Back in business

Summer's over back to Class... As SLINGBLADE sang. But not back to Class for me, back in the office. I of course had a bit of a problem to sleep last night but it wasn't too bad to be back. Everything went very slow though. Guess it will be better in a few days.

But it was a nice vacation. Rather busy though, as usual... First a few short days at home before I made a trip to Sandviken for a few days, then back home to repack and head of for Headbangers Open Air and some more events in Germany, back home again and prepare for a Void Moon rehearsal and clean the house. Then I had a week in the house just messing around. Peter and David was recording new songs for their new project with Jacques B and I supported with food. Felt very good to play in the kitchen, ran out of good lunch and dinner ideas after a while though. 

Of course, a lot of time has been spent out on the porch and the cute little cat has been hanging around almost all days. Guess it wasn't the best to leave a cushion out, which of course became very popular instantly. But who could take it away when being met by this;

The cat just looks too comfortable and cozy.

I also got myself a new computer. First since the old ones really can't handle the heavy files from the camera nor the new software I need to support my Canon EOS 5 MkIII as well as the 50D. Got some tips from Jonas what to get and that worked fine, easy to order and the Inet shop in Malmö was a good one, friendly staff. It took a while to set it up and of course the Adobe page for ordering a Creative Cloud subscription was down the first day. When I got Photoshop and Lightroom installed everything worked fine with all raw files! YEY!!!! 
But... My huge monitor which has been so good with the old computer didn't really work with my new, resolution is absolutely not enough so I still can't edit the pictures. I have checked out one and will order it so I can pick it up this coming weekend (or have it shipped home, we'll see). Then I should be ready to go!!!

It's been fun being out with the camera these days too. Fullmoon out, but it's hard to get good pictures of it. Got some nice ones with my phone though and a bit of editing it looks very cool. Speaking about photos. Peter's and David's new band also needed photos and we took a walk around Höör shooting band pics in the middle of the night, parts of the Cemetary is always popular. Wonder what the locals really think! They didn't seem too scared though, more curious. One guy stuck around for a while but his dog was terrified of the guys. Another rather drunk lady also stopped by and that was the funnies English accent I've ever heard, Swinglish really in Helsingborg accent.

And it shows that the summer are heading towards fall... Spiders are coming in!

 

Not the biggest we've had but still rather impressive. They will get fatter during the winter though. Apart from Spiders, the whole porch has been infested with snails, both the killer ones, regular and the ones with a house. They crunch rather much when being stepped on. Not intentionally of course but they're everywhere.

Well, I'm aiming for an early evening tonight! Better take care of the last tasks before it's time to sleep.

Cheers

E

NP: ASTRAL DOORS -  Notes from the Shadows

Sleeping beauty

Friday we finally got our batch of the Void Moon 7" "Where the Sleeper Lies Awake" and I must say they look awesome. Hopefully the new patches arrives before HOA as well.

Only a few days before we leave and it's gonna be a lot of fun. I just have too little time to sort everything out. Gonna be some stressful days...

Cheers
E

Festival Season 2014 starts...

Yep... Keep It True which is the first one is just two weeks something away now. I'm really looking forward to this Festival. As always, a lot of great bands and I'm sure I will meet up with old friends and get some new ones too! Again, as it always is! Another thing that really equals KIT is a Schnitzel in our Hotel Restaurant, Goldener Stern in Lauda. Gerhard and his staff serves great food with homegrown vegetables. Last year, I think it was, Gerhard and his regular visitors tried to sing a song for me, "A little flower called Erika". Hysteric! Fun and a bit embarrassing!!! It's going to be really cool to see HEXX, found them back in 1988 and the records still kicks ass. LETHAL too of course. TOXIC, JAG PANZER and METAL CHURCH... And, and, and...

We'll miss Heavy Days in Doomtown this year unfortunately. Nice event even if the line-up doesn't always fit my taste. But I've also seen some really cool bands on that Festival, bands I never expected to like prior to the show. Like PROFETUS. Maybe next year.

Muskelrock has become a tradition. Especially since I realized it's possible to stay at Hotel Rådmannen and skip camping, else I doubt I would gone back year after year. Even if it is a very nice Festival, similar atmosphere to KIT and always a great line-up, but if I have to be camping in the end of May in Sweden the line-up needs to be a killer. Not necessary now though! I'm really looking forward to see Uli Jon Roth, SATAN, PROTECTOR, ANGEL WITCH and a few more...

 
Then the big ones starts, Copenhell Festival. Even though it is big it's a very nice Festival. Nice atmosphere and killer bands. What's so cool with Copenhell is everything around that's arranged as well. Normally they have a Film Festival showing independent as well as classic films, last year they had a burning (smoking at least) church and open coffins in the center field!!!!

Metal Magic is the next one up! Even if the temperature allows camping I really enjoy the Festival where I can stay in a Hotel. So it is with Metal Magic, always great line-up, great people and very well arranged! And always a lot of cool bands, DARK QUARTERER, PORTRAIT, HÜRLEMENT, PARAGON and a few more will be great fun.

I'm not sure exactly how many Festivals it will be during the summer, not more than the ones already mentioned... But one of the highlights is absolutely Headbangers Open Air. The only Festival I don't mind camping for. Normally warm and nice and possible to build a camp, set up BBQ etc. That I like. This together with great people and awesome bands sure makes it a good vacation. WARLORD, DEATH ANGEL, RIOT, WHIPLASH, GRAND MAGUS, TYGERS OF PAN TANG, CAGE will be awesome and I assume the rest will be great as always!

Then what? Sure, I can't be out traveling all summer, need to spend some time at home too, to rest a bit. But when bands come to town it's hard to resist. I really want to see VICIOUS RUMORS too, they're coming over to Europe for a few gigs and I think I need to catch at least one. KING DIAMOND is playing in Berlin a few days after HOA, that could make a great end to the vacation!!! Busy busy!!!

And then the plan for fall!!! I'm not sure how I will have time to work anymore, and it sure will be a hell lot of travel with work as well!!! Exiting days.

Cheers
E

NP: MSG - Michael Schenker Group