Summer sounds lovely - let it rain

I've been busy and not-so-busy this summer with a lot of stuff (mainly my graduation, music festivals, my band and my civil service [equivalent to military service only non-military]). New bands have found their way into my library of music but I've also re-discovered some older material that has been totally forgotten (i.e found a copy of Brave Murder Day by Katatonia in a second hand music store last week). 

Lately I've also had a look towards Finnish rap artists like DJ Kridlokk, Eevil Stöö, Tuuttimörkö and such. 

Anyway, the main point for this update was to talk about Ilosaarirock music festival which is held in july every year in my hometown of Joensuu. For me it's the best festival Finland has for many reasons. First of all the festival area is beautiful, large and versatile (suiting a music festival perfectly). I have lots of memories regarding Ilosaarirock (for example the best show I've ever been to was ISIS at Ilosaarirock in 2009). The line-up is always great and variant with artists from different genres like hardcore, electronic, rock, metal, pop etc...you name it. 

This year was yet again a great one for Ilosaarirock as the line-up had some bands I was really anticipating for some of the bands. The memorable artists/bands this year were definitely Gracias & The Globe Band (hip-hop), OJJ (electronic), KC/MD Mafia (hip-hop), Oranssi Pazuzu (psychedelic black-metal), Night Lives (hardcore), Haim (indie rock), Opeth (progressive rock/metal) and last but not least Portishead!!

The highlights of the festival were definitely Opeth and Portishead. They both played an extremely pleasant show and I thoroughly enjoyed both of them. Opeth played some older material (early 2000's Deliverance/Damnation era) as well as newer stuff (mainly from Heritage and Watershed). Mikael was funny as always and his growls seemed fine to me. I don't really get the hate from fans towards his growling vocals (I mean c'mon the man is over 40 already with over 20 years of touring and playing in several bands and growling his lungs out like a beast for so long). 

Portishead was beyond magical and huge. They played songs from all of their albums and the total playtime for the show was over one and a half hours. They didn't speak anything in between the songs until a few thank-you's after the show. The visuals they had were very fitting to the songs with some psychedelic vibes and moody photography. 

All in all once again I had a great time in Ilosaarirock this year (also this is a bit late as it was a month ago but I've been busy so that's a valid excuse). 

Next time I will write about one of my favourite albums of all time and a re-mastered version that was released this year. 

Peace and Love
- Matti

Garage Festin fiilistelyt! - Big feels @ Garage Fest

Kävin lauantaina fiilistelemässä Kerubin Garage Festissä Death Hawksia enkä ole vieläkään päässyt yli bändin ylivoimaisesta live-esiintymisestä! Happoisen psykedeeliset progekappaleet iskivät kovaa ja syvälle. Soundi-lehti ei turhaan valinnut Death Hawksin kakkosalbumia vuoden 2013 parhaaksi kotimaiseksi albumiksi; bändin lavaolemus ja kappaleiden tiukka progressiivinen soundi ansaitsevat arvostuksensa.

Olin koko keikan ajan aivan fiiliksissä lävitseni tunkeutuvasta musiikin virrasta ja pyrin vain antautumaan musiikin katkeamattomalle tunnevyörylle. Koko yleisö tuntui olevan kuin transsissa.

--

Last Saturday I went to Kerubi Garage Fest to see and feel Death Hawks and I've yet to get over the band's outstanding live-performance! Their acid-filled psychedelic prog songs hit me hard and deep. The Soundi -magazine didn't pick Death Hawks' second album as the best Finnish album of 2013 in vain; the band's stage presence and tight progressive sound surely deserve it's appreciation.

I was super hyped all trough the show from the flow of music going through me and I just tried to surrender myself to the continuous flow of feelings I received from the music. The whole audience seemed as if in a trans of some sort.