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