Rage against Racism - Day 1

The first small festival of the summer took place in Duisburg. Rage against Racism. It's a popular topic nowadays, and I'm not gonna dig into it at all. All I want to state that I've never seen more open community than the metalheads. Always open and taking care of each other. Seen many times already, but it showed itself in this festival also so many times and so many ways. Starting with the moshpits, where you just can't see anyone being left on the ground after falling. In those cases the moshing just stops for a second and everyone holding out hands to help the fallen one. It's just an amazing thing to see. Also there were several handicapped people on the festival in wheelchairs. They were treated just the same. This is also what I love: it doesn't matter where are you from, who are you, what language you speak. The music is the language everyone speaks.

So it was Duisburg. I was looking forward to this festival to see Freedom Call again as headliner of a festival and meet the FC family again. To be able to travel so much I always choose the cheapest options. This case was a late night bus directly to Duisburg, the backside was that I arrived in very early morning, and my hotel's reception opened only around 11. I was sitting on the doorstep for hours, then I've chosen to look around in the city. It's a weird one. Quite small in matter of things to see, but calm on the other hand.

Followed my usual schedule doing everything a bit earlier, as the first day of the festival started at 5pm. And I've decided to take a walk to the venue, which was like an hour on foot away from my hotel. The weather was perfect, sunny and clear, so a small walk was ok. When I reached the surroundings of the venue I just had to follow the metalheads, so it was easy to find the place.
It's a small clearing woods around in a sweet neighborhood at the outskirt of the city. As it was already afternoon, I had no problem with getting to the first place they sold beer. But I couldn't get any, as they didn't accept case. I've found out that there will be coin-system for the drinks and food, so I don't have to run around with cash all the time. I do like coin-systems. Clear and I know exactly how much I spend. Aaand the coins were even branded, so I took one home as a souvenir.

The weather forecast said it will rain whole weekend, but the weather was quite good. Started very sunny, and we just got few raindrops on Friday. Was totally fine weather, the rain came as a refreshment anyway. We didn't need any raincoats :)

On Friday there were 5 bands on the stage, I was most interested in seeing Kräbholz. As some of you might know I am learning german intensively. So I am/was searching for a band I like a lot who is singing in german. I think I've found them :P

So anyway the show started with Vanir, Can't say that many people arrived by the time they started to play. I was just looking around and listened them from far. Didn't really feel the urge to go closer as they are playing Death/Trash metal, which is not my cup of tea. It was quite hard to find anything to show you from this band, but I managed to use my awesome searching skills and here you go a song from YT: Sexual harrasment.

Then came Ignition. They are a local power metal band, and I really liked them. I'll take the shelter was probably sung. As they are quite fresh band, can't really find a lot about them also, but I liked a lot one of the news songs: We are the force. Listen to the album teaser I found. Dennis (vocals) was taking the band on his back. Very enthusiastic play on the stage, I felt like they wanted to give in all they have despite the early hour they played. Guys, you should be online more, I would love to listen to you more often. I had a feeling that Dennis had connection to the Currywurst booth, as he nicely promoted it from the stage. I caught him after the show, but he seemed to hurry there, so made a fast blurry pic. But a bit later I did taste that wurst, was very ok. Beside that I would go to their show anytime, just please come a bit closer to me :P

I actually did have time to eat something, because Skeleton Pit took the stage. That sounds bad, aye. Sorry, but I can only repeat myself.. I do not really fancy trash metal, which they played.
I know some of you like the genre, do go and listen to their full album!!! Chaos at the mosh reactor. Soon enough people around started moshing. I have to say that during these 2 days I enjoyed seeing the moshpit a lot. These people were awesome. And Skeleton Pit just got them in the right mood already!

Who's next? Oh yes, SuidAkrA. Do I have to say? :D Yes I think I do. They were really great. I loved Tina's voice was amazing. Truly amazing. I still don't like growling, but the show was awesome, I felt I might get to like some growling if the music is extraordinary, and they don't do it a lot. And they didn't. Listen some of their songs from the new album: Pictish Pride and The Hunter's Horde. I was able to understand some of the lyrics, so I did enjoy it.

Meanwhile I met some new friends. I can't really remember how I got to talk to them, but I did. 3 guys from Duisburg or around. If I want to be entirely honest, I had to focus a lot to understand their names. Rafael was easy (sorry dear, I can remember your name pretty well), his parents are greek, but grew up in Germany, Caramelo (I'm truly sorry, but I have no idea how you introduced yourself), italian origins, and Chris (actually said his nickname like 5 times, and I still didn't get it, probably was Sauer). These guys were great to be with, funny and original. There was a girl with a terrible eyebrow (all plucked out and a single line drawn instead...), and Raf said to her that her face is pretty but the eyebrows are, well... awful. You should've seen her face after :D I laughed my ass off with these guys. I truly hope we will meet on an other festival (maybe Rockarz?).

At last the most anticipated band took the stage: Kärbholz. Honestly I have no idea which songs they played, but it was a very professional show. The fans were singing with them, clapping and jumping.
I couldn't help myself doing the same, even tho I didn't know any of the lyrics! I think I've finally found that band I can listen to in german. Here you go 2 songs from them: Kein Rock 'n' Roll and Fallen und Fliegen. Since the festival I've listened to them a lot. And I really like them more and more. They will have a winter tour around Germany, which I will attend for sure. By then I might even get myself together and dare speaking with them in german :D

I don't have now setlists, as these bands are barely on Youtube, let alone Spotify. Guys, I bet people would listen to you more if you upload yourselves! Do eeeet!

There was the funniest moment of the night when Chris offered to walk me home. I was telling him, that it will be an hour of walk, he misunderstood me, thought like 20-30 mins :D We started walking when he realized what I said, so we walked back to the train, and got home actually in 20 mins. We met some crazy girl on the train, who kept saying how süß I am, but all in german. It was a fun ride home. We parted at my hotel, and agreed to meet next day again at the train station! I can assure you, if you think the first day was fun with a lot of good music, the next one was even better!

xoxo \m/
Szi

Idiothead - Godbite - Thar Ai

Aaaand an other one of the local shows.

One of my colleague is managing a band called IdiotHead. He kept inviting me to events/shows they had in Wroclaw, but unfortunately I was always out of town those times. But at the end of May finally I managed to get to their show in Liverpool Club.
I knew it will be an unconventional experience for me, as I've listened them before, and knew it is not really my style. On the other hand I wanted to check it out, wanted to make that decision based on a live experience, not because I thought I didn't like something.
When I got into the bar, met some of my friends and colleagues too. Apart from Ola they also were new to the bands. I had a completely open mind and heart.
They have played with 2 supporter bands - Thar Ai and Godbite.

The first one on the stage was Thar Ai. They played metal allright. There was great music up there. Cool guitars, cool drums and fine vocals. I was truly hopeful when I've heard the first notes, then came growling. Not my jam, not my style. But if you like this kind, go ahead and definitely check them out live. I did like the vocals when he was singing, I really did, but I still don't like growling. :)

The second band was Godbite. Here I have some videos for you from Youtube. Even a whole album if you please. Knowing me you'll have to listen for 30 seconds and you can decide if I like the music or not! Well. They did play right, but I can't say I liked it too much. They made a great show on the stage, a bit crazy guy was singing, very pulled into the music and the performance.
The weirdest part was when he blindfolded himself and sang with huge enthusiasm. Then he seemed to draw something on the ground. Probably was connected with the music and the lyrics, but I didn't understand much about it. As we were talking at the table, I didn't make any photos, but believe me, that stage performance was kinda extraordinary.

Then IdiotHead took the stage and we went to the first row. Their music is very very not mine, but still was a great show. There was a mixer on the stage - vocals were good, bass and guitar were great and the drums also were very impressive. Refreshingly they did it all in english. I even understood some of it between the growling and singing parts of the songs. We no longer fear the sun is their new single. Unfortunately I'm not able to say if they played it or not, but should it give you a great impression go to their shows. Here you have some pictures made by Marek, their manager.

I can only encourage everyone to go to local shows and live events. Because this is how we keep live music alive!

xoxo \m/
Szi

Przester

Helloes!!

Let's just jump in the middle. I do like to support local bands and go to small shows. For that I need to know at least one of the bands playing.
This happened some time ago - somewhere in the beginning of May. I've met Adam and Maciej (already told you about them earlier) at a Rhapsody show. It turned out, that they do have a power metal band in my city, Wroclaw. The band is Aeonian Forge.
I did encourage them to invite me for their show, so I can finally dive into the local music. They just did, so as I promised, I went to their first show.

It was a pretty nice evening with four bands, and they played in a sweet club also.
The funniest part, that in Wroclaw there are like 20ish clubs in a very small area, and I used to go to one of them especially, as most of my colleagues liked it. And this place where they played that night was literally next-door.
So I took my bicycle and got there pretty fast. HardRock3 is an underground club with a friendly decoration - like a dollhead or if I remember well some shoes on the ceiling. But anyways the walls are full with posters of great bands, LPs also in frames. The most shocking one was an Omega-single (they are an ooooold hungarian band), I kind of grew up listening to them 24/7.

Right in front of the club I met the guys already and they really seemed to be happy to see me. Fast got in. Have to say that the entry was extreme cheap. Even less than a beer. So got my cool black dot on my hand proving I paid, I could get my beer and look around.
As we are talking about small bands, they did the setup themselves,  therefore we started a bit later than announced.
The first band was Cervisiam. I was told that they play some kind of rapish metal. I thought oookey, let's see. Actually they were quite ok. I do understand a lot of polish, but when sung it is harder, so I can say I didn't understand much. Therefore only the music left for me to enjoy. Here is a song from them, which they probably played: Piatek. They did a fun show anyway. Was a good start of the evening.
Then came the guys from Aeonian Forge. Good solos, great drum play. I truly believe they can grow a lot more, and we'll see them on some festivals in the near future. Just keep up guys! I've found some songs on Youtube from them, here is the one they also played that night and I enjoyed a lot: In the name of Metal.

Then the two other bands - Black Grin and Inner Beast from Poznan. They played enjoyable music, but I really needed some beers by that time. Took my place with the guys I knew at a table and listened to the music from there. It's always good to have live music while sharing some beers with great people.
I have to say that I was more silent than usual as everyone was speaking polish, and I still don't feel that comfortable speaking it.
Anyways, the night was great, and the guys won the voting from the people.
This time I don't really have playlists, these guys can't be found on Spotify yet unfortunately, so listen to them on Youtube, worth a shot!

xoxo \m/
Szi

Majówka - Wroclaw

I'm living in Poland for more than 3 years now, and every year they organize a Guitar Guiness Record on the main square of the city. For whatever reasons I missed the first 3, and this was the first for me. Additionally they have organized a 3 days festival around 1st of May celebrations with a bunch of rock/metal bands. However I've been only on the first day, as one of the bands I wanted to see live for so long was playing. The line-up was quite impressive, Status Quo, Dragonforce, Guano Apes and Within Temptation. Unfortunately the four bands were playing on 2 separate stages in the same time, so I couldn't see anything of Guano Apes, but the other bands were awesome.

But let's not rush that forward. In the early afternoon the guitar record started on the main square. Imagine 7356 guitars playing Hey Joe at the very same time. It was amazing!

When they all lifted up their guitars in the air, THAT looked great. Some of my friends were playing there, but at that point I haven't met any of them. The whole record attempt was like 10 minutes. And actually right after it ended I headed to Hala Stulecia, where the other concerts took place. I was obviously with my bicycle. It's not a huge distance, around 20-25 minutes riding.

Well.. the riding part would have been ok, IF... around 200 meters before the goal I didn't get a flat tire. YEEEY. So with the thought I have to walk home with my bike at night or ride it with flat tire, I went to the venue to prepare (=get a beer) and take the first line. Meanwhile this ritual I finally bumped into my friend, Julia, who I met last summer in the Czech Republic. She was also playing on the guitar record with her mom together!!! Freaking great! Was so happy to see her, and could talk a bit in the second row.

The first band outside was a polish very well known band: Dzem. Probably my father would know them better than I do. The average age of the audience was around 50. Which I find extremely awesome. Quite similar audience as it was back for Status Quo - quite similar music too. I would really recommend to check out the playlist (end of the post) when you are opening a beer at home with some friends (please don't kill me my polish friends!) I had a broad smile on my face when Mr Santa Claus got on the stage. Nevertheless the band did fun. it was a nice starting of the evening. I was clapping through the show and nodding my head whatever they were singing, and listening the people around me shouting the songs. Was a bit weird to be there at that moment, but that actually saved my place for the next band.

After Dzem the people right in front of the fence slowly went away, so we could literally have the first row already. With Julia we were glancing to the backstage and were just smiling when spotting some of the guys of Dragonforce! And they came out! They really did. And I didn't have to travel for them for a change :) They put on an incredible show. Played the very fav songs some kind of best-of set, and was living with us throughout the whole show. Here you listen and watch: Cry Thunder! The guitar solos were incredible. If you ever could, go for their show, if I could, I would do it again. Oh wait! I will - let's meet at More Than Fest in August!! They'll headline it!

Very unlike of me, I didn't jump in front of the backstage after the show, but tried to run into the hall, where Guano Apes was about to finish, I hoped to see one or two songs there, but I got out so slowly, I couldn't catch them at all unfortunately. But the fortunate thing in it, that I spotted some friends there. Adam and Maciej were heading to the backstage to make some photos with the guys. It's funny, as I knew I'll meet them for sure next week on their own show with Aeonian Forge. And when I told them - sure I go, that's not a question, I've seen the happiness on their faces. That was cool!

For my journey out, I met some other friends. My colleague and friend, Tomi and his wife came out also for Dragonforce, but not the front, so we could meet only after the show. It was good to share the first excitements with someone on my own language! The funny thing is, that he said something like - I look completely different than at work. Obviously, as THIS is my environment, here I feel myself, truly myself. They didn't want to come to the next show, and just went to listen Status Quo (as next day was a workday for us yey). We parted our ways.

So, as I didn't catch Guano Apes, I went back to see the beginning of Status Quo, as Within Temptation was about to start in the middle of their show inside. But I really did want to see them. 

When I told to my dad that I'll see them live, I've almost seen tears in his eyes, as it was one of 'his' bands when he was young. Well, he is still young, but in his longhaired times. If I remember well, we even had vinyls at home! So I pretty much grew up on this kind of music (ye I know my dad is awesome!). So I also made a video for him. And you just can't imagine how happy he was when I sent it to him to watch. Was like I fulfilled one of his own dreams. I do have difficulties to find words what I felt at that moment. I just truly wanted to hug him, but Skype is not the best platform to hug people. 

Anyway, it was great, but Within Temptation was about to start, so I moved in. I didn't aim to get to the front, as they are not my very favourites, I listen to them quite a lot tho. I will not write novels about this show, as I honestly didn't like it. I was standing in the middle somewhere, so the sound should've been good. Well it wasn't. It was literally weak. Around the half of the show I was even thinking to leave, but I still waited for the big boom, the songs I really love... like Ice Queen. Even those didn't bring me the thrill. Can you imagine I was yawning there? I couldn't. This show made me re-think one of my trips to Ostrava, where they will be the headliner... Not quite sure at this point that I want to see them live again this year. We will see.

I was thinking to catch a bus and take my bike home with it, but there was no chance, they were completely full. Nighbuses, imagine. So I half walked half rode home to sleep some hours before next day's work! Perfect! :')

Here you have the playlist on Spotify with a bit of help from setlist.fm: Dragonforce - Within Temptation - Status Quo - 01/05/2016

xoxo \m/

Szi

Van Canto - Freedom Call - Grailknights

It was not an easy decision which concert to go of Van Canto Tour - Voices of Fire. Austria, through Germany, several supporter bands I like, like Dragony, Victorius and Freedom Call.
At the end I've decided to go to Hamburg as it was on a weekend, been there ages ago last time, so it was a good opportunity for me. I'm wondering sometimes about my organizing abilities (and my luck), just like this time. I managed to book a hostel 10 minutes walk from the venue. If you read my blog, you know the drill already: long story short - arriving in the city, getting my stuff to the hostel, preparing for the show and there we go. It happened just like that this time again.

I have a feeling already that wherever I'm going around Europe for a show, I will meet some old friends. And obviously get to meet some new friends also. I hate to repeat myself, but these people are freaking awesome. This time I got to the venue like 30 mins before the door opening, and I already saw Jenny almost the first in the line. Jenny is sweet. She is singing (check out her page) and we have a lot of bands in common which we like. That's why we met first time in Berlin last December on a FC and Vexillum show. And now again - surprise, surprise - FC and Van Canto! So I texted her, she saw me, and I already had my place in the front! It's soo funny that she almost could be my daughter hahahhahaha.

As I've never been in this venue, I just checked out everything - put my stuff in the cloakroom (mentioning because it will come back at the end of the night), got my beer and checked the merch.
My eyes went very O,O when I've seen a desk with Sea Shepherd. These guys are extreme cool. I need to add some words about them, not only because I have a friend in Hungary who dedicated her whole life for their cause, but because they do what we all should, just don't really have the strength or the will. They are out on the seas for us all saving whales and dolphins, and all animals. They are voluntarily risking their lifes for us. My friend, Vera went on the ships to fight against japanese whale killers several times already, and for that she has my biggest respect. I sent her the photo of their merch right away feeling proud to have any kind of connection with them.

And then with my beer got to the girls (Jenny and Sarah) to the front line. Well actually the second, but they are not that tall, so I've seen everything ;)
Grailknights started the show. As I've seen pics about precious shows, did not strike me that much how they came out to the stage. It was fun. HUGE fun on the stage what they did. They are definitely that band, who I'd see anytime live and listening to CDs just as much. When they started with Dead or Alive and Morning Dew, I though it cannot be better, but then again it was my mistake thinking after two of my fav songs they will not surprise me. Oh they did, when Inga came out of that animal, was fun! Plus I enjoyed their fight with Skull also pretty much.
They enjoyed the show, which radiated around, the sound was great despite of that I was very close. The guys seemed to have just as much fun as we did, was a blast and extremely refreshing experience of a gig. Not even talking about how they were after the show :D
The crowd were literally crazy. And I felt like a mother-chicken defending her baby chicks there. The girls were in front of me, and I just held my back and fought with the evil moshing guys. I believe I was the superhero there. You know.. when nobody knows you defend them. Not that the girls would be weak, but I had this instinct. So I watched the superheroes as a superheroine!

After this fight of superheroes against the most evil I needed to drink some more, so left the girls defending the crown. Meanwhile I got some patting on the shoulder for my toughness from the guys around. Was a great feeling to be entirely honest. The experience and years you know :)

Anyway the show I was waiting for the most this night was about to start. Freedom Call is on the stage. I could talk about them in superlatives. I usually do it. But now I was a bit disappointed in the guys. Yes, I'm writing good and bad also, not only the fun and happy part. 

The show itself was a true Freedom Call show. Jenny even let me to the fence for some time, which was great to see be there for 2-3 songs, headbanging too. But I can enjoy it even from where I was anytime. Literally from anywhere. Closer the better obviously, but that does not really matter anymore. First time this year when I've seen them in full squad - Lars on the stage. His hair straightened. WTF man? I don't like what I see... Apart from that they've put the show on the table as usual. Their set was already quite familiar. Let's just state it here that after 666 Weeks Beyond Eternety album they are coming with a new CD this year. YEEEY can't wait!!

Unfortunately none of my pictures I made is presentable, but oh well, the feeling makes the show good, not the pics.

Oh, and why I'm disappointed in the guys. After they've finished, wanted to say 'Hi' to them around the merch. I thought they are ALWAYS coming out. I connected it with an other beer-buying trip, and went out from the second line. And they didn't come. They didn't come till the beginning of Van Canto, which I didn't want to miss, so I went back. Not that close as I wanted to, but still heard them in a very very good quality.

Whenever I tell to my friends (not really from the metal/rock side of music) that they create a capella metal, everyone looks at me like I'm crazy. I might be, but Van Canto still produces music that nobody else. Only one set of drums and voices and only voices. Obviously they make some covers to redefine the big hits of metal scene. But they do have their owns, which are even better than the covers. How all their voices fit together is truly amazing. As this was one before the last stage of their tour, I just felt how much I regret not to go to other shows. But oh well... I've asked Sly (lead singer) if they are  planning to go to any summer festivals, but he said unfortunately not this year (I still hope they will), because of the new CD, the production and the tour, they need to rest. Which is totally understandable, not for the fans tho :P

After the show I was just giving my usual self, and waiting for the band, chatting and smiling like an idiot. Naturally almost all pictures I have a beer in my hand... which is weird. I don't even know how that happens all the time that on the pictures I always have beer, literally always... Anyways, I had some quite fine conversation with the guys, which is just strengthening my beliefs in musicians. They are just as cool as anyone else :)

Sly

Jan and Christoph

Stefan

Ross

Grailknights!

Count Cranium

Sovereign Storm

Earl Quake

Also managed to talk a little with the girls and met a new friend Carlos. He is the hardcore version of me :D I believe he will be on every major festival this year, some the same as I will be, so we already agreed to meet again. (I think next time Metalfest Openair). I have no idea what time it was when I was about to go back to my hostel, but I think it was around 1-2? Maybe a bit later... The scariest part of the night was when I've decided to go and hugged everyone around me (because hugging is cool), and headed for my coat. First I've found an exit. I thought - It will not be that ok to go home without my bag and coat, so going back. The door leading to the cloakroom was closed. Then I started to panic a bit, but then asked around, and found my stuff in an office room. As the last stuff there, they just thought I might have forgotten about it. So everything turned out great at the end. And had a fascinating evening again. Hopefully we'll meet with these guys rather sooner than later.

And here comes the setlist made about this evening from Spotify: Van Canto - Freedom Call - GrailKnights - 16/04/2016 Hamburg

xoxo \m/
Szi

Metal Invasion Köln

Volume 2 of the funniest and least expected weekend of the year so far.

I can't say I was not prepared. We are talking about a Metal Invasion with Freedom Call headlining for god's sake! It is a show I'm prepared for anytime. Let's not talk about the 3 hours sleep and 3 hours of bus ride before the festival, because that does not matter when Freedom Call plays.
My hostel was in a perfect location, at least in the matter of transportation, the venue was not that close. Let's just mention, that it was in the middle of nowhere surrounded by trees and sweet cottages. Had some doubts right at my arrival, how I'm gonna get back at night, but that comes later, the whole evening is in front of me at that point :)

So it was a small festival - one day with german heavy metal bands. Was eyeing with the festival for some time, but decided to give in to the lure around one week before. Who could say no for a Freedom Call show? Oh, I said that already :D I was curious about the other bands too, especially Dragonsfire and Sinbreed. (Un)fortuantely I succeeded to see 2 out of 3, and as I arrived a bit late, I've seen the very end of Wolfen's show, and some part of Layment.

The venue was sweet. The organization was fine, small little chips for the drinks, purple for the glass and pink for the drinks, even the prices were reasonable (even for little mid-east european girl). I missed only one thing, which was the cloakroom, but oh well, you can't have it all (or actually you can, but not this time). I was looking around if I can see some familiar faces (as it always happens on an FC show), and I was even cheating, as I checked the RSVPs on the Facebook event, and saw some people I recognized 'spamming' the fanpage of FC. No girls, I'm not talking about you, no no :P But how I met them was funny, at least for me.

Now back to the music, that's why we here, right? I was just roaming around and listening to Layment, and thought I still have time to take the first line, as the people just started to gather around, not a big crowd yet. I still got caught in the music, even tho the preps were in german, I did understand a lot. The band is fine, I recommend them to listen.

Then I've decided that it's time to move closer for Dragonsfire. What a show. Serious blast there. They seemed to enjoy the show so much, I started to be warmed up right away. I really did like how they smiled through the whole show, ran up and down the stage and lived with the already gathering fans. I didn't have time to listen to them too much before, but I still could sing some songs with them. Not that loud and enthusiastic as I do usually, but still did my part. As this was the first show for me, was really surprised when they brought out a jar full of cider. Knew the song, but a jar of cider? Listen to it: Cider victims.

And then as I felt my place secured (ye, still not that many people), I went out for some refreshment, and I finally saw who I knew to be there. I must have looked extremely stupid going to 2 girls talking in english with each other. Pick up line: "I know you". You should've seen their faces. Like a girl in the middle of a festival talking english claiming to know you. Probably a quite weird impression I could've made... but Sabine and Djoeke are just too much fun to take it as an offense, and obviously came the question - what the hell, from where do you know us. Well, girls, you are spamming FC Official :P and I read and listen. A lot. 

I got to the conclusion again and again - fans of the Happy Metal are cool, like supercool. Meanwhile in an other galaxy - as in on the stage Sinbreed started to play - but I had such a good time outside, that I had no intention at all to go inside. Somewhere then Chris just came and I got a greeting and a hug. And honestly, I start not to be surprised on that, nothing has changed, he just saw me enough times to recognize me :D 

What I didn't know, that the girls were not alone. They had the whole dutch commando with them. To find crazier and more fun group would be a hard thing to do. I've met a lot of FC fans, I did. All of them fun and crazy, but these guys put the bar so high, I had my stomach hurting for 2 days of laughter. Monique, Bas, Duck, Pieter and Maarten. Wow, guys. With Mr. Conductor Pieter we sang Warriors and Power and Glory word by word around the table. At that point I knew pretty well, that this show will be one of the happiest happy metal show I've ever been to. And it actually was.

Can't recall who made the pic, Sabine or Bas but kudos for you!

We went to the stage. Middle - first lines obviously. And the show started. We knew beforehand that Lars won't play as he was still doing his producing stuff in California (and nobody was jealous). I was very curious about the guy who was playing instead of him this evening. Joshi did an amazing job. I have to admit, that we did help a lot in the singing part :D Perfect setlist, lovely songs, and the music and fun we all got used to. You just can't feel bad on their show. See, see:

And the best part of the evening was still ahead of us. As exhausted and voiceless we were, smiling the way out to the gardens, and the fun just continued there. Gathered all our chips left and exchanged for beers, and guys were singing some dutch songs. So in the weekend I kept expanding my foreign folk/children/drunkard song knowledge. And then the band came out, as they almost always do. The small pack of us who left there could talk with them. The most interesting part was how they listen to you and getting interested, and being open for anything you have to say. I completely honour them, and appreciate them for what they are, what they do for me through the music they create, the conversations we have and the people they bring into my life.

Thank You all for this extremely fun day and night, and we'll see each other in Duisburg!

Playlist for the whole festival - at least all I've found on Spotify: Metal Invasion Köln

xoxo \m/

Szi

Powerwolf - Battle Beast - Serenity

Hello!

Took me a long time to be able to write this post. It was not a conventional Friday.
The weekend in the beginning of April was not planned, it just came to my way. Friday 1st of April. Could've been a joke, but I've decided to go to a show which I've seen already earlier this year. I've decided to go to meet a friend and to see Frankfurt for myself for some personal reasons. Besides, I've never been at that part of Germany, so many opportunities to catch and bring the best out of this weekend.
So I booked my bus ticket like a week before, faced 12 hours of bus ride to accomplish all the above. I prepared as usual, after work picked my backpack and headed to the bus station. Fell asleep fast, and woke up in the crack of dawn for some snow in the middle of Germany. The bus got stuck in the traffic, was clearly visible we'll be late. A lot. And we were. Almost 5 hours late. That was stolen away from me from the sightseeing, oh well, I'll just have to come back.
I just checked in my hostel, did a short sightseeing in my surroundings (my hostel was in the red-light district), which was not that bad daylight as I thought. Unfortunately I can't say Frankfurt crept beneath my skin. Got my lunch and it was already time to get ready for the show.

I can't deny that I was excited to see again Daniel and Toni, you might remember them. Deep core fans of Powerwolf, following them on almost all steps of the tour. I've decided to get there way earlier than usual, even before the official door opening just to catch up with them. I thought I might be able to see them putting on the make-up. I was extremely curious how men do makeup like that, After 110+ shows it must be easy-cheesy routine work. Prepped myself and took the metro. The signs said that the metro is not going till the end of the line - which was my destination. So I took an alternative, which made me walk like 20 mins. The weather was perfect, sun and breeze all the way to Batschkapp. Fortunately I bumped directly into the guys doing makeup on their car. I have to admit, it was funny to see. But it gave us the opportunity to talk a bit (not only the latenight chat after the last show). As soon as they were ready, we stood in the queue, which already reached almost the gates of the venue, around 100-150 meters far from the entrance. There were some misunderstanding about the opening times, but I've decided earlier anyway, that I didn't want to fight for the first line. My goal this time was to listen the show from the crowd so hearing everything in a way better quality given that I'll not see that much.
In the line I was able to hold Insanus a bit. He is the head of the Powerwolf fan club. Cute fluffy wolf. Gave him back fast to his dad, as you know I'm not a huge fan of cute fluffy things... They've even mentioned that it's rare for a girl/woman to get rid of him so fast. Oh well... Anyway the time passed fast in good company, and finally we were in, could get my beer and was searching for the masks in the crowd. Was not that hard to find them, so I re-joined them for the rest of the night, enjoyed the show around them.

The first band on the stage was Serenity. I had not much time to listen to them previously, but I knew they will have a great show. I wasn't disappointed. They had an awesome appearance on the stage. What I've noticed, that they did miss a woman's voice. Later I got told, that I was right, Nevertheless, they took the audience and there were some serious hadbanging even in the mid-end of the hall, which proves they do have a place and a great future in the metal-scene. Follow me says all.
In between the bands I met 2 friends of Daniel from Sweden, Sara and Michelle. I can say the boring phrase - it was a beginning of a beautiful friendship. Seems we found the same voice right away. We'll see how it goes in a future, I truly hope this was not the last time for us :)

We've spend the time before Battle Beast talking and laughing, and waiting for them to finally come out to the stage. And they did! The energy didn't float from the stage, it has blown up the whole hall. If I had any spiritual sense, I'd say it was even visible. Their set was the same as in February, still a fantastic one. Unfortunately I don't have access to their album 'Steel' on Spotify, so here is the 2 songs they played, but can't put in the playlist: Iron hand and Enter the Metal World (I've chosen to link a live record here with Noora).

The sound from the middle was clearly better than from the first line, I had such a good time there just for looking at the girls having a lot of fun for the Touch in the night. I laughed a lot! :) "I'm a victim of my own desire" - could be the motto of my whole weekend if I would let it be, but I didn't.
Their show was a perfect performance. I loved how they interacted with the fans and the crowd, made us clap or hey or shout or sing with them. I loved again their joke with the beer what Eero poured down on Janne's throat while he was playing. I laughed at it again and again!
The show was again over too fast, and with Sara we went for some refreshment before Powerwolf.

And by the time we got back to our place, the band almost started. Matthew couldn't play this leg of their tour for doctors' advice, he was replaced for this short time with Markus from Mystic Prophecy. He did an extremely great job on the stage. I'm glad that we also sent a 'get-well' message for Matthew - the guys filmed it from the stage.

Again nothing new came from the stage in a matter of setlist, but it is a soooo well put together one, that they don't even need to alter it even a bit. The difference was for me, that Roel was actually behind the drums. But somehow Powerwolf seems to be a band which I need to wait to see with all full crew. Hopefully this summer sometime.
But stop dreaming about the future, the show is on the stage and I'm in sort of ecstasy. Can't really explain, but I believe it is about the whole atmosphere: from the stage installation through the people around me till the band and the lights and everything. They do make a unique appearance which perfectly replicates the music they play.

Credit for Jay Jay's Art

Credit for Jay Jay's Art

I have to say, that I always like to go to the city/country of a band to see them live. It seems way different. To use their own language, the fans themselves are different. They do appreciate the band like nowhere else. Seems when you play for your own kin, the world falls into its place. Even tho as an 'outsider' I felt home in the crowd. I felt people surrounding me are my friends and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I appreciated a lot being close to Daniel and Toni. They were even recognized from the stage. It was their 112th Powerwolf show - such a number, right? Anyway they knew how to enjoy a show, was easy to follow them shouting, was easier than from everywhere else in the audience. We've jumped and shouted and shouted and jumped, and knelt down for Lupus Dei and OoOoOo'd for Armata Strigoi.

Credit for Jay Jay's Art

Then the fire and the last song left me out of myself, breathless and exhausted.

The last very not conventional part for me was the end of the show. I did not go anywhere to make photos or chat with the bands. This concert was not about that really.

Was hoping to be able to chat with Daniel a bit more, but c'mon it was his hometown and he seemed to know everyone. Which is fine, I'd probably have the same here. We left the venue and they departed to the next stage of the tour. BUT we had some fun time with Sara and Michelle, and Madlen joined later on - I was extremely happy to meet them. Young fun and full of energy. Also I was more than lucky that they headed to the centre after the show, so Madlen dropped me out very close to my hostel, for what I'll be always thankful.
I also expanded my knowledge about swedish child songs, which the girls sang so funny, for some we even got the dance moves. :D
As I said before I'm pretty sure we'll meet somewhere again this year.

Here you can find the night's playlist: Powerwolf - Battle Beast - Serenity


xoxo  \m/
Szi