And 2015 is over...

Yes, apparently another year passed and I don't know where time went. It feels like the two last years is a big blur and I have hard remembering what happened when. But it's been a quite cool year, a lot of different activities which of course have made others suffer a bit. Playing live with Void Moon in Ireland, Romania and Malta has of course been very good points, as well as it was to play with Cult of the Fox too. 
The hours spent working on guitars for Void Moon's second album "Deathwatch" was very hard but also very rewarding as it turned out really nice. I'm sooo looking forward to get a real copy in my hands. 
And as usual there's been traveling too, both in work and for my own pleasure. Worth mentioning is the visits to Jordan, Ethiopia and Sudan. To get to see the sun when it's dark and gloomy in Sweden is of course a plus. But to get to feel the Dead Sea, eat real Ethiopian Injera and just hang out in Khartoum has been fantastic. 
There has also been a few trips down to Germany and Holland for shows but not as many as it normally is. Sometimes things became a bit crazy as I locked one bag in the safety lockers at the airport to first go to a concert just to pick up the bag and go for a jobtrip, out through security, get the bag and check in again. I know Kastrup Airport by heart now I promise you.
Also, the addition of the cats to the Wallberg family. They make a mess of most everything but they are adorable and so very sweet. But it's just to forget that thing with having a moment alone in the bathroom, sleep long in the morning and so on... But the good is so much more than the annoying (shutting down my computer, stealing cheese from sandwiches, chewing on strings and shoelaces, digging under the couch for the Christmas nuts, waking up with a paw in your mouth...)

There has been very good music coming in 2015 also, classic bands releasing super albums, like Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Slayer to mention a few. But I've also missed a lot since I haven't had time to read as much as I used to. I realize this reading other peoples top-lists for 2015. It's impossible to keep up with everything I know but it bugs me a little bit that some releases just passed me by unnoticed. 

Anyway, here's my list for 2015;

01. SAXON

"Battering Ram"

It's always fun to get real good albums to review, SAXON was one of those. It's also very hard to write these reviews since the ambition to write as perfect as the album is tend to happen and the reviews can be rather extensive. But the album struck hard and survived from first second. Good to see SAXON in top shape these dark days.
Favorite track: Queen of Hearts

02. SATAN 

"Atom By Atom"

SATAN was another one I got for review. It really blew me away from start but then it dipped a bit after a few spins and I started to wonder if it was the excitement of a new release that was the case. But it caught up again and turned out as no 2 on my list. I love the speedy riffs and great melodies. 
Favorite track: Ahriman 

03. QUEENSRŸCHE 

"Condition Hüman"

This was actually a hard one to get into. I didn't think it was as good as the last one for a really long time, until I started thinking about how many times I listened to that before it got stuck. Giving it a rest for a few months and then picking it up again sure did the thing and hell yes, it's another masterpiece. Todd LaTorre rules.
Favorite track: Guardian

04. DARK QUARTERER 

"Ithaca"

To start with I didn't think that this one was as good as the old ones. But as always with the best albums they need 10-15-20 spins to land. I don't know how many times I listened to it before I could write the review but when I finally did it was again as it was when I first stumbled over DARK QUARTERER, I couldn't stop.
Favorite Track: Mind Torture

05. SATAN'S HOST

"Pre-dating God" (Parts 1 & 2)

 I'm cheating a bit here but as much as I struggled with the list I can't remove anything else from it. So instead if picking one of them, both records ended up under the same post. Fantastic release again from SATAN'S HOST, these albums they've done since Harry Conklin came back are absolutely awesome.
Favorite Track: Lady n' the Snake

06. MOTÖRHEAD 

"Bad Magic"

 It feels good that the last album MOTÖRHEAD ever released was a very strong one. Not that they ever have released a bad album but I'd say that this last one is my favorite since "Snake Bite Love". It's strong, powerful and catchy. But who could ever imagine it would be the last. It feels terrible to never be able to buy another MOTÖRHEAD ticket. I've lost count on how many times I've seen MOTÖRHEAD over the years but it's well over 30 at least. Always kick-ass!
Favorite Track: The Devil

 

07. IRON MAIDEN 

"The Book Of Souls"

That IRON MAIDEN would release something good was expected but I really really like this new one. It feels more inspired than in a long time. Not that they've ever done anything bad. But the vocal lines are more diverse and I really like the epic stuff.
Favorite Track: Tears of a Clown

 

08. SYMPHONY X 

"Underworld"

I've tried over the years to get into SYMPHONY X but never hard enough it seems, until now. Ok, I really dig the "Paradise Lost" album as well but that I didn't come around to the same year it was released and so it has been ever since. A little bit behind all the time. But I learn and picked this one up as soon as it was out and damn it's good.
Favorite Track: Run with the Devil 

09. MICHAEL SCHENKER'S TEMPLE OF ROCK

"Spirit On A Mission"

The god, guitar god... Mr Schenker together with Tony Iommi has been the biggest inspirations for me playing guitar. There has been others too of course but Michael's melodic style of playing not many come close to. I was a bit disappointed with Spirit on a Mission initially. It was good of course but not as strong as "Bridge the Gap" I thought. But giving it some time, in the player as well as in the shelf it came around and it rocks as hard as its predecessor.
Favorite Track: Something of the Night

 

10. TRIBULATION 

"The Children Of The Night"

   

 
Ok, I admit, sometimes I download music before I buy it. I'm too curious and impatient to wait on occasion. I'd seen the cover of this album and loved it but I'm always a bit hesitant to Swedish Metal Bands. Many are good of course but few are unique. To my surprise this one struck like a hammer and it spun round after round. Next record order I had the fat box version of the release listed and it keeps spinning.
Favorite Track: In the Dreams of the Dead 

And the sone that ended up just outside the list either because other was better or I didn't give them enough time;
Cage - Ancient Evil
Circle II Circle - Reign of Darkness
Damien Thorne - Soul Stealer
Enforcer - From Beyond
Helloween - My God-given Right
Iron Kingdom - Ride for Glory
Jameson Raid - Uninvited Guests
Jorn Lande & Trond Holter - Dracula
Masters Of Metal
Night Viper - Night Viper
Paradise Lost - The Plague Within
Parallel Minds - Headlong Disaster
Ram - Svbversvm
Scanner - The Judgement
Slayer - Repentless
Sorcerer - In the Shadow of the Inverted Cross
Tad Morose - St. Demonius
Tank - Valley of Tears
Transsiberian Orchestra - Letters from the Labyrinth
WASP - Golgotha

But, there are always something missed, some records that came in too late or for some other reason didn't make it, even if, looking at it now they probably should have. One of them;
Helloween - My Godgiven Right. 

I reviewed it and loved it, left it to rest for a while and it didn't feel as good. And now, when preparing for the concert it's been spinning again and damn it's good... If I'd picked it up earlier it should have been on the Top 10.

And then, Iron Kingdom - Ride for Glory

 It's not Power Metal, Not Prog Metal, Not Heavy Metal but at the same time all of it. These Canadians are also fantastic musicians and have managed to release one hell of an album again. Got it in just after Christmas though, bad planning from me.

So, I've probably forgotten a lot of records but this is the conclusion for now. It will probably look different in a few weeks.

Cheers
E

NP: Sarasin - Sarasin

 

Incoming

Week's almost over and that's awesome! Celebrating with eating the sandwich-spread leftovers that won't make it next week and drinking a glass of wine. Have to say that Meze Olives with garlic, chili and lemon isn't my favorite but they go quite good with the wine. 

I'm actually very excited for the weekend. I have three things (at least) to collect at the post office (Mr Postman called more than twice this week...). Ok, one is actually at Systembolaget. I ordered the Motörhead Vödka, Anniversary edition and this is going to be picked up tomorrow!

Then the TPL packages, YES, packages arrived at the delivery point today! It was too much to fit in one box. Box 2 can be blamed the Slayer Eagle! Gonna look awesome on the shelf, and of course SOUND awesome in the stereo. And there are SOOOO many goodies in the other box! Check it out;

 

Not bad huh???!!! 

Then there's a package from Ginza, which I expected last Friday. Don't know what happened since it was ready for delivery Wednesday last week already but ended up at the delivery point the day before yesterday. Normally they ship ASAP but not this time. Bummer since Europe's - War Of Kings is in it and it would have been good to listen to that BEFORE the concert yesterday since they played a lot from it. The package also includes all the Iron Maiden 7" re-issues... Not all that necessary but it IS Iron Maiden and then it's basically a got-to-have. Ok, this time I waited for the sale since i think 99SEK (ca €10) is too much for a 7", especially since I have all of them since before...

With a bit of luck CDON ships the new Annihilator and Demon's Eye also. Not that I will be able to listen to it all this weekend though... But they got to show anyway! 

I also try to fit my schedule to make sure to plan for as many concerts, events and still be as efficient as possible for work. I really enjoy what I do and I love the freedom that comes with the role. But of course, to keep the freedom I need to deliver also. But wth, if I can squeeze in 2 x WASP, Venom Inc/Vader, Paradise Lost and visit Anvil in the studio for the recording of "Anvil is Anvil" I'm willing to work around the clock almost. I don't really care about the rest of the time in the weeks, at least not when I'm out of the Void Mansion, which is most weekdays. (and hell yes, I miss Peter and the cats like crazy)

Also, two ESPECIALLY nice news I saw when checking Triffid & Danger Concert's page the other day;

Michael Schenker is an all time favorite guitarplayer and I've been so PISSED OFF since I missed him on Väsby Rock and all other events close-by. Definitely going to both of those shows.
The Neon Rose and 220 Volt! How cool isn't that? I was really disappointed when 220 Volts was out of the bill from 2 Heavy 4 You... Heard both that they cancelled and that the promoter cancelled... ABSOLUTELY not missing this one!

So, come Friday, come fast... Dropping by Gunnaröds on the way home to pick-up some Eco Meat, BBQ-ing Burgers tomorrow, defrosting the last batch of home-baked-eco-bun's. In Skåne, buying meat and veggies from Farmers Markets, eco and local, isn't much more expensive than anything from the supermarket it just comes down to planning... (have lamb, beef, veal, chicken and pork a 10 min drive away)
I also have some recording left to do. But then I can just CRANK IT UP and rehearse for Old Grave Fest and Malta. I know the stuff, I need to get the stamina to live through the shows now (and practice poses and not fall over, probably the most important). 

 Cheers E

NP: Chris Caffery - Your Heaven is Real

Recordshoppers Anonymous #23

Last Monday me and Peter had been married for 2 years. Not that either of us is especially keen on grande celebrations but we thought we'd do something at least.
First idea was to use a part of my gift certificate I got from Ericsson for serving 20 years as an employee but the places offered didn't feel too comfortable so we skipped that and save the money for s beer and cheese tasting or so insteai d...

What then? Decided to go to Rå Epok and eat Sushi... Quite boring place looking at it from a cozy restaurant perspective but the food was great and we got stuffed. Ok, the HUGE Ice cream in the food court perhaps did the most though.

Since we're not often in Lund we took the opportunity to check some record stores also. Well, one. The other was closed. Even If they had some goodies I didn't pick it, very expensive place so we went for the on sale stuff instead. Jethro Tull, Blackfoot, Sweet (even if just collections) and Brownsville Station. The last since I think this band has been referred to in the 10 last Biographies I've been reading. Quite cool even if the style is a bit too much boogie and Blues for me... So I got the bunch for ca €26 and that's really good.

The new MOTÖHEAD Bad Magic showed up also. Was hoping for Masters Of Metal, Praying Mantis, Royal Hunt & Pentagram but that one wasn't shipped until yesterday. Also waiting for Tad Morose. And then the HUGE and EXTREMELY Heavy pack with Iron Maiden vinyl & CD, Slayer Eagle pack, MOTÖHEAD Deluxe vinyl box and Wasp box... Good Heavy Metal fall it will be!

Cheers E