is one more Exodus / Lost Society show. That will be fun since it was really good in Gothenburg. Of course I need to go to both when I have the opportunity. And there sure are a lot of things coming that I want to go to. 

This one for example, Ragnarökkr Metal Apocalypse

Winterhawk I missed in Greece, Satan's Host and Leather Leone I've only seen ones. And Leather was with the special show at KIT for Sledge/Leather so it really is a first. It's not that expensive to fly to Chicago either... Just the days off work that's the issue.
I also would like to see Metal Church and Riot V. They both play in Switzerland but that clashes with the above event. Metal Church plays in Hamburg which is very convenient and close... We'll see about that!

Then Muskelrock of course. And I REALLY hope it will be warmer than last year. It wasn't really fun to hang out and wait for Anvil to play the Headline slot on Saturday then...

Diamond Head, KAT, Neon Rose, Rock Goddess, Vardis (since they rocked hard at UTH), Tysondog and maybe most Salem. So it's a quite good year now also... Need to book the hotel though because there's no chance in hell I'll be camping ever again at that Festival.

And when Sweden Rock Festival announced that Michael Schenker will do a special show including 3 vocalist and one of them being Robin McCauley I have to go, or go somewhere else that thing happens. 
But for the big major Festivals it is Copenhell that's the deal. Takes about an hour to drive one way which it's worth instead of tryint to get on one of the busses back to city. Just have to see Black Sabbath once at least and the rest isn't bad either.

Metal Magic is tradition and it's damn much fun to hang out there. Also, the line-up is very good. There're some really good artists. Uli Jon Roth, Manilla Road...

In the same way Headbangers Open Air is tradition but I hope we won't end up neighbors with the Modern Talking fans again this year. Why go to a Metal Festival and play 80's pop hits all night???

Alcatraz Metal festival is always fun then... And, and, and.. Helloween is playing in Knislinge this year so I guess it will be another visit to that festival, at least on the day they're playing. 
And for the fall...

One I would really like to go to is the Frost & Fire Festival. It's a damn good line-up.

Malta Doom, Old Grave Fest... We'll see what happens with those based on all other things happening. I love going to both but it's the line-up that matters.

And the line-up of this one is purely fantastic... Sure need to get that one into the schedule also;

So I guess the last one is a must! And it shouldn't collide with any other Festival at least... But I'm sure there are other concerts and shows that will mess up the schedule. Vicious Rumors should get their new album out soon and that I have to go and see if they come for some gigs...

So many bands and so little time! What to do, what to do?

Cheers
E

NP: Symphony X - Paradise Lost

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Operation Mindcrime

Even if it's nice to visit mom it's still really good to get back home to Peter and the Cats after a few days up north. Ok, Peter's actually away rehearsing with Goatess this weekend so me and the cats are having a party by ourselves in the Void Mansion. I miss him of course but it's good to get some time at home and not having to be social and just to clear out the Metal Kaoz stuff so I won't build another back-log. I still have a few things to complete but the progress is good.

It's always fun to do it also, and with the batch of records I have for review right now it's all just fun. And I actually didn't think so but I must say I really enjoyed the Soulfly, King Parrot & Incite gig in the beginning of the week. Picture editing for that tonight.

Right now I have Mightiest, Salem, Savage Master, The Temple, Anthrax, Ereb Altor and Mob Rules to dig into. It's quite many but the hardest is actually to sort out which one to listen to next. All really appeal to me so it's a pleasurable problem I have... I think Salem is the one that struck the hardest though.

But, it seems like it will be a very good record year this year too. Sarasin and Sleepy Hollow struck very hard when I got them, and now Salem. Then Metal Church, Martyr...
I've pre-ordered both in some nice bundles and hopefully they'll show up the coming weeks. I didn't take the pack from Rat Pak Records where Mike Howe is calling but the second biggest with an additional T-shirt for Peter and one Mike Howe shirt for me.

I'm also checking if it will be possible to see them at one or so of the dates in May. Z7 in Switzerland is very tempting since Riot V is on the bill there as well. Not the best day though since it's a mid-week show.

Then the Martyr pack. I really wish I could have gone to the release party but I guess I need to realize I can't do everything I want. There's just not enough time for it.

I also ordered the deluxe version of the Baltimoore collection. I have far to few of the releases but I do like the ones I have and on the rare occasion I've actually seen them or Björn Solo live it's been absolutely amazing. What a voice, what a feeling.

And then of course the Saxon 9-LP box. That one will be awesome. I think it's the fattest LP box I have... Perhaps Iron Maiden "First 10 Years" with 10 2x12"'s is bigger. But it sure is cool! 

So I for sure have a lot of incoming goodies now the last two weeks of march or so. 

And there's more to come... I've already mentioned Salem and to stay in the same genre I have to say I'm looking forward to the new Cloven Hoof. 

 

 And then of course Assassins Blade (ok ok, yes I've had access to this one for some time for obvious reasons but it's still cool when it's done and it's an actual product)

So it looks like the goodies will keep coming. 
Also when we're talking about concerts it will be a good year. Upcoming is Exodus, Symphony X, one more Dirkschneider / Anvil show, Overkill, Spiritual Beggars and some more. 
I bought a ticket for the Queensryche Stockholm gig today. I'm quite sure that Klubben will be sold out so even if I don't know I can make it I would like to have the opportunity at least.

I was about to get tickets for the gig at Amager Bio in Copenhagen as well but then I got a hint from a friend another damn cool gig the same day so I really need to decide what to do... We'll see what happens. One thing's sure, it will be a good concert year. It has already started off very strong with Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock, Manowar, Dirkschneider and Up The Hammers.

Another train ride to come to an end very soon!

Cheers
E

NP: Salem - Dark Days

 
 

As long as we are willing...

To let them lead us to the slaughter. Quite a tongue-twister for a chorusline but damn it rocks.

I finally could pick up my Pure Steel package from the post handout place. After some convincing though, apparently they'd miss recording it arriving. Nagging them a bit they started looking for the package. And there in the REK box it was. More than Sarasin it was in the package,  Sleepy Hollow, Destructor, Power Theory. Australian Underground Heavy Metal and East European Metal books. The latter is in German so that will be a challenge. :-D
So a good package it was.

Only brought the Sarasin with me this morning, and since I've only listened to MP3's until now it's always special to get the real deal. This record really blew me away. Never heard of Sarasin until I downloaded from Pure Steel for review and it kept spinning for weeks. Love the great and dark melodies, Heavy groove and cool arrangements.

Before Greece I got a big package from TPL and getting home I had one from Ginza and one from Discogs... Many records to listen to and so little time...

Cheers
E

Night to Remember

It really doesn't matter what we're doing at home nowadays, there's always a cat in the middle of everything. Maddox mainly cuddles up and falls asleep while Tipton are very close when there's a chance to snatch something tasty. Eating Icecream is not the easiest thing anymore, he's absolutely crazy about is and was from the first second he got the smell of it. It's not that we're feeding them icecream... And the same goes for cheese but the thing that generates the biggest reaction is fresh fish... It was really funny when we bought a whole salmon, head and everything and while carrying it into the Kitchen two cats jumped like crazy trying to claw through the package.

Concertseason started off very nice with Michael Schenker, Manowar and Helloween. It continues equally nice this week with Dirkschneider and Anvil. Then home and change bags and off to Up the Hammers. So looking forward to this, so many cool bands both small and big, new and old... Lethal being the absolute high point but it will be very cool to see Heir Apparent also, and, and, and...

Then I think I have a few weeks break before it starts again. Exodus & Lost Society, Symphony X... Would love to see Royal Hunt also but doubt I can squeeze that into my schedule. We're also talking about seeing one more Dirkschneider and Anvil show. Then Doom Over Scania. I really want to go to the Killfest this year too. Overkill is always great and with Vader and One Machine the line-up is a killer. Was long since I last saw Steve Smyth play live.
The Goatess tour premiere in Copenhagen before The Skull and also Magnum in Gothenburg. Wonder how I will get this schedule to fly.

And in the middle of all I'm also going up north for a visit. Really need to sort all of that out soon so the tickets won't be that expensive.

Cheers
E

Save yourself

It's actually very frustrating with internet and social media on occasion. No one can have missed that I was super charged before the Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock concerts and the actual shows took it too a freaky level almost. Ok, it's not that I become a stalker or anything I just keep posting and spamming the web with pictures, comments, likes and so on and buy a whole lot of records. There's always some new 7"'s, Japanese versions, rare printings, tour-books, promos, biography's, posters, expensive vintage shirts needed or something like that. There will ABSOLUTELY be a #RecordShoppersAnonymous post with Michael Schenker records towards the weekend. 
What kind of annoyed me the most though was that I got one like on the Schenker picture I posted on facebook while the nonsense pictures of the cats draw 50 likes or so each. Ok, the cats are adorable but come on. Mr Schenker is a legend, one of the best and most original guitarplayers around.

And yes, the shows were absolutely fantastic! Two didn't feel enough though so I'm on a constant lookout for another doze right now.

So, before I give up with the spamming, and since I got a lot of decent pictures from the show, here's another batch.

That flying M (double neck flying V) sure is cool! 

I do have a lot of fun things to look forward to also, especially seeing Lethal again at Up The Hammers will be fun. They've always kicked ass the times I've seen them and I'm sure it will be the same now. Heir Apparent I've never seen them so that will be extra fun. And just to get away from this grey cold weather will be so nice. And there are a lot of other bands as well on that festival which also will be a lot of fun to see.

I normally try to respect all musicians, even if I don't like the music. I don't want to take the art away from someone and I try to just ignore things if it's not my taste, or try to find something positive in it if I have to dig in anyway for a review or a report. But this is too hilarious to bypass actually. There are so many fantastic musicians out there who never get a chance to shine and others, with hardly no natural talent can be a star... In those cases, when it's so obvious and when biting a bit more than one can chew... You've gotta take it;

The video cutting is fantastic, makes it hilarious... And for one to even try to sing Bohemian Rhapsody take a lot of guts... And the complete outclass of Freddie Mercury when he's cut in. Awesome! 

Well, there'll be another long day tomorrow so I guess it's bedtime.

Cheers
E

NP: LETHAL - Programmed

Into the Arena

Ok, I don't think it's good to be this excited about a concert. I will most likely be disappointed. I doubt that Mr Schenker will do a bad gig, but the setlist. There're so many songs I want to hear that he need to do a Y & T kind of thing, 2 days a 3 hours at Rockland in Sala a few years ago, to cover all of them...

Anyway, I'm charged and stuffed! A Burger to go with the Murphys is perhaps not the best concert warm-up but it tasted very good!

Cheers
E

Working on that

So, Christmas vacation was also spent remaking the office. I just placed everything moving in and it has stayed like that ever since. Desk towards the window which resulted in headache every time I used it. No good with light right in the face.
So I moved the desk towards the wall and put the storageshelf infront of the window. Also bought myself a glass cupboard for my old cameras. Most of it I got from my dads collection though. My old film EOS 1, the Leica, chinon, box camera, super 8 with projector and everything. Lots of stuff. And nice to look at. Perhaps should take them for a spin some time? The Leica really needs a cleaning though. The really old ones I doubt I can find film in the right format though.
I also bought myself a good office chair to be able to sit comfortable. Which Peter almost stole right away after trying it out. He was good with his old one he said before I left for my shoppingspree. Not as happy with it seeing mine! :-D
I also bought a very good scanner and a new printer. And a light-table to be able to work with the negatives in a decent way. Merry Christmas to me!

Of course the cats got a fake sheep skin to sleep on too. Maddox LOVES it.

I decided it should be my inspiration room so I'm still working on the decoration. And I need to figure out a way to make the desk a little bigger, the cats flip everything over and kick the mouse and the keyboard off the table. And yes, they need to be there when they want to.

I'm really happy about it all, I enjoy working up there now and I feel good, no headache...
So hopefully this will help keep up with the Concert and Festival reports and all that. Maybe also inspire to do some editing to learn more about fotoshop, perhaps do some simple videos or so. Time is the only constraint really... Even with prioritization.

Cheers E
NP: SLEEPY HOLLOW - Tales of Gods and Monsters

Power of the Night

There are occasions when I really start to wonder why one band is so appealing while I'm hardly interested at all in the next. What it is that makes me like music one time but on the other, just fade to infinity and remain in memory as something that sounded ok but not more. What is it I'm looking for in a record? It's very hard to pin-point these things and it's almost impossible to explain and even harder to understand when people don't feel the same about the things I like.

Peter bought a batch of records a while back which showed up by the end of last week so Friday was spent going through those and of course mixing it up with some Michael Schenker. I'm really excited about the concerts. Mr Schenker is one of my all time favorites, one of my guitar heroes. I've been hooked since first time I heard him. I bought Perfect Timing sometime in -87 or maybe -88. And the concert season has been very dry for me since beginning of December also which makes these shows even more exciting. 
But back to the bunch of records, one in the bunch really stood out. Canadian DAYS OF YORE, a rather complex concept album touching upon FATES WARNING, KING DIAMOND or so, type Progressive Heavy Metal. Of course with those references it's bound to be good. Given references are not always true though and it needs more than to just copy an act. But there was something really special with the record. From a production perspective it sounded ok, nothing special and not a catastrophe.   

And then, the next band that I've been nagging everyone about for some weeks now. Also a Canadian band, SARASIN who will release an album through Pure Steel in a few weeks. Everyone I've played it for has actually liked it so they're good. But for me, I just couldn't stop listening to the record. Time after time after time and for each spin it crept more and more under my skin and for every time the emotion it developed got stronger and stronger. It still is spinning and I'm really looking forward to get the real album in my hands!

And then I can be really pissed off over bands, even if they sound really good feel to forced into sounding like this or that. Perhaps not ripping off straight away but copying a bit too much. The really annoying thing is that these band normally get good response, so much cred and kudos while band that has a very original sound don't get anything at all.
I got STARBLIND's latest for review, and by all means, the record is decent. But if I want IRON MAIDEN, I listen to IRON MAIDEN. And for me it doesn't do much to get a band that sounds this much as something else.

As another music related topic a friend asked me if there was any bands left for me to see live. If I had something I really, really was urging to see that I haven't seen. Also, something that's realistic to happen as a twist to the discussion. Else, LED ZEPPELIN but that's not going to happen, SABBATH with Dio... But real things that can happen. One of the first that struck me was HELLION, I've only seen Ann Boleyn with DETENTE at Headbangers, she ruled and I love DETENTE also but HELLION was also one of the really early ones I found all by myself. On many occasions class mates or other friends recorded stuff for me on tape, but this one I bought and it kept spinning. The first EP that is, next HELLION I bought was "The Black Book" and this I hold as a favorite to this day. One more thing that I'm really looking forward to see is METAL CHURCH with Mike Howe. I liked Ronny Munroe as well but he didn't seem as inspired the last tour. Fan pack (regular one) pre-ordered of the coming album with an additional Mike Howe shirt! 

And now, since the dry season is over I'm looking forward to a very nice February.
First up is Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock, times 2. Both Stockholm and Malmö. I was aiming for Copenhagen as well (take back for lost times) but couldn't get the logistics to work around it.

And that's followed by Manowar, a quick visit to Stockholm.

And a few days break before Helloween hits Gothenburg.

And then there's actually a break before the last batch, which is good since I'll have some time to write and get the reports posted also.

Dirkschneider and Anvil makes it a short night and up in the early morning light to catch a flight to Greece Friday morning. Means I will miss the Warm-Up this year but I get to see all the goodies at the Festival.

And then February turns to March and winter should be over and it's time to look forward to the Festival season for real! Yey!

And CDON sent the package with the Michael Schenker record I didn't have already. Really disappointed with myself that I've missed the release completely. But ok, I think I took it for a collection as it's titled "Tales of Rock'n'Roll" and have a bikini-girl with a guitar on the front. Not that I have the time to listen to it before the first show though but at least I have them all after this!

Cheers
E

NP: Michael Schenkers Temple of Rock - Spirit on a Mission