Almost there

For the weekend! I sure appreciate the weekends more now when working again. I enjoy it very much even if it's frustrating to not know everything as it was at ///. But it still is a learning period. Guess I will feel comfortable when the contract ends or so.

It is also a bit annoying that I'm falling behind with the MK stuff again also. Or, I'm done listening to all records released next Friday and it would be nice to get the reviews up before the release. We'll see if I manage.
But it still is a lot of fun doing this. Both for concerts and records. Also writing in Swedish for Sweden Rock Magazine. Much harder than English I'd say.

I still will try to keep the momentum as good as I did, at least for concerts, this year too. Big festivals will always drag in time. Haven't kept that for Electric Guitars and Accept. But I will fix it this weekend.

And it stopped snowing... Was looking forward to a white weekend, outside at least! 😄

Cheers
E

NP: EMERALD - Iron On Iron

Gotta keep Movin'

One more year... It feels like I did the last Top 10 list just weeks ago. Which of course is a little scary. Even more so is that I've been out of work since last of March and messed about at home for nine (9) months already. I don't regret calling it a day at Ericsson even if I liked my job. I was really sick and tired of commuting and never be home. Staying at Hotel's and the shoebox flat wasn't so charming in the end. On the other hand it was a little scary to leave without having something new to go to. I think I needed the break though, to get things to settle and get some distance from it all. Hopefully I'll have use of all things I've learned over the years moving forward. It looks bright but I don't want to take out anything in advance. 

What I really liked with the time off though was that I could dig into the writing for real as well as the photography. And since there has been crazy many concerts this year I've gotten a lot of practice. Fun thing is that it's actually harder with really good lights. I'm definitely not used to that. Low lights in small clubs I've gotten a lot of practice on. So getting to shoot Kiss, Deep Purple and Helloween became a challenge even if it shouldn't have been. It took some time before I could get the settings of the camera right. But it sure was fun. I'm still behind with everything though, guess it got much even doing it on (almost) full time...   
It definitely have been rewarding, even if some of the things have happened by coincidence. I was exploring my vaults of Black and White negatives, spamming instagram one day when couldn't get the one I wanted to come out right from the edit. The next page in the binder with negatives was In Aeternum, a photosession from WAAAAAAY back, from 1995 or something like that. And it just happened that Sweden Rock Magazine was doing a big report about them. Deadline for the print was the day after I posted my picture. And of course I had to dig a little bit deeper in the vaults to pick up some more of the old photos.  

And then, I normally pick some photos to post right after a Concert or Festival. Did the same after Sweden Rock Festival and I picked Lionheart. I really enjoyed the show and of course, both Steve Mann and Rocky Newton from McAuley Schenker Group and Dennis Stratton, the original Iron Man is just damn cool. It was great to see them. And Tristan, who does the layout saw that one and asked for more. Which resulted in 11 photos on the new Lionheart "Second Nature" album. Doesn't get much cooler than that! 

Then, that the record is a killer makes it almost hard to believe it actually happened. 

I still need to push the photography more though. There has been progress but I still have a bit to go. I need to relax and wait for the perfect moment a little more than I do. I'm still a little bit too trigger happy. Which comes in handy some times but there are annoying misses that I cut the fingers, a toe, the neck of the guitar and so on. 

I've been debating with myself during the year with the photos, what to do and so on. Mainly when it comes to sharing. On one hand it feels very strange to not give the band access to the pictures from their show if they want them. On the other, it's a job done (even if the work I put in doesn't pay at all, just the priveliege of get to shoot the band) and it's not strange to pay a photographer for wedding, kids or whatever pictures when you go to a studio. 
Which makes it justified to ask for a copy of whatever commercial release the pictures are used for. Which I got from Lionheart and I'm very happy about that. I don't have any ambitions now to make money on the photos as of now so I gladly share it all. Which comes to the next issue, the ones who are trying to make a living out of it... It becomes very tough when some does it for free. But then again, there's really no money in the music business anymore.  

Would I sell prints? I don't know... There won't be any volumes of course but that would feel odd to me, to make money out of it, selling posters without the band benefiting from it. So I guess, for a while forward, I'll keep sharing as I've done lately.

All the joy and love I get from music really is fantastic. It's a lot of fun to share the photos and reviews when it's appreciated. All that, all the friendship and nice words is worth a lot. 


I also had time to record the next Cult of the Fox album without stress. This was very nice. For "Angelsbane" I had a week which meant one song+ each day, recording about 8-10 hours. For the Void Moon "Deathwatch" I was busy with work as well as cleaning out my parents house up north which made it a must to record every free minute I had. And THAT certainly wasn't fun. 

There are, as usual, a lot of good records being released. But the strange thing this year, even if I've been listening to more music that I use to it feels like I've missed a lot of important album, and records by bands who normally are in my top 10. I don't know why it's like this. But one thing I've realized is that I haven't gotten everything I've ordered, much have been cancelled. And MOST orders from the big Swedish dealers like Ginza and CDON have been delayed. Black Country Communion is a very good sample. I wanted it, ordered it in advance and REALLY checked that only had stock items on the order but no... Took another week to get it all and then I didn't have as much time at home. I was supercharged to dig into it the weekend it was released but didn't get it in time for that. 


Anyway, here's the list;

01. CLOVEN HOOF 

"Who Mourns For The Morning Star"

What I love about Cloven Hoof is their very unique sound. They're normally labelled as NWOBHM but it's not just that, there's a touch of Euro as well as US Metal in it. A mix that fits my taste perfect. The addition of George Call and Danny White added to the US Metal vibe. I'm not complaining! This is a collection of fantastic music, traditional yet special and unique. And that they are the absolutely awesome people, all of them doesn't take the grade down.
Favorite track: "Morning Star"

02. TYTAN 

"Justice: Served!"

I thought this one was a little messy and too varied at first but the more I listened the more it came together. And even if there are variation in style it is a fantastic and very interesting record as a whole. And when it settled it was very hard to put it down. Fantastic from start to end.
Favorite track: "Reap the Whirlwind"

 

03. DEEP PURPLE 

"Infinite"

When Deep Purple just relax and play it turn out the best it can possible be. It feels like they've found a good groove here. The mellow atmosphere suites the band these days perfectly. The nerve Ian Gillan possesses is just fabulous and it feels like a very inspired and creative record.
Favorite track: "The Surprising" 

04. MYTHRA

"Still Burning"

It's so cool with a band that went from "ok" the first time I heard them to the top of my list of favorite music and all because they absolutely kill it on stage. This record is of course super too but I don't think I would have been waiting for it as eagerly as I did and then left it in the stereo for weeks when I got my copy if it hadn't been for the live-shows.
Favorite track: "We Belong"

 

05. LIONHEART

"Second Nature"

No, it's not because I got my pictures in the booklet. It's because it's a mighty fine piece of Melodic Hard Rock. Fantastic tracks and amazing melodies. The first 1-2-3 spins I thought it was going to be a little soft for my taste but with catchy choruslines and a lot of finess it sure came through.
Favorite track: "Time is Watching"

 

06. EMERALD

"Voice For The Silent"

It was just on the verge to get this one in. I certainly was looking forward to hear it since I really like the band. But with just one week before the list was due it took a hell of a record to make it into the list. It's a smack in the face for sure, a perfect mix of Old School Euro Metal and fantastic melodies.
Favorite track: "The Passion Remained"

 

07. EGONAUT

"The Omega"

I'm kind of surprised myself... But the addition of Emil Kyrk on vocals did the trick and completed the puzzle to a perfect delivery. Dark, Heavy, Melodic, Melancholic. All the things that's a turn-on with a record.
Favorite track: "Totentanz"

08. PAGAN ALTAR

"The Room Of Shadows"

It feels a little odd that the album is released so long after Terry's death. But I sure am happy it came out. It really sounds fantastic, the same high quality Pagan Altar always have delivered, both when it comes to creativity, meldodies and structures. 
Favorite track: "Dance of the Vampires"

 

09. OLD SEASON

"Beyond The Black"

It doesn't happen very often that I'm completely blown away but one release and the next passes me by unnoticed (from what I can remember now at least). But Old Season's "Volume One" spun frequently and then I couldn't get into the full length album. Curiosity took over when this showed up and I had to check. Glad I did since this is just as good, if not better than the debut EP. Great mix of Doom and traditional Heavy Metal.
Favorite track: "Nevermore"

 

10. FORSAKEN

"Pentateuch"

Doom at its best! I love the vibe Forsaken have, there's desperation and sorrow in their expression I really like. They also have the ability to write very striking melodies, both musically and the vocal lines. And then Leo Stivala's voice on top of it all. Fabulous.
Favorite track: "The Dove and the Raven"

And then Peter's Top 10 of 2017;

01. Styx - "The Mission"
02. Pagan Altar - "The Room of Shadows"
03. Cloven Hoof - "Who Mourns for the Morning Star?"
04. Hellwell - "Behind the Demon's Eyes"
05. Blaze Bayley - "Endure and Survive (Infinite Entanglement Part II)"
06. Deep Purple - "Infinite"
07. Grave Digger - "Healed by Metal"
08. Forsaken - "Pentateuch"
09. Jag Panzer - "The Deviant Chord"
10. Sorcerer - "The Crowning of the Fire King"


Then the ones that ended up just outside the top 10. In alphabetical order;
Black Star Riders - "Heavy fire"
Crimson Dawn - "Chronicles of an Undead Hunter"
Hexx - "Wrath of the Reaper"
Mike Tramp - "Maybe Tomorrow"
Night Demon - "Darkness Remains"
Reststance - "Metal Machine"
Space Vacation - "Lost in the Black Divide"
Stillborn - "Nocturnals"
Tanied Lady - "How the Mighty Have Fallen"
Vulvagun - "The Painful Road to Eden"


And then the list I'm most surprised with, the one with records that could have made it into top 10 if I'd listened more to them. On this it's only bands that I hold very high, favorites. And I'm so surprised I haven't taken time to listen to their releases. The list would have looked very different I think if I'd gotten things in when I ordered it and that orders wouldn't have been cancelled... Even by  the big dealers. 

Also in alphabetical order;
Accept - The Rise of Chaos
Argus - From Fields of Fire
Black Country Communion - BCC IV
Blaze Bayley - Endure and Survive (Infinite Entanglement Part II)
Iced Earth - Incorruptible
Kreator - Gods of Violence
Manilla Road - To Kill a King
Overkill - The Grinding Wheel
Sorcerer - The Crowning of the Fire King
Walpyrgus - Walpyrgus Nights 

Special Nomination 1 

Attacker

"Sins of the World"

There is one record more that must be mentioned. I got it in too late to make it in to Top 10 of 2016 which was really annoying. I was looking forward to hear it so much and I certainly wasn't disappointed when I finally got it.

Kick ass US Power Metal with the right edge. It's raw but still catchy and melodic. And Bobby "Leatherlungs" Lucas sure is living up to his nick. And then, it gets even better live!

Favorite track: "Carcosa"

Last year I added another category, older records that I've been listening to alot or that have meant a lot to me during the year. It's very hard to remember what's been spinning the most frequent of course but it still is fun to look back!

Much of this have been around all the live-shows I've gone to. The preparation for them which resulted in a redescovery of an old record, or one finally settled or completely new discoveries.

1. McAuley Schenker Group - "Perfect Timing"
The Michael Schenker Fest thing made me pick this one up, absolutely. But also the Lionheart gig at Sweden Rock Festival where I got reminded once more. I still hold this one as an all time favorite record. It's perfect, great songs, melodies, variation and a record that really have stood solid against time.  

2. Lionheart - "Hot Tonight"
Two reasons, their gig at Sweden Rock Festival and the release of their fantastic "Second Nature" which ended up in this years' top 10. 

3. The Dead Daisies - "Make Some Noise"
I've always liked this one but it have stopped there. This music works better for me live and I'll be damned they rocked hard at Sweden Rock Festival. One of my favoite shows of it all. After that treatment this kept spinning.

4. Ian Gillan - "Naked Thunder"
All the fantastic Deep Purple live albums I bought lately as well as the new studio release made me take out the Gillan records for a spin as well. Then reading Ian's biography all was on for another round. This sure is great. I had "Toolbox" as a favorite but I'm not so sure anymore now.

5. Joe Lynn Turner - "Holy Man"
I could have listed all he's ever been on here since I've been bulking up and spinning everything over and over. Again mainly because of the shows, both before and after. First to boost and then to keep the memory of them. I still think it's a shame the shows feature rather little from his career outside Rainbow and Deep Purple...
 
6. Royal Hunt - "A Life to Die For"
It was almost a month towards the end of the year nothing else but Royal Hunt was on the stereo. This since I saw the news about the upcoming "Cast in Stone" album. And once hooked it's hard to stop, but it was great to dig into this all again, go back and re-live old memories. Fantastic band. And again, I could have picked any record for the list but the number of times I hit repeat for "One Minute Left to Live"...
 
7. White Lion - "Fight to Survive"
Again, because of seeing Mike Tramp live I had to swallow my pride and admit I'm a fan of White Lion, no doubt. This first one though never got stuck back in the days... Never too late to learn I guess. Fantastic songs and the nerve in the music is just right. It feels time-less.
 
8. Alcatrazz - "No Parole for Rock'n'Roll"
Ok, there's a pattern here... The Graham Bonnet Band show at Rockbåten M/S Harmony brought this on. Since I have to be in the front row to see anything at all, which mean having them straight in my face and with that I need to be able to be supportive for the band. So the studiying of bands and artists back-catalogues have been extensive because of this (goes for High Voltage and other places too). But what a pleasure it is when coming to albums like this one. 

9. Trapeze - "Medusa"
Yeah, yeah... Again for a liveshow, the fantastic Glenn Hughes live at Toldkammeret in Helsingör, wow... but this one also opened my eyes for a lot more and broaded my taste a lot. It reminded me of the things I've always been saying that music that is played for real and comes from the heart works, regardless if I like the style or not.
 
10. Cloven Hoof - "Dominator"
Rediscovery, I don't know. But when I loaded this one in the player to have a bit of a warm-up for Trveheim I was astonished on how good it is. Or, not really... I love it though when playing a record and you feel like you just HAVE to crank up the volume. It's top notch from start to finish.




Of course I asked Peter to do a similar list... The fun thing, it's clear that we're listening to about the same music at home. I of course spend a lot of time at the computer in my office and he in the living room or recording studio. So the new stuff is shared but else it's been a competition of the stereo on what to spin... It's fun and it gives a lot to discuss. Even if I don't have anything listed of what he has, I still enjoy (well, most of it) all too.

1. Jethro Tull - "Songs from the Wood"
2. Fish - "A Feast of Consequences"
3. Jethro Tull - "Thick as A Brick"
4. Sweet - "Level Headed"
5. Queen - "News of the World"

But, if you want the motivation you need to ask Peter...  

And... No, the concert list will have to come in the next post. This is way too long already!

Cheers
E

NP: Reuben Archer's Personal Sin - "Petrolhead"

Turn the Page

So, it's that time of the year again when it's time to prepare the lists of best records, concerts and so on. It's always a hassle to get it together. Right now I'm pretty blank when it comes to the list. I have a few that I know will make it on. It's not that I don't have enough to choose from, rather the opposite. According to Metal Archives there has been 6690 Full Length albums released this year, which is really crazy. Not that I have listened to that many but there sure has been a lot of music spinning this year. And, with recent reviews, all bands are not listed at Metal Archives. So there are more than that to consider.

But I do love lists. And I love to look back and dig into what has happened during the year. And I really enjoy writing about music that I like. That's actually the main driver for the year list... And apart from the 10 best records there will be the best concerts, other records that has meant a lot during the year and I was thinking of listing some favorite songs also. We'll see if I get overambitious with this all... 

If I don't get around to list the songs, I start here;  

I really like Mike Tramp's "Maybe Tomorrow" record, the things on that I find really good is outstanding. Like this song and a few more. But in general, as a record it's a little too soft for my taste. Love to see him live though and it gets even better when he hits the stage.

Ok, I haven't been using this page much this year... I had a plan to do it, mainly for myself as it's a lot of fun to look back and see what was going on or what I was thinking a while back. I don't really care if anyone reads it. But it's easier to write here compared to sharing on facebook or instagram. Especially when it's time to dig things up again...

Then, another favorite song this year;
https://open.spotify.com/track/0v1jCuKwQGjwYNHVDMTlh4 

The track wasn't available on Youtube... For good and bad, I think everyone should pay for music but sometimes it's hard to share when there's no video of the song. I don't like spotify, spotify don't like my computer (or is it because I'm using the free version still???) but I've been using it a bit this year. Mainly since there's some setting on my computer which makes some tracks from youtube play without sound. I don't know what it is as they sound ok from the phone. And of course, everything isn't available on Youtube. The same rule still applies though, if I've listened more than 3 times I have to buy the record. This becomes the next hassle... When records isn't available anymore and second hand is the only option. I know supporting unlicensed releases isn't the way to go but to choose between an original LP (which I will in most cases) for $100-200-300-400-500 or a Russian reprint for €5... It's not like the band is making money from second hand sales anyway. Perhaps Spotify and other streaming sites are better then?


But, the LIONHEART record "Second Nature" keeps growing and again I'm a bit surprised that I'm this hooked on a record really too soft for my taste. But the songs are fantastic and the musical performance is fabulous. So what's there not to like...  

I also like to set targets, challenges and goals for myself. A little like a newyears resolution. I don't tell anyone since I know I won't follow through. I always aim too high. One thing was to keep up with the live-reports which has worked out ok with Concerts but I'm still hopelessly behind with the massive Festival reports. I love doing it but I'm trigger happy and it takes time to edit all pictures. I've also exceeded my target for number of reviewed records. I said 2 a month and I've done around 60 so far... Which is a bit crazy actually. One interview a month has not happened yet, so that one will have to tag along to next year.

There are a lot of other cool things that have happened during the year but that will come in the summary with all the lists and so on. 

For now... Looking towards 2018, it will start off good! The TRESPASS record sounds awesome, out on Mighty Music in January if remember correctly...

Cheers
E


NP: TRESPASS - Footprints in the Rock

The end is just the beginning

I've forgotten how hard it is to clean a flat for a move. Even if it is the shoe-box one. Takes forever to get through it all. Been spending hours and hours the last few weeks but now it's moving towards the end at least. Have tomorrow also and then the check on Friday.

Friday is my last day at /// too. Had the last week in Kista last week and it felt rather hard to say goodbye to some people. Will be the same this one in Borås.

But it will be nice to live in the Void Mansion every day. Have tons of things to do on my list and I'm looking forward to it.
I also was asked to help out with some promotional work for Nordic Noise Festival and that I accepted. Never done anything like it before but I have been thinking about it. An opportunity severed and I couldn't turn it down then, could I!

The coming weekend there will be another trip to High Voltage to see Treat. Looking forward to that one. Was September 1988 I last saw a Headline show with Treat. I have seen them after but only short sets on Festival-type stages. Thinking about it, when they played the Sweden Rock Cruise perhaps they had a full time slot? Never shot them though so with that it's even more exciting.
Saturday it is Doom Over Scania which also will be awesome, Crimson Dawn, Doomocracy, Hands of Orlac, Memory Garden and one more... Super!

I think I deserve a glass of wine now...

Cheers
E

Tarot Woman

Well, I would be rather surprised if Joe Lynn Turner is playing that one tonight but damn it would be cool to hear it live.

I decided to take the bus in to Gothenburg today also, deviate from my mission to not drink beer at local shows but it's sunny, it's the last one before I become a SKÅNING full time... And frankly, I'm checking out from Ericsson more and more each day. The only downside is that I have a meeting at 8:30 tomorrow so I have to take it a bit easy...  And I of course need to catch the bus back home.

I'm really looking forward to the show tonight. Even if I doubt there will be any real surprises in the set... I do hope for some solo songs though and what Joe did as originals with the bands he was in and not other bands classics. Fantastic songs of course but I don't want them from Joe.

Anyway. He really amazed me when I saw him last,  his voice is outstanding still and it was a fun and cozy event. I hope it will be just as cool tonight!

Cheers
E

And the bands played on...

So, with this I have three more weeks to work at Ericsson. It feels strange and I guess it will be very weird when I'm home. And it will be rather sad to leave, it's been a good time and I have really enjoyed what I've been doing.

The past week was really good though! Took the opportunity to work from home, catch up with some documentation and so. And combine that with some concerts. 2 times Anthrax, Turbocharged & Wasted, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, Marco Mendoza and yesterday S.O.T.O. A lot of good music and I really enjoyed the shows. But I must admit that the S.O.T.O show really stood out. Fantastic band and Jeff is amazing, it was great fun!

And now there are three Joe Lynn Turner shows coming up. That will be great too but I'm a little afraid I've pushed my expectations a little too high. I don't doubt the band and Joe will sound great but when it comes to the setlist... We'll see. Supercharged!

Cheers
E

Survival of the fittest

When I bought my flat at Kaplansgatan in Gävle I got moving in gifts from my parents, cousins, aunt & uncle and so on... For some reason they all got me plants, flowers to keep in my windows.

I DEFINITELY don't have green fingers and most of them died rather quickly. A few survivors was eaten by my pet rats when I forgot the plants in the kitchen when releaseing them to roam free.

And now these 4, that was three from the start but one got so big I had to split it. And it survived that too. This year they turn 20 and even if they look s**t I can't throw them away as long as they're alive...

They won't be for long though! As you can have cats OR plants, not both. And they for sure has taken beatings already. I brought them from the shoe-box flat last weekend. One of the bigger is reduced to less than half now as Tipton made a run, jumped over the back of the couch and landed directly on it. At least the two in the livingroom window matches in size now...

And it's damn fun to dig in the dort too and then run around swiping the shoveled dirt all over the floor!

Lucky for the cats they are cute...

So nope, cats and plants is definitely not a match. I doubt these ones will reach the age of 21...

Cheers

Home Sweet Home

So... It's official! My employment at Ericsson is terminated and my last day of working is March 31st. I admit it feels strange and I would probably never have had the guts to quit on my own. And yes, in a way it feels sad. I'm leaving a bunch of great colleagues and good friends, and many I would probably never see again. Also, I don't feel done with the work I've been doing the last few years.
On the other hand, I'm rather sick and tired of all the travels and never being at home. Sick of the shoebox flat with no TV (ok, I have a TV but no subscription so no channels, just a DVD/Blu Ray player), sick of always having my suitcase packed and most of all being away all the time from Peter and the cats. And I have a very good guy replacing me, skilled, dedicated just nice in general which make the hand-over a lot easier.
Also, it will be exciting to dig in to new tasks at a new company, to dig into new challenges. What I will do? Have no clue right now...
But, I have time. Ericsson's lay-off deals are very sweet so I have almost two years to find a new job before I'm out of money which feels nice. So if everything works as I want them to (I can't not apply for a good job if it appears) I'll be on a LOOOOOONG vacation and start a new job in September or so. 
Or, I will renovate the kitchen in the Void Mansion, build the Cats & Foxes Pub in the basement and develop the Isle of the Black Cat brand... I mean, the Apple-Bourbon, Apple-Rum and Apple-Single Malt-Cinnamon marmalade's was very much appreciated. Also the home made apple-sauce, gooseberry jam (Bourbon in that too). Build my Photography homepage, dig into video-editing and start doing interviews for Metal Kaoz a lot more than I'm doing now... A pod-cast or youtube channel would be cool... (and transcribing audio interviews is SOOOOOO boring) and maybe not the most fun, clean the house from the cellar up to the attic... (But I'm actually looking forward to that too) 

It will be interesting though how I react at being home. I've been traveling almost weekly for almost 10 years now. Lately up to Borås and Stockholm which isn't very exciting all the time. But I will definitely miss going to more exotic places like China, Brazil, Jordan, Ethiopia, Malaysia...
I guess commuting to Copenhagen for shows will have to do for a while now. But ok, there are a lot of them and some really cool concerts.

It really sucks though that the Helstar show was cancelled due to poor ticket sales. It's hard for me to understand since this is one of the best things happening. I love the band and they always kick-ass live. To see a show cancelled due to this reason sucks and I'm really disappointed with the Gothenburg Metal Heads to not step up here and buy the very cheap tickets... Definitely gonna plan for a German or so show next time to make sure I get to see the band. And if they come up north again that will be a bonus. 

Cheers
E

 

Another year has passed

And where did that year go? In one way it's been a very long year but it also feels it was a few weeks ago I was falling to pieces of excitement waiting for the Michael Schenker concerts in Stockholm and Malmö. That was in February and the first shows of the year. It was very strange since from the hell-week in early december 2015 with Judas Priest, Saxon, Motörhead and some more there was no shows at all until the Schenker ones. That is very unusal for me. But I did go to a lot of shows. In total I spent 72 days at shows or festivals, if an average of 3 bands per day, that makes it 216 bands... Might seem extreme but I know I have a lot of company here and I bet some of my friends have spent even more time seeing bands. It's what I like and there were some real surprises. Best show of the year was just a last minute decision... Also, at Festivals when there are clashes I've been try to select bands I haven't seen before or if it's a chance they won't come back which gave me both good and bad experiences. That I'll try to keep in mind, you can't know until you've seen it if it's worth seeing. And no concert has felt like waste of time... Ok, perhaps I haven't been super-thrilled about all opening acts but in general they have been ok too. 

I set a target for myself last year and that was to keep up with the concert reports, do 24 record reviews and 24 interviews. The concerts are all done, still behind with the Festivals though and I did far more that 24 reviews... Didn't do many interviews though so I need to get better there. I'll try to do the same this year, no increase in numbers or anything like that.

But yes, I've been listening to a lot of records and there were a lot of good ones. There were a few really standing out though, that really blew me away.

1. SALEM - Dark Days

The Hull laddies impressed me with "Forgotten Dreams" a few years back also but I got it too late so it didn't make it up on the top 10. I had this one for over 2 months before the review was due, for good and bad. I knew the record note for note writing it but it put pressure on me to write a review as good as I thought the record are also. I love it from start to end, the variation between really dark tunes and more classic hard rock songs is fantastic.
Favorite track: "Nine Months"

2. VICIOUS RUMORS - Concussion Protocol

First studio release with Nick on vocals and it is a full-hit if you ask me. I think Vicious Rumors could have used Nick more though but I love the mix between hin and Geoff and it is one fantastic album. It continues in the same vein as the previous two but it feels the band is boosted even more nowawdays. I listened to this one extensively also since it normally takes time for the Vicious Rumors records to settle for real. I thought I knew it but picking it up a few weeks after the release, for the shows it was even better than I remembered it.
Favorite Track: "Chasing the Priest" 

3. FATES WARNING - Theories of Flight

The best thing with Fates Warning is how much emotion they get into their music. It's not Hard, Fast and Heavy but it's still more intense and has a nerve few manage to create. Ray Adler does a fantastic job here and with the Old School shows featuring John Arch and these fantastic new releases it's the best of two worlds. I really don't want this to go away to have John Arch back in Fates Warning, love to see him perform though. On the other had, Ray too is fantastic.
Favorite track: "S.O.S"

4. GLENN HUGHES - Resonate

Quite a surprise for me even. I've admired Glenn for a long time and as a performer he is fantastic but his releases has been a bit to Funky for my taste. This one though is one Heavy piece without completely abandon his trademark sound, the songs have touches of soul and funk but it's not taking overhand. And the whole record is heavy as hell.
Favorite track: "Flow" 

5. SARASIN - Sarasin

I was lured by the cover, I think it is super-cool and when digging into the music that too got me hooked. I love the hooks and odd rhythms, sometimes it feels like it's not quite right just to realize it's a strange beat instead. I spent hours trying to figure out the as long as we're willing to let them lead us to the slaughter, it's crazy but damn cool Also the Heavy, gloomy and groovy songs appealed to me.
Favorite track: "In Our Image"

6. DIAMOND HEAD - Diamond Head

Wow, I realized I don't have any new bands on my list this year... Well, Myrath can perhaps be stated as new but as both Salem and Sarasin has their roots in the 80's, this year is definitely the guys with routine and experience that has dazzeled me. The self titled Diamond Head I bought because I was going to see them and it ended up in the stereo for weeks in a row, I couldn't put it down. It's vibrant, full of energy and damn good songs. Again it feels like the band has new energy and inspiration, can't be anything but since this record kills. 
Favorite track: "Shout at the Devil" 

7. ANVIL - Anvil is Anvil

It sounds like Anvil, it is Anvil and it sounds damn good. Both from a song and production perspective. And now when the buzz after the movie has settled people start to see that Anvil is good for real. Here Anvil has managed to capture the energy they have on stage, the joy and the fun in a bunch of very good songs. 
Favorite track: "Zombie Apocalypse" (Zombie? A Coffee Lips?)

8. MYRATH - Legacy

I picked up this promo as Myrath was opening for Symphony X and was excited about them being from Tunisia. Took ages before I could get my hads on the real CD though. Their Prog Metal with oriental melodies and rhythms sets them apart from most other bands in the genre and that Zaher Zorgati both sounds and look like a mini-version of Ray Adler is not setting this down. 
Favorite track: "Nobody's Lives" 

9. HELSTAR - Vampirio

Some years ago there was a style-change for Helstar and they moved to Heavier and Faster tunes. It sounded good but it felt like something was missing to get to the top. Now with "Vampirio" everything has fallen into place and this is a true smack in the face, fantastic riffs and fantastic songs. A true killer record simply.
Favorite track: "Repent in Fire"

10. DEATH ANGEL - The Evil Divide

There were many good Thrash Metal releases during 2016, Testament, Flotsam & Jetsam, Anthrax... But it was this one that struck the hardest for me. In general I've been a bigger fan of Death Angel live than on record but perhaps I haven't listened enough, with the shows during the last years and this record things changed and this is a record to put on when energy is needed to do something. The drive is fantastic and it holds a good deal of great songs:
Favorite track: "Lost"

And Peter's Top 5;
1. ANVIL - Anvil is Anvil
2. HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE - Dead Revolution
3. KANSAS - The Prelude Implicit
4. VICIOUS RUMORS - Concussion Protocol
5. BLAZE BAYLEY - Infinite Entanglement

The ones just outside the Top 10 list;
BLAZE BAYLEY - Infinite Entanglement
ETRUSGRAVE - Aita's Sentence
EVIL MASQUERADE - The Outcast Hall of Fame
HOBBS ANGEL OF DEATH - Heaven Bled
METAL CHURCH - XI
PARADOX- Pangea
SAVIOR FROM ANGER - Temple of Judgment
TESTAMENT - Brotherhood of the Snake
THE CULT - Hidden City
THEM - Sweet Hollow 

And the ones that could have made it if I would have gotten around and started listen sooner (or if they'd been released earlier in the year...);
AFTERSHOK - Detonate
ATTACKER - Sins of the World
FLOTSAM & JETSAM - Flotsam and Jetsam
GRAHAM BONNET BAND - The Book
HERMAN FRANK - The Devil Rides Out
MEGADETH - Dystopia
RAGE- The Devil Strikes Again
RUNNING WILD - Rapid Foray
SACRO SANCTUS - Ad Aeternum
SODOM - Decision Day

A new thing that we started to discuss last year was, what if albums, regardless of release year, that has meant a lot during the year was to be listed. It's of course hard to remember all and sometimes it's so many from one band the list would be endless. But it was a fun idea so why not give it a try...

Much is related to shows of course but looking at the playlist, Winger - "IV", Deep Purple - "Now What?!", MSG - "In The Midst of Beauty", Motörhead - "Overnight Sensation", Heir Apparent - "By Inheritance", Cage - "Ancient Evil", Black Sabbath - Eternal Idol, Deep Purple - Slaves & Masters, Blue Öyster Cult - "Imaginos" and Tempest - "Control the World" antology has been spinning A LOT, or for other reasons set me off.
One thing that I need to point out is how much I've been listening to Joe Lynn Turner, been digging up most everything I could get my hands on. He also played an acoustic set at the PH Cafeen in Copenhagen and even if it wasn't the same blow-away as Kip Winger it was still damn cool. Very cool to be able to stand 1-2m away from him listening to music and stories. Fantastic show of course and then I went shopping... That's my way of stalking bands and musicians, GET ALL THEY'VE EVER RELEASED!!!
Also Michael Schenker has been spinning frequently and basically his whole catalogue but it was "In the Midst of Beauty" that struck the hardes and when putting it on "Cross of Crosses" goes on repeat for a few times before I let it spin. It's the same with "Tales of Rock'n'Roll" also, then it's "Dreams Inside" and "Rock'n'Roll" that gets that treatment. 

Peter did the same and picked his ones;

He's been digging in the vaults and listed;
Winterhawk - "Revival", Blue Öyster Cult - "Club Ninja", Uriah Heep - "Fallen Angel", Kansas - "Audio-Visions" and Marillion - "Fugazi" 


As mentioned earlier, there has been a lot of concerts this year, a lot of good ones too and when standing there watching I can't for my life understand why people decide to sit home infront of a TV or computer instead of seeing bands live...

The one show that stood out the most though came as a real surprise. I love to be proven wrong but I also become a bit bummed with myself that I didn't realize a bands greatness sooner...

1. KIP WINGER - PH Cafeen, Copenhagen, Denmark

I wasn't even sure if to go to the show, I've never listened to Winger what so ever, also it was a very hectic week and I decided to rest instead. Next minute I'm panicking and buy tickets. And I'm glad I did, acoustic set and very intimate. How someone can create that dynamic with a sole guitar is beyond me. We missed train after train home but there was no chance we were leaving the show before it ended. He played for more than 2 hours and there was not a dull second.

2. VICIOUS RUMORS - Frimis Salonger, Örebro, Sweden

Vicious Rumors always kick ass, it's on stage they should be experienced. A classic set with a few new ones worked very well. Nick sounds fantastic in the old songs, he nails it flawlessly. The disappointment was the cancelled headline-show I had booked though. An opening slot is far from enough if Vicious Rumors.
 

3. SAXON - Trägår'n, Gothenburg, Sweden

The mighty Saxon, this was the fourth Saxon concert for me in 2016 and I was still looking at the possibilities to go to Ronneby the night after this one. Saxon at Trägår'n is special, they were on fire and so was the crowd. I think they added 4-5 songs compared to the Copenhagen and Malmö shows. 

4. Michael Schenker - KB, Malmö, Sweden

I would like to say the Michael Schenker Fest at Sweden Rock since that one featured Robin McAuley (and Graham Bonnet and Gary Barden) but it was the club shows that really set me off. It's amazing to be so close and see everything from the front. Michael's energy on stage these days are fantastic and the Temple of Rock albums kicks ass.

5.LETHAL - Up The Hammers, Kyttaro Club, Athens, Greece

I tend to forget between the times I see Lethal how damn good they are. No exception here. Fascinating was that Tom barely could speak prior to the show but still deliver something absolutely fantastic. It was also cool to have Dell Hull in the line-up.

6. FATES WARNING - Keep It True, Tauberfranken-Halle, Lauda-Königshofen, Germany

If I missed it completely or just surpressed it I don't know but it came as a complete surprise to me when John Arch came out on stage. Thinking about I should have realized that was to be the case. Still, the excitement the surprise brought made this show even better. It all sounded fantastic.

7. HEIR APPARENT - Keep It True, Tauberfranken-Halle, Lauda-Königshofen, Germany

Heir Apparent did great on UTH too but it seems all fell into place for the KIT show. Their dynamics was fantastic and it all sounded fabulous.

8. ANVIL - La Belle Angele, Edinburgh, Scottland

Anvil always deliver, it is always very good. But Lips was struggling with a cold for the first 2 of the UK shows. Here he was back to normal again and the energy was phenomenal. How they manage to do this night after night is beyond me.

9. CLOVEN HOOF - NWOBHM X MAS Rocka, 02 Academy, Sheffield, England

Lee Payne has drafted George Call and Danny White to the line-up and that sure is a perfect match. Cloven Hoof has always sounded very good but there was something missing from the last line-up. Now they look the part and their force won't be able to be stopped. The drive and intesity created on this small stage was fantastic, and this is just the beginning.

10. SYMPHONY X - Pumpehuset, Copenhagen, Denmark

Wow, it's amazing how such a "pretto" band can deliver so much rock'n'roll and still perform flawlessly. I mean, Prog-Metal bands normally focus on playing and frankly, the shows can be dull. It is Russel Allen that stands for most of the show but how the rest deliver and seem to have fun is amazing. Also, to hear the whole "Underworld" album live sure was a treat.

There's actually two more records that played a big part of last year (and the year before too for that sake) but for what they are I couldn't put them on the lists...
I'm realy super-proud of the Void Moon - "Deathwatch" records, the hours spent with the guitar paid off. It would have been so much fun to play more, visit places and just enjoy it but history wanted other things for the band.

  
And then also Assassins Blade - "Agents of Mystification". Not that I have much to do with it more than being a house-wife when Jacques recorded the vocals and then just listening to the ideas created with or without beers by David and Peter. A good one it is!

So, now I'm looking forward to a new year. It will be an odd one, that's for sure. It's confirmed that I'm affected by the lay-off's for Ericsson this time, 20+ years and I'm unemployed. But, I get up to 23 months payment (19 guaranteed which I keep even if I start working as soon as I'm out of the doors) so there's no worry what will happen. My biggest concern is if I should dare to take the summer off and start applying for jobs so I start in September or so? Or do I need to start right away... Don't know when I will leave yet but it should be end of March-April sometime. 
Then I need to decide what to focus on, a new Cult of the Fox record it will be. I'm also trying to set up a photo-page to have a gallery with better resolution pictures, posting on facebook kind of kills them, for not to say the ones posted through instagram. But both are very good to spread the word about it at least. And I need to save money to change my Canon EOS 50D too, it's just so frustrating to not have the same capacity as on the EOS 5D MkIII, especially when the lights are poor. Just as a sample, if using ISO 2000 on the 50, I can push the 5 up to 12800 or even 16000 before it gets as grainy as 2000 on the 50. So... A Canon EOS 5D MkIV is on my shopping list...Unless someone wants to buy me one! :O) (so, if I start working and get double salarys...)

And then the usual, food, drinks and work-out... I've actually been off sugar completely for a week now. The only thing I've had is 6 dades and the suger I use in the food but that's very little. I feel it! Let's see how long I can keep it up... Will HAVE to have some chocolate sooner or later...
One thing I realized is that how DAMN expensice beer and wine is on airports, trainstations & hotels. Also at clubs, so it's no promise to not drink beer, just a try to not buy it when the money spent on one beer could have gotten me another record or 1/300 part of the new camera... Ok, cutting out THOSE beers will not buy me the camera though!  

 
Cheers
E

NP: ARDUINI / BALICH - "Dawn Of Ages"