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"

Out of the Darkness

I guess the title from the last blog (looooong ago) would have been very suitable here as well. This since, after a whole lot of crazy busy weeks I started to feel a little funky, this was last Friday and the last day of the work trip to Guildford, UK... Thought it was because of all fried food and lack of water (no, not too much beer since this was a work trip) but the nausea didn't go away, no matter how much water I drank. The weekend became a downward spiral to total misery, in the end I struggled the whole week just trying to keep the water in for 20 minutes at least. Of course Peter got a beat of the same so our first week together in the new house could have been cozier. Luckily there are more than one toilet in the house at least!!! 

 

 

 

But the house is amazing! I guess everyone feels like this when one start to feel being at home in a new house. Everything is coming into place slowly but surely. One of the first mornings the temperature sank below 0 and the garden looked amazing this frosty and chilly morning. I just hope we will manage to keep the garden this pretty next year as well. Neither Peter nor me knows ANYTHING at all about this. But the former owners wrote down some instructions for us so as long as we manage to figure out which shrub is what we will be alright!

 

 

The view from my office at dawn isn't too bad either! And the other day, since I tried to work some between the visits to the secret place the neigbour cat came home with a stodge, parked himself nicely on their terrace table and chewed on something for at least 15 minutes...

 

Höör the town itself is really pretty too! Quite small, just over 15000 people in the whole area. But everything is available very close so that should be fine. Also the structure of the town is really cute. There's a lot of old houses, no real structured mass produced residental areas. Ok, not in the towncenter at least, the further out you go, of course it's there but that's further away from town than our house.

 



 

Really, the only thing on our list from what we wanted that we didn't get with this house was direct contact with nature, like the last house on the street and just fields or forest next to us. Nature isn't far away though and comparing that criteria to the convenience we got here, with 10 min walk to the trainstation and that walk through some really cute streets. Who can complain.

 

 

Last week the cat moved home also. He was a little confused at first, especially when me or Peter came back up from the basement or if he was in the kitchen or so and someone of us walking upstairs. But now, a week later he seems to have settled and roam the house keeping track of us. He also found a spot in the window where he sleeps when I'm working. That's very nice!

And of course he has his own chair at the kitchen table also! 

 

 

But moving isn't all we have done these last few months. Of course moving was the biggest thing, frankly I almost paniced when I realized I had about 8 days of packing before the transport from Borås to Höör, this was mid September. So all days at home was working like crazy in the office, hurry home and try to squeeze as much as possible down into boxes in the evening before crashing into bed around midnight.

 

So the trips we had planned, even if they felt misplaced in the schedule were very welcome. First one was for the Dublin Doom Days to Ireland, mainly to see Argus. They kicked ass!!! Hour Of 13, Urfaust and a few more were really good as well.

 

We also managed to visit Phil Lynott's statue, the Guiness Museum and of course drink a hell lot of Guiness. Actually, we arrived Thursday evening, the day before the Festival and both me and Peter just wanted to go out for a Burger and a few pints before crashing into bed. Of to the Temple Bar area to find a pub. Yeah right, I think everyone in Dublin was out drinking this night. 

 

 

All bars were completely packed, even the streets outside the pubs. When we finally found one with some space, they didn't serve any food at all. What the hell is this we thought... After a while we started to realize these banners everywhere, Arthur's day... Is there really a saint called Arthur? And why the hell are they offering 2 for the price of 1 on pints of Guiness everywhere? This was also stated on the Arthur's Day banners...

 

Sure, Mr Guiness's first name was of course Arthur and apparently this was the Brewery's 253 birthday. Apparently the Irish people liked the 250 anniversary so much they kept the day!!! Well, anyday is a good Guiness day, isn't it?

 

 

Then the move! Everyone thought we were crazy just shoveling everything into the house and off we went to Malta. But I can tell you that was a very good plan! Aching bodies and completely burnt out of all hard weeks of work prior to the move and of course the actual move it was SO NICE to get out of the plane at Malta facing blue skies and around +25 degrees. 

 

 

I've said it before but it is worth mentioning again. Malta is a fantastic place to relax and just enjoy life. The food is cheap, the beer is good and the wine is fantastic. And of course, in November it still is warm enough to go swimming in the sea. 

It was a little too windy the first few days though to challenge the cliffs outside the hotel. Of course, I don't need waves to cut myself on them. I manage without that... I guess I'll have a memory for life from Malta on my left knee and right foot. 

 

 

But most days were spent just walking around in a slow pace sitting down here and there for some shakes, smoothies, beer, food, icecream or what ever.

 

And the Malta Doom Metal Festival of course!!! The Festival was just as nice as ever! Great bands and great people. One downside though was that Sorcerer messed up and missed their flight from Sweden. But there were other great bands to see. The Black, Hooded Priest, Forsaken, Mortalicum, Griffin Device... I actually think Griffin Device did the best gig of the whole Festival!

 



 

Perhaps most important withe whole Malta trip was the launch of the Void Moon album "On The Blackest Of Nights". Noel (thanks again man) arranged an interview in Maltese radio and a small releaseparty at V-Gen. Really cool!!!

So I guess it just is to start plan for another trip to Malta in a year!

 

Tomorrow it is time to go back to work for real! I hope I'm well enough now, sure I'm not sick anymore but not eating anything for almost a whole week takes its toll. Still can't eat in a normal way... So I guess it will be a tough week.  

 

Cheers

E

 

 



NP: WITCHCRAFT - Legend