Heavy Christmas to you!

No, we're not much for Christmas decorations, ornaments and such things... Basically the only thing we do is put up a star, mainly because it's nice with some more light in the house this time of the year.

And the old Santa who's been in my family for a long time. For some reason he's been accompanied by a Spanish Straw Donkey with wine barrels for a few decades now... Peter though it was a bit strange but the Santa looks happy so why not?

The cats was a bit curious about him though and there's a big risk the donkey will get his ears cut. Yummy they were... It seems it was only exciting for a while, after those first checks they've left them alone. We'll see if this is the case after a day beeing home alone too.

Just one more week of work now and then I'm off until January 9. Need to catch up some though since this damn cold ruined the week I was supposed to work a little extra to be able to relax over Christmas. Really looking forward to that!

Cheers E

Out in the Cold

ARRRRGH!!! I'm so sick and tired of this cold now. But it seems a lot of visitors from the NWOBHM X Mas Rocka brought home the same thing. I thought it was going away but yesterday it took another turn and now I have a fever and the headache from hell, yes still. Feels like someone is baking on my forehead and pushing my eyes out from the inside every time I try to look down or basically just move my head. Snotty and of course taking care of that hurts like hell too.

But, the Festival was a blast, very good atmosphere and a lot of good shows. Cloven Hoof and Mythra being my favorites but Demon, Blitzkrieg, Persian Risk, Tokyo Blade, Tytan, Chariot, Stampede, Venom Inc.... Ok, now it start to be crazy, all did very good shows actually. Apparently since I almost listed the full line-up before even realizing it. 

I really don't want to plan so far ahead but with the latest additions with Satan and Desolation Angels added and Salem, Gaskin, Raven and Diamond Head already on the bill, not much to think about. Also, with the benefit of the discount on tickets offered...

But there are more things (I need to have something fun to think about now you know. I surely missed not going to Malta this year and with the line-up they presented the other day, COUNT ME IN.... Old Grave Fest is always so much fun but it's a bit ironic I have to go to Romania to see the good Swedish bands, not that I mind. It's always fun to hang out with RTMC people and the rest visiting the Festival.

And the NWOBHM France looks REALLY good... Ok, Salem and Cloven Hoof did the trick but the rest is cool too. And we'll definitely go to Storm Crusher this year to see Exciter, they always kick ass and there are some really cool other bands there as well. Tygers of Pan Tang are always fun to watch. 

Keep It True and Headbangers Open Air it will be, no doubt about that. And I really want to go to the Metal Assault too, until now I've never managed to get it into my schedule. And the same goes for Hell Over Hamburg. 

Of the major Festivals both Sweden Rock Festival and Copenhell is tempting, this year I had the opportunity to get press/photopasses for both. I hope I am as lucky next year too. Else, I really want to see Aerosmith one last time and we had the plans to get tickets for Copenhagen, but over 1000DKK for the cheapest ones felt a little much. 

And, the line-up for Up The Hammers is a killer as always. I'm not so sure I will enjoy Greece in May as much as I've done in Feb-March... Will it be too hot??? 

Well, it looks like 2017 will be busy too! It will be hard to make it to all Festivals that I want to but it normally is sorted out in the end anyway. And of course, there will be a lot of concerts also to squeeze into the schedule. 2016 has been a very good concert year, I've seen a lot and I've seen a lot of very good stuff. But more on that later.

And now, back to the Top 10 list of the year. I realized I've missed a couple of albums completely, some I should have listened more to... But I guess that's the case. I'm twisting and turning of the order of the first 9 and have another 5 that really should be in Top 10... Deadline for Metal Kaoz is Saturday (which mean I won't have time to listen to the new Attacker album for example, sounds awesome the samples available). There are a few more being released now also that I won't have time to listen to before the list is due which is a bit of a shame. 

Hmmmm, wonder if I have any Whisky here??? Need to check, should be a good cure for the cold, temporary at least. 

Cheers
Erika

NP: Glenn Hughes - Resonate

 

Burning Star

Damn flu... Or whatever this is. Not really ill but snotty, sneezing and a soar throat. Have tons to do at work but rather little energy to dig in.

But, Mr Phil Strange was right. Helstar's Vampirio record is absolutely fantastic!!! Another clear candidate for the Top 10 this year. Wonder why it took so long for me to get around to listen to it? I still don't have a clear picture on the rest but there sure are a bunch to choose from.

One dumb thing though is that there's a bunch released next week that I know I will like. Sacred Gate and Attacker for example. How should I be able to listen enough to those before the list is due?
Also, I've missed to get the new Sacred Steel, Vader and Root. The last though I had the fortune to get on promo so I've had the chance to dig into that one at least.

Naah, time to feel a little sorry for myself for a while now before digging into some reviews.

Cheers E

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

Up, down, sideways

Ok, I know I can't go to every show I want and I can certainly not be in two places at the same time.  But... This coincidence becomes a little too much at once.

There's no doubt, we'll see Anvil but to know there's another killer-show on the other side of the wall it hard to melt. Kat were great at Muskelrock but they played rather late so my focus wasn't the best. Would have loved to see them again.
Both bands at the same venue, the same day feel like a joke...

Also, I saw a post that Ross Halfin was having an exhibition this past weekend, in Central London... Would have loved to see that one too. And with a chance to meet the master of band-photography would have been awesome.

It all become frustrating when things are within reach but still not achieveable.

No matter what, gonna be some awesome days...

Cheers
E

Wherever I may Roam

So, staycation has been very good. It's been nice to be home taking care of things pending for too long. The cats thought I was very annoying though running around the house like crazy cleaning up. And of course playing music all day long. Sleepy cats in the middle of the day and me messing around with laundry, dishes and all stuff like that.

I could easily have taken another week though, not done with the laundry (damn we have many Metal-Shirts) nor the cleaning since the week at home was interrupted with concerts.
Saxon with Phil and Mikkey in Ljungbyhed at the Lemmy 500 race. Very cool event.

Then I was on and off about seeing Kip Winger in Copenhagen Tuesday. Mainly since we were seeing Joe Lynn Turner the day after. Bur we ended up going to both and I'm really happy we did. Kip was fantastic, both me and Peter was completely floored by his performance. Joe Lynn Turner was really good too but the setlist left more to wish for. But from a performance perspective it was great too.

I also decided I was going to take a walk in the mornings, so atleast the days it wasn't raining I was out for about an hour. (yes, 3 of 5 days I could get out + today) It felt good to get out and even better afterwards. It builds energy which is needed to motivate the cleaning activities.

And, I finally got time to do the apple-sauce. Home-apples and the old house-assistant from Electrolux I got from my parents. Mid 70's it should be from if remember right. It worked fine and it all turned out great. Also, the apples were so sweet by themselves I almost didn't have to add sugar. Recommended was 2-4hg per liter sauce but after less than 1hg it was enough.

Well, back to Discogs now and dig for more Winger and Joe Lynn Turner records. Was about to order from Cleopatra Record directly but $70 postage for a $35 order is crazy! I'll check with my personal shopper first. Patrik will most likely sort it out the best way possible.

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