Silent Night Fever

Candlemass to SRF

noreply@blogger.com (Cendariel) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:04:00 +0000

And now Candlemass are booked too. Shit. If I end up not getting a ticket I'm gonna get really pissed at myself! Also: Heaven and hell (the best sabbath in my opinion!), Lita Ford, Immortal, Motorhead, and Thor (haha, would be fun to see, lol)

56 days to go...

Judas Priest/Megadeth/Testament - 28 February 2009

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:47:00 +0000

I nearly couldn't ask for a better bill than this one - its reminiscent of my teenage years, when metal was at its peak and piss jackets and bullet belts were king. I'm getting older, and so are these guys - but I feel fortunate and grateful that they're still on stage and still gracing us with their thrashing musical assault.

First up was Testament, one of my all-time favorite thrash metal bands. These guys formed in 1983 in San Francisco, California, and were one of "The Big Four" (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Testament) that defined the Bay Area Thrash sound. Their first album, "The Legacy" still holds up as an influence to many up-and-coming thrash metallers today. After slight line-up changes over the years, a hiatus, and medical catastrophes (lead guitarist James Murphy (1994-1996, 1999) diagnosed with a brain tumor, and singer Chuck Billy with cancer), Testament has been dishing out the metal meyhem again since 2003. We're all glad to see you back.

As far as their set was concerned, they played a good mix of old with their new release "The Formation of Damnation", which I must say, impressed me. There aren't alot of bands that have done the comeback thing (or even newer bands) that can put out an album that they claim sounds "old school" and really mean it.

Next up was Megadeth. If any of you guys know me, you know that I'm totally enamoured with Megadeth. I remember the first time I had heard them, back in 1989, when my friend made me a heavy metal mixtape. There wasn't another guitarist I could identify with - the raw, unrelenting aggression of Dave Mustaine has kept me angry and kept me alive for 33 years.

Despite a revolving door of lineup changes, ever increasing through the years, its always been Dave Mustaine, the architect of armageddon, at the helm. As far as I (and probably anyone else is concerned), he IS Megadeth. And he was ON tonight. It couldn't have been a better show, and ending with Holy Wars, as they usually do, was a special treat. Keep it going, Dave...

Finally, Judas Priest took the stage. I love these guys, but I have to say, watching them play tonight was...well...exhausting. I know that everyone gets old, and that these guys are pushing the physical limits...I can accept that they're not running around on stage like teenagers anymore...But their setlist could have been amazing and it was just...I'm sorry...BORING. Fuck. What a disappointment.

\m/
-p2

Misery Index - Close- Up Boat 11 - February 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Cendariel) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:51:00 +0000

The first band to go on stage were Americans Misery Index who were coming all the way from Baltimore to play for us drunken Swedes on the Close-up boat. Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of those drunken Swedes, and in my eagerness to become one of them, I got trapped at a pre-party in a cabin, and missed most of their show. This was quite a shame, cause what I saw was really nice. But I didn’t see enough to be able to write a real review about it. So sorry. Next time I’ll make sure to take time for these guys. With ex- Dying Fetus members you’ve got a lot to live up to. Looking forward to it.

//Annika

Opeth - Close-Up Boat - 12 Feburary 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Cendariel) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:50:00 +0000

In my opinion, there are few bands that live up to the same musical standards as the Stockholmers pride Opeth. And there are even fewer who live up to them live. Despite annoying facts like the stage fence being the perfect height to rub against my p-stave (resulting in a lot of bruising) and the sound technicians’ inability to fix the singing volume, it’s still magic. The later of these two facts was clearly the most annoying one. In the beginning of the show the sound was way too low, and just when you thought they’d fixed it in the middle, it got lower again towards the end. Even people from the audience where shouting at them to turn it up. I refused to let it bother me too much though.

Well, as you probably understand, I might not be so objective writing this. I happen to believe that Opeth is one of the best bands. Ever. So no, even if they played a bad show I would still love it. But they didn’t.

There is a special charisma over this band. And no matter how many bands that try to copy them, or are influenced by them, none can take their place. Even the middle talk is charming. Mikael Åkerfeldt talking about how many faults he played in the past song, with all the new stuff they were performing. ‘Cause it was mostly new stuff they played. But also old classics like Leaper Affinity, and when they ended with Bleak I had Goosebumps all over my bruised arms.

//Annika

Hardcore Superstar - Close-Up Boat - 12 Feburary 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Cendariel) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:49:00 +0000

A few sour notes here and there from singer Jocke Berg didn’t stop the audience from rockin’ to Hardcore Superstar. But it stopped me. Or maybe it was the fact that I never really liked them in the first place. Doesn’t really matter. They were the last band playing the first evening, and the audience was wild like they should be. Singing along and responding to the band’s stage show. A good ending to a wonderful night. Or, for most of the boat, a good start to the rest of the night’s partying.

//Annika

Memfis - Pub Anchor - 20 nov 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Cendariel) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:31:00 +0000

The hype about the Kristinehamn band Memfis has been huge ever since their first demo release in 2004. There have been a lot of expectations for their first label release in 2006, “The Wind Up” - expectations they have lived up to in most people’s eyes. With very few shows having been played the past year, I was exited to see where the band was headed at end of 2008.

When Memfis had first gotten on stage I stood there with my mouth gaping wide open. What the fuck? Had lead singer/guitarist Mattias Engström been replaced? It took me until they had started playing the first song to realize that he must have gotten a MAJOR haircut (read: from ass-long ‘til none). With that sorted out, I could focus on the music.

Even if the dynamics, which are such an exceptional part of this band’s sound, are not as distinct on such a small stage, the band gets through to the audience with their well-produced, progressive sound.

To watch a Memfis show is a very safe experience. They have found their sound, are extremely tight and feel comfortable on stage. They are stabile, dynamic and extremely musical (and now less hairy). The comfortably-sized audience at Pub Anchor ends up leaving pleased, getting exactly what they came for. But I found myself asking why I hadn’t heard more of them, and why they play so few shows in a city as large as Stockholm. So I asked them why. The answer they had was simple:

“Cause people don’t wanna see us more often.” But I believe that if they keep up the hard work and release another album as great as “The Wind Up”, people will be convinced otherwise. I’m sure the Memfis saga has just begun.

//Annika

The Haunted - Nalen - 06 Oct 2008

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:29:00 +0000

Nalen is a jazz club in Stockholm that has been around for many decades. For a metal band to play here is not only unconventional, but also daring and exciting. This is one of those venues that is simply beautiful to walk around in, and that I wouldn't otherwise take the chance to do so if it weren't for a band like The Haunted playing.

And although the venue itself is beautiful, unfortunately the acoustics of the main room are just not setup for metal. Very much a shame, because, even though it was a Monday night, I think The Haunted put on a great performance and really got the crowd going towards the end.

The Haunted, if you haven't heard of them, are a metal band that were formed from the ashes of At the Gates, in Gothenburg in 1996. Since their formation, the original drummer has been replaced as has the singer - the original singer having returned in 2004 for their last 3 studio albums.

The crowd at Nalen was a bit more varied than your average metal show - and it has to do with The Haunted's switching of gears towards the middle of their career. The first three The Haunted albums are very much thrash metal a la Exodus, but upon the return of their original singer, the band took a decidely hardcore/metalcore/screamo turn, although the riffs still very much suggest metal. This switch created a clear divide in the crowd - half of the audience was into the older material, while the other half enjoyed the newer songs. It very much reminded me of the divide in a Metallica concert. Could be good or bad, depending on how you look at it.

If you're like me - a thrash metalhead at heart - get yourself a copy of one of their early, thrashier albums (The Haunted, The Haunted Made Me Do It or One Kill Wonder) and I guarantee you won't be disappointed. If you're into the more screamo stuff, check out their later albums, after the divide (RevolveR, The Dead Eye, and their new release, Versus).

\m/
-p2

At the Gates - Debaser Medis - 07 September 2008

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:34:00 +0000

At the Gates was formed back in 1990 in Gothenburg, Sweden - and effectively put this sleepy town on the map. As pioneers of the "Gothenburg Sound", At the Gates released 3 albums before coming out with the melodic, breakthrough record "Terminal Spirit Disease" in 1994, and establishing them as a serious, proficient band. Their follow-up, "Slaughter of the Soul", was released in 1995, and became even more successful and influential in the Gothenburg (and global) metal scene. Sadly, the band broke up in 1996, with three of the members going on to form The Haunted. However in 2007, after a 10+ year hiatus, At the Gates reformed for a reunion tour (and nothing more, with no studio albums planned).

Last night they arrived in Stockholm, for their 2nd sold-out show in a row, after 13 years of not having played the town.

It was a pleasure to have At the Gates play Debaser Medis - there are many alternative venues in Stockholm, with the standard "metal" venue for a band of this caliber being Klubben - which is infamous for their sub-standard sound. Debaser worked just fine - yes, it could have been better, but I (as many others were as well) happy to be able to see a legendary band like At the Gates play.

Song highlights included "Slaughter of the Soul", "Cold", "Nausea" and "Blinded by Fear", executed with enthusiasm and - dare I say it - smiles. Vocalist Tomas Lindberg looked genuinely grateful that the house was packed that night, thanking the audience "for remembering" At the Gates. Indeed we remember, and shall never forget At the Gates, and their amazing performance that night.

\m/
-p2

Exodus - Klubben - 30 August 2008

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:01:00 +0000

Fucking Exodus, man. These guys came together in 1980 (originally with Kirk Hammett on guitar, of now sold-out Metallica), and they've been through a lot - but are one of the few original Bay Area Thrash bands still going (and going strong). Bonded by Blood, their first studio release from 1985, is chock full of riffage, and its a wonder why this band isn't bigger than they are today.

The show at Klubben here in Stockholm was the last show of their European tour - and I wonder if it wasn't a sore fucking disappointment to them - with all of 150 people or so showing up. I asked the guy at the door if the show was sold out, and he just laughed at me. Thanks, man. You're a dick. These guys are legends. They deserve a lot more. A lot. Stockholm...wake up!

They of course played the classics, like "Bonded by Blood", "Piranha" and "The Toxic Waltz"...with Rob Dukes on vocals - I gotta say, this guy has charisma and class, boys and girls. He, no less than twice, was pointing out hot chicks in the audience. He told us to mosh, and we moshed. He demanded violence, we gave it to him. He wanted to recreate "Fight Club" on the ground floor of the venue...the man got his "Fight Club". He commanded...and we obeyed. Cheerily.

So, even though the crowd was small, the atmosphere couldn't have been bigger and more energetic - we thrash-metalheads love our legends and we're not afraid to show it. Exodus may be small in the grand scheme of (let's face it, people) fake, commercial metal - but they're larger than life in our hearts.

Love always,
-p2

Powertabs is back - MPA-approved?

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:14:00 +0000

Well, it looks like the Powertabs site is coming back online, in an MPA-approved format. What that means is anyone's guess. I suppose we'll have to wait and see...
And to think, Metallica used to be one of my favorite bands...

-p2

Iron Maiden - Stadion - 16 July 2008

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:52:00 +0000

Dear blog readers,
Yes, I know its been a while since I wrote. I'm very sorry. Life has gotten the best of me.

I'd like to ask for a plea of forgiveness by offering a review of the Iron Maiden show last night, at Stockholm's Stadion.

Iron Maiden formed in England around 1975, and are considered one of the leaders of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. They're the only heavy metal band that I can think of that actively employs 3 guitarists - Dave Murray, Janick Gers and Adrian Smith. They've produced 14 studio albums, all of which have at least gone Gold in the US.

Iron Maiden are one of those bands you just can't dislike - everyone likes at least one Iron Maiden song, even my mom. They're catchy, foot-tapping tunes that get stuck in your head (my "stuck-in-your-head-tune" has always been "The Trooper").

And whenever I've seen Maiden, they've always put on an amazing show. They do the stage show with such finesse, and it doesn't feel forced or like they have to do it because they're music is so unexciting. Quite the contrary. Their stage shows really add to the story lines in the lyrics and the feel of the music.

For this tour, as promised, they brought out several of their stage sets from older tours, including Powerslave and Somewhere in Time. How wonderful it was to see Eddie in many of his previous incarnations!

Aside from the stage antics, the band themselves are a treat to watch. Bruce Dickinson is a great front man, hands down. This man knows how to put on a show, knows his audience, and knows how to get them fired up. Case in point: teasing Stockholmers about the bigger Ullevi stadium in Gothenburg.

My only criticisms would be that they sounded like they were rushing through their songs, and that the sound at Stadion (since its an outdoor stadium) is a little lacking. There were solos that I totally missed because the sound was bad, and the vocals could fade in and out at times as well. (I can also blame the bad sound on Maiden's slight timing faux pas)...

Overall, Iron Maiden puts on an amazing show well worth seeing...I definitely recommend it.

\m/
-p2

Dave Mustaine is getting separated....

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:11:00 +0000

...from his wife.

Dave. Call me. I'm single.

\m/
-p2

Necrophobic/Demonical/Spazmocity - 04 Apr 2008 - Tantogården

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:22:00 +0000

Necrophobic is a death metal band from Stockholm, Sweden, who came together way back in 1989 (!). They've released only a handful of albums since their inception (perhaps because, as they describe themselves, they are too "self-critical"). They also have not played that many shows as of late, and especially not in Stockholm. Despite that, their fan base in Stockholm is about as big as it gets for death metal heroes like these guys. Those who cry "death metal is dead", are...well...dead wrong.

Now, I have to admit to you, I'm not intimately familiar with their albums, so I can't give you a rundown of what songs they played, etc. What I can tell you is that they put on probably one of the best shows that I've seen in a very long time. They were clearly feeding off the energy of the crowd and were loving every minute of it. Local shows like this one are the reason why I'm here. If you're a fan of classic death metal and have a chance to see these pioneers in action, I highly recommend it.

\m/
-p2

The MPA can Suck My Ass™

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:53:00 +0000

They did not shut down the Powertabs site, did they?

It looks like they did.

Mutherfuckingbastards. This has just gone too far.

Powertabs is a freeware software program developed for musicians which allows transcription of songs in an easy-to-create and easy-to-use format. Although the software is still available, apparently the Music Publishers' Association (MPA) has forced the shutdown of the site which hosted the wealth of user-generated tablature for thousands of songs. Clearly this is a move by the MPA to intimidate the masses. What organizations like the MPA do not realize that, while they see this as "a victory in protecting the interests of artists and musicians", they are in fact mobilizing and strengthening this community against them.

Personally, the site has been an inspiration to me when I literally wanted to throw my guitar out the window and laugh sadistically while seeing it hit the ground and smash into a billion pieces. The community was/is great, the tabs were great, and I still went out and bought tab books regardless. With my crappy ear, I would never be able to transcribe anything just from hearing it, and fuck! Where are you going to find a Mercyful Fate tab book anyways!? Show it to me, MPA fuckwads, and I'll friggin buy it from you...

There are rumblings on the 'net about fighting back. I suggest asking the kind people at Pirate Bay for a special category, and posting the tabs there.

\m/
-p2

:: Metal up your Ass :: Mercyful Fate - Don't Break the Oath

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:48:00 +0000

I thought I would give the honor of my first "Metal up your Ass" post to one of my favorite metal bands of all time, and one of my favorite metal albums of all time - Mercyful Fate's "Don't Break the Oath".

Mercyful Fate was formed in 1980 in Copenhagen, Denmark by guitarists Hank Shermann and Michael Denner, bassist Timi Hansen, drummer Kim Ruzz and the (in)famous King Diamond as vocalist.

"Don't Break the Oath" was released in 1984, and was this lineup's second full-length release - and a classic example of metal at its best. My favorite track on the album is the epitomical "The Oath" - the razor-sharp riffs, slightly reminiscent of Judas Priest or Accept but with a more evil vibe, cut through like a knife; the vocals are entirely unique to King Diamond: wailing, screaming, screeching, eerie and operatic. Other choice tracks include "A Dangerous Meeting" (with an intro that makes you want to pump your fist in the air!), "Gypsy" and "Come to the Sabbath" (which has a wicked keyboardish-breakdown in the middle). To be honest, there isn't a song on this album that I don't think is simply amazing. The combination of Hank Shermann's riffing and King Diamond's eerie lyrics and vocal stylings catapult this album to a cut above the rest.

Despite releasing this album of epic proportions, Mercyful Fate split up shortly after its release, citing "creative differences." King Diamond went on to form his self-title band, taking with him Michael Denner and Timi Hansen; Hank Shermann went on to pursue other (non-Mercyful Fate) musical interests. Most of original lineup reformed in 1992 and released five more full-length albums under the Mercyful Fate name, though (in my opinion) none of them came close to matching the energy of "Don't Break the Oath". Mercyful Fate disbanded once again in 1999 after the release of the album "9".

\m/
-p2

Metal up your Ass

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:36:00 +0000

I'm starting a new series called "Metal up your Ass" - where I'll be highlighting metal albums from across the globe. I rarely buy newly released albums (not cause I'm downloading them, you delinquent!) 'cause I rarely hear something new I like, so most of the highlights will be on classic metal albums.
I hope to inspire both veterans and newbies, who perhaps have overlooked a classic album (or need to be reminded of its greatness).

\m/
-p2

How did I end up at a Nazi show last night?

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 10:59:00 +0000

Don't ask me how this happened really. I went to go see what I thought was a metal show last night at Tantogården, which does usually hold metal shows (flyer to the left). Someone told me that Månegarm was a good metal band. So, I went.

Arriving there, I noticed something was a bit off. There were a few too many shaved heads for a metal show, if you know what I mean (if you live in Stockholm, then you know what I mean). I sorta blew it off, but the whole atmosphere was giving me a strange vibe. I thought "no, I'm just being paranoid" (I've been called that before, so it was nothing my brain couldn't justify).

But waiting to order at the bar, I got shoved out of the way by a shaved head. I squeezed my way next to him and said (in English), "Hey, that was pretty rude. Are you really that desperate to get drunk?" To which he replied yes. Then (and this was the strange part), he asked me what "race" I was. Usually (even in Sweden, with the Swedes broken but lovely English) when people want to know what my ethnic background is, they ask "Where are you from?" (or something similarly benign). But this was a strange way of asking. Then I had this Flashback™ (more on that later). I turned and said "Excuse me? Does it matter?". He of course replied with a yes. To which I replied "Well then, I won't tell you." (Hey, I think if you're gonna call yourself a good nazi, you should at least be able to pick out the whiteys from the non-whiteys). I walked off with my drinks (which I ended up getting before him anyhow), clearly mumbling some fuck yous and blew that guy off too - because - to be honest, racism in Sweden is quite common and outspoken.

Fast forward to later in the night when Månegarm starts to play, and I turn to see him and all of his friends sig heiling to the band. And the band didn't seem to mind! Fuck that. I was outta there! Gave me Flashbacks™ to when I got a wooden bar stool broken over my head by a bunch of nazis in DC who thought I was a gypsy. 10 stitches and a badly-healed lump on my head later, I wasn't about to get into another brawl. At least not at a bar with metal bar stools.

\m/
-p2

Dave Mustaine teaches YOU to play guitar

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:38:00 +0000

As if you didn't get enough guitar lessons from the last post, check out a few lessons below from my one and only, Dave Mustaine. Brought to you by Guitar World magazine...

Its All in the Hands

Guitar Picks

The Spider Chord

\m/
-p

Learn to play guitar on YouTube

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:10:00 +0000

So, have you ever wanted to learn to play the guitar, or improve your playing, but not had the money/time/desire to search out a teacher? Then YouTube is the perfect place for you!

Will Kriski has a series of videos on how to master metal guitar. His videos are chock full o' information, and very thorough. He's got a great encouraging vibe about him, too. The great thing about Will is that if you post a question on YouTube, he'll actually answer it! And he takes lesson requests too! Doesn't get much better than that!

Here's a sample, on how to do pinch harmonics:

Check out his website with all his guitar lessons here.

Another YouTuber you can check out who has alot of great lessons is "Bob, from Toronto, Canada". He's got his own website with a shitload of lessons, and its really great (but watch out for all those popup ads!). Bob's got alot of newbie lessons,too and they're well organized on his site.

A sample on "the heavy metal scale", from YouTube:

Check out his website, with all his guitar lessons here.
\m/
-p2

Death Metal in Iran

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 21:45:00 +0000

I went to Iran back in 2001 to see the motherland, get back to my roots and try to find myself. I didn't really find myself - what I did find, however, was metal. It didn't really hit me back then when I saw the scrawls of graffiti on the walls of back alleys exclaiming "Slayer" and "Metallica rules"...but metal...its big in Iran. Really big. And way fucking bigger than you think, whitey.

Now, if you can put aside all of the bullshit you see on TV about Iran - terrorist this, and nuclear that - watch this 3-part Norwegian documentary with open eyes (and ears). (Don't worry, the important stuff is in English.)

Part One:

Part Two:

Part Three:

\m/
-p2

Megadeth - 06 Feb 2008 - Arenan

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:26:00 +0000

I can't really write an unbiased review of a Megadeth show. Anybody who knows me knows that I worship the ground Dave Mustaine walks on. Quite literally, if I could (and wouldn't get kicked in the face by Dave himself - though I would even consider that an honor). Dave was the reason why I, at the ripe young age of 16, decided to pick up the guitar. He's still one of the motivations for playing today, always using Megadeth as a litmus test of my thrash metal skills.

I'll try to write a show review anyway.

Arenan, the venue at which they played in Stockholm, is notorious for bad sound. Especially when they cut off half the room and attempt to fill it with sound. The Megadeth show was no exception. Fucking shame too, 'cause Mustaine was on fucking fire that night. I've seen The Dave Mustaine show a few times, and I gotta admit, the man can be boring. (I attribute it to the fact that he's sober or that he's got a bunch of douchebags playing with him). But this show....this show was different. Even though he was sober, and still had a bunch of sub-standard musicians playing with him (I'm sorry flavor-of-the-month lead guitarist, you can't pull off the solos) - he looked genuinely happy to be on stage and playing - and best of all - he was shredding his ass off.

Of course they played some of the old shit, like Peace Sells, Hangar 18, In My Darkest Hour, Holy Wars, Tornado of Souls....I wanted to hear more of the old stuff, but it was totally cool...I was just thrilled to see Dave on stage and shredding.

I love you Dave. If you're reading this, please marry me.

And here you can check out a really bad video of them at the Stockholm show, the last half of In My Darkest Hour. There don't seem to be any good captures from that show, unfortunately.

\m/
-p2

Shreds!

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:33:00 +0000

So, there's been alot of buzz online lately about YouTube user StSanders (Santeri Ojala, a 32-year-old from Tampere, Finland) guitar god parodies. He's been taking concert footage and videos of various guitarists/bands and overdubbing them w/bad licks, drums and vocals. You'd think any asshole who could barely play drums could do this, but I tell you its pure genius. I want to meet this guy and shake his fucking hand.

Anyhow, the buzz is that now they've been removed by the asswipes at YouTube for "copyright violation". Bullshit. Fuck you and your violation. I'll give you something to violate....

Watch the full collection of videos here (click on "Guitar God Parodies" in the box on the left):
http://video.wired.com/

Or check out the parody that literally made me cry:

Thanks to Wired Magazine, for not bowing down to the fuckwads that think the internet can be controlled. Unleash the fury!

-p2

Motörhead - 09 Dec 2007 - Hovet

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:43:00 +0000

Motörhead's self-titled debut was released amid the ruckus of punk rock in 1977 - and outdid the movement with its ultra-extreme defiance and anthems of rude rock rebellion. With Lemmy Kilmister at the helm belting out a dirtier, more distorted chorus of "sex, drugs and rock and roll", Motörhead became the poster band for outlaws and drifters alike.

Today, Motörhead's fan base still embodies the outlaw segment of society - those who are and those who wish they could be. In Stockholm especially, Motörhead shows must have the most per capita biker attendance than any other rock show (aka those who are), alongside members of mainstream society looking to unleash their rebellious side, if just for one night (aka those who with they could be).

Exemplifying this seeming contradiction in the audience were the fans surrounding me - glam rockers with big hair, short skirts and heavy make up to the left; timid, mediocre nine-to-five types in front (one of which couldn't help but stare up the aforementioned glammer's skirt all night long).

However incompatible the fans, Motörhead brought them together - always full of energy - with the gig at Hovet being no exception. In true Motörhead style, they cut to the chase with grit and guts - not bothering with the fuss of guitar solos and other niceties. Exclaiming "We are Motörhead and we play rock and roll!" (the only distinguishable sentence uttered by Lemmy all night), they opened with "Jailbait", closed with "Ace of Spades" and "Overkill", and even managed to squeeze in an acoustic bluesy number, harmonica and all. Motörhead usually amplifies their shows with the "Motörhead Bomber", a giant aluminum plane hovering overhead, but for some reason it wasn't present that night. Not that it mattered - the intensity of the fans was kept high by the band's perseverance and dedication to rock and roll.

All-in-all, it was a solid night of distorted rock and roll, with a pleasantly diverse crowd - one that I'm happy to see come together harmoniously under the dissonance of Motörhead.

\m/
-parastoo-

Gamma Ray/Helloween - 08 Dec 2007 - Arenan

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:01:00 +0000

Skit tråkigt! That's all I have to say about this show.

You know, I sort of set myself up for it. I'm not into the German power metal thing, and I went anyways. To be honest, I spent most of the night catching up with some old scensters and trying to avoid the occasional drunk, creepy metal fan.

That said, there were still some parts of the show (that I managed to bear through), that were fun.

Now Gamma Ray and Helloween share a sort of incestuous relationship. For those of you who don't know the background of these two bands, there is one common thread between them: Kai Hansen. Power metal fans that really dig Helloween and Gamma Ray all claim that Kai Hansen is the key to the bands' quality.

When it comes to Helloween, I can agree. The first 2-3 albums (up to "Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part II") are excellent speed/power metal albums. But Kai left Helloween to start Gamma Ray. Seemingly as a consequence, Helloween lost some of its speed metal edge - but Gamma Ray didn't inherit any of Kai's speed metal spirit at all. Instead, both bands went treading down the path of power metal. And, not being into the German power metal thing, I lost interest.

Even so, Helloween had one of the cutest sets and stage acts I've seen. They just released their 13th (!) album, "Gambling with the Devil", and had a stage show to match. Interrupting the ever-tedious drum solo, the three remaining members dressed up in midget costumes, stood amid a puppeteer's curtain and proceeded (in a voice-altered high-pitched German-English, as if just normal-pitched German-English wasn't hard enough to understand) to make fun of the drummer doing the drum solo - and got him to play arguably the easiest (and most banned) song in rock music...."Smoke on the Water".

Gamma Ray, on the other hand, was....well....power metal tedious. At least for me. The fans, though, seemed to eat it up.

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-parastoo-

Grave/Nominion/Spazmosity - 01 Dec 2007 - Tantogarden

noreply@blogger.com (p2) — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 14:41:00 +0000

An entire night of relentless death metal - that's what everyone really needs in the dead of winter - and Grave, Nominion and Spazmosity totally delivered.

I have a special place in my heart for Grave, but Nominion and Spazmosity are bands that were new to me (but not to the Swedish death metal scene).

Spazmosity, who have been around since 1994, went on first, covered in blood, and brutal as hell. They started a bit early, which was a shame - an hour later with some more beer pumping in the veins of the audience of metalheads, and the energy would have been totally different. It was very sad, actually, to see the crowd of people that night standing a good three feet from the stage. It was still a decent set, but I have to be honest here - they're not as tight as I wanted them to be - the drumming was a little inconsistent, and the rest of the band had a hard time keeping up.

Nominion went on next, and I have to say, I was impressed. I always end up in front of the guitarists, cause I play guitar, and I like to see the riffs and check out people's chops up close and personal. The rhythm/lead guitarist in this band was brutal. Seriously, it was like he had merged with his instrument and became this beast of death metal destruction. (I saw this great potential in him for my thrash project, but alas, he said he lived in the south of Sweden, which made him a bit inaccessible to a budding Stockholm band.) The singer left a bit to be desired, though...he didn't really quite do it for me. Nonetheless, the sound was brutal and I was itching for more.

Finally, Grave. These guys have been around since 1991, and their debut album, "Into the Grave", has to be one of the best Swedish death metal albums ever. Unfortunately, they don't seem to play a whole lot of shows in Stockholm. This year seems to be a different, though, as I've seen 'em play a few times, and its always been great. Ola Lindgren (guitarist/singer) is a scary muthafucka, but luckily he gets balanced out by Fredrik Isaksson (bass), who makes a lot of funny faces on stage. They played alot of classics, and by then the audience was in fine form. All in all, they're one of those bands that you have to see if you're into death metal. Your life will be changed forever.

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-parastoo-