Editorial Room Finally, we’ve came to our first summer Daily Metal issue in this year. And we felt the beginning of what people call a ‘hot season’ at once. Lots of delicious releases and numerous music festivals, based on which one could make a new geographic map, — all this makes our eyes shine, hands write and tell everyone about everything. So, while flipping the pages of our new issue, turn on air conditioners or put your face in the wind blowing, for it will be hot! Stay true. Helle Danova Editorial Texts — Jim Daniels, Helle Danova, Pantera, Evgeny Zhytnyuk
I just thought that every article in this issue we can start with a phrase “For the first time”. For the first time we've got a “female” cover, for the first time we spoke to the artist from the other side of the Earth, for the first time we prepared a tour guide for a metalhead. Much happened for the first time while preparing this issue. For the first time I was enraged by the phrase “You should revive Ukrainian bands”. I imagine that they kinda have fallen in the deepest well ever and I have to roll it up and drag upwards all the stuff that others just cannot lift. And what if mud got into my bucket? Why should I lift that thing? Oh, you say I am a journalist and it is my job to revive local scene... I thought my job is to talk about cultural and business process and pick exclusive information.
Literary editor — Tetyana Dudnyk
Let's everyone do our own business. Someone creates music, someone gives likes under pictures, and we write about the things that seem important from our point of view.
Editor – Helle Danova
BRGRDS, Jim Daniels
Design and layout — Evgeny Zhytnyuk, Bohdan Dukhevych
On the cover — Elize Ryd (Amaranthe, Avalon) Disclaimer Daily Metal has no rights for photo-materials, used in issue’s design with non-commercial aim. Thus, editorial group has no material responsibility. All rights for texts belong only to Daily Metal and their authors. Publication is allowed only with active hyperlink to the original source.
CONTENTS
Gus G: amazed by Ukrainian prices and girls.................................................... 4-5 Fresh Releases: ! Avalon........................................................................................................ 7-8 ! Black Sabbath.............................................................................................. 8 ! Alice in Chains.......................................................................................... 8-9 ! Dark Tranquillity....................................................................................... 9-10 ! Tristania...................................................................................................... 10 ! Tengger Cavalry..................................................................................... 10-11 ! Tesseract..................................................................................................... 11 ! Instorm................................................................................................... 11-12 ! Forceout..................................................................................................... 12 War went Civil................................................................................................ 14-15 Argentina rocks with Helker............................................................................ 16-18 Persona Grata: Elize Ryd................................................................................ 20-22 Stoned Jesus.................................................................................................... 24-27 Stoner-like evening........................................................................................... 29-30 Metal Gothenburg............................................................................................. 32-36 Symphomania....................................................................................................38-39
Gus G: amazed by Ukrainian prices and girls May, 20th, pleased Kiev listeners with a master-class of a famous Greek guitarist Kostas Karamitroudis, or Gus G. Kostas is only 32 years old, but he managed to light up in such bands as Arch Enemy, Nightrage, Dream Evil and Mystic Prophecy. At the moment, Gus G is playing together with legendary Ozzy Osbourne and in his own project called Firewind. Being late for this master-class became my fatal mistake. 15 minutes after the beginning, and no one could enter the premises where the event was held. Squeezing through the crowd, I still had to wait for signature-session to see Gus G with my own eyes. So, my hearing and imagination did their best... The action was held in an informal atmosphere with Q&As, including 9 musical pauses, during which Gus G performed songs from Firewind and Ozzy’s repertoire. Among them — ‘Wall of Sound’, ‘Insanity’, ‘Scream’, ‘Another
Dimension’, ‘World on Fire’ etc. I am sure, the audience was amazed, how clean and accurate Gus G does sound. Taking into account that I couldn’t see Gus, it seemed that the announcer was just putting down recorded tracks. Great amount of musicians can sing and play, but when they open their mouths for a usual chat, it is sometimes better to close ears. I must say, Gus G doesn’t refer to such people. Except for quite a high timbre, as for a man, I wouldn’t ever believe that he’s only 32, because this famous guitarist spelled out really wise tips and rememberings: “In my childhood, I often listened to Peter Frampton on daddy’s vinyls, as well as to Metallica, Guns’n’Roses, Black Sabbath, Yngwie Malmsteen... Actually, I really like guitarists who play technically, fast and who have their own sounding... Everything requires practice. Earlier I often played with the metronome, but now — only during recording or when I learn something new. I put 60 bpm, then 68,
70... And watch if I am able to play with this or that speed. My first songs were full shit. Practice, practice and practice! Is the talent required? One can’t do anything without it. But, apart from that, you have to enjoy the process, because if you play 9-10 hours a day, then you must be motivated by something. I am personally motivated when I see that I am playing better and better, or when I listen to my favourite band and get stuck to a song or a riff. And I always jam, if possible... I don’t seek opportunities to record a song, which appears in my head. On the contrary, I say to myself: if I remember the riff next day, then it is good enough.” Taking into account that this master-class was held within Gus’ ESP-tour, it would be strange if nobody spoke about guitarist’s equipment: “I’ve got about 40 guitars, some of them are classical. I love all of them and do not have extra ones. So, I don’t feel like crashing them on the stage, or so. May be, one day, for a video... 10 years ago I met with ESP vicepresident, and he offered me a customguitar. We decided that the instrument will be in a V-form, because I was used to playing such one. Random Star model, formerly taken out of the production, was taken for the basis. I personally took part in its development, because for me, custom is a what I want. Now this model is produced serially in several colours.” By the way, Gus appeared to be very hard-working: “I work constantly. I either play with Ozzy or with Firewind, and vice versa. Last year I had two days-off. I just feel terrible if I’m not busy. I don’t perceive music as work and have fun. Moreover, the audience produces lots of energy, and hard and boring concerts almost never happen.” And, of course, Ukrainian fans of the Greek guitarist couldn’t but ask him about
the impressions from their home city. Gus had an excursion in Kiev and this is what he answered: “I was overdosed with information. We had a very professional tour-gide, who spent 1,5 hour on pouring lots of information on me: this building was built in this year and handed to this person, painted the other year etc. And I just thought, whatta fuck am I doing here? But if seriously, I really liked architecture of the Opera house, Lavra, Golden Gates... And I was really shocked by the prises in InterContinental hotel. $2000 for one night. Are you fuckin’ kidding me? Your city is really expensive. And your girls are veeeery beautiful. Dangerously :)” By the way, on the JAM shop reception all visitors of the master-class got numbers and took part in a lottery. The prize was Gus G ESP guitar. A 14-year old boy Vova was lucky to be the winner, and Gus G called him the new Ukrainian Guitar Hero. It is also worth mentioning that children represented a significant part of the audience that day, and listened to Gus from the very beginning till the end with an immutable admiration. Who knows, may be we are growing up the new generation of virtuosic guitarists? Saturated master-class ended up with a signature-session, and proceeded in a pub with a gig, supported by ESP company. There Gus G listened to local bands, such as T.H.D., Scream Inc. and Fleshgore, while enjoying magnificent Ukrainian beer... Text — Helle Danova Photo — http://vk.com/jamua
Fresh Releases Avalon — The Land of New Hope Genre: Metal Opera, Symphonic Metal, Power Metal, Heavy Metal Country: Finland Labels: Frontiers Records
Much was talked about Timo Tolkki's new project Avalon and its first album The Land of New Hope. The discussions abounded in fruity words and were often shaded with the unhidden grain of scepsis. The common feature of all those talks was an unstoppable comparison of the project with Tobi Sammet's Avantasia, which for long years set metal opera standards and format as the separate sub genre of modern metal. Actually, the news about Timo Tollki's rock opera on the niche melodic metal label Frontiers Records seemed as a regrettable try to become a “king of the hill” at the cost of the recent Avantasia album, which come out some months earlier (see DM #5). A few factors suspiciously crossed in the point of time and space, i.e. the release date, star guests and the only author or the heart of the project. The first single “Enshrined In My Memory” featuring
crystal vocals of Elize Ryd was like a cold shower for critics and dropped a grain of hope that everything will be different. The song is a typical Frontiers product with soft guitars and clear powerful vocals and rich keyboards. But the LP killed all those hopes with a straightforward, though melodic power metal. Timo Tolkki invited the same tough guys as himself, among them Elize Ryd, Rob Rock, Michael Kiske, Russell Allen, Sharon den Adel and Tony Kakko, as well as Alex Holzwarth on drums and both Jens Johansson and Derek Sherinian. Part of them have passed trial by fire in Avantasia which gave another spur for rumors. The Land of New Hope is the first of three Timo's concept albums about postapocalyptic shakes of the humanity and search of new worlds. The plot is so simple that I cannot help calling it beaten. In 2055 a bunch of fellows survive after the natural disaster (thank God, it's not a nuclear war or a zombie attack) and start to roam around the world in search of the land of new hope. In 10 tracks time they reach the point of no return and looming hope. At this point the first portion of the story is over, finished by an epic “The Land of New Hope” with Michael Kiske on vocals. I think, it's not a coincidence. Listen to Helloween's “The Keeper of the Seven Keys” and you'll understand it all. Generally speaking, The Land of New Hope did bring some revelations. Although it's far from the music Timo wrote before, this is the same string of power metal killers diluted by sweetly sung ballads. As a matter of fact, the tsunami which brought the most of damage to the world in the plot washed away that artificial plastic pathos and narcissism of power metal. One really gets the impression that the stranded will reach the promised land. We should say thank you to all the singers, who brilliantly did their job. After the release I had to revise my positive opinion
of Elize Ryd and Rob Rock for very positive. Not only did these two sing a fair half of the album, but set an explosion in the subconsciousness. All was done with such honesty and intimacy that the only desire was to put the whole album on repeat and stare in the ceiling just absorbing the music. Still there is a sharp and uncomfortable impression that I was given a placebo stuff instead of powerful medicine. Let's wait until the next release and judge about it. For now it's 8 of 10, simply for singers work. Text — Jim Daniels __________________________________
for a thought that a classic trio of Ozzy Osbourne, Toni Iommi and Geezer Butler accompanied by Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk could throw us crap on a strong wave of advertising and publicity. As the outcome we got 13 which embodies all the best Black Sabbath associates with. In the interview for the German Die Zeit Ozzy as if unintentionally but accurately rendered the very foundations of Black Sabbath music. “Black Sabbath songs are easy to do. Take Tony Iommi's riff, add Geezer Butler lyrics and make Ozzy Osbourne to sing them. That's it!” One cannot say better. Every track is a combination of dirty sounds of Iommi's riffs and nasal twang of Ozzy which braids Geezer's paranormal lyrics in the fabric of a track. It is difficult to single out any track because it would mean to insult all the rest, and this is exactly what they do not deserve. 13 proved to be the thing that everyone expected. It's en emotional wave of nostalgia and the proof that old men still can do it all. Text — Jim Daniels __________________________________ Alice in Chains — The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
Black Sabbath — 13 Genre: Heavy Metal, Doom Metal Country: UK Labels: Vertigo, Universal
Genre: Grunge Metal, Sludge Metal, Alternative Metal, Hard Rock Country: USA Labels: Capitol
Do you remember when the news about Black Sabbath reunion and new studio album was first confirmed by Ozzy Osbourne and than by Tony Iommi? Everyone expected strong personal feelings, wave of nostalgia or a chance to see that old men still can do the same stuff as in 1970s. The audience tuned into such a reverent mode that there was no chance
With the release of new album The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here grunge-icon Alice in Chains promised to surprise their fans with completely new material which will be different from all the works bands made before. 2 previously released singles showed us that the band really decided to go another way. Alice always knew what buttons to push to cause a pungent, sickly
band. Composеr talent of Jerry Cantrell is still amazing like many years before: it’s still easy for him to bury the listener in the music and tell him everything that band wanted to bring with the new work. I’d like to mention the title song which sounds like Hades plays these creepy riffs, and the final “Choke” which is depressing melancholy pearl of the album.
state of endless depression in the listener’s soul, but this time guys wanted to concentrate on some other feelings. Lyrics of the album cover the controversial understanding of religious messages by people, when the incredible number of horrible and cruel things is done in the name of some faith. And in my opinion, this topic is worth to talk about. Along with the main theme of the music, the sound changed as well – it became softer. No, you still can fend there inherent recklessness, melancholy, ductility, and some songs sound like previous works of the band: “Voices” reminds me of “No Excuses”, and ” Breath On The Window” – MTV-hit “Check My Brain” from the preceding album. But at the same time, I can call this album more lyrical. Let’s remember that great characteristic Sean Kinney gave to their music: “We were able to master the skill to create something beautiful that causes the listener desires to die…”. New album doesn’t cause that desire. It’s not able to cause that familiar feeling like you’re drowning in the adhesive atmosphere of despair, instead, - it dives some illusionary hope. This release can be called a little monotonous comparing to the previous one as the spectrum of all the possible feelings was combined there. But there are still some great songs which can be put to the gold fund of the
Finally I’d like to say a few words about William DuVall. It feels that today he fits even better in the band. It seems he doesn’t try to copy Layne anymore – instead of this they almost always sing together with Cantrell, and their great vocals complementing each other. And it sounds really cool. New album became one more proof that DuVall is staying on the right place and strengthened his position as the new vocalist in the era of revival of Alice in Chains. 9/10. Text — Pantera _____________________________________
Dark Tranquillity — Construct Genre: Melodic Death Metal Country: Sweden Label: Century Media Pioneers of classical Gothenburg MDM managed to tart up their usual sounding
with successful experiments in the new album titled Construct. Repeated, though qualitatively thought-out guitar melodies, coming into the foreground, more clean vocals of Michael and an entire melancholic release causes a will to sit down and think. Although, sometimes you’d jump up from the chair and desperately headbang along with unexpected tempo changes and excellent growl. No doubt, the new Dark Tranquillity will face down some fans of their heavy sounding. However, I assume that Construct can be surprisingly appreciated by S.O.A.D. listeners, because even the first song “For Broken Words” is much alike the famous “Spiders”. Text — Helle Danova
guitar riffs make this release even softer and more ‘fluffy’. However, their music only benefits from it, because that is softness of the dark side, which Tristania managed to present to its listeners in a beautiful and gothic way. Moreover, I can’t but mention Mariangela’s incredible vocals, who showed all its power through solo-performance, avoiding excessive layers of backing vocals (check out “Requiem” song, for example). In general, all compositions are fresh and deserving. Recommended for listening along with the sun going down... Text — Helle Danova __________________________________
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Tengger Cavalry — The Expedition Tristania — Darkest White Genre: Gothic Metal, Symphonic Metal, Death/Doom Metal Country: Norway Labels: Napalm Records, SPV After listening to the Darkest White album, it seems that Tristania is gradually moving from metal to rock sounding. Great accent on clean vocals and light
Genre: Pagan Folk Black Metal, Oriental Metal Country: China Label: Metal Hell Records This year Chinese quartet Tengger Cavalry pleased their fans with two releases at once, with a certain fluff, though: The Expedition and Black Steed albums are almost the same, but aimed at different markets. Black Steed is directed to the ears of Chinese listeners, while The
Expedition serves as an international version. The release itself is very solid, though the sound quality goes back to 90s. Killing riffs are deliciously seasoned with folk instruments. Some moments can also be extraordinary and unusual for the European ears, such as guitar solos in Chinese and Mongolian harmonies (it’s not like harmonic minor!) and growling in Chinese language :) The one and only thing which I personally didn’t like is throat singing, which became too mainstream even for European releases. Tengger Cavalry used it in each song of this album, though, it can be overlooked thanks to their origins.
ambient, presented in Altered State. If you are used to the mind that math/prog music is a kind of a soundtrack to solving problems from a mathematics book, then you’ ll be really disappointed with this release. Almost all tracks are full of jazz drums, clean over-reverbed guitars and sensibly weeply emo-vocals. Saxophone, which enters compositions time to time, has also no logic intersections with this music. Is it prog? No, pardon. Nevertheless, if you like such a post-emocore, please, come to Bingo club in Kiev on the 10th of September and slobber together with the band.
Text — Evgeny Zhytnyuk Text — Evgeny Zhytnyuk _____________________________________
__________________________________ Instorm — Madness Inside Жанр: Melodic Death Metal Країна: Росія Лейбл: Metal Scrap Records
Tesseract — Altered State Genre: Progressive Metal, Experimental Metal, Djent Country: UK Label: Century Media It often happens that deserving projects are fizzling out. It’s a pity when the band does so after the first release, but it seems that this is what happened with Tesseract. Apart from the first bright album, I wanted to smear snots all over my face from lots of
Debut album of Russian band Instorm Madness Inside did catch my attention. First, Instorm has its own gender feature, as I can't remember any other death metal band with a girl on guitar. Second, the tracks reflect the title of the CD, there's madness inside, which smoothed all other drawbacks. With the opening track “Written with Blood” Instorm shaped the course for overwhelming continuation with speed riffs and piercing screaming. It looks like the album abounds in vitality, moreover life shows that such combination will find its own audience by all means. The rhythm the guys chose for the first track moved on all eight songs and carried away right at the moment when one could feel the taste of music on his tongue. Final tracks “Lake of Shadows” and ”The Withering” can honestly be called the jewel in the album's crown.
There are some legends that the monster was born in 2008, but nobody can assure you it's true. But time went by and Forceout soaked influence of the best western death metal traditions.
I could call Madness Inside a successful album. Why could? Perhaps, its all about the fact there's nothing new it gave to the development of death metal and it does not challenge for golden or platinum status. Still it's all done well as for the debut and all parties are neatly and technically-savvy played, but in general the album sounds like a pile of plastic cups, but I guess this is due to the deaf ears of the producer but not the guys.
The first track on the album “Use, scho ye” (Everything that one has) baffles you, seems like In Flames started singing in Ukrainian. Yummy riffs and sophisticated presentation made my eyes open even wider. The album seems plain and wild in its core and free of mad high tempo. Epics like “I Need Salvation” and “Equilibrium” definitely hit the mark! The only disadvantage of the album is its bilingualism, one third of the tracks are performed in Ukrainian, but it is more of a zest than a drawback, which may be usefully turned for act's image.
7 out of 10. Nice debut and good chances for the success of the next release. Text — Jim Daniels __________________________________ Forceout — Delusion Genre: Melodic Death Metal Country: Ukraine Label: Metal Scrap Records A small town of Zolochiv near Lviv gave birth to a monster called Forceout. It grew up, gained strength and bore another monster, LP Delusion. It seems that there's nothing special about this release, it's a typical death metal as it should be, but it turned out an hour of pure eargasm.
As for the debut album everything sounds marvelous. Forceout proved that that they can perform wonderful material and are ready to enter the premier league. Text — Jim Daniels
War went Civil A year ago a few weeks before the release of album Carolus Rex Swedish band Sabaton shocked the fans. In a video singer Joakim Broden and a bass guitarist Par Sundstrom announced the departure of four members Daniel Myhr, Daniel Mullback, Oskar Montelius and Rikard Sunden. The guys didn't think too long and launched their own project Civil War adding for a full weapons capacity singer Nils Patrik Johansson (ex-Astral Doors) and a bass guitarist Stefan "Pizza" Eriksson. On June 11th Civil War first studio album The Killer Angels appeared on the shelves of music stores. Jim Daniels spoke to Daniel Myhr about the first year of the band's activity. On your Facebook page it runs that “In early 2012 the four members Daniel Myhr, Daniel Mullback, Oskar Montelius and Rikard Sunden decided to leave the band Sabaton.�. What was the reason? Is it somehow connected with your words that you were limited in songwriting process? We did leave for several other reasons. It didn't have anything at all to do with the songwriting, we were actually very pleased with the material that Joakim wrote so we didn't have anything against that.
You left Sabaton before the release of Carolus Rex, but all of you guys are listed in personnel alongside with Par and Joakim. Did you have any agreements on the issue before the split? We left after the album was recorded and the booklet was finished. So, if they would have changed it, the album would have been delayed. So it's not that strange that we're on the credits... since we're playing on it. Do you agree with the words that rock act are the least stable social groups? Yes/no, why? Not really. I don't think it's any more stable/ unstable than any other social group. It consists of normal people just as all the others, and we have the same problems as others. On the way to Civil War current lineup who else did you consider as a vocalist & bass guitarist but for Patrick and Stefan? No one! When we sat down the first time and started talking about a new band we already had an offer from Pizza to play bass. He had met Rikard at the local food-store and just said that if we were going to do something new, he was totally up for playing with us.
And Patrik was the first singer we thought of, but we hadn't asked him. We found out just a day or two later that he was interested also. So, it all went fast there. Not a lot of thinking for us, no auditions. We became a band in a quite natural way. If I would ask you to find three words to describe The Killer Angels, what would they be? Why? Our own stuff! I guess I say that because people shouldn't expect too much of a Sabaton or Astral Doors sound. We did things that we like ourselves. Not that we disliked the stuff we played in Sabaton or the other bands, but this is different......even if there are some influences still there. You preserved the historical line in your lyrics.
You presented the band at Sweden Rock festival. What was in your setlist but for songs from The Killer Angels? We only played songs from The Killer Angels actually. And the “Children of the Grave” cover we made for the swedish edition. We did play “Primo Victoria” in the rehersals a few times but decided that we won't play it live. That was more for fun. How do you see the future of the band? Will you keep your current style or we should expect experiments in the 2nd album? I can't honestly answer to that. We haven't really started writing anything for the next album so it's still to be decided how it will sound. But it will be metal for sure. Your wishes to the fans.
We kept the historical topics only partially. It's actually only about half of the songs that are about history. We decided early not to stick totally to history or war because we thought that Sabaton did that good enough already. Patrik's interest in it though made us stick to it a little more than planned.
Stay heavy and hope to see you all somewhere out there! Photos provided by Civil War
Argentina rocks with Helker
Last year Argentinian band Helker became the biggest surprise which German AFM Records could ever do. Juicy melodic heavy metal of At Vance and early Masterplan level became a killer entry of the label's portfolio. Jim Daniels had a chat with Helker singer Diego Valdez and surprisingly found out that Argentina and Ukraine stuck at the same level in terms of music business. What is Helker doing now? Shows, studio sessions? We are doing some shows to present the album, and also we are working on our first live dvd! The release will take place in August and we are very excited with it! And because Helker is a band who never stops, we are also working on the successor of Somewhere in the Circle. So, as you can see, we are a VERY busy band! You've released "Somewhere in the Circle" in Europe via AFM Records. Was it a spontaneous or a well-thought step?
Well, we have the luck to be a band who think in advance, in the times of ADN, our previous record, we started to think about the next step. We did our first video “Despertar” and the English version of the song “Wake up” as a pilot test. At that time we were planning the introduction of a professional producer for the next album, and eventually the possibility of getting a record contract, not specifically AFM, that was a bonus beyond our dreams, but a record contract with an European label. So yes, it was planned. Do you have, let us say, the aftertaste of Somewhere in the Circle? Can you say to the world “By now this is the best thing I have ever done”? It usually happens! Hahaha, we always want more, I think that in all the fields (production etc) is the best until now. As a band, we are now in a different world viewing new possibilities and new ways of work, so we want to dig in deeply in the next album and be even better.
Did expanding to European and worldwide audience bring any positive results at home? Can you compare how the labels work in Europe and Argentina? Here in Argentina we have a solid base of fans, and we are very lucky because it is true that the audience here is famous for being warm. But it only happens with the international bands, not the locals, sadly there is no real support for the local bands but all this issue with AFM is very positive for us because we are getting more attention from the people not just here but around the world too! And the labels here, well... reflect the lack of real attention from the people. They are small and don’t have a big influence, they do that they can. The latest album was really good and highly acclaimed by the audience and critics. Did you receive any invitations for summer festivals, or a tour about the Europe? The thing is, that we live in the ass of the world, and living in the ass of the world means it’s expensive if your record label belongs in another continent. We depend on the sales and on the reviews etc. Anyway, it’s perfectly possible to play in Europe a little bit hard, but possible, we talked about this with Mat, and he is working on that right now! We must cross our fingers!!
want. AC/DC, Megadeth, and many more filmed live DVDs here. I can assure you that the people is a show on its own, and they spend FORTUNES for a ticket but not with the local bands Your voice is very interesting. First when I listened to your records I thought there are Dio's unreleased tracks, haha. Do you really take after Dio or this is what your voice really is? Thanks again! This is THE question! Hahaha well, when someone tells you that you sing similar to Dio, there is no doubt that it is a compliment, but, sometimes I feel uncomfortable with that, because there is only ONE Dio, and to be like him I need to live 79 lives. I love him and I respect him so much, but I can’t deny that he is my biggest influence. Maybe we have similar weigth in the voice and maybe similar register, (but he has the EXCELLENCY). If you add some influence, well, you got it, but he is not the only one and it is not on purpose! Just... came out. Apart from Helker you do vocals for two other bands, Electro_nomicon and Triddana. There's little information about them over the web, tell the readers about these acts. How did you join them, what are their current activity?
How is it in Argentina with rock culture? It's very interesting, cause we know too little about your country. To make your answers easier — here in Ukraine there are too little
I always was a restless man, and I was mostly (before Helker) in more than one band. Triddana is a folk metal band, with bagpipes and everything, and comes from the rupture of a previous band where 4 of the 6 members left the band. We have an album called Ripe for
good venues, not much interest for heavy music. Same here, but worst. The are many people and as I said before they are warm when they
Rebellion and now we are doing some gigs to present the album to the audience. Electro_nomicon is mixed of US and Argentina members. The USA member is my brother
friend Mr. Owen Bryant and we met on MySpace, then came the friendship and I joined the band with my other friend Juan Jose Fornes who also plays in Triddana. Now we are finishing our first album. We recently signed a record contract with “No remorse records”. The album will be released in October, so we cannot be happier! One acquaintance of mine, also a singer, takes part in three power metal projects and he does enjoy it. How about you? Well it has no sense if you don’t enjoy it! But I am in 3 bands with different styles, that’s fun! They let me sing in different ways, not entirely because they have in common the word “metal” but in some way they presents different challenges…but it’s a LOT of work! Let us have a step from music. Where should I go first to listen to nice rock when I arrive to Buenos Aires? You must first know who plays that day! And then call me and I will tell you which band is cool! Here we have a lot of great bands and
some places to listen to them, but usually if you are looking for a bar who plays rock with beer and stuff you can go to “Red Bell”. There are more, but I’m out of the night right now. I’m 42 with 2 sons and I lost my “night” I have fun enough with my own shows! As far as I know, Argentinians are very religious. Are you religious too? How do you feel about the words that rock music is a Satan's instrument? Yes, we have the pope so here is kinda “catholic fever” right now! I’m not religious and the people who blames metal for... I don’t know, the bad behavior of his sons are not taking his own responsibilities as a father. It’s easy to blame Satan and metal that say “I’m an ass hole as a father” don’t you think?
Text — Jim Daniels Photos provided by Helker
Persona Grata: Elize Ryd
Photo: Bonez, darkside.ru
Time has gone by too fast and I haven't had the time to stop and reflect over what's changed in me from the beginning of my music career. I just go with the flow. But it seems like the wave has developed and that its still growing in the right direction.
It feels great to take part in numerous projects. I really am a workaholic. I love music, and I like to take every opportunity I get to try something different, and for every new project I take part in I do learn something new.
It was WaĂŤnelin who designed my webpage and came up with the idea to call it Many Faces.
I don't remember what life episode was the point of no return and it became clear my future is music. I am still having a hard time believe that this is what I'm going to do for the rest of my life. That is my biggest wish and what I really want, but I still think I have a long way to go.
I would say I have around 10 different faces by now. I started my career as an cabaret artist where I sang different genres. I have done guest singing with different bands, and I worked with Kamelot, where I played all the different characters from all there albums, besides my career with Amaranthe. Also recently I took part in a metal Opera written by Timo Tolkki where I play one of the main characters.
My first live show was when I was around 4 years old. I sang a song together with my sister in front of many people in a big church. Olof and Jake did send demos for Nightwish, and they actually came back to me with more material they wanted me to
record, and that was super nerve-racking for me then. I did go a long way even though I was way to young for the job at that point, so they did totally right by not choosing me. At that time I was still in ground school and I had never worked professionally. I studied music, dance and theatre for 6
I did my first audition at Cabaret Lorensberg in Gothenburg, and I got the job. I worked there for two years before I joined Amaranthe. I felt a bit unprofessional when together with Alissa White-Gluz filled in for Anette Olzon with lyrics in your hands during Nightwish Denver show, since rule number
Photo: http://www.amaranthe.se years in total, the last 3 I went to a school called Performing art School in Gothenburg. It was very much like FAME if you saw that movie? Blood sweat and tears. If you make it through you graduate as an "professional" (on the paper) artist, and afterwords you are able to take auditions for every dance, musicals and singing job all over the world.
one is: Do not bring papers on stage! That night was beyond every rule. I felt honored that they asked me, and I'm also happy I got the chance to meet Nightwish fans for one night, and sing some of the songs by Nightwish that I really love. Afterwards I think I could have used my operatic voice more, since I studied classical music as well, but at that point I didn't have time to think, I just Rocked! :) Kamelot tours were extremely valuable! I learnt so much and I got sooo much
experience I didn't have before, even though you have a great education It doesnt mean that you are finished, Its not until you start work you know what its really about to be an artist. Timo Tolkki heard a demo of me singing "Alone in the Universe" by Alexey Soloviev. He liked my voice and he contacted me through my homepage. I really liked working with Timo, he was very thorough and did not leave anything for granted. The production is very pure, barley no effects on the vocals, no dubs and no auto-tune, which most producers use today.
The Land of New Hope shows a very naked and emotional side of me. I understood my character very well, I felt like it almost could have been me. Good reviews and high chart positions is a prof of a successful record, at least officially. But it can also be successful for you no matter what everybody else thinks. To feel like everything turned out the way you wanted to, and you reached your own personal goal with the album, that is what matters the most, at least for all the musicians I know.
Тext — Jim Daniels
We worked more on emotions than on singing technique, and I kind of liked that. That is what music is all about for me - expression and emotions.
Photo: darkside.ru
Photo: bestclub.com.ua Vintage rock, psychodelic, grunge, heavy bluesand even post-hardcore — all of that is mixed up in the oeuvre of Ukrainian band Stoned Jesus. We managed to catch its founder and crazy workaholic Igor Sydorenko and chat with him about life stuff.
You’ve already had a European tour with Kharkiv band 5R6. Please, share your rememberings: which difficulties did you face and which differencies between the audience in various countries did you feel? Unfortunately, this time we couldn’t tour with 5R6, and last time, we were of course amazed with mentality differencies. Whether it is Slavic apathy or Soviet peel is still cracking on people’s brains, but each positive trifle causes a bitter sence of regret and shame for how this trifle looks in the place we live. Of course, some people already learned to see only the upper layer and pretend that we’ve got here civilization too. But believe me, it will
take many years, till we have refill in Ukrainian fast-foods, for example. What about less global issues, a great plus lied in places for live shows even in the most rural districts. There are profiled rock/ metal/punk clubs even in areas populated with 15-20 thousand people. And the listeners go there not to watch the band, but the genre. And we experienced a similar situation: people attended stoner/ psychodelic club to listen to stoner and psychodelic music, and went away with our vinyl and t-shirts! Thus, if there are niche establishments, there will be target audience, which is positively tuned from the very beginning. Where do you like to perform more, in Ukraine or abroad? We’ve just played on a Freak Valley, a German festival, and shared the stage with top-bands of our niche (frequently speaking, doom/stoned/psychodelic rock). 1.5 thousand fans of this genre, free food,
getting the honorarium with an unexpected pleasant interest in time, sold out merch, cool communication with colleagues, many of which I’ve seen previously only on YouTube... And then you go back and play on a gig in a such strange place, where you won’t get bass into monitor from the soundman and water from the organizer. So, I guess, my thoughts are understandable. The thing is that THERE our niche has been developing during years, and for a usual Western listener Tame Impala are just successors of, say, Velvet Underground. And we are wild in such question, because we don’t have rock traditions. My dad didn’t attend gigs of Zeppelin and Rolling, he watched VIA instead. So, where do I get the idea how should normal music sound like? But Rome was not built in a day, and we are slightly moving to the right perception of everything that concerns it. Though now it all just reminds a pupil, which remains in the fifth form, while
his contemproraries already enter the university. ... But of course, our girls are the most pretty! Tell us about filming your new Electric Mistress videoclip. In two words, long and difficult. We even managed to change the drummer and postpone the release date several times. Victor Pryduvalov is a very busy person, for he’s the leading Ukrainian clipmaker, but he turned to the active work again. Of course, we are happy that he spends his time and resources on us (we didn’t pay a cent from our pockets for this video). The result is really impressive, and such Lynch view is very close to me. Besides, Dima Mashkin, the main hero of the clip, is very charismatic, and other roles are also played mainly by our friends and acquaintances. You’ve got now new drummer. Did he bring new ideas? Do we have to expect
Photo: http://lostmemories-art.blogspot.ru
You know, now is the time when interesting things do happen. We’ve produced a videoclip, our songs are being played on the radio, we play on big festivals (for example, in fron of three thousand people at Ukrianian Rock’n’Sich festival), but I still go to work and desperately try to find time for my three bands (Stoned Jesus, Krobak and Voida) and gig organization. And you know, there are people, who just don’t understand, what does ‘no free time’ mean. And they tend to blame me for star disease and snobbery, say, Igor became too conceited, it’s all about fame. And I’m sitting and thinking to myself: do I need such people, actually? I only see envy, or so. So, I’d say that my social circle is changing, but not me, for now. Of course, if I go to subway with a personal driver, then it’ll already be clinic... For you, music is hobby/work/something else? Life. the reflection of such changes on your music?
What about collaboration with Nasoni Records?
In spite of my despotic nature in being the one and only composer of Stoned Jesus, all changes which happen to us and around us affect our music. Vitya appeared to be more rock-oriented drummer, than Vadim. On the one hand, he’s not so familiar with our genre, but, on the other hand, we now have a chance to get out from our niche. Each outstanding band started within genre frames, but then went out of them. We’d like to make such a trick in the future, and the new blood is the best background for it.
This is abother side of our, ehhm, success. Qualitative production (say, a videoclip) plays a significant role on the post-soviet area, but in niche circles of Europe & America, you are nothing without vinyl
In one interview you told that you had written the future material for Stoned Jesus in bad times for you. So, did it rescue you? :) How did your life change in general, as Stoned Jesus became popular?
release. For fans of old-style music this media is the most right one, and hipsters, hated by the crowd, made this format fashionable again. Hans from Nasoni was the initiator of our collaboration, so we had somehow a chance to stand for our conditions, but we didn’t impudent. Though, three vinyls in less than a year (“Seven Thunders Roar”, re-released debut “First Communion“ and the last single “Electric Mistress”) — isn’t it impudence? In general, we are very pleased with each other, and I personally quitted buying CDs for already a year. What for, if there is such a wonderful thing as vinyl? OK, lets speak then about music formats. You’ve released Electric Mistress on vinyl. Do you personally have a record-player? Why, in your opinion, is this old-style format again in trend? I don’t have any record-player, I’m a hipster! First of all, I appreciate vinyl for amazing design, spirit, traditions and esthetics, and quality is for me on the second place. After all, 99% of people listen to music in mp3, so how can we speak about audiophiles? Though for vinyl release we had to remix both albums and I prefer these versions, without overwhelming compression on CD and, especially, mp3 version. And I don’t perceive this format as an old-style, and this is not only my mind: 2012 became the first year when new vinyl releases were sold better than th eold ones. So, some vinyl Jack Whites and Lady Gagas finally overtook numerous editions of The Dark Side of the Moon, got it? I’m very happy about such trend. Do you listen to some Ukrainian bands? Being a writer is impossible without being a reader. Especially, when it refers to your potential acquaintancies or competitors! One girl who makes a documentary about modern Ukrainian underground-scene, told
me a secret that 99% musicians named us among their favourite bands in a survey. What can be better than recognition from your colleagues? So, in my turn, I’d like to state respect to guys from 5R6, Maloi, Wolverine Blues, Ethereal Riffian, Date Rape, BOMG, Somali Yacht Club, Backchat, Forever Wasted etc. And, speaking about Russian bands, we also like Vagiant and Vespero. Global and philosophic question: what is the success secret of Stoned Jesus? A combination of several factors: from a sudden trend of stoner, which we’ve been playing four years ago, till the professional approach of our patron — “InshaMuzyka” label. But our main tricks, as for me, are our songs and live performance. You can play cool genre music, but if you have only a range of roffs and you drummer confuses third song with the sixth one, you won’t achieve much. Moreover, all these songs or hits, whatever, will go in vain, if you play them half-heartedly. We’ve never worked on our gig shows, but there are things which you do just for fun on reherasals, and then it seems jokey to repeat them on stage. Someone told me that we pay too much attention to our moves, especially on “I’m the Mountain”. Sorry, guys, but this is our favourite song, and I won’t restrain my emotions, as the music rocks! When will we hear something new from you? I guess, we’ll start recordings in summer, for we have to present at least some new songs on our next European tour in autumn! And the third LP will be released next year. Some words for our readers... Do what you love and love what you do. Peace, StJ! Text — Helle Danova Stoned Jesus Artwork — http://vk.com/ stoned_jesus
A stoner night
Before going to conquest foreign lands, Kyiv band Stoned Jesus played the concert for their countrymen in the local club Underground Music Hall. This event was really important: the audience got acquainted with the new drummer, the band also presented the video to the song “Electric Mistress”, moreover – they played in a company of really interesting bands like Wolverine Blues and 5R6. The concert started with a great delay, but it was a big plus for all those who worked this day and were afraid to be late, like me. In spite of the fact that band with twisted name 5R6 from Kharkov opened this event, they got pretty good audience with a great support. It seems that guys were surprised with such a hot welcome. The music of the band sounds like progressive metal with incline to the alternative – sometimes you can catch some “mothafucka” both in melodies and vocals. 5R6 has not released any albums yet (Stoned Jesus frontman even trolled them because of this fact) and has only EP "Knots & Spirals" in their arsenal, but they already toured the Europe with the headliners of today’s show. I hope to hear from them soon and I like their performance much. The next was Wolverine Blues. I really love this band, but today it went something wrong and I wasn’t amazed with their performance. No, it was the high-quality show, and maybe I was so impressed with the previous band that I was not able to perceive them adequately. At home I gave a spin to their album one more time – and that was it, that was a masterpiece! Cementing riffs and twisted solos with a taste of blues, delicious fat sound dripping from the strings — what can I say, guys’ debut work is above all praise. And the raucous vocals that remind of Lemmy Kilmister complete the overall picture in the best way.
Finally the time has come to see Stoned Jesus. These guys brought the real madness to the stage: sometimes it seemed they will crush everything around till death. Stoned Jesus beautifully mixes a lot of different genres in its music, and at the same time the band shows all the majesty of each and makes these genres sound in a fresh and original way, balancing on the contrast between dope relax and crazy drive. Thank to this, 8-minutes long songs seem to last for only a short moment and you want this moment to continue about 20 minutes. I can listen to my favorite “I’m the mountain” again and again for hours — in my opinion, this song is the quintessence of Stoned Jesus’ art and you can become the fan of the band just because of this one! New drummer plays as a killer, and it seems like he meditates behind the drums. What about new video, I can’t say it’s something really great, but it’s OK to appeal to the new fans from the TV screen. But, to be honest, who needs that video, when your eyes roll from the getting satisfaction and you’re not able to be distracted on anything else?! Brightly, emotionally, consistently and, finally, just perfect — this is how the guys look on the stage, and they sound like… no, I don’t want to say they sound like “European band”. I believe that soon the time will come, when foreign bands respect and follow Ukrainian metal-scene, and one of those paragons will be Stoned Jesus. Text — Pantera
One more year from the last MHM went by almost unnoticeably — and the 14th METAL HEADS’ MISSION festival is going to make it hot only in several weeks! Entertaining centre ‘Solnyshko’, placed on the 9th km of Evpatoriya-Simferopol track, will traditionally take a punch, this time — for 4 festival days... and nights! This year, from 03.08 to 04.08, a separate black metal program, called BLACK SEA STORM, will be held in the darkest hours. For the first time, adherents of the black genre will be able to hear the bands from several countries of the world in the most appropriate time for it! MHM’s musical part will be determined by Dying Fetus, Morgoth, Artillery and more than 50 bands from 17 countries. The festival will be closed by the most madman after-party with contests, Payushchie Trusy band and several excellent metal-teams. Traditional metal market will be functioning during all festival days (official festival merch, CD, DVD, magazines, t-shirts, rock attributes), and sport fans will have an opportunity to participate in several funny festival contests. Find associates and friends on the biggest Ukrainian forum gathering, a meeting for MHM forum users! Alcoholic state guaranteed! Bright sun, sea, beer and music! Four days of full breakaway from reality! Join us in these hot August days! Official web-site of the festival: www.mhm-fest.com
Metaltrip: Gothenburg Today more and more Ukrainians allow themselves to go abroad: somebody chooses music festivals, somebody – cultural relax, and other can combine both. Fans of hard music are often interested in thematic places where they can rest, visit local show, meet with other metalheads and fell the taste of local rock’n’roll life. Since this issue, Daily Metal starts to make the excursions to different cities of the world getting the information “from the first hands” – from the people living there. We hope it will help you to make your next trip even more unforgettable and brighter. We remember about motherland of the popular metal genre Melodic Death Metal, so we decided to talk with Göteborg citizens and ask them next questions: Johannes: 1. What does ‘Göteborg Metal’
mean to you? Is it about the sound itself or particular bands? 2. Do you often meet famous rock-
stars in the city? Can you tell us the most memorable story from your “Göteborg rock life”?
Göteborg Metal To me it is probably more the sound than the bands, although I associate the sound with certain bands (old In Flames, At the Gates etc). I guess it is a bit of both. But it doesn’t mean all bands that come from Göteborg automatically have the Göteborg sound. Rock-stars:
3. Could you name and shortly des-
cribe 3 your favorite metal places to hang out and/or buy metal stuff (pubs, rock cafes, metalshops what-ever)? 4. Tell us, please, about clubs evo-
lution. How all it was when you were a teen, when you just started listen to metal and rock music, how things look like today – what has changed?
Sometimes you do yes. Especially when you go to shows you "meet" tons of them. Personally I can say that Johan Hegg (vocalist in Amon Amarth) “lives” in Brew House because you find him there almost every metal show you go to at that venue. Most memorable event for me was definitely the final Burst concert before they quit. There I met my girlfriend) Famous places: Truckstop Alaska in Hisingen is the definite metal venue in town. They only do gigs and they work like union where you have to be a member to enter. Their walls are decorated with upside down crosses,
disfigured and dismembered dolls, psychedelic paintwork, a pentagram made from bones and generally nice creepy stuff. It's definitely a "home brew" place and they get a lot of good mid range (not too small, not too big) bands. They also do horror movie nights and yard sales but I mostly go for the shows. This is my favorite venue! Sticky Fingers is not a typical metal place but it has the basement which plays less commercial metal music compared to the pure "rock place" Rockbaren. They also have a lot of metal shows on their top floor for slightly bigger bands. If you and a group of friends with mixed music tastes are planning to go for a night out this is the obvious choice as those with horrible tastes in music can stay at the middle and top floors (unless there is a gig going on there) and you can go to the basement. This would be my favorite "club" of sorts. Rock House is in my opinion the main metal shop in Gothenburg. Located in central Gothenburg, they have everything from vinyls and CD's to regular merch. Sometimes they have signings as well although I rarely attend those. There you might run into some "famous" people as well if you are interested in that sort of thing. To me it’s the best shop! Changes: In sweden, when you are under 18 you can't enter the bars and stuff that sell alcohol openly so the biggest difference is that I'm actually allowed to do what I want without big brother telling me what I can and can't do. The metal life for the "metal teen" was mostly going around shops or visiting the only venue that had a separate bar at the time (which was Brew House). As soon as I was over 18 and big brother wasn't
watching anymore, I was freer to speak. That is probably the biggest difference. Ilarja: Göteborg Metal: I think is just a dictionary trick, Göteborg happened to be quite prolific back in the 90´s and many bands started to play, Grotesque ( At the Gates soon after), Cerimonial Oath, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity etc. Their genre was completely different in “rudness” and “personallity” that the only thing they got in common was the fact they were from Göteborg. In my opinion, the definition “Melodic-death metal” suits the local bands way better because mostly all of them were having a more melodic approach to death metal in comparison with the “Stockholm scene” and I think (also if I do like bands as Dismember, Grave. Entombed etc.) they have more deep lyrics than the usual “carnage thing”. So ”Göteborg sound” I think is just a catchy way to transform music in another movement... in the 90´s this was huge, think about Seattle´s sound.
Rock-stars: Yes, I meet them at almost every gig. Many people come and hope to find them in pubs or stuff but it´s quite a rare thing. I usually like to say that Göteborg´s area should change name in the name of the band who settled there, they usually live quite close to each others. When I moved to Göteborg I lived in what I can call “Dark Tranquillity area” and one day I saw Mikael Stanne going out of his house with his child and wife, and his doors were opposite to mine! Also I saw ex Evergrey´s guitarist walking his dog in another area just few minutes from there. Famous places: There are so many I divided them per genre: Pub/rock café: Belsepub ( 80 sek for entering), Rock Baren and Sticky fingers are the most famous in Gothenburg´s metal life. You can visit Haketas well, if you enjoy more ambient/dark stuff. Metal Shops: My favorite is still Grothica ( it has completely outstanding dresses and the woman who owns it is so sweet), Shock, and there are many shops with tons of Vinyl / Cassettes at the Andra långgatan where you can find some extremely rare things for an miserable price. Changes: I noticed that both in Gothenburg and Milano there is more or less the same problem, there are few lovers of music itself. No one invest into it or at least not young people which prefer to party or buying expensive cloths with that money. I always loved live music in small venue and it´s an investment I don´t want to cut.
Mattias: Göteborg Metal: For me the Gothenburg Sound stands for melodic, well played, quality death metal. The originators of the sound At The Gates, Dark Tranquillity and In Flames are all old friends of mine. We all sort of come from the same area in Gothenburg and hung out together before anyone was famous, drinking beer, headbanging and listening to vicious thrash metal. Those were great times. I had the best youth ever with those guys. I of course played in a band myself, which everybody did back then, but we never made it. So I had to get in to journalism and write about music instead ha ha. Today lots of bands from other parts of the world play Gothenburg Sound metal or are influenced by the scene. But the fact is that none of those bands would around today if it wasn’t for At The Gates, Dark Tranquillity and In Flames. I am very proud
of my old buddies, and the fact that I was part of the death metal movement in Gothenburg in the late eighties. Rock-stars: I meet them all the time. Gothenburg is such a small town and if you have a particular interest like metal, there aren’t that many places to hang out. I meet guys from the bands I mentioned and bands such as Hammerfall, Tiamat, Evergrey, DeathDestruction, Amaranthe, Hardcore Superstar, The Resistance etc all the time. Together with a friend I run a metal quiz at 2112, a great bar/restaurant owned by some of the guys in In Flames, and the metal stars of Gothenburg are frequent contestants. One recent memory that I am very fond of is when the great band Hardcore Superstar did a big show at Trädgår’n in Gothenburg and in the middle of the set invited me up on stage to have toast (a shot of Jägermeister) with the crowd. It was a great feeling and so much fun. Those guys are the best. Famous places: 2112 – The “In Flames bar” is amazing. It’s a really soft, cool and smart place – not your typical metal place even if the place itself “breathes” metal. The have the best hamburgers in Sweden, the best beers and the nicest staff and guests. It’s a must if you’re in Gothenburg. Bengans Skivbutik – The only really big record store left in Gothenburg with lots of metal. The town was famous in all of Sweden for the quantity of stores and good prices. Due to downloading and that times are changing there are only a few left. But Bengans stand strong. If you’re lucky you might spot a rock star behind the counter. The bass player of Tiamat, my good friend Anders Iwers, has worked there for many years.
Gothenburg Sound Festival – In early January we celebrate the sound from Gothenburg that has become famous throughout the world. Live acts associated with the sound, exhibitions, talk shows and more – a great way to say hi to the upcoming year with fantastic music. It’s a party with depth. Changes: When I was a teen we sort of gave the finger to the LA glam and hair metal. Death metal was our way to do that. And along with the underground scene of death metal came the whole do-it-yourself package that I think taught our generation a lot. We had to write our own magazines (fanzines), record and distribute our own demo cassettes over the world, and talk to club owners and put up our own gigs – because no one else was doing that for us. Today our generation is in our forties and many of us are still involved in the music scene one way or another. So things are much different now. I don’t think that the kids who are fans or in bands have to struggle like we had to do, because back then no adults understood what we were doing. The kids today don’t have to prove themselves, because we – now the adults – know what it’s all about. We’ve been there. Today it’s much easier to get your metal music out there to people with the internet and stuff. But I guess there are also a lot more bands, so it might not be easier to actually make it. The youth of today are in general better musicians than we were, but are the songs better? Are the styles of metal more unique? I’m not saying that it was better before, just different, that’s all. The important thing is always to believe in what you do for the love of music. To have fun and bang your brains out!
Flames co-owns a restaurant/bar called 2112 (after the awesome Rush album!) that has become a hang out place for the Göteborg Metal elite. Just last week Dark Tranquillity held their listening party for their new album there! Also, whenever there is a concert in town you can be sure that the afterparty will be at 2112. I have shared drinks with Slayer, Baroness, The Sword, Entombed, Arch Enemy and The Black Dahlia Murder here to name a few.
Martin: Göteborg Metal: Göteborg Metal is both about the sound and the bands! The bands Ceremonial Oath, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity and At The Gates all came to by mainly the same group of friends who met in school or even lived in the same street! They even swapped members between the bands a couple of times, so I think the sound and the bands are very closely linked together. In the beginning there was more death metal and less melody in the sound, but it has gradually changed over the years to more melodic and less death metal. Now In Flames have even become one of Sweden’s biggest music exports! I didn't start listening to the Göteborg Metal scene until the later part of the 90s, and can't really say that it has influenced my music. There are lots of bands who play Göteborg Metal now days, so I try to write my music a bit different to stand out from the crowd. But I think every metal core and death core bands of today have In Flames on their list of influences! Rock-stars/ Famous places: It happens quite often that you bump into members of In Flames, Dark Tranquillity and Arch Enemy. Peter and Björn of In
If you are looking for live shows then Club Belsepub at Henriksberg is the place. They host local bands every other Saturday and sometimes they book bigger bands too. The club is run by Tony Jelencovich (Icon in Me, Mnemic, M.A.N, Transport League) since the late 90s in various bars and it is still a breeding ground for new metal bands in the Göteborg area. When it comes to buy clothes and band merch Shock.se is the best store! Changes: Like I mentioned, Belsepub has been around since the late 90s in different bars, and is still going strong. Other clubs have come and gone but nothing really has changed much in the past 20 years or so. The first place a band gets to play is usually the local youth recreation center, and when they become of legal drinking age it's getting a gig at Belsepub and then work their way from there. In Sweden it is super easy to get a contribution from the government for playing music to help with rent for rehearsal rooms etc. So there are a lot of bands playing and the competition is pretty tough. Many bands want to be seen and there is almost not enough places to play! Sometimes I seems like there are more band members than audience in Gothenburg! Text — Pantera, Helle Danova
Photos provided by survey participants
Symphomania When the poster promised not just a regular gig, but a visual effects I-don'tremember-how-many-D show, I felt a little puzzled because my experience of such crossovers didn't seem much positive. I was afraid to get into a vicious circle when you understand that you’ve come for a gig, but something strange is going on. Luckily, Symfomania made Jim Daniels stare only at the stage.
twice. Due to it there was a partial reshuffle of the lineup and the tour dates schedule reduced to embarrassing minimum as for a band with two LPs and many tracks in radio rotation.
The show was held in the Kyiv Planetarium, where now I-don't-rememberhow-many-D cinema operates. Before the show you could see various companies slowly approaching the building, some with children, the other seemed just left the office and made their ties looser. And of course there was an army of metalheads in black T-shirts with stretched neck holes and half washed prints “Aria” on the back.
Symfomania started aggressively and confidently. There were no warming-ups and other let's-get-ready stuff. From the very offset they threw in the audience five classical covers on Russian band Aria songs. The first two — “Ulitsa Roz” (“Street of Roses”) and “Posledniy Zakat” (“The Last Sunset”) were followed by humble and shy applause as if shadowed by a non-confidence, but later the things went better. All the time the Planetarium cupola served as the large screen for videos created specially for the show which hugged the stage and the crowd and shut them from the outer world.
The show became the first Symfomania gig after a long break. Female lineup means female troubles. Almost all members became moms, someone even
Having warmed the audience to a dangerous level Symfomanians slowed down and struck “Raskachayem etot mir” (“Rock this world”) and “Oskolok
lda” (“Spill of Ice”). These songs killed the tempo and splashed the pathos over the public. As a matter of fact it was a clear sign that Aria part of the show was coming to an end. Aria symphonic covers were the factor which spurred many fans to buy tickets, but I wanted to listen to listen to Symfomania own songs from the first album. The ladies did not made me wait long and didn't let the audience to recover breath and have a little rest from a mad endorphins rush. The next part of the show was really devoted to the authentic music. “The Watch” with its main cello riff and
stage was peeled of insincere play and the show took really to honest and simple direction. Even the visual effects could not distract the glance from two round spotlights on the stage which turned bows and strings into uncovered nerves. The show finished with covers. "Wolf to the moon", "Don't Stop Me Now", “Sacrament of Wilderness”, and "I Was Made for Loving You" wearied emotionally squeezed audience to a trance state. The last drop of this storm was John Petrucci's “Glasgow Kiss”, the main riff of which was performed on a small Celtic harp. It made people happy and mad at the same time. Nevertheless, the covers which sandwiched Symfomania own tracks left a repugnant aftertaste and made me think the girls have complexes about playing their own stuff which are by no means worse than the covers they play. It was a great pleasure to see kids rushing for the stage with bunches of flowers. It was the same pleasure to come out of the hot building and feel the cool rain washing you after such a hot show. Text and photos — Jim Daniels
later “The Hunt” and “The Candle” dragged out all good feelings and memories. The
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