Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

Everyone has dreams. Hopes. Big fairy floss like reels of goals that they want to achieve. One of my many dreams sprouted right from when I was a little ye-high munchkin pinking up slimy snails and trying to feed Giraffes with bubble gum. Thus began my journey to becoming a part of the Animal World, even though humans are already considered as being right at the top, I don't. Mum's pretty certain that that's where I belong though, right Jan?

 Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is a non-profit marine life conservation organisation and pretty much tops my bucket list. It was founded in 1977 by the fiesty Paul Watson, a former member of Greenpeace. The man is an absolute beast if I do say so myself. I mean that in the best way possible. We need more people like him in the real world where Wildlife Conservation isn't just about filing papers and recording a depleting number of species and speculations; it's about taking action. Hardcore action to protect the beings who can't speak for themselves and who need our human abilities of reasoning and rational thinking to help them survive.



I found out about this organisation a couple of years ago when I was reading an article about Gojira and how they support Sea Shepherd. I looked it up and fell in love with it instantly. Gojira is still working on their Sea Shepherd EP, which I hope comes out really soon. Anyway, one of the main reasons I became fascinated with this organisation is the kind of work they do. They pursue their objectives using 'direct action' tactics. And by direct action, they really mean direct. Captain Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd has been criticized on many levels for his aggressive approach to marine live conservation, and although his and the organisations tactics may be of an aggressive nature, it is definitely required given the current status of whaling and excessive harm that the seas and it's inhabitants face.

With hardly any support and backing and being a 100% fund and donation run organisation, Paul and his crew have come a long long way with their objectives. Not too long ago, I was fiddling around on Twitter when I just happened to check Sea Shepherd's page. At 4 in the morning, already being unable to sleep, I found out that Sea shepherd was bringing the SS Bob Barker to Sydney for the weekend. As is my reaction to many things, I literally fell off my bed  and decided to celebrate by jumping around my little apartment and then eat Reeses. Jokes apart, I couldn't believe how lucky I was. They were docking at Circular Quay, and giving free tours of the ship as well as an insight into what Sea Shepherd and it's crew do and face in their quest to protect the marine world.


                                                                   















Without a second thought, I got my arse up early that Sunday morning to get to Circular Quay. The closer I was getting to the ship, the more I couldn't help thinking to myself, " Things happen. Things you want do happen. You just have to let it come to you and happen in their own time." Yes I know, sometimes I'm too wise for my own good but what do you do.

It's a dream of min eto work with the Sea Shepherd crew someday and I feel like that day is soon approaching considering the work Sea Shepherd Australia do. It's massive. Intense. The things one of the crew members was telling me blew my mind out of my head socket.We watched videos of the Sea Shepherd ship being massacred by the Japanese ships and I'm thinking to myself - These guys are friggin legends. I asked her what's involved in becoming a part of the crew, and she basically said - As long as you sign a contract that states Sea Shepherd isn't responsible if you die, you're welcome aboard. Good shizz. But that's what life is all about. No not dying, that would be a little bit ironic. It's about taking risks for things you believe in. This is something I believe in strongly. With each day, I see more and more things that make me believe that I HAVE to do something, my tiny little part to save the awesome creatures that make up the Animal Kingdom. They need a voice to represent them like Jeff Corwin says. I want to be one of those voices.

The Night That Was Soilwork

This was a night I had been waiting for since early on this year. I caught the Soilwork announcement when I was at work and literally yelped in sheer happiness much to the surprise of those around me. When asked what I was getting so psyched for, I merely said, "Soilwork" and flashed.... a grin, guys, a grin. Guessing that it was probably one of the many 'loud noise' bands I listen to, no one further questioned me.

I got off work as early as I could on Thursday evening (October 3rd) to get home, and then head to the Manning Bar for one of the most epic nights ever. The bar is inside the University of Sydney campus which is insanely and rather annoyingly huge, I worked up a good appetite before getting into the gig, leading me to be a starved soul for four and a half hours but the pangs of hunger were soon forgotten. The doors opened later than scheduled but the best part about gigging is the wait. I kept myself entertained watching a couple of very drunk, rather Giant-like, Irish metalheads explicitly bantering about their respective body parts, followed by them bouncing up and down like little girls. It was hilarious and quite hot. I do like me an Irishman. A long-haired metalhead at that.

I entered, found a good spot to chill, Tensions arise were just about done with their soundcheck and with no prior warning just took to the stage like raged bulls. They had this energy about them that I really admired . Fun and rather unique music, they had a little bit of everything from heavy to hardcore going on in their set! I'm only a few gigs old in Sydney, but I know for a fact that it is common decorum to not miss out the opening acts just to wait and see the headliners. Every band works hard to be up on a stage in front of people, but somehow some people don't seem to get that. Sadly Tensions Arise had only a few people hanging around, but they were cheering hard for them.

Up next, were Melbourne band Death Audio. I quite liked them, they were heavy, melodic, my kind of music. The clean vocalist had such a captivating voice, very country-jazz like and it just went so brilliantly well with the growls and the heavy tunes. These guys reminded me a lot of Ne Obliviscaris. They had a brilliant stage presence as well entering on stage with the Aussie flag in hand, bossing the scene in general. They really psyched the mood up even more and I was getting all fangirl-ish and excited!


After a few minutes, the lights dimmed, and the Swedish metallers took to the stage. I must have looked like a blooming idiot because I just could not stop smiling. The crowd at the Manning Bar ,which was now packed, was getting restless until all was quiet. You know that saying, "the calm before the storm"? Soilwork exhibited that perfectly, literally causing a riot with their opening track 'This Momentary Bliss' and I was ecstatic, this being one of my favourite tracks off their latest album. The Manning, which was close to oh so silent, suddenly became a raging madhouse!

Many songs played during the set were off their latest double album, one of my favourite metal albums this year, 'The Living Infinite". Long Live The Misanthrope, Parasite Blues, Rise Above The Sentiment, al sounded even more brutal live than I expected. The moment the beautiful symphonic opening for Spectrum of Eternity began, I had more tears and the biggest friggin grin on my face, as was the case with Tongue. From the very moment Bjorn "Speed" Strid took to the stage along with his band, it was just one hell of show.

Soilwork's overall performance that night is not something I can perfectly put down in writing. From start to finish, they were absolute beasts on stage, every member of the band bringing it their all. Sydney was one heck of an audience, with people singing along, cans of beer being thrown around, girls giving crowd surfing a whole new definition, it was absolutely insane. A few fans even got Bjorn to wear a very special crown, which he said looked like a very ancient fruit basket. No one wanted the night to end, and Soilwork was back after constant chants with a three song encore playing one of my all time favourite tracks Stabbing the Drama. What I loved though was how towards the end, Bjorn told the crowd to embrace the moment and to forget capturing everything on Instagram and the like. The man had a valid point. Hee, he mentioned how at one show, there was one guy capturing the whole gig on his iPad. Funny species dem humans.
Soilwork will always remain as one of my top favourite metal bands, and they proved why that night =)

The Night That Was Amorphis

It was a pleasant windy evening as I made my way to The Factory theater for one of Sydney’s and my most memorable nights. I still remember when Amorphis announced their first ever Australian tour, I couldn’t help but think of how insanely lucky I am. I definitely moved back at the right time. It's been tours galore this year and this is just the beginning.

Before I get into anything, I have to rave a little about the venue. I LOVED IT. Compared to the others that I’ve been to, the factory theater was so awesome. It was spacious and comfortable, had a slight elevation towards the center of the place for people who didn’t want to be right up front, and I don’t know how else to describe it really, but I felt so at home there. Got a good view too except for the occasional bald headed specimen popping up and down in front of me. As long as I could see my main man Tomi, I was a happy camper. Just in general, the place had a really good feel to it, I did notice how neat it was, but I'll quietly take back that comment after I came back home with my boots and me smelling like beer and all dem other alcoholic shenanigans.

I walked in just as The Eternal were beginning their set. I’ve only heard a few tracks by this band but I really liked what I heard. Nice progressive sound, doomish feel and well paced music. I really liked the vocalist, he had a soothing voice that went really well with the rest of the bands sound. I do hope I get to see more of them, they're definitely a good band to see and hear live.

Up next were sydney based band Datura Curse. They were SUCH a fun, energetic and extremely unique band .  I only listened to their new release a few days ago and  they are really really worth the listen and more. Better yet, they sound insane live! Strong , raspy vocals, catchy and rhythmic guitars, all in all, really intense music. Not only does their music have the perfect blend of heavy death growls, melodic metal and beautiful clean vocals with a bit of rock thrown in, with a lot of metalcore, some of their lyrics are amazing, deep deep stuff. Their vocalist was a total riot. Trying to get a crowd pumped can be a bit of a challenge but he didn’t give up. Initially throwing the crowd subtle hints to get themselves up front, after a couple of songs, he took it upon himself to occupy the empty spaces and enthusiastically got off the stage and got a few heads banging. The band had an amazing stage presence, and although I feel like the audience could've given them a little more applause than what they got, they were cheered nonetheless. Definitely a band to keep an eye and ear on!

After about a half  hour changeover, it was the moment I had been waiting for for months. With ‘The Wanderer’ featured on the ‘Circle’ album cover at the back of the stage, the lights slowly dimmed and I could feel the excitement gripping all of the fans gathered to watch and listen to one of the best melodeath bands of all time. One by one, members of the six piece Finnish outfit came on stage, taking their positions and getting ready to shred face. Finally, (picture me with hearts in my eyes when you read this bit), out came in power strides, fists high up and with those absolutely gorgeous dreadlocks, Tomi Joutsen, frontman of Amorphis. I knew instantly that I had bagged a good spot because he was right in front of me. I had to elbow a few taller creatures that were obstructing my view but I had my way.

Wasting no time, Amorphis kicked off their set on a heavy note, playing Shades of Gray off their latest album. If jaws could literally drop, rest assured mine was already on the floor. Tomi’s vocals were unmatched. He has such a magnificent presence on stage, and an even more powerful voice. I don't know what it is, but there's just this aura of pride and sheer awesomeness about him, and by now you can see that I have quite a huge crush on the man. Also, TOMI JOUTSEN HEADBANGING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL YOUR BUCKET LISTS CONSIST OF BUT BLOODY HELL, WATCHING THIS GORGEOUS FINNISH MAN HEADBANGING. An absolute must. Please refer to video, you'll understand fully what I'm talking about. He actually has to pause for a few seconds to let his dreadlocks come forth before he can actually start headbanging. *swoon*

 I did gradually get pushed towards the back due to a semi pit that was attempting to create havoc but lucky for me I got more space to unleash The Hair. It was hilarious because there were people doing this weird,random folk-y dance too! Good fun!

Esa Holopainen. Lead Guitar. = BRUTALITY REDEFINED. Probably one of my favourite things about this band's music is the magic that is brought in by the melodic keyboard segments by Kallio who absolutely owned. The same can be said about every member of Amorphis, it was such a tight performance, they sailed through it effortlessly, without any major sound issues. 



The set had them play quite a few tracks off ‘Circle’ such as Narrow Path, Hopeless Days, The Wanderer and Nightbird's song. And holy mother of god when I heard the symphonic intro to Nightbirds song, I had goosebumps all over. And then went completely mental. Hands down, one of the best Amorphis songs ever written and one of the best live too. I’m pretty sure my hair whipped a couple of people in the face. Heh. Longhairawesomenessyo. The progression of that song is absolutely beautiful. You get a true sense of what Melodic death really means. Listening to The Wanderer too, I had tears, singing along, I was in my happy place. The lyrics on that track were something I related to. Read them. Simple, yet meaningful and emotional.

 The setlist for the night was a treat with Amorphis playing some of their classic tunes like Sampo , Silver Bride and Sky Is Mine from Skyforger, another one of my favourite albums. My night was made when they played tracks from one of their oldest albums Tales From The Thousand Lakes, the first ever Amorphis album I came across. I have a thing for concept albums and this one is a beauty. By now you are aware of my obsession with the Finnish and all things folk. Amorphis base a lot of their music on the traditonal folk tales or folk epic of Finland called  Kalevala. And Tales From The Thousand Lakes is a masterpiece. You I Need and My Kantele were my other much loved tracks of the night. What was thought to be the end of the show, the crowd yelled for three more songs, and Amorphis kindly obliged with a three song encore, confirming that not only are they one of the greatest melodeath band that ever existed, but that they are one of the nicest too.

By the end of it all, I wasn't tired. I was refreshed, ecstatic and felt so insanely good. The music that you choose to listen to shouldn't just be because you like one particular genre or a specific band. It should make you feel a happiness that nothing else can. Which is the effect that Amorphis have on me. I was so grateful to be a part of their first time in Sydney that night, because it was beyond amazing. Hoping I get to see more of them in the near future, or I'll just stick to my original plan and move to Finland.

Amorphis bid farewell with Tomi thanking Sydney for having them and saying that they loved the country! Yes, it was definitely a night I will never forget =)