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"

Time is running out...

The ending is near...
Yes, it's THAT time of the year again when it's time to list my favorite albums released during the year.
It's hard... I don't think I've ever listened to as much music as I've done this year, been digging into some really strange stuff, nothing I'd picked out myself.  Many came in for review from record companies and some directly from the bands... I really love it but it feels like most other albums got lost in the massive bunch of Metal consumed.

Also, it has been times to revisit things from the past as Nazareth,  Deep Purple, Blue Öyster Cult... And I can't for my life understand why I don't listen to this more.

So, right now I have 4 that WILL end up at top 10, if it will be the Top 4 positions we'll see about, much can happen still. But, Vicious Rumors - Concussion Protocol,  Salem - Dark Days, Fates Warning - Theories of Flight and Sarasin - Sarasin are four that has been spinning like crazy and I think they all get better for each spin...

Then Testament, Glen Hughes, Pretty Maids, Running Wild, Them, Denner /Sherman, Metal Church, Anvil, Blaze, Martyr... Starting to do the list it will be massive!

It's all fun of course but a little tough also...

Cheers
E

Take it or Leave it

Yeah, so the Nuclear Blast package finally got delivered. A bit damaged but in general everything was ok inside at least. Should probably have claimed it but I don't want to return the stuff when I finally got it.
Most anticipated in the box was definitely Vicious Rumors "Concussion Protocol". Ok, I've had it for review for a few months actually but a digital promo can't replace an actual record. Need the booklet and smell of new vinyl and such.

And as always, the collection frenzy starts. Now it's not that crazy with Vicious Rumors, the last couple of outings has only been available as CD, Vinyl & Japan print. The Live you to Death ones, only as CD. So, on those occasions even the Argentina releases (hope they are licensed in the correct way) are fun to get.

So, status this far;

Basically just the regulars. There should be some very cool tour editions as well so I hope I'll manage to get my hands on them on the coming Vicious Rumors tour.

(This picture is borrowed from Teelen's timeline, not mine so if violating some copy right...)

Speaking of the tour. As Vicious Rumors come to Sweden they do quite a few gigs here. And at a really bad timing, not only will I have a massive workload that week, Hugo the cat is coming for a stay as Peter's parents will be out travelling, also there're other things already booked before I found out about these dates.
Hmmm, what to do, what to do??? There will be at least one Sweden date and I hope to catch 2-3 from the rumored Headline dates when Dirkschneider head for Russia. Can't wait to get to hear some of these new ones live.

But the fall will be busy for sure. Everything seem to happen in November, the time when we can't travel so it seems I will miss both The Skull and Overkill on this round. Doesn't feel too good. Also, that Warrel Dane posted some "Dead Heart In A Dead World" dates about a week and a half before the tour started... ARGH!!! Really would have wanted to see that and with a few more weeks heads-up, we would have made it to that tour as well. It featured a lot of cities in eastern Europe I really would want to visit and that could have been a good opportunity.
 
Ok, I get to see some really cool stuff the coming months anyway. Starting with Saxon with Mikkey Dee and Phil Campbell as guests at Lemmy 500 race, just 20 minute drive from home, right in the middle of nowhere. 
Then perhpas Kip Winger... Joe Lynn Turner, Huskvarna Rock Art with Blaze, Y&T, Nazareth, Entombed and Anvil...

Hopefully the schedule will hold together as it looks right now. And then it mean some new places to visit, I like that! 

Just one more week to work now and then I have vacation for a week, a real staycation, stay at home and do nothing special week. Will be very nice!

Cheers
E

NP: DEEP PURPLE - Slaves and Masters

 
 
 
 

Bastards with a Masterplan

Well... There was no brilliant Masterplan, just a paint-job on one of the walls in the livingroom. We talked about it a while ago and it gavel me a break in the photo-editing.
To paint wasn't a big deal, took an hour or so but to cover up the things that shouldn't be painted was no piece of cake with two curious cats "helping" with tape and paper.

But it turned out really well and it looks good with the furnitures back in place. The dumb thing is that the cats won't leave the display shelves alone, the flash Motörhead statue has been pushed to the floor once already. Need to glue it to the shelf I guess...

And yes, while editing photos I've been listening to the new VICIOUS RUMORS album. Got it for review and what a Monster of a record it is! Can't wait to get to hear the songs live! November come soon...

Cheers
E

Capture the Magic

So, back home again after an amazing weekend in Fredericia and Metal Magic Festival. Peter though took the car and went to Uddevalla to pick up the Exciter Merch (yes, official T-shirts is on the way) and the cover artwork for the coming Void Moon album. I feel a little egoistic for going home instead of going with him but it has been great to stay in the house all alone this afternoon. Have had some time to dig into the vaults of photos as well as checking the ones from MMF...

The Festival started with Maltese Falcon for us, first band we saw. They were great, sounded awesome really but the set... Mainly Black Sabbath and Deep Purple covers. Why? They have enough material of their own, so why play covers? A bit disappointing I think even if I couldn't complain about the music... Still not what I wanted to hear. 
Candlemass kicked ass as always. I do miss Leif of course but they're still great to see and Pär is doing an awesome job with the bass.
Outrage was also very good, they're fun to watch and it was funny to see people walking around with a red dot on their foreheads after the show. The front row got the blessing (or the curse) with the red blood or whatever it was.
Grim Reaper followed and of course, they rocked too. They got a really nice crowd also which hasn't been the case for all Classic Heavy Metal bands at MMF. 
Sigh was the last band we saw of the Friday billing, damn cool and I regret a bit that I didn't listen to them prior to the festival, then it would have been even better.
Saturday was a tough day as we realized it would start early and end late. But it was defenitely worth it to drag out of bed and go and see Wasted who opened the last day. So much fun to watch, so great energy. 
Terminus sounded amazing as always! The best thing this time was that they rocked harder than last time I saw them. 
Atlantean Kodex is always good but it's strange to see them with a rather sparse crowd since the response they got at KIT and UTH was really crazy. But it was good anyway.
The festival ended with Girldschool. The atmosphere was great, people were charged to see them and for sure that helped. But these ladies know how to rock and they still perform with a lot of energy and dedication. So a really fantastic ending of a great weekend...

 

MALTESE FALCON

 

 

CANDLEMASS

 

GRIM REAPER

 

WASTED

 

TERMINUS

GIRLSCHOOL 

Then I've started to go through some of my B&W negatives, I can scan them but it don't turn out very good. Some pics look ok but in most cases they come out rather milky after the scan. Had some troubles finding software that could handle it since the regular windows scan didn't manage it at all. But I think I need more practice and learn the program a bit before I give up... I would like to set up a dark-room somewhere but I doubt I would use it very much. We'll see, perhaps a project for the future. 

Anyway, the first try was with the Vicious Rumors film from Dynamo Warm-up 1994... Never seen pictures since they only got to the negative album... Quality is not so good but at least it's a bit fun!

So I guess I have an hour or tow more to kill before Peter comes home after his extra roadtrip today! What to do, what to do?

Cheers
E

NP: WASTED - Halloween...The Night of

 

 

Recordshoppers Anonymous #21

Up up and away... No, I never get tired of this. At least not when it's for fun I travel. And tonight I'm going to see Vicious Rumors which is a must on every occasion/tour they do in Europe. Unfortunately Peter has to work so I'll hang out by myself tonight.

We got the most expensive records to our collection a few days ago too. The Rose Bayonet album. Not telling what we paid for it though. Funny thing with this is that we spent a Saturday night drinking beer and clicking random bands on Metal Archives and suddenly Rose Bayonet appeared. Found the link to streem the album and we were hooked. The record almost became an obsession, a must have. Also, since both me and Peter has listened to it more than 3 times, it's mandatory to buy it! That's our rule... Easier said than done with this one though.

But it showed up on Discogs one morning and I woke up by some SMS's from Peter... SHALL WE???

Sure as hell we should. It also turned out the seller was vocalist from the band Geoff Dunn so he signed it for us before sending it. How cool is that?

Anyway, the album is a Killer and with the music and story behind it, worth every cent!

Cheers
E

Stronger than Steel

It feels like I finally starts to get warm again after last weekends Muskelrock Festival. Saturday was quite tough but of course worth the pain since there was some really cool and good bands.

Thursday we only saw Portrait and The Rods. Both very good and it was cool to see and hear Veronica Freeman sing the Dio/Sabbath stuff.

Friday started off with Tyranex who delivered as usual. Tyrant followed and they sure was the surprise of the Festival. Damn good and just a big party. One of the bands I was looking forward to see the most was Capilla Ardiente. When taliking to them before the show they'd started quite Heavy on the beer already and was discussing to start the real warm-up at hit the Whiskey. Don't know if they did but wouldn't be surprised since it was complete anarchy on stage, chaos and messy. Like a kindergarden class in a candy store but damn it sounded good!!!

After this treatment with Capilla Ardiente and Tyrant nothing felt very interesting so we watched some and spent the remains of the evening chatting away. Arriving at the hotel for an early night we met Chris and Lips and spent some time eating grilled sandwiches and watch Kill Bill... Odd ending of a great day.

And then came Saturday... Rain, cold and wind. The beer got colder halfway through and wine... Way too cold for that. Also the parking was destroyed in the rain so we had to park outside the area. But rather a walk than be stuck in the mud in the middle of the night. Peter took the wheel this time so I guess it's my turn next weekend for SRF! But Ashbury, Citron and Anvil made it worth it all. Tribulation and Horisont helped too. So it sure was a great Festival.

Next up Vicious Rumors and SRF! And then we'll see if next business trip will be in a week and a half or August...

Cheers
E

Ride into the Sun

It's so nice that it starts to feel like summer now. The garden is green and there's no need to wear a jacket anymore! That's a like!
Also, I've worked a lot lately so I'll have thursday and Friday off both this and next week. That's good, Muskelrock now with Portrait, The Rods, Anvil, Ashbury, Tyranex and more...
Next week it's first Vicious Rumors in Leiden. And if I would have checked a bit better before booking everything it would have been damn cool to see Helloween with Powerized opening for them. Two great bands for sure.
After that little trip we'll spend one day at SRF. Crazy good line-up for Saturday and I just realized Refuge plays that day too, another YEY!! Gonna be fun.

Then what? Having training sessions with the Pakistani team, my boss denied a trip there so we'll run sessions from 6am to 2pm Swedish time... Wonder if I'll be alive for that! :-P
And the week after, on-site Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. Since online isn't an option. Hectic but interesting and sure more inspiring than days in the office.

I explored the Dead Sea products today also. Facemask, mud... Awesome! Really strange since it felt ice-cold the first 15 min on... Like it! The creams has been good too... Another expensive habit to the list. *s*

Speaking of that. Get to pick up a package from Ginza. So I need to be in Höör before 9 tomorrow night to pick it up!

And, Btw... Welcome to the Ball must be one of the best records ever...

Cheers
E

Finish what I started...

That seems to be very hard at the moment, at home, at work, everywhere. I have a lot of things that should be done or should have been done a long time ago. Ok, work has been rather smooth lately, it's just the last couple of weeks I can't find the peace and quiet time (or inspiration for that sake) to complete the documentation I should...
And of course, being away during the weeks makes it hard to work with pictures. Writing on the other hand is progressing, not finishing anything though... I'm also trying to finish the plans for this summer, which Festivals to go to and when to take some time off of work.

Muskelrock is first up now. That's going to be fun, a lot of good bands as always. I'm especially looking forward to see Ashbury again since I really enjoyed their show at KIT. Then Citron, Anvil, Tyranex, Portrait, The Rods, Ice Age and a few more.

I really hope the weather will be fine though since it can be damn cold in the evening at the end of may. No camping of course, Rådmannen in Alvesta is close and comfortable so there's no use suffering in a tent!!!

After Muskelrock we'll go to SwedenRock for one day, Saturday. The line-up is great and I have to see Exciter & Riot V again when they're as close as this. Then also Nuclear Assault, Ace Frehley, Judas Priest and a few more makes it worth the visit.

But, one more thing I need to squeeze in is a Vicious Rumors show. They only play a select few gigs and I have it hard to get it into my schedule. At this point Leiden is the one I'm aiming at.

Seems to be easy to get from Schipol to Leiden at least and it can be good for me to build some bonus points with KLM also. Plus they had very decent flights to Amsterdam... I just wonder how I should manage to squeeze in all work in between the Concerts and Festivals... 

The KIT weekend was great! So many cool shows it's hard to pick a favorite. That has normally been clear after each Festival but not this time. Riot V and Exciter are strong candidates but we'll see...

I've been trying to walk home from work on a few occasions lately when it hasn't been raining. I really hate the buses so an hour and 15 minutes walk is an easy trade. I get some time to listen to music. Today I picked up Vicious Rumors "Electric Punishment". It was a while since I last listened to that record and as with all Vicious Rumors records, when they've had some rest, I'm always surprised that they are better than I remembered. I think it has it all, the riffs, the fines, just as the classic albums. I'm really looking forward to some new stuff. I really liked Brian Allen but it will be very interesting to see what Nick can do. He sounded amazing live at least. Listening to music sure makes the walking easy at least.

Cheers
E

NP: Vicious Rumors - Electric Punishment

 
 

Heavy Metal

I really feel like going to a concert now! Feels like it ages ago since I last saw a band live. Anvil played in Trollhättan just over a month ago so it's not so bad...

It looks like it will be a good year fot Metal though. Good line-up's at most Festivals and a hell lot of them! KEEP IT TRUE, HEADBANGERS OPEN AIR, METAL MAGIC, BANG YOUR HEAD, UP THE HAMMERS... Have to see Vicious Rumors also when they come to Europe next time. I'm really looking forward to see SANCTUARY also!
Last but not least, the next Void Moon album should see them light of day during the year too...

Cheers
E

Recordshoppers Anonymous Deluxe edition #1

I've been thinking of doing this for a while but it never is enough time. I suppose I will work on the post for some time since it will take a while to get it all in and I don't have all info with me at this point. And of course, with the risk of appearing a real crazy freak, here goes... 

The VICIOUS RUMORS Collection

Soldiers of the Night - Vinyl's;

FEMS                      SP25-5316 Japan
Roadrunner             RR 9734     Korea
Roadrunner             RR 9734         
Sharpnel Records     SH-1020     USA

Soldier of the Night - CD's & Cassettes

Roadrunner    RRCY-2027
Roadracer        RO 9734 2          
Sharpnel Records    SH 1020-2    Pr 2009, Digi
Fems    AMCY-2009    Japan     Pr 1991
King Records    KICP91506    Japan, Pr 2011, Vinyl Replica    
Cassett;   
Sharpnel Records    SH-1020C     USA

Digital Dictator - Vinyl's

FEMS    SP25-5325  Japan
Roadrunner Records RR 9571  Brazil (?)
Sharpnel Records    3H-1033
Roadrunner Records RR 9571-1   Holland

Digital Dictator - CD's & Cassetts

Roadrunner    RR 9571 2 

Sharpnel Records    SH 1033-2, Pr 2009, Digi

Roadrunner    RRCY-2028, Japan  

FEMS    APCY-2010    Japan, Pr 1991

FEMS    MP32-5325   Japan (no OBI)
King Records    KICP91542   Japan, Pr 2011, Vinyl Replica 

Cassett;

Sharpnel Records    SH-1033C  USA

Vicious Rumors & Welcome to the Ball - Vinyl's

Vicious Rumors - Atlantic    7567-82075-1    Germany
Welcome to the Ball - Atlantic    7567-82276-1    Germany

Vicious Rumors CD's & Cassettes

Atlantic    7 82075-2    Germany
Wounded Bird    WOU 2075, Pr 2005

Atlantic    AMCY-34    Japan

Atlantic WPCR-15929 Japan, Pr 2014 (?)

CD Single;

Don't Wait for Me - Atlantic   PR 3785-2

Cassettes;  
Atlantic    7567-82075-4       
Atlantic    82075-4    USA, Promo

Welcome to the Ball CD's & Cassettes;

Atlantic    PR 3785-2 USA 

Wounded Bird    WOU 2276, Pr 2005       

Atlantic    AMCY-699    Japan
Atlantic    AMCY-272    Japan
Atlantic    WPCR-15930 Japan 
CD Single;
Raise your Hands - Atlantic    PRCD-4109-2, Promo 

Casssettes;
Atlantic    7567-82276-4       
Atlantic    82276-4    USA, Promo

Plug in and Hang on CD's;

Wounded Bird    WOU 2415, Pr 2004
Atlantic    AMCY-415    Japan

 

Word of Mouth CD's;

Missing Info on Label - Missing info on catalog no
Rising Sun Productions    SPV 084-62232
Rising Sun Productions  MMVR001, Greece 
Rising Sun Productions    087-62230, Digi
Headless Butcher/Zomba    ALCB-3006, Japan 


Tribute to Carl Albert & The Voice EP;

Tribute to Carl Albert - Headless Butcher    GIM 303
The Voice - Headless Butcher    ALCB-3043, Japan

Something's Burning Vinyl & CD's;

Vinyl;
Massacre Records    MASS LP 091, Pic Disc
CD's;
Massacre Records    MAS DP091, Digi
Headless butcher    ALCB-3136 
Headless butcher    ALCB-3136 (different OBI)

Cyerchrist CD's & Cassettes;

Massacre Records    MAS DP0142, Digi   
Massacre Records    MAS CD0142
Victor Entertainment    VICP-60373, Japan       
Massacre Records    MAS CD0142, Promo (different cover)
Cassette;

Morbid Noizz, Missing info on catalog no   Poland

Sadistic Symphony CD's;

Point music    4018996 101683    
Perris Records PER 0072-2  US
Toxic Records 4625-2, Chile
Victor Entertainment    VICP-61024, Japan
 

Warball CD's;

Mascot Records    M 7206 2     

Irond  IROND CD 07-DD454  Russia
Marquee Inc    MICP-10619    CD    Promo

Avalon    MICP-10619 Japan 

Razorback Killers Vinyl & CD's;

 

Vinyls;
Steamhammer    SPV 308891 2LP  Orange Vinyl  
Steamhammer    Test Press
CD's;
Steamhammer    SPV 308892   
Avalon    MICP-10979   Japan 

Live You to Death 1 & 2 CD's;

Live you to Death Pt 1 - Steamhammer    SPV 260722 CD
Live you to Death Pt 2 - Steamhammer    SPV 267172 CD

Electric Punishment Vinyl's & CD's;

Vinyl;
Steamhammer    SPV 260471 2LP, Green Vinyl
CD's;
Steamhammer    SPV 260472 CD        
Avalon    MICP-11092  Japan 



So, there still is some info missing for a few releases. Should be updated... It might seem a bit crazy to collect the same record over and over again just because it's a different print. But it becomes a bit toxic after a while and it's such a joy when something new shows up. (spending Friday & Saturday evenings listening to music, drinking beer and browsing eBay & Discogs has helped a lot but it tends to be rather expensive the later it gets) But I'm in good company, check out Peter's Anvil Collection
Next should be Savatage but that sure will take a lot of time...

Or, I need to find another way to keep it updated since the collection has gotten some additions since I took all photos... 
Should of course have waited to publish until I had all info but, well, it's not all that serious. Or, actually, the initial plan was to dig up all shirts and other stuff too but that will have to be a future project!!!

So, this is it for now!

Cheers
E