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Sweden Rock Festival 2011 - Day Four: Destruction, Angel Witch, Rhapsody Of Fire and Ozzy Osbourne Tuesday, August 16, 2011 Great report Nina, I really enjoyed reading it. While I disagree on your views on Mark from Accept (I think he's a great singer) I am in 100% agreement on GWAR, I laughed out loud at "I am sure there is a special place in Hell, where Gwar's music is played on endless repeat."
Hopefully I'll be back at Sweden Rock again next year!
Avantasia - Angel of Babylon Sunday, May 29, 2011 Haha, yip I couldn't sum up Symphony Of Life any better. It sounds like some awful attempt to do a song in the style of Lacuna Coil (although why anyone in their right mind would want to do that,
I just don't know)
I really like Death Is Just a Feeling and a few others but overall (like many double albums) you could combine the best of this and Wicked Symphony to make a much better album.
Various Artists - Michael's Top 10 - 2010 Thursday, January 13, 2011 Good to see KISS topping both of our top gigs lists, they completely exceeded all my expectations. And I had Great Expectations as well :)
Abydos - The Little Boy´s Heavy Mental Shadow Opera About The Inhabitants Of His Diary Monday, January 10, 2011 Hahahaha!! Thanks for that Steen, it's kept me laughing for the past few mins. Surely "The Naughty Kuntz" would be the greatest name for a glam rock band ever! :)
Abydos - The Little Boy´s Heavy Mental Shadow Opera About The Inhabitants Of His Diary Sunday, January 9, 2011 Hehehe, Kuntz
Killing Joke - Absolute Dissent Thursday, December 9, 2010 Haven't heard that Foo Fighters cover of Requiem in years but I remember it being quite good.
KJ are one of those bands I have just never had the time to explore, I've got the first album but never got any further into them than that.
Various Artists - Playlist - October/November 2010 Tuesday, November 9, 2010 Ahhh, people just don't write beautiful, romantic lines like "I need a dirty girl" anymore. It's a shame really ;)
Bloodstock Open Air 2010 - Day 3 - Doro, Bloodbath, Twisted Sister Saturday, October 16, 2010 Next year Steen, no excuses! ;)
Tank - Interview with Cliff Evans (Guitarist and manager) Wednesday, October 13, 2010 I've heard the track Judgement Day off Tank's new album and thought it was excellent. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the full album.
Sweden Rock Festival 2010 - Wednesday - F.K.Ü., Steelwing, Carnival Sun, Katana and U.D.O. Thursday, August 12, 2010 Princess, Princess, Princess of the Dawn!!!
It's got to be one of my all time favourite live tracks too!
Various Artists - Playlist - May/June/July 2010 Friday, July 9, 2010 Steen you have to promise that you make Nina watch all of Alestorms set when they support Sabaton. I know how much she loves them!
Sweden Rock Festival 2010 - Steen's Festival Report Sunday, June 27, 2010 Steen, perhaps one day you will write a festival report that I will not sit and read with a big grin on my face, but it is not this day!
Good work again sir! Although I will pick you up on one point, U.D.O were more than reliable, they were superb!
Also congratulations on only spending a few lines talking about the wankers in the crowd during Sabaton, I think my report includes several pages about each and every one of them (and there were a lot) :)
Various Artists - Playlist - April/May 2010 Monday, June 21, 2010 I just got the new Nevermore album on Saturday, it's superb!
Dio - RevelationZ Top 20 Dio Tracks - A Tribute Monday, June 14, 2010 Hey guys, thanks for sharing your thoughts and lists, I was at Sweden Rock so it's taken me a while to reply.
There as so many songs I wanted to include by couldn't fit in. Rainbow Eyes being the hardest one for me to leave out as its the first song I listened to after I heard the news that Dio had left us.
Rhapsody (of Fire) - The Frozen Tears of Angels Thursday, May 6, 2010 Remember when I told you posting news while hungover was a mistake? Turns out posting comments is too :)
Various Artists - Playlist - April 2010 Monday, May 3, 2010 We can add straight Like An Arrow and some Ramones onto the karaoke list for Sweden Rock then :)
Pet Cemetary is a must!
Gamma Ray - Gamma Ray and special guests: Freedom Call - Live at Kulturbolaget, Malmö, Sweden - February 25th, 2010. Monday, May 3, 2010 You have seen Freedom Call 12-13 times??? You big show off ;)
I've sadly only seen them and Gamma Ray once :(
Rhapsody (of Fire) - The Frozen Tears of Angels Monday, May 3, 2010 I didnt even bother listening to the last 2 Rhapsody albums after I heard they were in the same (dull) vain as Symphony pt 2.
Perhaps its time to rediscover them again!
Sweden Rock Festival 2004 - Day 1 (Steen) - Paragon, D:A:D, Helloween & Judas Priest live Wednesday, March 31, 2010 Lost Horizon were the reason we picked Sweden Rock over places like Wacken etc.
All the way over to Sweden for 45 mins of Lost Horizon? More than worth it!
Sweden Rock Festival 2004 - Day 1 (Steen) - Paragon, D:A:D, Helloween & Judas Priest live Tuesday, March 30, 2010 You know, looking back on this one I cant believe Priest played The Sentinal. Its one of my favourite Priest songs now but I didn't have Defenders Of The Faith at that point so I hadnt heard it.
Same story with Helloween, despite the fact I was there I cant believe they opened with Starlight and Murderer as I only had the 2 Keeper albums back then and didn't know them.
Oh for a time machine...
Various Artists - Playlist - February/March 2010 Thursday, March 25, 2010 Now we are talking!
Also Better Off Dead is one of my favourite Bad Religion songs but the Anathema cover is indeed great!
Archrival - In The Face Of Danger (Reissue) Saturday, February 27, 2010 As I haven't heard the album I shall refrain from commenting on the contents of it.
I will say that the review seems to be quite favorable and I would say that the rating seems to reflect that (with it landing somewhere between good and very good on our ratings scale)
Perhaps you could argue it should have got a 7 judging by the praise in the review but as you said, you are not looking to dictate review scores and do we really want to quibble over a half mark?
I don't really understand your point about an agenda. The only bias on RevelationZ is the personal musical taste of the reviewer, but isn't that the nature of the beast when you put out a record?
We have no reason to mark an album any higher or lower because we need to cover a certain type of music, based on what record label a band is on or if they have the right kind of image. We go on the music only.
I sympathize with you struggling to get reviews in other places, it must be incredibly frustrating. But if you were to send this sort of response to each and every reviewer who you disagree with its not going to make it any easier to get another review or to gain respect from others looking in.
Various Artists - Tommy's Highlights Of The Year 2009 Friday, February 12, 2010 If 2010 manages to cram in new releases from Maiden, Manowar, Avantasia, Wuthering Heights, Nevermore and Virgin Steele then its going to a good year indeed. Here's hoping!
Various Artists - Nina's Albums Of The Year - 2009 Tuesday, February 9, 2010 I wondered how successful Eric would be at grasping all those different languages, I'm guessing he got a hold of some better than others:)
But yeah speaking as someone who likes their ballads sappy Father is awful, and I ever loved Blood Brothers off Gods of War!
Various Artists - Nina's Albums Of The Year - 2009 Saturday, January 23, 2010 I can't believe I haven't got the new UDO album yet, I love the wee man!
Its a shame you missed the Wolf/Cauldren gig, I ended up having a few pints with 3/4 of Wolf in the pub afer the Glasgow date :)
Also lets hope Manowar actually get the new album out this year, I suspected the book/movie/game thing would fall through but I was hoping they would manage to finish the album.
Various Artists - Alanna's Year In Review - 2009 Saturday, January 23, 2010 I've only heard a few songs of the new Jorn album but the man certainly likes his Dio!
I'll need to give the new Sonata album a listen too but I didnt take to kindly to their last effort.
Redemption - Interview with Nicolas van Dyk Tuesday, January 19, 2010 I wonder if he got the Monty Python reference :)
For anyone who hasn't seen it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLjS3gzHetA
Playlist - December/January 2010 Saturday, January 16, 2010 Just don't mention When The Crowds Are Gone around Steen or he will launch in to his world famous rendition of it :)
W.A.S.P. - Live at Kulturbolaget, Malmö, Sweden - November 3rd, 2009. Tuesday, January 12, 2010 Indeed and I'm glad we wisely decided to get stuck into cheap beer in the pub across the road from the venue instead of going to see The Gliteratti :)
Various Artists - Steen's Favorite Albums of 2009 Friday, January 8, 2010 Ravenous is indeed a great album but its not made my top ten list which should be winging its way to you shortly.
Shocked and appalled that the Cage album isnt number one, I though that was all you spent your summer listening to ? :)
Metalium - Grounded - Chapter Eight Sunday, December 20, 2009 Haven't heard this album but I had the last Metallium release and your review could pretty much sum that album too. Solid but never spectacular.
Oh and on the subject of silly "Heavy Metal or no Metal at all" lyrics you cant beat the Demoniac line "If your not into Metal then your fucking gay"
Not very PC but rather genius in its own way :)
Syth - The Reckoning Thursday, September 17, 2009 The sales pitch worked like a charm then ;)
Seriously though, it's a cracking album,
Iron Maiden - Brave New World Friday, September 11, 2009 The Wicker Man boring? The title track boring?? Out Of The Silent Planet (which features one of Bruce's greatest ever vocal performances IMO) boring???
I love this album, ok so songs like Dream of Mirrors and the Thin Line Between Love and Hate are a bit long winded but they are still solid Maiden tracks.
Mind you I'm a big fan of pretty much everything they have recorded since Bruce's return. Only the dire New Frontier (No time for this science is un-godly nonsense from Nicko) really tests my patience
Iron Maiden - Brave New World Friday, September 11, 2009 Yeah he did, try again.
http://ironmaidencommentary.com/?url=album13_dod/commentary13_dod&lang=eng&link=albums#track7
Danger Danger - Revolve Monday, September 7, 2009 DOWN AND DIRTY!!
It's been ages since I listened to Danger Danger, perhaps its time to give the new stuff a try.
Sweden Rock Festival 2009 - Nina's Festival report - Day 3 and 4 Tuesday, August 11, 2009 Great review Nina! I'm now totally in the mood for seeing Europe at Bloodstock since I missed them at Sweden.
Also good shout comparing Thor to the Masters of The Universe movie! Question is who would win in a fight between our man Thor and Dolph Lundgren?
Various Artists - Playlist - July/August 2009 Thursday, July 30, 2009 Actually looking at your playlist again, I'm noticing a distinct lack of Teenage Fanclub.
Shocking...simply shocking ;)
Various Artists - Playlist - July/August 2009 Tuesday, July 28, 2009 I would also check out the Riot album Privilege of Power as its the other one Tony Moore sings on. It's not as good as Thundersteel and has a horn section in a couple of songs (what were they thinking???) but Dance of Death and the jaw-dropping Black Leather And Glittering Steel make it more than worth while.
I'll need to get a hold of the new Manowar stuff too, I can't believe I haven't heard it yet.
Nightwish - Live with Pain at Glasgow Carling Academy - March 31st 2008 Tuesday, July 21, 2009 Cheers! Yeah I saw them last summer for the 2nd time with Annette and they still failed to impress me.
I think I'll be giving them a miss on the next tour unless the next album is significantly better than Dark Passion Play.
Gun - Swagger Thursday, July 9, 2009 I never got around to listening to Gun, they were always just that band that covered Word Up to me. As good as the cover is (without doubt much better than Mel B or Korn's) it never motivated me to check them out.
I'll need to give them a proper listen at some point.
Various Artists - Playlist - May/June 2009 Thursday, July 2, 2009 Always lowering the tone Craig, always lowering the tone.
Various Artists - Playlist - May/June 2009 Wednesday, July 1, 2009 Well after that lot I reckon thats the neighbours well and truly warned about what to expect from you :)
Strangley enough I was listening to Gods of War last night (while cooking my dinner, which it worked suprisingly well with) and ended up having a good laugh and not only "Faster than the fastest horse alive" but also "To Odin he's a brother, a brother who is SLY!"
Virgin Steele - Band Information Wednesday, June 24, 2009 I never get bored reading interviews with Mr DeFeis, always interesting and entertaining.
Sweden Rock Festival 2009 - Steen's Festival Diary Tuesday, June 23, 2009 Still a bit gutted I missed Europe but I got a grim, frostbitten Immortal performance to make up for it. Plus I get to see Europe at Bloodstock in August so its not all bad news!
My report should be finished soon too, as usual its a bit of a beast so it's a case of cutting it down a little. I think the 3 pages I wrote on the mighty Thor might be a little excessive :)
Kreator - Hordes of Chaos Tuesday, April 28, 2009 Thats it, I'm never talking to you about music again !
Unless its about the works of S Club Seven of course. Some things are just too important to be left unsaid.
Jeff Beck - Performing This week....Live at Ronnie Scott's Tuesday, April 28, 2009 ...and then Jeff Beck pops his head round the door and says there's this little sweet shop on the edge of town.
Stratovarius - Polaris Friday, April 24, 2009 Its a strange old situation that Stratovarius find themselves in, especially if Timo Tolkki does indeed release something under the Dreamspace monkier.
I've heard the new single Deep Unknown and sadly wasn't that impressed, it was too much prog and not enough power for my liking but I will without doubt give the album a listen and see what it has to offer.
I've also got tickets to see them next month when they play Scotland. It's going to be odd without Tolkki but I'm sure the rest of the band will be able to pull it off.
Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9.5/10
Apart from the fact that the production is very "of its era" Maiden's first album stands tall as an all time classic.
Various Artists - Playlist - March 2009 Wednesday, March 18, 2009 Good to have you back Nina !!!
I still havent got around to listening to Wizard yet but perhaps one day... :)
Riot - Thundersteel Wednesday, March 18, 2009 And thats why you should always trust me ;)
Seriously though, its a briliant album. I've been listening to the follow up Privilige of Power quite a bit too. Its much better than I first thought but the massive interludes and the horn section do let it down a bit.
Various Artists - Steen's Highlights of 2008 Tuesday, January 20, 2009 "I don't believe in your love...." Thats it, it's going to be stuck in my head all day now.
Not that thats a bad thing :)
Various Artists - Stuart's Highlights of the Year 2008 Tuesday, January 13, 2009 Wasn't massively impressed with Intense, Blitzkrieg were, of course, quality.
I also didn't have space for Gallhammer, The Fannies, Morbid Angel, Sabaton or any of the other cracking gigs I saw last year.
Various Artists - The State Of Power Metal Music Wednesday, December 31, 2008 On the whole the Power Metal scene has got a bit stale over the past few years. Their does seem to be a lack of exciting new bands and older bands like Hammerfall, Gamma Ray and Rhapsody have pretty much ran out of new ideas.
One of the shining lights at the moment has to be the Brazillian band Hibria. Thier 2004 debut Defying The Rules is a wonderful, inventive release with a vocalist who almost matches Daniel from Lost Horizon for range and sheer power.
Their 2nd album is due out in Feb 2009 and I'll be snapping that one up as soon as possible.
The Metal scene in general seems to move in cycles so hopfully in a year or two's time a host of new exciting Power Metal bands will arise.
Northern Kings - Rethroned Tuesday, December 16, 2008 Popular topic this one, I think there no real need to record a cover if you keep it "exactly" the same but by the same token playing what sounds like an entirely different musical piece with the same lyrics as the original is pointless (Tori Amos and her oh so clever Raining Blood cover anyone?)
There needs to be a mix between the band covering and the original. Good examples of covers would be Dimmu's version of Burn In Hell by Twisted Sister (don't like the band but it's a cracking cover), Nightwish doing Crazy Train (they never did a studio version sadly) Vader's amazing Death Metal version of Freezing Moon by Mayhem or as Alanna said the At Vance Abba covers.
All of the above are done in roughly the same style as the original but the bands in question have added their own twist. The Northern Kings covers don't strike me as anything particularly wonderful. For example I'd much rather listen to Children of Bodom's romp through Rebel Yell than slog my way through some poor, sanitised attempt at a doom track with the lyrics to Rebel Yell over it.
In saying that, I haven't heard the new album so I'll reserve judgment on it for the moment.
N.B That Priest Johnny B. Goode cover is naff beyond belief.
Thunder - Bang! Tuesday, December 16, 2008 I'm hoping On The Radio is as good as Monty Python's I Bet The Wont Play This Song On The Radio:
I bet they won't play this song on the radio
I bet you they won't play this new (bleep) song
It's not that it's (bleep) or (bleep) controversial
Just that the (bleep)ing words are`awfully strong
You can't say (bleep) on the radio
Or (bleep) or (bleep) or (bleep)
You can't even say I'd like to (bleep) you one day
Unless your're a doctor with a very large (bleep)
So I bet you they won't play this song on the radio
I bet you they daren't (bleep) well programme it
I bet you their (bleep)ing old Programme Directors
Will think it's a load of horse (bleep)
Various Artists - Playlist - November/December 2008 Sunday, November 23, 2008 Heaven and Hell, Europe, Hamerfall, Riot, Motorhead and Amon Amarth? Rather good announcements so far.
My only concern is that all these bands (apart from Riot) have played the festival in the past few years. I'm hoping for some more varied announcements in the next few months.
Fingers crossed for Grave Digger or Virgin Steele, I can't even begin to tell you how amazing that best of that Nina and Mads gave me at MCF is!
Various Artists - Playlist - November/December 2008 Saturday, November 22, 2008 Is Lana Lane's recorded output any good?
All I remember about her at Sweden Rock was being very bored for 20 mins then leaving to watch Overkill. Mind you I'm sure you remember even less that that about that particular preformance :)
Various Artists - Playlist - August/September 2008 Thursday, September 18, 2008 The Tower is a fantastic song, the instrumental section with those fantastic bass runs is superb.
In fact pretty much the entire Chemical Wedding album is amazing.
Magic Circle Festival 2008 - Steen's Festival Report Tuesday, July 29, 2008 So "All pictures taken by Steen"?
The lawsuit is winging its way to you as we speak my friend :)
Magic Circle Festival 2008 - Steen's Festival Report Tuesday, July 29, 2008 I think it was just some random German guy that took it. But if he sees his work being used without due credit then be afraid :)
Sweden Rock Festival 2008 - Steen's Festival Report Saturday, July 5, 2008 Man that bites, still I'll listen out for your cry on the wind of "Schlag' die Schlacht!" :)
Various Artists - Playlist - June/July 2008 Friday, July 4, 2008 Watch out Alanna, once the Human Jukebox starts, you cant shut it off!
Bon Jovi - Live At Messepladsen, Randers - June 19th, 2008 Thursday, July 3, 2008 Sounds like a great gig. I can just imagine Steen on his knees during In These Arms!
Didn't go see them when they played Glasgow the other week. I went to see a tribute band called Non Jovi the night before instead.It was about £40 cheaper than the real thing and much easier to get to the bar and back :)
Mind you, I was informed after the gig that they actually played Dry County which I'm a bit gutted about missing.
Sweden Rock Festival 2008 - Steen's Festival Report Thursday, July 3, 2008 Hey Dennis, hows it going?
You gonna make it to Magic Circle? Its going be some festival!
Also unlucky in the Euo's I was supporting you all the way to the final. I guess it just wasn't to be.
Accept - Restless & Wild Tuesday, June 24, 2008 Princess of the Dawn is one of the greatest metal songs ever written. Its that fantastic taut riff that just builds and builds tension throughout the song.
It's even better live cause it doesnt cut off before the end :)
Various Artists - Playlist - May/June 2008 Thursday, May 22, 2008 "DEATH IN THE SHAPE OF A PANZER BATTALION"
I was listening to Primo Victoria yesterday, looking forward to seeing Sabaton again.
Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers - L.A.M.F. and Born too Loose (The best of Johnny Thunders) Saturday, February 9, 2008 Ok I'm gonna be a smart arse here, apologies in advance :)
Chinese Rocks was written by Johnny Thunders and Dee Dee Ramone, but the Thunders version is the original recorded version. The Ramones didnt record it till their 1979 album End of the Century (spot the massive Ramones fan here)
I've been meaning to listen to Thunders solo stuff for ages as I quite like the first New York Dolls album.
Various Artists - Playlist - January/February 2008 Wednesday, January 23, 2008 Didn't picture you as an Oasis fan Steen :)
I don't have Stop the Clocks but it seems to have a decent tracklisting. Pretty much everything off the first two albums (plus the b-sides album) is great. Not a massive fan of their later stuff though.
Gamma Ray - Land of The Free II Sunday, January 6, 2008 Fair enough, but point still stands.
Northern Kings - Reborn Wednesday, December 12, 2007 I'll need to get a hold of this as I'm a sucker for metal cover of pop songs. Can't beat Gamma Ray covering Its a Sin or At Vance doing Money Money Money.
King Diamond - Conspiracy Tuesday, November 13, 2007 "I Cannot sleep at night, thats what the day is for"
Cracking album. One of King's best.
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