Helloween - Rage - C.O.P

I'm in love. Unconditionally. I just don't know if Sascha or Dani is the subject. :D
What I've seen on last Tuesday... I miss the words. Those solos were amazing. But let's get back to the beginning of the evening.

As I noticed at Powerwolf, that one hour before the show many people gathered, I've decided to arrive two hours before so I can be in the very first line. I had my backpack with me, and all 5 degrees outside the club. Beggars came early but I am perfectly able to pretend that I don't speak polish, the magic expression is: "Excuse me?" They just went away, so I could pull myself together as small as possible sitting on my backpack so I wouldn't freeze to death. I succeeded!

Obviously was talking with someone at the entrance, this time it was a guy. We were talking about shows and gigs. So the time passed quite fast. Went in quickly and booked our place at the fence. So this time very first line. Got my beer naturally - as I had a placekeeper there. First band: Crimes Of Passion aka C.O.P. from the UK. Was listening to them previously so I expected a good show. It was more than ok. These guys enjoyed the gig so much. Almost through the whole show they've showed 32teeth smile. Was a very refreshing experience. You just don't see bands having so much fun on the stage. They've played very catchy songs. Even if I didn't know the lyrics, I could sing with them and jump and shout. And I just loved Andrew's (guitar) style, how he played.

Oh well... the sound was not that perfect, just like on the previous shows. I suspected already that it is because I'm too close. But c'mon something for something, right? (Their sound engineer confirmed it after the show - it sounded good from his place.) It was definitely worth to see these guys so close. Their happiness was contagious. Not that I was not smiling also before, but they definitely added to my mood. Listen to this song, I like it a lot: Love is to die for. If you can, I truly recommend to go on their show. I promise you won't be bored :D (Next one will be the Full Metal Mountain in Austria!)

And then myyyy way or no way at all and Rage on the stage. Proving again that you don't necessarily need more than 3 people to put on an excellent show. These guys seemed more crazy than COP guys. The lineup of the band changed recently, Peavy (lead vocal and bass) obviously stayed, but 2 very energetic young man joined the band. Marcos was running up and down on the stage with his guitar. Filled the whole place. I've seen Rage previously last summer (even though only from a distance), and naturally they've played the most popular songs then and now also. I loved how they made us sing with them. Higher than the sky sky sky. And the hall blew up. It was a well made set, seemed to be made to pump up the crowd for Helloween. The funniest part of the show was when the guys from C.O.P came in all wearing a makeshift aluminium foil beard just the same as Peavy has. I can't remember now at which song they came in, but it kinda made my day.

They played almost all my big favourites: My Way, Down, Until I Die. Was a truly great show, can't repeat enough how much I loved to be that close. Here some pics:

Then there was no way to move out again for a beer, couldn't squeeze myself out, not talking about getting back in to the first row. The crowd started to move closer and closer and with that pressing us together. I felt that fence literally got integrated to my stomach. It doesn't matter, Helloween came out after a short while. It's difficult to find words, seriously. From the first notes until the very last second I was out of myself. Either shouting like a crazy teenager, or freaking out at songs I love, or almost crying or just looking at the stage without blinking and mouth open. And all these one after each other and back and again and again.

They've started with Eagle Fly Free. Reaallyyyy? Obviously. I sacrificed some of my voice already for Rage, but I still had some left. Goosebumps all over, sound was even better, I could hear Andi perfectly, but even if I didn't, the crowd made sure that the whole place sounded Helloween. Actually people were so close to me, that I heard even when they were breathing, not to mention shouting. Now I can imagine what others could feel when I try to sing hahahahaha. It was not a pleasant experience with those guys beside and behind me. Their voice was even worse than mine, and that IS an achievement. Then one good song came after the other, God Given Right was just brilliant. I can't name a single song throughout the show when people didn't sing with the band. I have hard time in general naming favourite songs, but from the God Given Right album my fav is definitely Heroes (or as it is on the setlist: Hereos :D ). I sang my soul out and then then then I fell in love. I think I can say already, that a good friend of mine, Michael (drummer of Magic Kingdom, and was playing the shows with Iron Mask in the beginning of the year) drew my attention to the drum solo. He said it is great. After Heroes it came. Dani. Yes. Very yes. Oh so very yes! I was just standing there, open mouth and I didn't even see the drumsticks, it was all a blur. It was amazing. Sounded amazing, looked amazing and I was in love already. I didn't want him to stop, I just didn't.

Well, he did. And the show must go on. Or wait, that's an other stuff. Anyway, slower, faster songs, and Andi's sweet confs and then I shouted again, then I cried again for Forever and One. At this point I even put my phone into my bag, I just couldn't use it anymore, my whole being was dragged in. I started to drown in the music. During the second part of the gig I managed to fell in love second time in the evening. I was standing right in front of Sascha. Some of you might already know about my huge musical talent (which I actually don't have), so I don't really understand how these riffs and whatnot are done, but it happened now. I didn't even look at him, but his hands and guitar. I have to say also that I love long haired men. But for some short hair is better. Sascha is definitely that kind. And girls, he is more handsome in live than on pics. And that guitar. Or rather those guitars... He was fun on the stage. Played with the guitar picks, threw out a lot to the crowd, but honestly I didn't care at that point. I did not want to fight for any souvenirs, I was dieing for the show. Before the last song I caught his eyes, and asked for a pick. He was shaking his head and said 'No'. I was like: Hell you give me one anyway. And he actually did, which made me hover 20 cms above ground. The way I got this pick... He looked at me, and showed to the others, that it is mine, and gave it to my hands. I was melting there. I got a smile with it. Unforgettable.

Anyway back to the show. Future World (shout and freak out part - same time of course), then the last song - by that time everyone lost some part of their voices. I had close to nothing left, but seriously what else they could finish the show with than I Want Out. I believe I was dropping some tears (no, it was not that Sascha refused to give me a pick that time). I just love that song. Back and forth. Even love Sonata cover of it. Even love Eufory cover of it. I love to love that song.
(And a bonus song from me, just because it is my alltime fav from Helloween with my alltime fav anime - In The Middle of a Heartbeat - Elfen Lied AMV)

It was an excellent performance, I used the word 'love' a lot today, but I really did love every second of the shows. At the end I almost died. Literally. Dani managed to throw the drum-fell on my head, and the guys behind me almost started to fight for it... was fun to see, but they could've done it farther from me :D

The crowd started to go home slowly, and I finally could have some refreshment at the bar, and planned to fulfill C.O.P guys' request after their show to meet them at the merch, and drink a beer with them. These guys are fantastic! I was laughing so bad when Dale (vocal - a brilliant one) saw my hair, and asked if he can touch it, it was funny as hell. I also managed to make the usual pic with them, and then went to talk with Scott (bass). His devotion to music is breath-taking. How he told me that he prefer jam sessions and play and feel the music was really cool. Then we checked out the green beer what Gretsch got from someone (was playing drums for this night). Then again a huge laugh came when Dale came again to ask if he can touch my hair one more time. :D That face of Henning is priceless!

Then unfortunately I had to go *cries* as my bus back home departed at 1:30 and was working next day. Yey. I would wanted to wait for the guys at the bus, but next time that will happen for sure.

As promised earlier - playlist of the night (powered by Spotify and setlist.fm): Helloween - Rage - COP: 16.02.2016 Warsaw.

\m/ xoxo
Szi

Powerwolf - Battle Beast

Warsaw. 6 hours on a bus to get to the best long weekend of February. Saturday started with Powerwolf and Battle Beast show. I've already been in Progresja Music Zone earlier in last May on a Sonata show, which was canceled due to Tony's serious illness (Freedom Call played headliner set, which was more than awesome). This time when I've read on Facebook that Roel, drummer of Powerwolf had to be taken to the hospital, I felt my heart stopping. It can't be happening again. But the band decided to play anyway. They just used the drum track from an earlier show. It must have been a very difficult decision, but these amazing people wanted to be there for the fans, and they did their best, put a brilliant show on the table. From here I wish Roel a fast recovery!

Aaaanyway I've arrived to the club an hour before the official door opening, so I was there around 17:30 even a bit before. Already a bunch of people there. I've heard someone speaking english. I jumped a bit inside - cool I will be able to communicate. (I am not forced to speak polish, yeeeey - not that I can't,  but english is easier). Turned out that these guys (Tony and Daniel) are following Powerwolf on the whole tour. They were painted their faces also.

Couldn't talk much in the beginning because the polish PW fan club arranged a meeting with the band, so they went in earlier. Anyway I've seen a girl alone in the queue so started to talk with her. Who likes to stand alone and be quiet for an hour? Well... obviously not me :D So Aga was there and we just talked through the whole waiting time. I had a feeling that we know each other since ages. The time flew really fast and we were already in. Getting our beers and headed to the first line.

We managed to stay there through the whole show. Only 2 girls were in front of us, both of them tiny, so it was a win-win situation. We saw everything also :)

When Battle Beast started to play, we just looked to each other and were like: what the hell is wrong with the sound? I'm not sure if the show sounded like that from everywhere, but from the front it was terrible. Noora's mic was so so low, that if I didn't know the lyrics, I wouldn't be able to understand a single word. Progresja is quite a big venue (I guess it can be full with around 2000 people) and the sound engineer is in the middle of the hall - so maybe 15 meters from the stage. As I said before I've seen shows here before. The sound back then was very good. I'm not sure what happened now, but in my humble opinion was not enough on the mic and a tiny bit too much on Pyry's drums. Oh well. It improved throughout the show.
They played songs from all 3 albums. It was a fun setlist. Played 2 of my favourites: Black Ninja and Out of Control. Naturally the second one is a big big big favourite. The whole crowd went crazy when they started it! I looked around how crazy the people really are, and seen a little girl on daddy's shoulder. She can't be more than 4-5 years old, and was singing with the band! It was the sweetest thing I've seen on a show.

They made so much fun on the stage, all the time the crowd started to clap, Pyry added the rythm and stood up behind his drumset. And it did happen a lot - I loved it! During a smaller keyboard solo Eero literally poured a whole bottle of beer into Janne. And people started to chant "bottoms up" in polish of course but the guys on the stage understood it anyway :)

All in all it was a fantastic show. It was a first for me see them live, but I can say I'm convinced to do it again!

After Battle Beast I squeezed myself out to get an other round of beer while Aga was keeping my place ;) On that short way to the bar I managed to bump into Michał. I knew he will be there. It's quite a funny story how I got to know him. Last year there was a festival in Zgierz, Poland, where Wisdom was playing. I've seen this guy in a Wisdom t-shirt. I jumped up, left my smalec unattended and ran to this guy, was a bit careful and asked him in english if he is hungarian wearing that tee. He looked at me sooooo weird, and answered in polish that he has no idea what I'm asking. After that I declared that he is very not hungarian hahaha. When I was on a show of Wisdom around a week ago in Brno, I posted something about it on Facebook. And he liked it. I was - hmmm, I know this guy. And wrote him a message, so we started to talk. I think it's a funny way to meet people.
Also bumped into Kamil, huge Rhapsody fan, met him obviously on a Rhapsody show. He came back with me to the front with my beers. And at that time Powerwolf was about to start.

The whole show was truly amazing. Starting with one of the big favourites,  Blessed & Posessed. Going through many albums. This tour was their first time in Poland, so it seemed they wanted to please the fans here. In Warsaw was the third show in Poland but the crowd was so hungry for them, and the band fulfilled their Hunger. At least they did mine. Every song sounded almost perfect. Attila's mic was better than Noora's, I could still do some more on that. Even though here the whole hall sang literally every song with them. The energy in the place was brilliant. Truly fantastic. It peaked when Attila and Falk Maria played with us. I was Attila-team, and I believe we have won against the other side of the audience! Still the best was when they commanded together everyone. I got goosebumps what we could do there, I just love these parts of the shows!

We got Amen & Attack, we got Armata Strigoi, we got We drink your Blood. Was a very very fine set. Before ending the show the usual 'let's light up the stage' act. And then came the alltime fav: Sanctified with Dynamite. I can say I was in some kind of trance shouting with them through the song. It was soooooo brilliantly amazingly terrifyingly perfect, I still can hear the beat and the guitars and see the flames and their faces in my head.

I just can't compare this experience to anything. Which is what I'm aiming for on a show. If a band can reach this in me,  as in having a feeling like I didn't have before - I'll be committed to them forever. After this show I just want to see them again and again.

After the show we went out to the merch in the hope of meeting the guys from both bands. Fortunately Eero and Joona was there from Battle Beast. Could talk some minutes. They said how much they liked the audience that night, which is always a great thing to hear from them. Knowing you did your best, shouted the loudest you could! Joona was joining the band on the shows after Anton left. He did a crazy job on the stage. We were standing right in front of him,  he was great!

Some seconds later I spotted Falk Maria also. He is such a kind guy. Told us a funny story about a festival where he went out after a show (without the amazing makeup) and a fan was asking him to make photo about him and two painted guys. He did it of course,  and after that the painted guys told to this fan, that he just asked a member of the band to make the shot! I was laughing hard on this story. How much he could've smile inside at that time :) Obviously he was happy to make a photo with us:

And for my biggest pleasure Attila came out also. Not many of us left there but who did, had an awesome experience! Jenny did some posessed photos where I tried to hide probably succeeded :D

You know guys, hugs worth more than anything else. I'm always asking if I can have a hug. I did ask it from Attila also and he gave me the sweetest answer ever.  He said he can't because his wife is right there. Then I looked at Jenny and said: group hug? They were so cute to accept it,  so I will keep this memory forever! Thanks guys!

Then they threw us out from the place, but the evening was still not over yet! Went down to the bar and met the Polish Panzer Batallion! These guys are great,  look:

Picture by Jola :) Panzer Batallion! ! !

After everyone went home, we've decided to go also. Was not that easy though. 

Outside we found some hardcore fans at the band's tourbus. Also Attila and Jenny were there. I have no words for expressing how beautiful couple they are. I am most thankful to have had the opportunity to know them. Beautiful and happy people. I wish you to stay like this forever! ! !
The time has come when they left us to go home and have a well deserved rest. And we have left there with Daniel and Anthony, I told about them in the beginning of the post. They are german guys following the band on their tour. Their determination and love for the band can be an awesome example for all of us! We were talking there in the cold for around half an hour (well actually I was speaking most of the time)... which was a fantastic time. I already love these guys a lot!

But sadly due to the cold and their 19 hours of driving home, we had to part. With Aga we were heading to the night bus, guys drove away. But in my heart this evening is staying forever. Met good people, made awesome new friends and seen a show I will never forget!

Here you can find the setlists of the night (unfortunately 2 songs from Battle Beast is missing as I can't have it on Spotify. Guys told me that it is available on finnish Spotify, not sure why I can't have them with my polish subscription): Powerwolf - Battle Beast playlist

xoxo \m/
Szi

Wisdom - Sabaton

This night was first in many aspects. Don't even know where to start... After 2 weeks being at home, suffering from huge fever and every other part of a serious illness, I had doubts if I should take my boots and go to Brno for Sabaton and Wisdom concerts. Afterall I felt way better so with all the medicines I had I packed my backpack and headed again to Czech Republic.
One of the very first concerts when I didn't particularly go for the headliner band. Sabaton is great and I love them, still I love Wisdom more.

After 2 months Sabaton is on tour again. Their first show was in Brno. It was in a huge sport hall (Hala Vodova), and was a sold out show. And a first again. Never been on a show which was sold out. Got to know later, that around 4500 people gathered for this night. It was very visible even at the entrance. When I arrived around 40 minutes before the gate opening, there was a queue already, which was around 100-150m long. Slowly slowly we got in. I had a sitting ticket, but hell I won't sit on a concert like this!
Next first for me: due to medication, no alcohol. No beer for me! Was kinda weird not having beer in my hands on a metal concert. Well, water as a substitute is not that good I can tell now. When I got in, there were already fans around the stage. I didn't care much, got myself into the crowd and found my place in the 1,5th line. Not right beside the fence, but close enough. Still had time till the show, but I couldn't socialize (an other first). These people here don't speak english! Nothing whatsoever! And I suppose I got myself surrounded with a bunch of morons or they didn't want to talk. I tried, failed. I gave up trying. Why to meet not-cool people?

I was very excited to see Wisdom again. Seen them coming out from the backstage, and as I was close I caught Tomi's eyes, he recognized me and waved back to me! :)
The show was amazing. They've played a nice set, even 2 songs from the new album (Ravens' night and Rise of the Wise), and Out of Control from Battle Beast which was written by Anton. Their set had some of the very well known songs also like Live Forevermore and Somewhere Alone.

Was a great show, I shouted out my voice (which I didn't have much before...) and it was over too fast. I need I just need Wander the World sometime live. Anyway after it I pushed myself through to the side of the fence, Tomi came out, collected my usual hugs, and we could talk some minutes, and he gave me a stick. Yes, it is broken.

He managed to break it meanwhile the new song Rise of the Wise. Which actually will have a guest singer on the CD coming out 26th February. None other than Joakim from Sabaton! I can't wait for the new album. Heard 2 songs already, and I just love NG's voice and style is just too much to miss it :)

After my short conversation outside the crowd, I squeezed myself back to my place, which the awesome czech people didn't like that much, but oh well... I couldn't care less anymore that time.
As the crew prepared the stage, we've seen the awesome decoration which was so Sabaton-like. The drumset was on a tank for one. The mic-stands were incorporated with war hats. It did look awesome.

The whole show was extremely professional. It was funny. They seemed to play the jokes naturally (probably planned them before, still was pretty much fun).
For example when the crowd started to chant: Jeszcze jedno piwo (probably it's not written like this in czech, but my best polish knowledge says it will be ok), which means 'one more beer', Joakim just took a whole beer and drank in one go! He was a bit surprised that we demanded that quite early on the show, like after the 3rd song maybe... but still took the challenge.

The other joke I really liked when Joakim wanted to take Thors guitar for a song, but he didn't give it to him. He played that he got mad, and went off the stage. The other guys got to a pretended panic, what should they do without a singer... so they've decided to play Gott mit Uns in swedish, so if they screw up the lyrics, nobody will notice. It was a really fun intro for a very good song sang by Thor and Chris.

More fun came before the song everyone wanted to hear. Thor started the first notes of Swedish Pagans. The crowd just blew up the hall I have to say I've never heard something like this before. On the stage they started to argue, that Joakim didn't want to play the song, but Thor likes it so much, he acted on his own. Suuuure. Nice act, but I don't think so there ever will be a Sabaton show without Swedish Pagans.

More beers to come and they played a cool set, even tho I left to Wisdom merch and I wasn't present at the last 3 songs. Anyway it was a great show.

In the middle somewhere (actually since that point) I got beside myself a moron. I was already writing about my surroundings there, but this was way too much for me already. I was standing in the very same position throughout the whole show. And then I just felt someone pushing me badly from the left side. I looked left, nothing. Then I had to look a bit down where I've seen a lady. No, not a girl, a woman around her forties. I'm not a big person myself, but she was small, I didn't need to strengthen myself much, so I just put my legs in a stable position and didn't let myself pushed away. After 2 songs or so I got out of myself. I felt seriously WTF. Then was swearing to her with perfect hungarian as it seemed she doesn't understand an ounce of english (what a surprise). Even though in hungarian you can use some international words for swearing, but we are able to swear for at least 5 minutes without using the same expression twice. I didn't have hard time to send her to hell and she didn't even understand. But it was soooo weird for me. I'm usually a very patient person and especially between metalheads I always felt perfectly awesome. In general they seem to be very open and I've never thought I'll encounter a situation like this. I mean it. If she was asking me to go a bit right, I would have even done it. We all go to concerts to enjoy the show and see the guys on the stage, don't we?
Anyway... new experience, new first feeling, that I wanna hit someone... oh well. I blame the virus :)

After the show I went up to Wisdom merch. Wanted to get the new gold lion girly when I noticed I didn't have enough cash with me.. yeeey for me again. Doesn't matter, I'll order online. Finally I could catch NG up there to make a whole band photo!
Somehow he feels unwell all the time I'm on Wisdom concert. Next time I'll warn you before, so you can prepare :) It was funny to see how these czech people came to the merch and got some stuff. Mostly just gesturing what they wanted. Could talk a bit with Gabor, as he never seem to look nice on my pictures. He shared the secret. Group photos are like that, but if it is only two of us, then it would be diffent. I gave in and let him prove it. Well, decide yourselves ;)

I actually don't understand people who are listening english lyrics be it whatever genre. For me the lyrics part are way more important than the music itself. Probably because I have no musical talent. Still I don't know how could I live without understanding my favourite bands' lyrics. I don't even know how to live without speaking english... seems that's only me.

New feature coming: from now on I'll post a playlist on Spotify with the songs the bands play.
Here it goes for this show: Sabaton - Wisdom playlist

Fortunately I passed my nightbus with 5 minutes, and I didn't want to wait an hour in the cold, so I walked back to my hostel (around 40 minutes). I was so hungry that I went eat some fast food. Surprisingly I bumped into a bunch of guys, who were in front of me in the queue going in the show, and I recognized them. It was my last attempt to socialize. Out of 5 of them only one spoke a bit of broken english. Gave up. Fck I don't understand this...

Let's hope I won't have similar challenges on the summer festivals here. Metalfest Open Air and Masters of Rock.

xoxo \m/
Szi