It's been a very hectic but eventful month for me. After surviving the Stockholm marathon I went straight to the Sweden Rock festival and partied for four days straight. I'm still kinda dizzy and it will probably take some time to decipher all the notes I wrote down. Some guys from Scotland got me drunk :)
Musically I have experienced an amazing X-Japan revelation. After I found a couple of their cd's on Ebay their music has taken over my stereo and I have not heard much else this past month. That is also the reason for a somewhat short playlist. That and not actually being home very much.


Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor
Nevermore returns with a much improved production. I haven't had the album for a very long time, but the opening track, Born is among their best songs yet! The songs seem more complex than on the last album but still very very heavy. A promising album to say the least.

Elfonia - Elfonia
Atmospheric and experimental music from Mexico, ruled by Marcela Bovio's beautiful voice. I bought this one after hearing her performance on Ayreon's The Human Equation and found something quite different.

Shadow Gallery - Room V
Still listening a lot to this gem.

X-Japan - Dahlia
I quickly got hooked on the beauty of Longing and since then I have not looked back. So far this is my favorite X-Japan CD. Other favorites include the title track, Rusty Nail and all the ballads. This stuff is extremely catchy while being both aggressive and beautiful to the extreme.

X-Japan - Jealousy
Harder to get into than Dahlia, but no less interesting. Very varied blend of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal and also quite weird at times. Voiceless Screaming is one of the most haunting and beautiful songs I have heard in a long time.

X-Japan - The last live video (DVD)
Playing at a sold out Tokyo Dome the band goes completely crazy with many memorable moments. There is something awe inspiring about this concert. It is so cool to discover a band like this out of nowhere.

Ten - The Name of The Rose
This is one immortal Hard Rock disc. From the wildness of the title track to the tenderness of Through the fire this album gets around all corners of Ten's grandiose music.

Tori Amos - Everything
Warming up for the concert in Copenhagen on Sunday. I am one excited guy.

Written by Steen
Wednesday, June 15, 2005