Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Rockharz 2016 - Day 1



The next couple of posts will be about Rockharz festival in Ballenstedt. It was not really a planned festival for me, but I made up my mind fast after seeing the lineup - especially the last day, but every day seemed very good. 4 days and Germany, here I come again. I had everything planned, all the tickets for the transport when I saw the announcement, that the festival is sold out. I started to panic, and created plan A B C D... First I was writing to the organizers, I wrote a really really 'pretty-please-with-whipped-cream-and-cherry-on-top' e-mail, for what I got an answer fast, that they won't let me down, and I can buy my ticket at the entrance. I was very happy and thankful for that. So I packed my tent and sleeping bag and took my 13ish hours of trip to Ballenstedt. Fortunately I was about to have the camping site with the Knights of Twilight's Might, and we kept contact on phone, so I found a pretty nice camping place beside Sue and Sam. They are super nice girls, and I consider myself very lucky that I met them (I can say the same in general about all the Knights)! Unfortunately my phone died shortly after the festival, so some of my memories are kinda blurry, might be some events placed on a wrong day, please forgive me because of that.

Before the festival I was talking with Dave also about when and how they will come with Ike (you remember, the awesome US guys living in Prague - and I met them in Metalfest Openair in Plzen). That was a sweet conversation also, as he mentioned that they will bring beers. I didn't think about that earlier, but it turned out an awesome idea. I just had some difficult time to pack all the beers and pálinka beside all my stuff. I also packed a very precious poster, which I will mention later on... So when I arrived and put up the tent, the girls offered their cooling box for my beers. Kudos! We started with a beer and talking just to know each other a bit more as we were about to spend the next 4 days beside each other. Turned out fast, that we don't have only the music taste similar, but they also huge HP-fans. Lovely, I thought. I started to believe that it truly will be a fantastic festival.

I was ready with everything and after the beer I was ready to explore the venue a bit. It was amazing. The german precision was totally visible. I'm not sure if all the german festivals are the same, but here the tents and cars were placed in a perfect order, squares for them, and pretty aisles - let's just call them roads - were beautifully left clean between them. I was truly surprised. Well... this was my first festival in Germany where I had my tent with me, so it is possible that all of them are like this, but I was amazed for sure. The concert area opened around 1pm, but outside of that there were possibilities also. Individual showers, a power-bus (for charging electrical devices), food and beer stands and a supermarket! As I was looking around, I saw a small hill closeby. This small hill was important, and had some great moments during the festival for me.

On the first day I was interested in 2 bands only, but obviously wanted to see as many as I could, just to figure out if I like them or not. You know, I will never share my opinion until I don't experience something. This goes for books, music, theatre, you name it. But I can tell in general that this festival was more about the bands I liked even before and about friends than exploring new music. Obviously I did that too, but the emphasis was on the former.

When the concert area opened, I already went in, and noticed that the 2 stages are right beside each other. The running order let me guessing it, but I find it a brilliant idea. While there is a show on one stage, the next band can do the soundcheck on the other. Got myself a beer, and headed to the first line - as it was Thursday, there were not that many people. And the first day was a 'Label night' of AFM. And I started to talk with some guys there already, some of them came to the festival only for the first Band. So it was Mors Principium Est. Erm... They were good enough, but I was so freaking excited already to see Kissin' Dynamite first live, that I couldn't really concentrate the music, so I don't remember much either. The only thing I remember is that one of the photo-guys brought a full box of jelly and shared with the first line. I was surprised but it was fun!




Then I had to go to eat something during the next band to be fully functional for KD. Fast I've found the food I was eating on the whole festival later on: roasted chicken. Half, or just the legs, or a whole chicken, but that I didn't do, no no. Reasonable price and filling also. So I had my chicken and was going back to the fence. Here I would like to mention that even tho I find the two stages beside each other a brilliant idea, they were a bit too high for me - was around 2-2,5m or so. You will see on some of the pictures that if I was in the first line, I had to look up and up and up to see something. It was almost impossible to see anything of the drums from the front rows.


Anyway, Kissin' Dynamite. Gosh they have energy. They are one of those bands who has HUGE online presence, which the recent generation appreciates a lot. Their new album has a lot of thoughts about the present in many layers, sometimes making fun of it or criticizing, or doing that both at the same time. Unfortunately there were only 2 song from the new album Generation Goodbye. I thought I might start a tradition for myself going to KD shows, and doing a selfie when they play Hashtag your life. Actually as you know me I barely make any selfies. It's gonna be fun anyway, as I'm planning some shows for their autumn tour. Anyway, I was shouting and screaming also a lot, and jumping too. The king-garment was nicely done, as it fits to a king, allright. It was a great show with a lot of power and great sound - even from the first rows. For me it was the true start of the festival, and got the energy to be able to walk and move forward (After half a night spent on the bus half sleeping). Here I link you one of my favourites from the new album, listen: She came, she saw




I needed a drink and go out a bit to breathe, maybe sit down a bit, so I did. The next band I got to know not so long ago, Monique from the FC Family told me about them. J.B.O. By the time they were on the stage, people started to arrive. A LOT actually, and as J.B.O is a band singing in german and actually making fun of everything on the stage, people love them. Additionally they were not formed yesterday. I did enjoy the show, had no awake brain even to try to understand what they were singing about, but it was fantastic feeling being in the middle of a crowd singing as from one mouth. Oh, and they are very pink. Like pink pink pink.

After that actually the last band before collapsing was Onslaught I saw. I can say barely, as the trip just kicked in, and I couldn't even stand anymore. Was about heading back to my tent when I bumped into two guys from the early afternoon, and was just talking with them a bit. And at the end I was listening to Asenblut from my tent and fell asleep 24 hours after I left home the day before.


Here you go a playlist from the AMF Label Night of Rockharz - Day 1 (thx to Spotify and setlist.fm - mostly no setlists on the site, so picked something closer in time, which the bands played with very high possibility :D)

xoxo \m/
Szi

Monday, September 12, 2016

Metalfest Openair Plzen - Day 3

So the last day has come, and one of my favourite bands were about to go on stage! This was the day of the terrible towel and vodka in the morning and great recognitions from the stage, heartfelt goodbyes and seeyoulaters. Couldn't imagine my day better when I woke up. We had some serious storm again at night, but the sun was shining and the whole day was supposed to be perfect!

The day on the stage started with a cover band, Motörgang. Guess the original. They were good enough, Lemmy was on the stage at least in appearance, the sound was allright, the songs were obviously from Motörhead. It was an ok start of the day. Right in the morning I bumped into Veronica again at the first row, as she was waiting for Amorphis, I was waiting for Wisdom, so we shared the place again :)
The next band was Mantar. Oh well. They are crazy. Two people on stage, the drums are turned 90 degrees. Weird enough picture. They are also from Germany, playing doom/black metal. The most fitting word for the show for me was: odd. The guy at the guitar and vocals was completely in the show. He was living with the music totally. Furthermore they brought a bottle of vodka to share with the audience. He gave it directly to me if I remember well. And you know.. I don't drink shots. Especially not at 11 in the morning. But oh well... I couldn't refuse, could I? So was drinking (just a small gulp) and passed the bottle further. It could've been fun if the bottle was going as it was intended - through the first line, but obviously it got lost somewhere in the crowd.
After the show I got an eyecontact with Beni - traveling with Wisdom and I asked him to charge my powerbank in their hotel the night before, so I could have energy in my phone to make some more terrible photos. Got to meet him beside the stage - here goes my 'thanks' also! You saved my life! And then got a fast beer until the guys did the soundcheck and hurried back to the first row beside Veronica. I also bumped to Georgie and Dave and Ike, they were right behind us for the show. I couldn't wait for them to start, I was so so so so excited, wanted to hear some songs from the new album again, and just wished them to have huge success, as this festival is the jumping stone for the 'smaller bands' to get invited to Masters of Rock, and these guys should go there next year, they truly deserve it! So I was ready to do everything, shout my lungs out for them!
And actually I did, we all did. I think the whole crowd was enjoying the show pretty much, sometimes I was just overwhelmed about the hey-hey shouts I've heard from behind! They did play some old and some new, listen to one of their songs from the new album which was recorded with Joakim Brodén from Sabaton: Rise of the Wise. I personally like other songs from the new album, like Believe in Me, hoping I'll hear that live on Keep Wiseman Alive show in October! Anyway they played also Live Forevermore, which is always a success. I did sing with them all the songs, it was a concert so energetic and powerful, I had the fuel for the whole day after that. Especially that NG was coming close to the crowd often, and once he recognized me from the stage, and was pointing at me, and the best part in it, that the guys took a photo in that very moment. I just love this shot!
Yes, that is my hand there!
Aaaanyway, it was again over too fast for my liking, but I can't have it all, right? :D The stage was taken over by a band from Austria, whom I really wanted to see live since I know Dragony. Sigi is the male voice in this band, and I just love his voice. Visions of Atlantis on the stage, doing the soundcheck. And what am I doing? Shouting 'Sigiiii!!!' when I see him. Right.... Anyway, he recognized me and was waving, which was quite cool! I did enjoy the show allright, I have to say, but they will not be my favourite band for sure. Catchy music, powerful vocals. And what I remember also from this show is that the guy behind/beside me focused on Clementine all the time, and made like 200 photos only about her. Well, she is extreme beautiful, that is for sure :) The show was very professional, good sound and very good usage of the space they had, continuously coming close to the front rows. I liked that also a lot.

And then I just jumped out of the crowd because wanted to say bye to Wisdom guys, as they had to run back after their signing session. Unfortunately I couldn't catch them again, but bumped into the guys and we were having fun around, talking and joking and learning some great idioms in English, as THAT is the specialty of Dave! Heard stories about the 'terrible towel' of Pitsburgh, which I actually noticed after I went home, and checked some band-pictures. That yellow piece of fabric is everywhere, very visible :D
We didn't even attend to the next show - which should've been Crucified Barbara, but they had to cancel and D-A-D was playing instead. We were just listening from far.
We did go back to the crowd because an other band already prepared, which we really wanted to see from close - especially Georgie. Arkona was about to play. I just love their music, and the way how Masha is communicating with the crowd. She is always talking in Russian. Weird enough for me, but the reason might be that I've seen them only in Slavic-language places, so they did understand it properly. Aanyway, it was a great show, as usual.
Worst selfie ever, but at least Georgie looks good :D
Then we decided to have a beer together - one of the last ones actually, as the guys were about to go home soon enough. So we were waiting for Arkona's signing session, and I was evil, I know I'm sorry (well, actually not that much). I did a small test with Vladimir from the band. In January he photobombed one of my pics in Wroclaw which I made with Heidevolk guys, and I was asking if he remembers me :D Obviously he didn't, but I can't expect it, right? Well I did, and was a tiny bit disappointed, but he asked me to send him that pic, so he will remember next time :) And smiled a bit, which was sweet of him. I can imagine how many people they meet, especially that they had a HUGE 3-4 months long tour around Europe. But they all were very kind and signed anything people put beneath their hands :D
At the end we made a last pic together, as a memory of the past 3 days. BUT they mentioned a festival in Germany, Rockharz, with an amazing lineup, and a promise that they will be there. Hmmmm, I had to think a lot if and how I could go there. But that is an other story ;)
Awesomest group ever!
After saying goodbye to the guys I went back to the crowd to check out Epica. (Completely missed Amorphis, as was busy with friends and beers and signings) But Epica's show was just great!! It was my first time seeing them live as last time I was about to go, I went to Slovakia instead for an Eufory show hahaha. It was great, it was beautiful, it was metal, it was fun, but I was already really tired after 3 days' of jumping and headbanging. They played their most popular songs, was a great show, and I have terrible pictures.
After that I was already lost in my thoughts, and just listened to Dirkschneider from a place far far away, chilling out, and enjoying the last band of Metalfest Openair Plzen.
It was a great festival, for sure I'll be here next year too! Very good organization, beautiful venue, and great bands, what else I should need?


This day I also bumped to Carlos, knowingly he will be for sure in the first line of Delain and Epica shows. Somehow we couldn't meet much during these three days, for what I'm very sorry, but I'm sure we will do that in several shows in the future. I really love how he can just lift me up and spin around hahahaha. I need that more! Well, checking his pictures I probably mixed Saturday and Sunday regarding out meeting time, but oh well... it was a great meeting again!

Veronica and me! - Pic by Carlos

Headbanging for Stratovarius! - Pic by Carlos

Here you go a playlist (thx to Spotify and setlist.fm - and my own preferences): Metalfest Openair Plzen - Day 3


xoxo \m/
Szi









Saturday, September 10, 2016

Metalfest Openair Plzen - Day 2


Here comes the second day of the fantastic Metalfest Openair! Saturday started slowly. From the previous day's weather and the mud I got my sneakers a bit dirty, but oh well... was hoping for a great day again. My tent was not that far from the venue area - around 5 mins on foot, and the shower, coffee and breakfast were in one place anyway.

So morning routine done, I was heading fast to the stage to see Scream Maker, a polish band, who won a Talent show of sorts in Poland, and jumped in the last minute. It was a great starting of the day. The music was powerful, and I appreciated a lot that they are singing in English, definitely a must-checkout-later band. I'll see them again this summer in Zgierz - City of Power, so I thought I'll have time dig a bit deeper into their work. Can you see the fire? is actually a very catchy song from them, I like it a lot.

And then there was something awesome coming up. I've never heard of the band Dark Gamballe before, the only thing I knew that they are czech. Had some ideas what kind of music they could play - guessing from the name. BUT. It was a fantastic surprise when they simply appeared on the stage, nothing but stylish clothing. And when they started to play... omg. It was something great for my ears. The only bad thing I can say of it is that they were singing in czech. Unfortunately I did not understand a word, still I got mesmerized. Listen to some of their songs, I loved it live. This was the one caught me totally off guard, and even started to sing with them: Fata kapitána Morgana - although I still have no idea what it is about, but nananananananananana.

Meanwhile the show I started to place myself towards the first line to be able to see the later shows from close.
Fortunately I had the guys from yesterday to have the beer supply brought there directly, so I didn't need to leave my place. Furthermore I met Veronica there, and we started to talk right away. She is from Mexico, but studying in the Czech Republic. Cool, isn't it? We literally was talking through the whole day from that moment.

Anyway, we were waiting for the next band, Jared James Nichols. They are from the U.S, and was on tour with Zakk Wylde. Probably you've heard more about him than the band on stage, but they do very similar music. They play only two guitars and drums. But those guitars, omg. Even I've heard how awesome it was :) Jared is a true guitar virtuoso (if the word exists in english...) He had a lot of solos, and poured his heart in them all. For Can You Feel It? they made us all sing with them. It's a great song! After the show I managed to catch them beside the stage, and could take one of the best pictures on the festival. Yes, they are tall and beautiful! :')


And then we started to hear around that Sirenia will not play. I was not that sad, especially because of the show instead of them. Reno Vega came from Germany to make a great performance and fun show on the stage. They call themselves "The biggest little Band in the World" which is quite accurate. They were really fantastic. They really seemed to enjoy the whole time they had in Plzen. The bassist came to the audience and shared some paper-fireworks, and the guys who got them should set them off at a certain time. Obviously it didn't work out properly, but we all had a laugh at that one. He also came close to us and tried to hi5 as many people there as possible with a huge pink cheer-hand (blowable ones). In general they played the german power metal I love so much, so I was sure I'll listen to them later on if I could. Maybe they played this song: Lies, blood and Sweat. Go, listen and chill out! Oh on a sidenote for the band: Please go Spotify! :)

After them I just knew I won't like what comes. Crematory. I've seen loads of people around in their band-shirt, and drew a conclusion that I might have some problems in the first row. They are also a german band, they play gothic metal. It was not that bad I thought it would be. Obviously I still don't really like growling, but in general I did enjoy the show. With some drinking on the stage - probably some whisky from a gas-can. Anyway, there was moshing, there was shouting, it was not a bad show.

Then almost there what I was waiting for whole day. Before them however Delain on the stage. I have one expression describing their presence: Seriously Synchronized Headbanging. It was one of the most professional shows I've seen that day. Always someone in the front to be visible for the audience, very good sound and vocals. I also promised a friend to make some pictures of Charlotte. I did my part all right. Besides all this, the show made me want to go to an other of theirs (which is going to happen in October - they will play on Keep Wiseman Alive with Wisdom). Even though they are not my favourite band, I still listen to them, and waiting for the new album (Moonbathers - out already by the time of writing the post). I can't really say that I do love female fronted bands, but I do admire and like/love some of them, including Delain. Mostly because of the lyrics naturally, mostly written by Charlotte, and with many songs I can relate to them strongly. I will go here with the obvious song, so if you are reading, and never heard them, start with this one: We are the others.


Beer came to me fast enough, so I could properly wait for the best band of the day for me. We both were very excited with Veronica. We both had some moments in our life where a song of Stratovarius helped through a bad or good time. For me it was the second song they played: Eagleheart. I'm always close to cry when they play this. Not my first and not the last Stratovarius show, still all the time I'm floating 10 cm above the ground and trying to breathe, which is quite difficult while listening to them. They played the very similar setlist I've heard last year in Ostrava, but seriously how difficult is to put together an awesome setlist of 17 studio albums? The best moment of the show for me was when Timo came close to us and I got a hi5! We both were headbanging and jumping through the whole hour :) Obvious closing song was the Hunting High and Low, which is the other one of my favourites from them.


After the show we just couldn't find the way back to reality and wished they just started over again. So we went to meet them on the signing session. Talking over the whole time. She had some awesome stories about Mexican shows - or how difficult it is/was for them to attend a metal gig or festival simply because they were so rare.
I had nothing to sign, but I really wanted some pictures with them. The security guys said that it is not allowed, so I just stepped out of the queue, as really I just wanted some pics. Which I got afterall from behind the fence. So screw you security guys!

After that we were about to eat something finally, and obviously drink a beer :) And listening to Lordi from above, where the sound was actually very great. Even better than from the first line. It was a funny show actually. when literally the whole venue was shouting 'Fuck you' - THAT was amazing. We were laughing so much. Here you go some uncensored Lordi: Hug you hardcore!

Then I was set out to say bye to Dave and Ike as they've decided to spend the night in a hotel (I still had my tent). Meanwhile searching for them, I bumped into Wisdom. When I've seen Máté, he said - 'Oh, you again?'. I'm not sure if that was a compliment or a joke, but I smiled anyway. Got some fast conversation with them, then headed back to see Zakk Wylde / Black Label Society, as I thought he might play some songs from them too. Hmmmwell. I have to say, I'm not a big fan of 20 mins guitar solo.

Probably it was great, but I felt extreme tired and extreme hungry, so got half of a chicken, a beer, and headed back to my tent. I bumped into Georgie, and was talking some more at the tent. With all the memories made that day I fell asleep fast, and dreamed about all the magic I had that day.
Here you go the playlist of the songs I've found (as usual thx to Spotify and setlist.fm): Metalfest Openair Plzen - Day 2

xoxo \m/
Szi