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

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

List of the Year 2012

Where did 2012 go?It sure doesn’t feel like over a year ago I applied for the job I got just before Christmas 2011 and I hardly remember the summer. Well, that can depend on that it hardly was summer at all of course but anyway, I remember two weeks, one before and one after Headbangers Open Air. But it sure as hell has been a very eventful year.

I think it was in March when I and Peter decided to try to find a place in Skåne rather than in the Borås/Gothenburg area. We listed the criteria’s and since both of us had issues with our neighbors making a hell lot of sound we both dreamt of a quiet place far away from everyone. Driving around in the villages around Malmö (Bökarp, Bösetorp, Tittente, Skivarp, Börste, Trä… to mention a few) we realized that civilization isn’t so bad after all. At least when it comes to commuting to work, even just 10km outside of Malmö could be a 4 hour bus ride one way… So, in the end, fulfilling all requirements apart from being the last house on the street we found the Void Mansion. For us it seemed like a very well preserved (perhaps not top modern but who cares, I even start to like the pink flower wallpapers un the upstairs bathroom) and solid house, big and perfect for what we wanted. I must say, me as well as Peter was really surprised when no one else was interested in it at all. When we were there looking at it several other couples and families were there looking. Good for us of course and in mid-July we closed the deal. Then everything turned out so perfect we had 2 weeks overlap with our flats when we got the house in mid-October. Crazy weeks it became, to move and clean everything in that short time was really hard but so good when it was over. We are still working on getting the house in order, the rehearse-room/studio need more gear. My office needs more bookshelves, Peter’s library to. But it is ok that it takes time. I’m not moving in the next 50 years now!

Then of course the Void Moon album “On The Blackest of Nights” was released in November. Of course, Cult Of The Fox’s debut was released in 2011 but since I got into the band when everything (almost) was already written and set I wasn’t as involved in that record as in the Void Moon one and of course the coming Cult Of The Fox record. But the Void Moon record was almost finalized when it was time to start to record the next and now, since I’m the sole guitarist in COTF I had a hell of a job to do. Of course I’ve been recording earlier but not this way. I learnt a lot and had a blast doing it but it was also very frustrating when things didn’t turn out the way I expected them to. But ok, some things turned out even better. So it will be exciting to see how that one is received once it is released. And the Void Moon album has been received very well, a lot of good reviews and that feels great.

And then of course my new Job! Or, I’m actually doing about the same as I did before but with a bigger area and more responsibility (of course a better paycheck as well). I actually didn’t expect to get it, I applied for it to push myself and prepare to move on some day. But I did get the job and it has been a mix of free fall and control this last year. But to be able to set a plan on what to work with for the future, put a budget for it and then make it happen has been very rewarding. I really enjoy what I’m doing and I have great people around me to work with. But it has been A LOT of work and with the recording of albums and buying the Void Mansion and of course moving in, there has not been time for anything else for the last 5 months. I’ve hardly been to any concerts at all during the fall and that too feels strange.
But after a long Christmas vacation I’m back and really have the urge to get a doze of loud music again!!! So my calendar is filling up. The only really annoying thing is that it feels like all concerts in Gothenburg are on Friday’s and Saturday’s these days and the ones in Malmö mid-weeks, SHOULD BE THE OTHER WAY AROUND!!!


But again it has been a good Metal year, and a lot of great releases.
Here’s my list; 

1. MASTERS HAMMER - Vracejte Konve na Místo

 
It was Brutal but when the Hammer finally hit, it hit really hard. I got hold of this one just in time for Skogsröjet Festival and was supposed to dig into Testament’s “Dark Roots…” and as anyone can agree on, that is one hell of an album. Nothing else was good enough around this time but Master’s Hammer. And with this one hitting as hard as it did, the rest of the catalogue went down well too with the exception of “Salgary”. As weird it might appear, with the Czech language and odd harmonies, but that’s what I like.

Favorite Track: “Námořnická”

2. ACCEPT – Stalingrad

 
I guess this one could have been in top as “Blood of the Nations” was two years ago. The reason why it’s not is not because it’s weaker in any way, still as fantastic but no surprise this time. “Blood of the Nation” was overwhelming, this one expected. But one thing’s for sure, Accept is back and really has the capacity to write awesome music.

Favorite Track: “Shadow Soldier”

3. SLEEPY HOLLOW - Skull 13

 
I thought this one was ok initially when I started to listen to it, I got it for review and couldn’t really find anything to say about it. I let it roll, over and over again which was well worth the effort. The first four songs are really good, they set a really nice tune to the album. But what comes after is something else. From “Bleed Steel” to “Midnight” this album is full perfection, the first three songs are really good also. So this is what I’m really looking forward to see live later this year.

Favorite Track: “Inquisition”

4. ANGEL WITCH - As Above, So Below

 
Oh my… I didn’t expect Angel Witch to release an album as good as this one. The best thing with it is that it sounds like the 80’s from a song perspective but the sound is neither retro nor modern. It is just an organic sounding Heavy Metal album with some fantastic songs.

Favorite Track: “Into the Dark”

5. RAM - Death

 
One of the best bands in Sweden these days! Ram is an awesome live machine that keeps releasing great records. I can easily say they’ve taken one step up for each record. 

Favorite Track: “Under the Scythe”

6. GRAND MAGUS - The Hunt

 
Well, Grand Magus isn’t far behind Ram of course. Even if “The Hunt” didn’t strike as hard as “Hammer of the North” this one still holds extremely high class. Perhaps it is more the style that bugs me rather than the songs. I liked the raw sound Grand Magus used to have, this is more polished but of course still really good.

Favorite Track: “Storm King”

7. JESS AND THE ANCIENT ONES - Jess and the Ancient Ones

 
This I really didn’t expect. Since I have a personal shopper when it comes to record I tend to buy more than I should have. But hey, it’s served and a few weeks later it shows up in my mailbox. So this was more impulse buy from my side but I’m SO glad I bought it. I love it! It’s mellow, melodic and just very cozy.

Favorite Track: “Twilight Witchcraft”

8. WITCHCRAFT – Legend

 
Then another one I didn’t expect. Frankly, I haven’t listened much to Witchcraft at all, which is rather strange since I really liked it the times I’ve seen them live.  But I gave this one a chance and then, a little as it was with Master’s Hammer, I couldn’t change the record at all for a few days.

Favorite Track: “It’s not Because of You”

9. TESTAMENT - Dark Roots Of The Earth

 
My expectations on this album were really high, this since Testament has been one of my favorite bands almost since the start of my Metal career, which mean I’ve followed them since their first album “The Legacy”. So I’m glad they could push out an album like this one. It’s very dark and powerful.

For me the production could have been a bit more primitive, which I think could have given a more dynamic sound. But it sure is a good record. Also, me and Peter ran into Eric Petersen at Skogsröjet and got starstruck, even the local radio station had to wait a while to interview us!

Favorite Track:  “True American Hate”

10. DEMON – Unbroken

 
I was browsing the web just taking a break at work and found out that Demon had released a new album. Strange perhaps since they’ve mentioned that they should quit altogether on occasion, then play a few gigs if the deal was right and now this… But this is how Demon should sound. This record has the same feeling as Demon live, just joyful and a good rocking band.

Favorite Track: "Fill Your Head With Rock"

Then Peter's top 10 list looks like this;

1. Manowar - "The Lord of Steel Hammer Edition"

2. Overkill - "The Electric Age"

3. Manowar - "The Lord of Steel Retail Edition"

4. Candlemass - "Psalms for the Dead"

5. Accept – "Stalingrad"

6. Testament - "Dark Roots of Earth"

7. Wino - "Heavy Kingdom"

8. Hellwell - "Beyond the Boundaries of Sin"

9. Grand Magus - "The Hunt"

10. Grave Digger - "Clash of the Gods"

And the ones that almost made it (alphabetically);

Bedemon – "Symphony of Shadows"

Candlemass – "Psalms of the Dead"

Huntrss – "Spell Eater"

Kamelot – "Silverthorn"

Kreator – "Pantom Antichrist"

Manowar - "The Lord of Steel"

Overkill – "The Electric Age"

Paradise Lost – "Tragic Idol"

Pharaoh – "Bury the Light"

Ufo – "Seven Deadly"

Also, I have to mention two more records that I really wanted to have on the top list but since only Studio Full Length albums count they were excluded due to that!
Colossus - ...and the Sepulcher of the Mirror Warlock
Sledge Leather - Imagine me Alive
I know the Sledge Leather album is listed as a full length one but out of the 11 tracks, 5 is just around a minute long and total playtime is just over 31 minutes. And that is the same as Colossus, which 6-tracker is listed as an EP.

And the ones that could have made it if I’d found it/got the thumb out earlier (alphabetically);

Bloody Hammers – "Bloody Hammers"

Gojira - "L'Enfant Sauvage"

Grave - "Endless Procession of Soul"

Grave Digger – "Clash of the Gods"

Magnum – "On the 13th Day"

Nightmare – "The Burden of God"

Obsession – "Order of Chaos"

Tank – "War Nation"

Thy Majestie - "ShiHuangDi"

Wildestarr – "Tell Tale Heart"

A few I missed completely that I need to check;

Banshee – "Mindslave"

Cloudscape – "New Era"

Mekong Delta – "Intersections"

Mob Rules – "Cannibal Nation"

Pallbearer – "Sorrow and Extinction"

And then the Concerts I enjoyed the most;

1. Arch / Matheos @ Keep It True Festival

It sure was a dream come true to get to see John Arch sing! And damn he sung. Sounded amazing, both for the Arch/Matheos tracks as well as the Fates Warning classics. http://www.metalkaoz.com/live-reports/8711-kit-xv-day-2-lauda-koenigshofen-de.html

2. Jon Oliva’s Pain @ Turock, Essen

The Mountain King will always do great shows! This was no exception, the sound was great, the band charged. Jon had his grand Piano but also, he was up running on stage for a few songs. And of course, the place was packed and the whole crowd was on 100% all through the show.
http://www.metalkaoz.com/live-reports/8567-jon-olivas-pain-turock-essen-de.html

3. Hammers Of Misfortune @ Roadburn

Peter worked hard to get us tickets to Roadburn just so we would get to see Hammers Of Misfortune. Sure, I was a bit nervous that I boosted my expectations too high for this but Peter was almost breaking into pieces the day of the concert. Sure, we missed a few bands because we couldn’t get into the stage area (013 has 3-4 different stages and the rooms varies from 200-2000 people). Bt everything worked out fine and we took our spots in the front. And yes, it was as good as we expected.

4. Hobbs Angel of Death @ Headbangers Open Air

I can’t remember being this “smacked” by a band before. It actually felt being hit by a steamroller, complete fury and so much fun to watch.

5. Anthrax @ Copenhell

Anthrax has always been really good when I’ve seen them live. But this was even high over their standard. Joey Belladonna was absolutely fantastic, damn his voice is good… And the energy!!!

6. Y&T @ KB Malmö

Seeing Y&T is like going to a party hanging out with your friends. The atmosphere is very friendly all the time and it’s so charming when Dave Meniketti is just chatting with the crowd between the songs, taking requests and such. Then of course, Y&T has always delivered high quality music as well.

7. Judas Priest @ Cloetta Center Linköping

Yes, Richie Faulkner sure got the guys moving. Judas Priest has always sounded good but now they seemed to have a lot of fun too. Awesome set, awesome performance.
http://www.metalkaoz.com/live-reports/5880-judas-priest-cloetta-center-linkoeping-swe.html

8. Griffin Device @ Malta Doom Metal Festival

They sure know how to play Doom at Malta. This was the second time for Griffin Device and even if it was good the first time it felt like everything has come together now. And yes, when Drone becomes intensive, then it really is special!

9. Argus @ Dublin Doom Days

This sure was something I was looking forward to see. And Argus sounded just live as on record. I’d boosted my expectations high here as well, wondering if they would play “Pieces of your Smile” since it is a rather long song. Sure, it was a bit of an anticlimax when they opened with it but still an amazing show.

10. Paradise Lost @ Sticky Fingers Gothenburg

Paradise Lost has found their old form again when producing records and playing live. They blew me away 20 years ago and even if they don’t have the exact same drive today it still is awesome.
http://www.metalkaoz.com/live-reports/6464-paradise-lost-gothenburg-malmoe-swe.html

Cheers

E

NP: HELLOWEEN - "Straight out of Hell"

Recordshoppers Anonymous #9

It sure was one hell of a package that arrived from TPL Records the other day! Ok, Patrik kept the package a bit longer than normal just to get some more in from the distributors so it was a longer period between this and the one before than it normally is. Still I think this was the biggest ever and will be hard to beat (really time to sign up to RA now...). Still there's more to come and my (and Peter's, because some is his too even if the major part is mine) wish list keeps growing each day. Still waiting for a lot of Pure Steel stuff though, I'm really looking forward to the package with Halloween, New Eden and Sleepy Hollow (took a while for the last one to settle, but then it became a great album, last half is phenomenal)

Perhaps another bunch of Saxon records wasn't necessary but Back On Black does great stuff and all of them are on heavy 180g vinyl, Fold Out covers and lyrics. Really nice and looks very good in the collection (I went berzerk a while ago and bought all Saxon 7"'s I could find, think it's one or two missing now). The UDO vinyl's Peter bought, "Mission No X" is really neat, the print, apart from the X is on the plastic cover, the X is in the vinyl... I really thought it was a picture disc until I took a closer look at it. 

Widow, Pilgrim, Solitude Aeturnus, RAM, Seasons Of The Wolf, Pharaoh, Skyclad, Orange Goblin and Rage... I've waited long for the Seasons Of The Wolf LP, one of the coolest bands around I think. I love the Black Sabbath sound combined with US Metal and Horror Movies, really an odd bunch biy damn good. The RAM album is fantastic too and I was pleasantly surprised by both Pilgrim and Widow. Still haven't found time to listen to Pharaoh and Rage too much, so no opinion about those two yet. The package included Picture "Warhorse" also, another really good album so I'm really looking forward to see them at Muskelrock this summer. 

Then it might be so, that history repeats itself and I put Accept and Overkill in the top for List Of The Year. Again both bands has released fantastic albums. You never know, if bands gets to confrtable after such hits but not here... AWESOME!!!! But ok, there are about 2/3's left of this year so maybe it is too soon to say yet. Still it looks very promising for these two to make it to the top at least.

It has been kind of dry with concerts during the spring... Hm, spring I'm not sure is the right thing to say. It has been really cold and still is, even snowed just a few days ago. At least the snow doesn't stay these days. But it really started up again, last weekend it was Roadburn but more on that later...

Tonight Angel Witch playes at Truckstop Alaska in Gothenburg together with Enforcer and Witchgrave. That will be cool, I've heard a lot of great words about Angel Witch from the Stockholm concert. Still I'm not that fond of Truckstop Alaska. It's great because it is cheap but when it gets packed it is impossible to see anything of the concert. Also, beacuse it is cheap the level of drunk normally becomes really freaky. On Tuesday it is time for Judas Priest and Hammerfall in Linköping. And right after that Keep It True!

I have really high expectations about the Festival this year. I think the lineup is very good. I sure hope Sentinel Beast can repeat what they did the last time they played and blow me away again! Slogh Feg, Anvil and Psychotic Waltz will be awesome, can't think of anything else. Then it will be very interesting to see what Sword can do on stage. The same goes for Mystic Force and Witch Cross. Then I don't want to put my expectations too high for the Arch/Matheos gig. I know it will sound awesome and I'm looking forward to see John sing live so much... But what goes for the liveshow??? No matter what, I know it will be another great weekend. Hopefully it will be possible to hang out in the warmth of the sun while waiting for the next show to start this year too. Then Heavy Days In Doomtown, Paradise Lost, Ozzy & Friends (still really annoyed Iommi won't come and play but wish him a fast recovery of course) Muskerock... So it sure will be busy weeks to come!!!

Cheers

E

NP: ANGEL WITCH "As Above, So Below"