Ok, another stupid game for me, but...:o)
Well, starting this week (Sep 15 - 19) I'll look more closely on my top track of the week. Let's see who can entertain me the most during this year...;o)

TOP TRACK OF THE WEEK

September 15 - 19, 2008
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Ladytron - Versus

September 22 - 26, 2008
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Novembre - Bluecracy

September 29 - October 03, 2008
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RYTHEM - Mikazuki RHAPSODY

Nahemah is one of my favourite bands of recent times. I listen to them regularly, and all 10 tracks from their most recent album fill up my most played songs on last.fm. This is a review that I wrote for Metal Archives, in the hope that maybe more people will listen to this amazing band.

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Out of all of the metal bands that I have heard of, Nahemah have to be the only Spanish one. I could easily just browse through Metal Archives to find more, but I don’t want to; it’s just another aspect of Nahemah that makes them unique to me. Who else mixes death metal, post-rock and electronic soundscapes so effortlessly and beautifully? Utilising both clean vocals and somewhat raspy death growls, The Second Philosophy is always changing, never boring and constantly revealing new facets of the band’s sound, proving it to be one of the best albums of 2007.

All of these aspects to the band’s sound are evident in the memorable opener, Siamese. Beginning with an almost laidback beginning, if it weren’t for the uptempo drumming in the background, the listener is eased into the album, before they are attacked by crushing guitars and Pablo Egido’s dominating growls. Synthesisers feature prominently in the bridge of this opening song, and are used throughout as texturing, never overpowering.

In fact, except for the vocals, no instrument is ever overpowering, throughout the album. Everyone gets their chance to shine, except for the bass, be it the melancholic guitar leads in Subterranean Airports, or the precise off-beat snare hits in Nothing, to the organ lead in Today Sunshine Ain’t the Same. Yet these parts aren’t overpowering – they are just brought forward by the rest of the band, to stand out as the ‘something special’ that they are.

As the vocals are so prominent, they do warrant a mention. Pablo Egido handles both clean and death vocals competently, fitting the mood of the song perfectly. Death vocals are used slightly more often than clean singing, but both are used in every song, with the exception of Subterranean Airports and The Speech, both of which only have clean vocals. The band’s black metal roots can be heard in the death vocals, as they do have a rasping quality to them, as is typical of black metal. However, the rasping is almost hidden, and is not very apparent on the first listen.

From what I have said so far, it probably isn’t apparent why I believe Nahemah is so unique. Let me rectify that. Phoenix is an almost instrumental track, with vocals only coming in during the last minute or so. One of the things that makes this track stand out is a saxophone solo, albeit a very dissonant and abrasive one. As well as this, the drumming has been effects-laden, with the snare sounding echoey, sounding almost Ahab-esque. The track Change begins with an instrumental section that wouldn’t sound out of place in a post-rock album, with its meandering guitar lines and jazzy drumming, sounding very calming. It is a veritable calm before the storm, exploding into a head-banging extravaganza, complete with rare (for the band) double bass drumming, before returning to post-rock sound for the outro.

The unique combination of post-rock, electronics, death metal and a keen sense of melody really make this album a wonderful listen. It is not an album that will catch you immediately, as much of it is based on repetition (Nothing only consists of four riffs for its 6 and a half minute run time, Today Sunshine Ain’t the Same has about the same amount of riffs, and Subterranean Airports takes about 2 minutes before the opening guitar line is complete), but beware, it is addicting, and you will continue to return to it. There are a couple of weaker tracks, in particular, Like a Butterfly in a Storm and Killing My Architect, as they just don’t stand out as much as the other tracks, but in the context of the album, this is like saying $9,999,999,990 is not as good as $10,000,000,000 . It may be true, but it doesn’t make much of a difference.
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Nahemah, The Second Philosophy

You may be interested in this album if you listen to some of the following bands.
Opeth, Disillusion, Gojira,Katatonia, Novembre, In Mourning, Septic Flesh, Edge of Sanity, Dark Suns, Scar Symmetry, Devin Townsend, Unexpect, Arcturus, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Dream Theater, Pain of Salvation, Ulver

Thu 14 Aug – Brutal Assault XIII - 2008

Brutal Assault, the festival with 80 bands and I went there to see one. A very good trip with Jhessail , Morrigan_le_Fay and theriel_night. We've met a few familiar faces more at the place :)

The place itself was interesting - an old military fort from XVIIIth century, now filled with metal fans. As folks called it - a little metal city. Pity parts of the festival weren't located in the tunnels, that would give more to the atmosphere. But I guess bands had some fun going through them for they appeared out of nowhere in the place, I guess they drove to another side of the walls. Double stage, bands were playing alternatingly, so no band could be missed while listening to another as it happens on some festivals, very good idea.

Now regarding sound itself most of bands sounded flat to me, but it was hard to state if the sound was set wrong or they just sound this way given I've herd them for the first time. Also most of them sounded to me the same... But given I'm no brutal/death/black metal fan I should not really judge the bands that harsh.

Ok, some memories to note down.


Thursday

We arrived at the festival around 5PM judging on the program, but I can't remember why that late. We decided to walk around the place and with theriel_night I spent a lot of time on the marketplace searching for T-shirts she wanted to buy.
I arrived to the stages in time to see Samael, one of the names I wanted to check. In their case I've heard them before (not live). Not my music anymore, but I liked the performance. Front man talking with natural voice between songs, no unnecessary screaming on the public. In contrast later I've learned again I don't like bands who call audience "mother fuckers".
Next the highlight of the evening to me - Finntroll, the band I really enjoyed. Never heard them before and I admit I still prefer Hedningarna when I think about the word folk, but this kind of heavier and as I expect humorous approach to folk sounds interesting, too. Got to check them and get some troll hammers: Trollhammaren at YouTube.
We went out of festival during Mayem's performance, so I have no idea what way Harmony Bay sounds, an interesting name on the slaughter catastrophe corps names like list.

Friday

We entered when Novembre was on stage, quite a nice band, worth checking later. Behemoth, a good moment to take places close to the Obscure stage where one band was tuning in ;) Cradle of Filth. Yeah we were going to see them, at least for the legend's sake, but we needed to find a less noisy place that time.
Neurosis. A big surprise to me, for unknown reason I was expecting some noisy hard core I will not like. I was impressed by the music itself right away, though I would prefer it instrumental. But I was told vocals on studio versions are more in the background, more like another instrument adding to the mood (I admit I treat vocals like that recently, lyrics stopped to be the most important, while I used to pay the most attention to them in the past). A band to remember, creating mood both with sound and black and white visualizations. To me a mood like swimming in deep waters. Definitely one to check later.
1349 confirmed us we really want to go back to our room, so we skipped the last bands again.

Saturday

We were eating breakfast too long so we missed Arkona. As Sorvali told us that was really interesting band with a female vocalist who was singing a bit like a witch - with neutral voice, growling and strange screeches or whispers. That would be something, but we arrived after um...4 PM?
Now funny stuff. Zubrowska. I went to check who is playing and when I got to the stages I thought someone put on the telebim a video of a different band to the music from the stage... Totally unexpected look compared with music: short hair, white shirts (ties?), I'm sure they had fun with breaking the convention of the expected metal band look.
Next a cabaret - Sebkha-Chott, the craziest band ever. They sounded to me like broken mirror Bregovic got into metal with techno and jazzy twists. Check for your self, just two examples: the crazy music (I want that saxophone!) and the final scene with a chicken (both vids not from BA, the one from BA is in poor quality). I was impressed the most by their drummer's huge bunny ears ;) People on audience had fun, even dancing. Unfortunately I haven't seen the whole gig - we were sitting most of the time away from the stages hiding from rain and then went to meet and greet tent where Paradise Lost supposed to be, but it was cancelled (as most of meetings that day).
Arch Enemy. I was told a girl sings there and when I'll hear her screaming then...! (I don't remember what would happen then, I think it was ended by a meaningful face expression). So I was expecting someone with a strong voice, screaming loud with power. Will she beat Diamanda Galás? I had too high expectations, the girl from Arch Enemy was growling and if I haven't seen her I would think it was man's voice. I guess it was great within the convention, some people were so impressed that a girl can growl like that. But I see no reason for a girl to growl, at least not to growl the whole songs, it could be useful in some moments to stress something more or just amaze the audience. People all around were wondering if she can sing with a natural voice, we wondered that, too. Which must be sad for her if she hears this question over and over again. But apart that I expected totally different voice she made a very good impression on me - a beautiful woman with positive energy, looking great on stage and performing lively with charisma. I think they were one of the bands gathering the biggest audience. Well deserved.
Paradise Lost. I'm sorry, but it was the greatest disappointment of the festival to me. No, I'm not a fan, I know only several songs but I've never saw them live and I was really awaiting that gig. Is it the way they sound today or was it a bad day? I felt the singer was as unenthusiastic as the audience was quiet. He even asked us why we're so quiet. I was sorry for that, indeed I could not hear people, the public was really apathetic. Paradise Lost didn't fit to the brutal metal festival, the same as Anathema, but I don't think it was a reason. Perhaps people expected a stronger, heavier performance form them. Perhaps standing in the rain for the whole day and tones of beer gave the fall of form in the audience. Perhaps both. Well, I'm Forever Failure song fan and the way the singer's voice sounds there. It sounded different that night, very soft, but I guess as well I could expect Anathema to play Serenades if that's fitting comparison (ha, but they did in some way!). I didn't expect Paradise Lost would play Small Town Boy cover either, which I like a lot and where the voice is different to the old times, too, but stronger than it was during the show. I was sorry for the fact that things went wrong with the audience and the mood, but as I said the same time I was greatly disappointed. Yet there were people who really liked the show, heard the band for the first time and decided to get to know them better, so maybe it wasn't that bad.
This last day we stayed long enough to see the last band - Esoteric - and again as with Neurosis this is something I need to check. Not that impressive, but the mood of floating in waters was there. We saw just a glimpse of their performance and walked back to our room, tired and the same time sad it's the end of the festival.

We've had a little Anathemaniacs+PL group meeting before Arch Enemy came on stage, very short but we've finally managed to gather in one place :)

Metal fan or not in spite of my grumbling here I really enjoyed the festival, the place and the people :)


What? I have missed something in my review? No, not really, I just left the best to the end. So - yes - Anathema, Saturday's night. The main reason why I travelled to Jaroměř. And it was worth it, Anathema gave a great performance!

From the beginning we had some fun taking our places in front of the Obscure stage Anathema got while Behemoth was performing on the Nosferatu stage. Pity, we would prefer they got Nosferatu, wouldn't we Vlaaaaads? [Oh, an internal joke of my companions I can't explain, it had to do something with Dracula.] But let's come back to Anathema. So, Behemoth on Nosferatu (they had great public), Mr Danny Cavanagh on the Obscure stage tuning guitars laud till they sounded right. A big plus for that, I was afraid some random festival technician will do the job and Anathema will loose much sounding flat as some of bands sounded to me. That tuning was quite loud comparing to for example to Samael's instruments tuning (they sounded flat), I wonder if Behemoth have heard anything? For sure they didn't but we've had some fun they are like "WTF? What's the noise out there!? Who's that guy disturbing us!?" and so on ;)

The concert. A really good performance with songs I loved to hear. But they didn't want to play Eternity part I, traitors! More, they didn't play Lost Control I was sure someone said they will ;) But I have finally heard the beautiful voice of Lee Douglas. That was a magic moment when after all the noisy music we expected during the day came out the beauty of A Natural Disaster's melody and Lee's voice. A moment to stop, slow down, but not for long. They played A Dying Wish, another of my top songs to hear live and in the end a cover of Metallica's Orion, a song I never knew till I stepped on Anathema's gig from Dynamo'99 on YouTube. I loved it, had to check why they were playing it to memory of someone (who was that guy?) and what was that song at all, so finally I've red the whole story about the tragic bus accident Metallica had in Sweden. But I've never expected I'll hear it live, that was highlight song of the evening for me. Well, I know and own only the black album of Metallica and Orion is to me "that rare song Anathema played" and now I've heard it live :) Ah, well yes - they played Sleepless, a song I was waiting to hear one day in the past, it was nice to hear it again. I like this song, but I believe that the guys have got enough of it. The screaming audience could hear one day "We're not sleepless anymore" ;)

The set list (after comparing with notes of others):
Parisienne Moonlight (playback intro)
Fragile Dreams
Empty
Closer
Deep
A Natural Disaster
Sleepless
A Dying Wish
Orion

Great evening, filled with not only concert memories, a one to remember :)

Pictures from the gig and BA in general - by Morrigan_le_Fay:
http://samainnight.deviantart.com/gallery/

A question - what is Vincent saying in the end of Empty? Jamie said the same when they entered the "meet and greet" tent, but I can't understand it, apart the last sentence (and it doesn't make sense to me).


Greetings to all the people I've met at Brutal Assault and special hugs to my great companions, hope to see you in October :)

The generate recommended artists script reckons I should listen to.....

Acid King
Who?
All That Remains
From what I've heard, some trashy metalcore act.
Amon Amarth
Might be good from what I've heard.
Amorphis
Never heard of
Arch Enemy
Normally I'm a fan of melodeath, but these guys and girl don't interest me much.
As I Lay Dying
See All That Remains
Bloodbath
I'm not really a fan of death metal. Melodeath and prog death suits me more.
Bongzilla
Lol, nice name. Stoner, I guess? Interesting....
Boris
Seem good enough. Heard one song and it was pretty good.
Cathedral
No idea.
Crowbar
Heard a few songs, alright. I'll probably like em.
Deep Purple
(hums smoke on the water) Only heard that and Soldier Of Fortune. Might interest me, don't listen to alot of NWOBHM these days.
Desert Sessions
Josh Homme's big get together of stoner / grunge bands in the desert? Hmm, sounds good....
Dimension Zero
Who?
Dio
Have The Collection Dio, must get more.
Disarmonia Mundi
I got Mind Tricks the other day, should give it a full listen soon.
Dozer
Never heard of.
Dream Theater
Have a few tracks, Octavarium and Constant Motion are good, but this band is really hard to get into.
EyeHateGod
Hmm, sludge? And similar artists are Electric Wizard and Acid Bath. Sound good....
Fu Manchu
Umm .... what?
Goatsnake
Vaguely heard of.
Green Carnation
Dunno.
High on Fire
Dunno again.
Hypocrisy
Don't really interest me.
Judas Priest
KINGS OF METAL! I have Nostradamus, Angel Of Retribution and Painkiller, don't really listen to much. Might get more.
Killswitch Engage
Meh, have a few good songs, but pretty boring.
Lamb of God
See Killswitch Engage
Mastodon
Heard good things about em, but also heard that their fans are like Tool fans XD.
Melvins
Will probably interest me by the sounds of it.
My Dying Bride
I have The Light At The End Of The World, and it's pretty good, they're great lyricists. Might get more.
Neurosis
Have Given To The Rising, and it's alright. Also, Sun That Never Sets is an awesome song. Will probably end up getting more.
Nightrage
Never
Norther
Heard
Novembers Doom
Of
Novembre
I have one song: Anaemia.
OM
I have Pilgrimage and Variations On A Theme. Need to give the latter a good listen.
October Tide
I like Katatonia, but I never really liked OT.
Orange Goblin
Sound very good.
Ozzy Osbourne
Was good in Sabbath, is he any good solo?
Paradise Lost
From what I read, alot like My Dying Bride.
Scar Symmetry
Pretty average. Too Soilwork-ish but a bit more boring.
Sleep
Essential to the creation of stoner, you say? Now I'm interested.
Sonic Syndicate
Gave em a few listens, not very appealing to me.
The Haunted
Who?
The Sword
Another Black Sabbath worship. Heard a few songs, really good. Will get more.
Ufomammut
Never heard of.
Unida
" "
Weedeater
" "
Witchcraft
Heard a few songs, pretty good. Sound kinda like Wolfmother, except probably a bit more doom metal.
YOB
Heard of never.

And that's all. You are welcome to give me some more recommendations or tell me if a band here is really great, and that I should listen to them.

Cheers.

Чт 14 Авг – Brutal Assault XIII - 2008




Brutal Assault 2008

Пришло время немного написать о том, как я ездил на брутальный фест. Как только я сел в автобус стало понятно, что меня окружают одни алканы. Народ залился уже в первые часы поездки. Латвию и Литву проехали довольно быстро, но путь по Польше казался бесконечно долгим, тем более, что поспать мне так и не удалось. За спиной кто-то всю очень громко дорогу обсуждал творчество Sodom итд. Счастье-Счастье. Уже на второй половине пути у автобуса лопнуло колесо, пришлось стоять около часа. Повезло, что бравым водителям удалось справится с неполадкой.
В Польше ничего интересного, разве что рекламные надписи, которые смешно звучат для русского уха. Типа Sklep non-stop, salon urody, wulkanirovanije (я так и не понял что это:). Да и сама страна какая-то "смешная": разноцветные домики, забавные надписи на гос.учереждениях. Трудно передать, но всё выглядит как игрушечное и какое-то несерьёзное..у нас не так. В Чехии стало поинтереснее, появились горы. Горы, не Гималаи конечно, но я проехал последнюю часть пути не отлипая от окна, пока автобус петлял по дорогам, окруженным зелеными массивами. Красота.)
Спустя больше 20 часов мы наконец-то прибыли на место. Городок, как я понял назывался Яромер (как и крепость, там находившаяся). Добрели до палаточного городка, довольно легко нашли свободное место. Я поставил палатку и мы пошли в город закупаться. Цены на пиво приятно удивили: самое дешевое, и кстати неплохое, по 13 сант., Козел по 26.)
Вернулись назад и наступила ночь перед фестивалем. Чувак, с которым я ехал, где-то забухал. Я залез в палатку и попытался заснуть. А вокруг пьяный народ начал орать, скримить, гроулить. Ну а что ещё можно ожидать от толпы митолхедов на природе. Жестокий эффект. Но в конце концов я заснул. Проспал 4 часа, где-то до 6 утра, но учитывая обсановку, это лчень даже неплохо.) Взял аппарт и пошёл фоткать живописные окрестности.
Место действия фестиваля находилось в старой крепости, в буквальном смысле этого слова. Крепость напротив сцены, крепость сразу за сценой. Сцены две, но находятся они рядом, т.е пока одна группа играет - другая готовиться к выступлению. Купил билет, на руку нацепили браслет, дали программу фестиваля и мешок для мусора. Если по окончании фестиваля сдаешь полный мешок, то возвращают часть денег за билет.
И воот в 3 часа начался сам фест. Мызыка - то, собственно, за чем я сюда приехал. Пару первых чешских группы я пропустил за не имением никакого к ним интереса.)
Первым делом посмотркл на Gloomy Grim, заводной такой мелодик-блек и харизматичный вокалист в балахоне и черепом в руках. Затем весело сыграли белорусы Rasta, порадовал кавер на Sweet dreams. Вообщем качественный модерн метал с обилием "спейсовых" клавиш. А клавиши это хорошо! Погулял по мерчу, всё оказалось дорогим:(
На сцену вышли Sadist и у меня отвисла челюсть. Плохо знаком с группой. Ожидал двух гитаристов и клавишника. Оказалось за троих играет один!! Одной рукой на гитаре, а другой на клавишах! И ни какой-нибудь сопливый гранж в три аккорда, а самый настоящий прог-дэт. И скрим вокалиста ны высоте. Вообщем, для меня эта группа оказалась открытием. На территории феств была оборудованна палатка "Meet & Greet", где можно было встретить любимые группы и взять автограф. Я сверился с расписанием и поспешил на Samael. Дружелюбные ребята, сфоткался с Ворфом, взял у всех автографы. Ворф даже в жизни говорит таким голосом, как в песнях. Затем,пропустив несколько групп,посмотрел на их выступление. Кси бог! Музыка на долю секунды затихает, барабанщик подпрыгивает и звук обдаёт волной. Для меня больше удовольствия, чем от самых брутальных брейкдаунов. Ворф тоже молодец, как всегда, в своей чёрно красной юбке.) Теперь я жалею, что не сходил на их выступление в Риге.
Издалека посмотрел на Septicflesh. Услышал любимого Анубиса и пошёл к палатка отдохнуть. Палатки находились в минутах 5-10 ходьбы. Что бы попасть на фест надо преодолнть высокую гору, которая превратилась в саночно-грязевой атракцион на 3 день. Было большой удачей, если ты вернулся к палаткам не извалявшись в грязи. Ну не будем о грустном. Я пропустил выступление Exodus, ибо не любл трэш. Пришёл к середине Finntroll, люди танцевали под звуки тяжелой финской польки. Весело.)
Но пришёл я сюда ради Mayhem, которые всегда славились своими шоу. Итаак жду богов блека, где-то в небе полная луна, на часах почти полночь. Короче, атмосфера соответствующая. Атилла вышел на сцены в костюме Гитлера-зомби (насколько я понял) и петлей в руках. Freeeeezing moon. Не совсем понимаю такую музыку, но напугать меня ему удалось:) Особенно, когда пришлось однуму возвпащаться к палаткам. Жуть. Чернее черноты чёрной бесконечности.ТруЪ блецк:)



Снова ночь, снова крики вокруг. На второй день музыканты начали играть с десяти, но как водится первые группы были не очень интересными и я пошёл только к часу на французов Eths. хотелось посмотреть на вокалистку и к тому же они были единственной группой, игравше что-то более-менее альтернативное. Но они не выступили, так как кто-то заболел. Жалко.
Потом погрустил под Novembre. All Shall Perish чуть не убили брейкдаунами.
Пошёл дождь, вышли великие и ужасные The Berzerker. Мясо мясом, порадовал ковер на Dethklok. "Вы любите кофе?!!!"
Погрузился под финнов Swallow the Sun и пошёл за автографом Anathema. Вместо отведенных 15 минут, Анафемовцы сидели около часа. Набилась полная палатка людей. Взял 2 бумажки, для автографов, одну для себя - другую для друга. Сказал Ли Дуглас, что для друга. она написала "Hello, best friend":) Ли Дуглас - лапочка! Бассист Джейми постебался и тоже отметил "You are my best friend". Мой френд будет в восторге:) Только вот у Дэнни автограф взять не удалось, он кудато убежал перед носом. Зато я сфоткался с Винсентом. Главное не перепутать их с Джейми (они близнецы, как оказалось). Чуть не опаздал на Soilwork, которые, кстати, выступили довольн вяло. Но песен у них не отберешь, и что не говори, они молодцы.
Во время выступления Behemoth, пошёл забивать место на Анафему. Встал во втором ряду и наблюдал за Бегемотами издали. Да я, наверно, и не пробился бы к сцене, потому как в Чехию понаехало много поляков-фанатов-бегемота. Выступили они клёво, со всеми атрибутами: Нергал надел маску, барабанщик плевался огнем..даже дали спеть песню какому-то легендарному деду сатанисту с раскрашенным лицом. Уж не знаю кто он такой. Вроде, чувак легендарный.
Но я ждал Анафему. по сцене уже бегал Дэнни командовал и раставлял педали для гитар. И вот свершилось, прозвучали звуки Parisienne Moonlight..."You cried with me.." И я почувствовал, что у меня на глазах и правда выступили слёзы. На сцену вышел Винсент и исполнил, либимую публикой, Fragile Dreams. Такого мощного выступления я не ожидал даже от любимой группы. Винсент вкладывает асе чувства в песни. К моему удивлению были исполнены старые песни Sleepless И Dying wish. Ли дуглас спела Natural Disaster, в новой обработке, с эффектами на вокале. Она лапочка!:) Люди дружно пели все песни. Для меня это выступление было намного лучше любых Бегемотов.) Но всё хорошее кончается, отыграв час музыканты ушли. А жаль, хотелось бы услышать ещё много песен. Лучшая группа на фесте!
Далее последовали Cradle of Filth. Ну кредлы как кредлы, что с них возьмешь. Потом Neurosis с мощным перформансом: за сцены проецировались различные видио-образы в духе Pink Floyd, вроде бегущей белой собаки на чёрном фоне. Пост-метал жив. А потом я пошёл спать..сил на 1349 не осталось никаких. Не такой уж я ярый поклонник блецка.



На третий день я пошёл смотреть на музыкантов только в 6 вечера. Так как ничего интересного перед этим не было. А это уже не первый день что бы смотреть на всё подряд.
Пришёл на Kataklysm. Хорошее выступление. Потом постоял в стороне на Sodom.
Arch Enemy выступили угарно. Анджела конечно не лапочка, но вокалистка хорошая. Аммот выдавал добротные соляки.
Пошли забивать места на Paradise Lost, во время выступления Agnostic Front. Когда вышли парадайзы я стоял в первом ряду. Отыгрыли как старые, так и новые песни от As i Die до Say Just Words. Ник Холмс постоянно шутил. Мощное выступление. На другую сцену вышли легенды в лице Carcass. Но так как я не являюсь их поклонниками, я и мой накуренный друг, остались на том же месте ждать выступления Six Feet Under. Carcass отыгрыли - красноволосый Аммот уже там:) Спина затекла, ноги болят...думал не выдержу. Народ подтягивался, асе ждали выступления six feet. Спустя час на сцену вышел знакомый вокалист с дредами до пола и тунеллями с блюдце. Народ устроил самое злое мясо. Слэм, circle pit итд. Вообщем весело, особенно кавер на AC/Dc. Fucking death metal и всё такоё!
На дуууумовый Esoteric и финальное шоу сил не было и мы пошли сворачивать палатки. Собрали шмотки и доползли до автобуса. Через пару часов мы ужу были в дороге домой. На этот раз я оказался умнее, забил себе два места и поспал часов 8. Дорога показалась сравнительно короткой. В Риге мы были в 3 ночи. Хорошо, что удалось доехать домой на такси. Ну вот я и дома. будет что вспомнить. Заодно извлёк для себя несколько полезных уроков.)

Thu 14 Aug – Brutal Assault XIII - 2008

Cesta na Assault začala naozaj brutálne. Vo vlaku v našom kupé bol už jeden starší pán. Najprv sme sa dozvedeli kto vládne svetovej ekonomike,kde študujú jeho synovia, aké má choroby a jeho názor na Rusko, Ukrajinu, Čínu, Košice, Slovensko, Indiu a EÚ. Nasledovala krátka reklama na nejakú svetoznámu speváčku, ktorej meno nevie, ale lístok stojí 500kč a bude mať koncert v Prahe a máme tam ísť. Až potom sme už konečne mohli ísť spať. Ešte trochu štval s nevyžiadanou pomocou, výmenou postele a humorným príbehom a konečne zmĺkol. Sem tam položil aj nejakú otázku, ale keďže mlel nonstop, nebola šanca odpovedať. A keďže nepočúval, nemalo to ani zmysel. Peklo. To som ešte nevedel čo príde...

Sen o páriacich sa godzillách v goriliom výbehu najväčšej zoo na svete doprevádzaný lyrickými piesňami v podaní Chrisa Barnesa, mi kruto prerušil rúhačsky ryčiaci nekrojety, ktorý na svojich obrátenych nekrosánkach made in XVZTLBBCXT uháňal temným a mrazivým zimným lesom do gaybaru. Nie, nebol to sen, chrobák truhlík senior chrápal. Sám Satan postihnutý diabolskou chrípkou by toto nezvládol. Fakt perfektný začiatok 13. ročníka.

V Jaroměři nás najprv google maps poslali na opačnú stranu mesta, potom sme zistili, že ten pán čo nás mal ubytovať má vypnutý mobil. Tak sme asi 20 minút búchali na okná nesprávneho domu a všetkých tam zobudili, až kým ma nenapadlo skúsiť aj vchod vedľa kde bola poisťovňa a za pár minút sme boli v izbe... Perfektný začiatok pokračuje. Ale vyzerá to že týmto naša úvodná smola skončila a prejdem k hudbe.

Suffocate Bastard hobľovali tak že ma to až nebavilo počúvať, Mindwork mi sadol viac, ale tiež žiadna sláva, takže som využil čas na prechádzku areálom. Od minulého ročníka veľké zlepšenie, v podstate nemám čo vytknúť a to málo čo mi vadilo spomeniem na konci. K pódiám som sa vrátil až keď končili Gloomy Grim. Celkom OK muzička, ale stihol som len pár minút a bol koniec. Nasledujúca Rasta ma najprv zaujala celkom fajn melódiami ale unudila ich nekonečným opakovaním. Naviac bol tam dosť zlý spev, skrátka katastrofa ktorá sa podľa mňa nemohla páčiť snáď nikomu. Žena ich nakoniec dala do top3 skupín v jej dotazníku, čo len dokazuje že každý ma svoje vlastné chute a úchylky :).

Beheaded som nejak pretrpel a hurá na Sadist. Zdalo sa mi že hrali strašne krátko, ale inak výborné. Bolo to moje druhé stretnutie s talianmi, prvé bolo kedysi dávno v Košiciach ale teraz som si to užil oveľa viac. Zatiaľ vrchol dňa. A vlastne aj festivalu ;-)

General Surgery zaujali hlavne zakrvavenými plášťmi, hudba mi nejak neliezla do uší. Hollenthon bola iná káva, v podstate neprekvapili a zahrali presne to čo som od nich čakal. Takže spokojnosť a už sa teším na Samael. A asi som to s tešením sa prehnal, vôbec ma to nebavilo, po pár skladbách som zmizol niečo zjesť a oddýchnuť si. Doteraz nechápem ako je to možné, ale stalo sa

Septicflesh som poznal len z par skladieb čo mi pustilo lastfm v rámci recommendations. Nepáčila sa mi ani jedna, takže som ich s kľudným srdcom vynechal. Teraz, po vypočutí skladby z assault kompilačky si búcham hlavu o stenu a dúfam že ešte budem mať príležitosť svoju chybu napraviť. Takisto som vynechal Exodus, ale tých nepoznám vôbec a tak neľutujem. Zato Finntroll som si ujsť nenechal a aj keď mi trochu chýbal pôvodný spevák bolo to výborné. Nie také ako som čakal, ale stálo to za to.

Od Mayhem som nevedel čo čakať, pred dvoma rokmi to bolo pre mňa hlavne o Atillovej show a keby ju zopakovali asi by to nebolo veľmi zaujímavé. Nakoniec odohrali 'normálny' koncert. Veľmi dobré, ale už to nebol ten šok zo Svojšíc.

Textures zahrali presne podľa mojich očakávaní, ale nejak sa mi opočúvali či čo... Bolo to dobré ale nejak mi to už netrhalo žily. Na záver šialenci z Harmony Bay, tých si nenechám ujsť za žiadnu cenu. A hurá na izbu a spať...

V piatok som sa nejak nevedel zobudiť, ani dievčatám sa nechcelo vstávať a tak sme do areálu prišli až na koniec Novembre. Znelo to dobre, ale už som chytil len časť poslednej skladby. Z All Shall Perish som pre zmenu hneď po začiatku ušiel, Cephalic Carnage bol fajn grindík, také mam rád. Sworn Enemy som zase vynechal, The Berzerker bolo niečo rýchle a nudné, no môžem povedať že deň pre mňa naozaj začal až so Swallow the Sun. Bolo to presne také ako som čakal, výborný zvuk, výborné všetko. Snáď len mohli zahrať viac starších vecí, ale to je len detail. Fantázia, ďakujem Shindy.

Despised Icon som zase vynechal, Soilwork som už videl, takže len tak z diaľky konštatujem že je to fajn, a je tu Primordial. Opäť by som mohol opakovať to čo som písal pri Swallow The Sun, výborné, skoro dokonalé, pár skladieb mi chýbalo ale to je len detail. Hlavne spevák si zaslúži pochvalu, povedal by som že na celom festivale nemal konkurenciu.

Nasledujúci Entombed mi pripadal že furt opakujú to isté a tak som po dvoch skladbách opustil priestor pred pódiami. Behemoth nie je moja krvná skupina, ďalšie biele miesto reportu, vrátil som sa až na Anathema. Anathemu som už videl veľakrát a tak som sa nedral dopredu ale využil prírodnú tribúnu a užíval si to len tak z diaľky. Bolo to fajn, vrátane coveru od Metallicy na konci

Cradle of Filth bola presne taká hovadina ako som očakával, ale až na album Cruelty and the Beast a pár vybraných starších skladieb som ich nikdy nemal rád, takže to netreba brať osobne. O to väčšie zemetrasenie spôsobili Neurosis. Mám pocit že z toho zvuku čo splodili sa naozaj chvela zem. Myslel som že viem čo mám čakať, veď som ich už videl minulý rok na Hellfeste, ale prekonali to aspoň stonásobne. Nemám slov na popísanie čo sa tam dialo a aký efekt to na mňa malo. Najlepšia kapela festivalu.

1349 by možno boli v inom čase fajn, ale po Neurosis... nemalo to cenu, išiel som na izbu. Týmto sa piatok stal mojím osobným rekordom v počte vynechaných kapiel za deň, sčasti za to mohol dážď, sčasti môj doprovod, sčasti ja... ale najhoršie na tom je že to ani veľmi neľutujem, keby som videl len Neurosis, aj tak by to stálo za to.

V sobotu som si privstal aby som stihol WAYD, nakoniec som zachytil aj koniec Attack of Rage, slušný budíček! Ale k Waydu, nové cd ešte nemám, preto som nepoznal všetky skladby čo hrali, ale bolo to presne tak dobré ako som od nich čakal. V jednej skladbe sa uplatnil aj hosťujúci spevák, nespieval zle, ale myslím že potrebuje nabrať veľa skúseností aby sa vyrovnal zvyšku kapely. Bez neho to znelo oveľa lepšie. Snáď nabudúce

Uprise poznám a nie je to to čo počúvam, radšej som sa stretol so zvyškom svojej výpravy a išli sme sa najesť. Vrátili sme sa až na Kruger, nebavilo ma to ale prežil som. Illidiance som videl pred 2 rokmi a nebavili ma. Potom na DVD mi celkom zachutili a tento koncert som si už naozaj užil. Až na dosť nepodarený cover od Pain to bolo výborné, musím si zohnať cd. Аркона zahrala svoj štandart, dobré ale už to poznám. Škoda kláves z playbacku, hlavne keď pri začiatku skladby Русь sa to trochu vymklo z ruk. Nevadí. Aj keď mám pocit že každé ich cd je horšie ako predošlé stále ich mám naživo rád a tento koncert nebol výnimkou.

Sobota končila veľmi silným blokom kapiel a tak som si dal až do Arch Enemy oddych. Pôvodne som chcel aj Kataklysm ale človek mieni, žena mení... čo už, už som ich raz videl. Arch Enemy zahrali výborný koncert, ani som to od nich nečakal, klobúk dolu. Trochu ma zarazilo fuckovanie speváčky do niekoho v dave, ale neskôr som si niekde prečítal že na to mala dôvod a tak nemám žiadne výhrady.

Od Agnostic Front som čakal dobrú skákačku a nesklamali ma. Akurát som neliezol pred pódium, radšej som odniesol ženu do stanu mne neznámych deathmetalistov, ktorí prejavili záujem sa o ňu postarať po dobu mojej neprítomnosti a so sestrou sme sa napchali pod pódium kde mal začať Paradise Lost. Kým sme čakali tak som si vychutnával Agnostic Front z veľkej obrazovky, veľmi dobré to bolo, nabilo ma to strašne pozitívnou energiou. Nechcel by som byť v kotli, ale užil som si to.

Paradise Lost som videl v Prahe a hrozne ma sklamali. Pôvodne som ich chcel na Assaulte uplne odignorovať ale nadšenie sestry ma tak nakazilo, že som s ňou nakoniec skončil v prvých radách. A dobre som urobil. Toto bol Paradise Lost aký som vtedy márne čakal. Zase mi chýbalo pár obľubených skladieb, pár najnovších som nepoznal, spevák mi stále pripadal trochu ako keby sa mu na pódium nechcelo ale ako celok to bolo výborné. O to lepšie, že som to od nich po tom pražskom fiasku vôbec nečakal. Za jediné negatívum považujem veľkú mláku pod pódiom do ktorej ma nejaký magor sotil tak že som si kompletne premočil topánky, vtedy mi to bolo síce jedno ale teraz si pripadám jak debil, vonku 38 stupňov a ja s chípkou pijem teplý čajík. No čo už. Vtedy mi to až tak nevadilo. A tiež ma štvala jedna malá poľská dievčina, čo stála ako drúk na kraji takého minikotlíka a kopala do každého čo do nej náhodou strčil. To sa fakt nerobí...

Rýchlo pohľadať zvyšok rodiny a hurá na Carcass. Neveril som, že ich ešte niekedy uvidím – ale stalo sa. Výborné, grindové obdobie vážne nemusím, ale keď začnú tie ich typické melódie nedá sa zostať v kľude. Žena sa mi potom strašne smiala keď som jej romanticky škriekal do uška No Love Lost. Nevie čo je dobré ;-)

Six Feet Under som presedel v pivnom stane, nebavilo ma to vôbec, už som sa tešil na Esoteric. Esoteric pre mňa síce až tak veľa neznamená, z funeral doomu mám radšej iné kapely, ale myslel som že naživo to musí byť zabíjajúce. Možno bolo, ale nie pre mňa. Vôbec som sa na to nevedel naladiť, presne ako na ich albumy. Škoda. Týmto pre mňa 13ty ročník Brutal Assault skončil

Na záver musím pochváliť zvuk, ktorý považujem za úplne perfektný. Trochu to síce kolísalo vzadu keď fúkal vietor, ale tomu sa asi nedá vyhnúť. Niekedy sa mi zdalo, že je príliš nahlas, hlavne pri Harmony Bay som musel vytiahnuť chrániče, ale to bol len detail.

Takisto sa mi páčilo ako bol tentokrát vyriešený areál, v porovnaní s minulým rokom obrovské zlepšenie. Jediné čo ma naozaj naštvalo bola takzvaná prírodná tribúna. To že sa za vstup platilo je OK, ale to že tam neboli lavičky ale jedno veľké bahnisko, to si tých 100Kč naozaj nezaslúžilo. Ja viem, počasie bolo také ako bolo, to sa nedá objednať, ale platiť za vstup do bahniska je naozaj silná káva

Poďakovanie patrí aj Josefovu a Jaromeru, na rozdiel od minulého roku bolo všade dostupné jedivo aj pitivo, dúfam že na nás viac zarobili než sme im narobili škodu, a že o rok sa tam zídeme zas na ďalšom podarenom ročníku.

Well... I'm totally bored, so I'm doing this quiz. Found it in my old deviantArt journal xD

Go to your music player of choice and put it on shuffle.
Say the following questions aloud, and press play.
Use the song titles that come up to answer each question.
NO CHEATING.

How does the world see me?
Nile - Ramses Bringer Of War
Oh no... The world knows, that I'll start the World War III o_O''

Will I have a happy life?
Septic Flesh - Annubis
Anubis
My soul is so light
And as this feather I can fly
Anubis
Don't let me wither and die
Probably yes. Annubis will look after me xD

What do people really think of me?
Jesus On Extasy - Stuck
I'm Stuck in here.
I'm Stuck on You.
I'm Stuck in a Dream
Wich never come true.

Do people secretly lust after me?
Novembre - Aenemia
As black sprites keep draining your life
When at night youre all alone
And dance, dance to remain alive
As this night beholds no dawn
So... do they? xD

How can I make myself happy?
Monosex - Sex in Limousine
OMFG. *dies* xDDD

What should I do with my life?
Korpiklaani - Spirit of the Forest
He has long waited
For the right moment
I have to wait for the right moment... Ok... xD

Will I ever have children?
Deathstars - Damn Me
I never asked for the world that you brought me, never wanted it
I never asked for that lie, so damn me as I say goodbye
Probably not. Yay xD

What is some good advice for me?
Korpiklaani - Misty Fields
In my dreams I live again

What do I think my current theme song is?
Ensiferum - Tale of Revenge
Wait for me in the mountains, haunt for me in the winds
Wait for me in the land where nothing lives
Until the day I have found revenge, I will feed my sword
Until my heart is cold, every breath of mine is yours

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
The 69 Eyes - Lost Boys
Everybody knows you're lost
In the night time, honey
They think I'm a lost boy. How true... xD

What song will play at my funeral?
Sonata Arctica - Under Your Tree
The final nights
I guard her sleep, I can do without
the fear's down deep
<...>
My little friend is getting tired, fading fast..
<...>
No, I don't want to let you go
Tonight I fear I'll say goodbye to my little friend
Don't want to let you go..
<...>
My tears, forever without you
Oh my... Someone is going to be really sad..

What type of men do I like?
London After Midnight - Kiss
Take me,
take me in your arms my love and rape me
xDDD

What is my day going to be like?
Norther - Down
You should know, you will fall
Goddamn schizophrenic
Down you go
All alone
Goddamn king of fools
Thank you! This really fucked up the rest of my evening xDD

Why am I here?
Bob Marley & The Wailers - I Shoot the Sheriff
Amazing xD

What will people remember me for?
Rammstein - Benzin
They'll remember me for my needs of petrol xDD

What song will I get stuck in my head tomorrow?
Thyrfing - Urkraft
Not a bad song, indeed xD

Are there people outside waiting to take me away?
Korpiklaani - Hunting Song
Oh my... o_O''

What will this year be all about?
Moonspell - Darkness and Hope
Oh, I understand xDD

Well... That's it. It was fun xD

Stolen from Kinetic-

Favourite death metal band: Hypocrisy

Favourite black metal band: Taake or Deathspell Omega… hmm or Vesania

Favourite thrash metal band: Slayer!

Favourite power metal band: hmm… I don’t listen too much to power metal… but I like Sabaton

Favourite traditional metal band: Iron Maiden

Favourite traditional doom metal band: Reverend Bizarre

Favourite death-doom metal band: diSEMBOWELMENT or Rapture

Favourite funeral doom metal band: Esoteric

Favourite Gothic Metal band: Eee… XIII. Století :D

Favourite "other" metal band: Novembre

Favourite song: Hard to decide… maybe Fire in the Sky

Favourite ballad: Paled Empty Sphere

Favourite instrumental: Foto Blu Infinito

Favourite live album: Decade Of Aggression

Favourite festival: Castle Party! :D

Favourite tour: Dunno.

Favourite metal magazine: Mystic Art

Favourite (male) screamer/growler: Peter Tägtgren, I also like Devin Townsend’s style

Favourite (male) singer (clean): Jonas Renske

Favourite (female) screamer/growler: Kathy Coupez

Favourite (female) singer (clean): Dunno… I don’t like female clean vocals

Most disappointing break-up: Strapping Young Lad

Age you started listening to Metal: 11

What was the first band you listened to?: Ensiferum

Don't lie, do you listen to nu-metal?: No, I don't

Keyboards in metal, yes or no?: In some genres they fit, in some not…

Does corpse paint make you "grim" and "true"?: Yeah of course! :]

Is power metal girly?: No but also not very enjoyable

Metallica or Slayer: Slayer

Iced Earth or Blind Guardian: Neither

The Haunted or At The Gates: The Haunted

S.O.D or Anthrax: Anthrax

Hammerfall or Stratovarius: Neither

My Dying Bride or Paradise Lost: Paradise Lost

Iron Maiden or Judas Priest: Iron Maiden

In Flames or Dark Tranquillity: Dark Tranquillity ofc

Dimmu Borgir or Cradle of Filth: Neither, both suck

Ensiferum or Wintersun: Ensiferum

Carcass or Arch Enemy: Carcass

Morbid Angel or Cannibal Corpse: Morbid Angel

Nevermore or Sanctuary: Nevermore

Darkthrone or Immortal: Immortal

Venom or Bathory: Bathory

Mayhem or Burzum: Burzum

Celtic Frost or Hellhammer: Celtic Frost

Death or Obituary: Death!!

Testament or Kreator: Kreator I guess

U.S. Black Metal or European Black Metal: European

Blastbeats or Breakdowns: Both

Power Metal or Progressive Metal: Progressive…

Fates Warning or Dream Theater: Neither

Benediction or Napalm Death: Napalm Death

Judas Iscariot or Nargaroth: Neither

Cynic or Atheist: Cynic

Entombed or Dismember: Dismember

Helloween or Gamma Ray: Helloween

Suffocation or Dying Fetus: Suffocation

Children of Bodom or Sinergy: Children of Bodom

Sepultura or Sarcofago: Sarcofago

King Diamond or Mercyful Fate: Mercyful Fate

Nu Metal or Metalcore: Aargh…

Stockholm metal or Gothenburg metal: Dunno

Opeth or Katatonia: Both!

Impaled Nazarene or Beherit: Impaled Nazarene

Evergrey or Pain of Salvation: Pain of Salvation

Devin Townsend Band or SYL: SYL!!!

Marduk or Dark Funeral: Dark Funeral

Vital Remains or Deicide: Deicide

1349 or Emperor: Emperor

Opeth or Symphony X: Opeth

Covenant or The Kovenant: Who?

Goregrind or evil Death metal?: Death Metal.

Suicidal Black Metal or Brutal Black Metal?: Suicidal one

Bay Area Thrash or German Thrash?: Dunno

Gorgoroth or Gaahlskagg?: Gorgoroth

Myrkskog or Zyklon?: Zyklon

Devildriver or Coal Chamber?: DevilDriver coz of Iron Maiden cover

Lacuna Coil or Theatre of Tragedy?: Neither