Haven't posted for a while as there's been no gigs and not much happening. So to break the monotony, I will post my latest top 20 in reverse order in yet another year of amazing releases.
20. Stargazery - Eye On The Sky
19. Neonfly - Outshine The Sun
18. Coldspell - Out From The Cold
17. Liquid Horizon - The Script of Life
16. Amaranthe - st
15. Ten - Stormwarning
14. Turisas - Stand Up And Fight
13. Ilium - Genetic Memory
12. Within Temptation - The Unforgiving
11. Rhapsody of Fire - From Chaos to Eternity
10. Lechery - In Fire
09. Outland - Love Catastrophe
08. Symphony X - Iconoclast
07. Rob Moratti - Victory
06. Eden's Curse - Trinity
05. Morton - Come Read The Words Forbidden
04. Work of Art - In Progress
03. Power Quest - Blood Alliance
02. Pagan's Mind - Heavenly Ecstasy
01. Powerwolf - Blood of the Saints
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Sunday, 7 August 2011
Maiden at the O2
My 13th gig of the year but debut gig at the O2 arena and no better way to break your duck than with the mighty Iron Maiden. First of all let me say that this gig very nearly didn't happen for me. A week or so before the gig my left ear started to get a clogged up feeling and to cut a long story short by Saturday morning it was touch and go whether I could go as I was feeling pretty miserable having almost no hearing from the left ear from the excess wax.
On Saturday morn I decided I had to do something to find a way to get that shit syringed out of my ears so I'd have souped up, turbo hearing in time for Maiden! It was difficult but I managed to find a place that would do it after first being turned down at the first place I went to. The lady nurse sucked two horrible balls of wax right out and she showed me them and yes it was disgusting but thank the devil, when I walked out of that place I was sort hearing more or less 100% ready to hear the beast sent with wrath! It was actually odd cause everything sounded vibrant and my ears tingled with noise but damn it was a relief and I headed to the O2 and the Maiden gig with renewed vigour and ready to actually enjoy myself even more than usual.
First up the O2 is just a huge damn place. This is the first time I have seen the Millenium Dome up close and personal and it really is a monstrous great dome with now a 20,000 set venue with floor standing in front of the stage. In fact I was a bit surprised how small the stage was actually. I was expecting one of those big runway type things with banks that lead into the crowd but in general the stage seemed pretty small for such a large venue though maybe other acts utilize a bigger set than Maiden.
Anyway on with the music. First up were Trivium a band who I mock quite vociferously I have to admit. These guys are just trend hoppers like you won't believe in my opinion. They are great at playing their instruments but I almost cannot stand Matt Heafy's stupid barking vocals and to me The Crusade is by far their best album. Musically the band is cool with some stupidly effective thrashy melodic riffs to get your teeth stuck into but in the end they just don't do it for me. Oh yeah and they didn't play even one song off The Crusade that I recall. One thing though, the sound in the o2 is pretty amazing. My vantage point in the upper tier was sheer nose bleed territory and they sure as hell weren't wrong when they said the seats are no suitable for those who suffer from vertigo. That's some steep angled seating they got going on!
Finally at 8.45pm after the last strains of Doctor Doctor had finished the video intro started up for The Final Frontier which the band insists on you hearing or watching even though I personally find it a complete waste of time but then finally there they are we're into the final date of The Final Frontier World Tour! The band sounds energized with the near perfect sound and Bruce sounds loud and proud as he belts out the opening lines. The crowd seems to be in a real party mood and there are lots of smiles and hi fives and then everyone belts out the chorus as loud as they can. Follow up song El Dorado does precisely zilch for me even though the chorus is sort of not bad.
The band and Bruce are just about hitting their stride now with the great iron Maiden song book being plundered again and again for classic after classic with new tunes interspersed in between. And it's the new tunes that sit best with me such as the already classic The Talisman and the epic Where The Wild Wind Blows which was performed magnificently by Bruce and the band. Going back a little we had a totally enchanting and slightly sped up version of Dance of Death which had everyone in the crowd doing little jigs even if they were in the nose bleed seats! A truly awesome song that one and a real highlight.
Another huge crowd favourite was of course Fear of the Dark which has always gotten the best response I have ever seen on every Maiden gig I've ever been to and it was no different last night. The crowd participation in that song is always unanimous and it has a wide appeal with Maiden fans of all ages. The Trooper was as exhilarating as it always is. Coming Home from the new album was brilliant with it's wonderfully emotional chorus ringing loud and true as it was the last night of the tour.
The Wickerman was perfect and the woah woahhh crowd chants was again done by the whole 20,000 no doubt. The same with Blood Brothers which Bruce dedicated to all the Maiden fans of whatever religion or race or colour. The Evil That Men Do was brilliantly sung and played with mass sing along on the chorus of course.
Encore time saw three Maiden classics that any Maiden show cannot be without I guess though personally speaking I am a little tired of Number of The Beast. I can never tire of Hallowed Be Thy Name though and yet again the crowd took over from Bruce a lot on this one with mass singing on cue. Finally it was time for Running Free with a lot of chat and band introductions by Bruce in between and finally it all came to and end for the ageing but never dull Iron Maiden machine and The Final Frontier World Tour.
Thanks to Maiden for a great night and thanks to the NHS and that nurse for getting me to the show on time! Maiden will be back in some shape or form next year no doubt. I don't think they know how to stop and why should they when they are still probably the best live metal band on the planet.
Some bad photos for you from my seat somewhere near Mars!
On Saturday morn I decided I had to do something to find a way to get that shit syringed out of my ears so I'd have souped up, turbo hearing in time for Maiden! It was difficult but I managed to find a place that would do it after first being turned down at the first place I went to. The lady nurse sucked two horrible balls of wax right out and she showed me them and yes it was disgusting but thank the devil, when I walked out of that place I was sort hearing more or less 100% ready to hear the beast sent with wrath! It was actually odd cause everything sounded vibrant and my ears tingled with noise but damn it was a relief and I headed to the O2 and the Maiden gig with renewed vigour and ready to actually enjoy myself even more than usual.
First up the O2 is just a huge damn place. This is the first time I have seen the Millenium Dome up close and personal and it really is a monstrous great dome with now a 20,000 set venue with floor standing in front of the stage. In fact I was a bit surprised how small the stage was actually. I was expecting one of those big runway type things with banks that lead into the crowd but in general the stage seemed pretty small for such a large venue though maybe other acts utilize a bigger set than Maiden.
Anyway on with the music. First up were Trivium a band who I mock quite vociferously I have to admit. These guys are just trend hoppers like you won't believe in my opinion. They are great at playing their instruments but I almost cannot stand Matt Heafy's stupid barking vocals and to me The Crusade is by far their best album. Musically the band is cool with some stupidly effective thrashy melodic riffs to get your teeth stuck into but in the end they just don't do it for me. Oh yeah and they didn't play even one song off The Crusade that I recall. One thing though, the sound in the o2 is pretty amazing. My vantage point in the upper tier was sheer nose bleed territory and they sure as hell weren't wrong when they said the seats are no suitable for those who suffer from vertigo. That's some steep angled seating they got going on!
Finally at 8.45pm after the last strains of Doctor Doctor had finished the video intro started up for The Final Frontier which the band insists on you hearing or watching even though I personally find it a complete waste of time but then finally there they are we're into the final date of The Final Frontier World Tour! The band sounds energized with the near perfect sound and Bruce sounds loud and proud as he belts out the opening lines. The crowd seems to be in a real party mood and there are lots of smiles and hi fives and then everyone belts out the chorus as loud as they can. Follow up song El Dorado does precisely zilch for me even though the chorus is sort of not bad.
The band and Bruce are just about hitting their stride now with the great iron Maiden song book being plundered again and again for classic after classic with new tunes interspersed in between. And it's the new tunes that sit best with me such as the already classic The Talisman and the epic Where The Wild Wind Blows which was performed magnificently by Bruce and the band. Going back a little we had a totally enchanting and slightly sped up version of Dance of Death which had everyone in the crowd doing little jigs even if they were in the nose bleed seats! A truly awesome song that one and a real highlight.
Another huge crowd favourite was of course Fear of the Dark which has always gotten the best response I have ever seen on every Maiden gig I've ever been to and it was no different last night. The crowd participation in that song is always unanimous and it has a wide appeal with Maiden fans of all ages. The Trooper was as exhilarating as it always is. Coming Home from the new album was brilliant with it's wonderfully emotional chorus ringing loud and true as it was the last night of the tour.
The Wickerman was perfect and the woah woahhh crowd chants was again done by the whole 20,000 no doubt. The same with Blood Brothers which Bruce dedicated to all the Maiden fans of whatever religion or race or colour. The Evil That Men Do was brilliantly sung and played with mass sing along on the chorus of course.
Encore time saw three Maiden classics that any Maiden show cannot be without I guess though personally speaking I am a little tired of Number of The Beast. I can never tire of Hallowed Be Thy Name though and yet again the crowd took over from Bruce a lot on this one with mass singing on cue. Finally it was time for Running Free with a lot of chat and band introductions by Bruce in between and finally it all came to and end for the ageing but never dull Iron Maiden machine and The Final Frontier World Tour.
Thanks to Maiden for a great night and thanks to the NHS and that nurse for getting me to the show on time! Maiden will be back in some shape or form next year no doubt. I don't think they know how to stop and why should they when they are still probably the best live metal band on the planet.
Some bad photos for you from my seat somewhere near Mars!
Monday, 25 July 2011
Last day at Lord's again
Last day of the first Test between England and India and I went again after going to the last one with Sri Lanka. The ground was packed solid like it was the first day and I thought I might not get in but I got lucky in the end and got in just before the start. England managed to bowl out a very disappointing India just before 5.30pm and went one up in the series. The Injuns will be back but they'll have to lick their wounds before the second Test starts that's for sure. Here's some photos.
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Top 10 in 2011
Half the year is gone already and I'm scratching my head wondering where the hell it went so damn quickly! Here is my current top 10 in reverse order. It's been an amazing year already with so many brilliant albums released. Not sure if the second half of the year will be able to keep up. We shall see...
10. Rhapsody of Fire - From Chaos To Eternity
09. Liquid Horizon - The Script of Life
08. Ten - Stormwarning
07. Turisas - Stand Up and Fight
06. Amaranthe - st
05. Symphony X - Iconoclast
04. Within Temptation - The Unforgiving
03. Eden's Curse - Trinity
02. Power Quest - Blood Alliance
01. Pagan's Mind - Heavenly Ecstasy
10. Rhapsody of Fire - From Chaos To Eternity
09. Liquid Horizon - The Script of Life
08. Ten - Stormwarning
07. Turisas - Stand Up and Fight
06. Amaranthe - st
05. Symphony X - Iconoclast
04. Within Temptation - The Unforgiving
03. Eden's Curse - Trinity
02. Power Quest - Blood Alliance
01. Pagan's Mind - Heavenly Ecstasy
Friday, 24 June 2011
Wimbledon
Haven't been to jolly old Wimbers for nearly 20 years! Well finally I decided to make the trip and reminisce a little. So much has changed since I was last there it's really moved along with the times. Thankfully there wasn't much rain and interruptions were short lived. I managed to get a few photos. I saw old "nasty" Illie Nastase in the balcony. Tim Henman's parents of all people! Well not that surprising I suppose. Saw Richard Williams the father of the Williams sisters just standing in the grounds with his new girlfriend. Rather odd indeed but no photo cause it would have been a bit blatant. Oh and Henman Hill looks really big on TV but is actually really not that big. The whole of Wimbledon is a magnificent sight and the atmosphere is very posh in some respects and also the regular crowds also bring it down to earth somehow as well. Saw Nadal and Roddick in the practice grounds and a couple of other stars. Sharapova very briefy walked out but no photo unfortunately. She's actually very pretty in the flesh as well. Anyway it was fun and here are the photos.
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Cricket
Went to Lord's for the last day of the Test match even though it was a guaranteed draw between England and Sri Lanka. It was only 20 quid so I went a long for a laugh after I put a tenner on this horse that won enough for the ticket. Without that horse winning I wouldn't have gone at all no doubt! Took a few photos. Lord's is always a picture when the sun's out.
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