Brain Dump #1

So today I was having lunch with a friend of mine, and we were just talking about how we have the most abnormal reactions in awkward or emotional situations; hysterical fits of laughter, sarcasm, or just faces of stone. I'm not too great with emotions or expressing them. I'm sort of like Hannibal that way, you can never really tell what I'm feeling because either I'm really quiet or I'm laughing like a hyena on crack. I don't particularly like the rest of the world knowing how I feel either so I like it that way, although many times it has gotten me into bouts of trouble leading to me expressing too much pent up emotion or just not giving two shits at all. But then it comes right back to hysterics and sarcasm. My two defence mechanisms. So on my usual daily internet junkie spree, I came across the phrase, 'Brain Dump'. Basically, it means just that, dumping all the shennanigans your brain has to put up with inside your cranium and letting it all out, or atleast some of it out. And what better way than to blog about it hey? Now now, this is not about me letting out my 'pheelingzz and eeemoshaanz', but more or less to give you kind peasants an idea of what really goes down in my supersonic noodle-organ every now and then. The Brain-Dump section of my blog you could call it. And trust me when I say, I have THEE most random thoughts, so I'm sure this will be rather entertaining for you to read. And like I always say, I take great pride in my Chinese Zodiac Rooster trait of being honest so this is me, being completely honest. I'm really excited about this new addition to my virtual creative life so here's Brain Dump #1

DECEMBER 12th , 2013

1. I really need to put an earring into my sixth piercing before it closes. AGAIN. Discussing piercings today with someone, I'm considering one on my inner ear lobe but apparently it kills and takes one whole bloody year to heal. Well I don't blame the body really, snipping off bits off skin with a needle isn't really the brightest of ideas. then again, my ears are hot shizz. Also I love the sound when the piercing is done, makes everyone else around me flinch. I'm a little messed up in the head like that but I like it. Contrary to popular belief, I still need to squeeze the life out of someone's hand when I'm getting one done. Adding more holes to your body isn't all fun and dandelions. Also, why in Honolulu's name would anyone pierce their friggin cheeks? stick a jewel on there if you really want shiny cheeks!!!!!! or body glitter.

2. People have the wrong idea about metal. Look what it's done to add to the Christmas cheer!

This band is so awesome! They make me want to hug a tree,wear a tutu and headbang all at the same time. Someone turned up in a tutu last month to a gig. Another chick with a My Little Pony bag. I'm not quite sure why they must be so very rebellious. who would've thunk you could be rebellious with a My Little Pony bag? My idea of rebellion was shoving 43 grapes into my mouth, listening to European bands growl Satanic verses and colouring my hair red. Balls that was, I'm so glad it's back to normalcy now. I love my hair. It's like my baby. Pretty soon I can use it as a scarf for Sydney's winter. It's not quite there yet, more like a replacement for a coconut bra. Not that I like wearing coconuts but it serves the purpose.

3. I love how even after atleast 14 years of using the internet I still keep like 2962936238 tabs open. Doesn't slow down anything for me, people are just jealous of my mad tab skillz. Writing down memos are so 20th century anyway. Tabs are the way to go!

4. I'm still contemplating this 365 day photo challenge. What if I miss out one day? Do I take two the next day? I'm sure no one will notice. Or I could just count one day from the next year and start my own Calendar. That could work. I might have to take selfies. I find selfies and skype the two most awkward things EVER. I've taken a few selfies but it's been with the aim of showing people my gorgeous self. Oh how I do love me. Is all forms of social interaction meant to make you look like a total retard? On twitter it looks like you're talking to yourself and on Skype it looks like your looking at yourself. Unless the other person switches on their video then it's cool. But what the hillabean do you do staring at each other? Every time someone says, COME ON SKYPE, all I can think to myself is, " Man, why? I have eyes, ears and nostrils just like you. They're just positioned differently."

5. I really need to find another job. I'm hoping someone replies to my emails at some point or I'm just going to have to walk around wearing a signboard to make myself a little more seen to potential Employers. Maybe some fresh donuts hanging off my ears. I still have room believe it or not.

6. I have so many posts to finish. ljehweihfwlefkjlwefj. Baby steps they said. Patience they said. WHO ARE THESE STUPID PEOPLE.

7. I'm hungry. again. two bowls of cereal, a whole Indian lunch of fried rice, three curries and a Samosa, followed by Mushroom and Tomato Penne and then two bowls of rice with gravy and pickle for dinner. Oh not too mention the three bottles of Organic Cola I drank in a matter of 15 minutes. man I downed those beeches at supersonic speeds. I'd be a pretty darn good drinker of beers and the like. I reckon I could hold my own though and not get all 'hungover' and wack in the head. I'm wack in the head as it is. I ate too much chocolate as well. CRUNCH I shall return on the weekend. What a name for a gym. CRUNCH. It's a wonder I even joined gym, is that name supposed to motivate non-gym people like me?

8. To the couple sitting in front of me slobbering on each other's faces - Did you know the human mouth has more germs than USA and Canada put together? Don't even ask me how that's possible, but it's a fun fact. I like fun facts. You two sound like birds with diarrhoea. If that's what you call romance, I'd rather have donuts hanging off of my ears.

9.  - So I'm looking at this as a base for my new endeavour, and it's like the Universe really does want to challenge me. 1. Your backyard on a Snowy day. What about for people that don't have a backyard, like me? What about for people that live in a country where of course, it refuses to snow when it's supposed to, like a normal country. I may have to change these a little. Or I'll just do what I always did to pretend it was snowing and rub some thermocol together on plants. Man, my creativity levels just astound me. Why is there that stupid curvy red line under thermocol? I DO NOT WANT THE WORD THERMAL I WANT THE WORD THERMACOL.  How are computers smart? I don't get it.  Don't you spell it like that?

I found another list. Yay.

http://fatmumslim.com.au/photo-a-day-challenge-lists-see-them-all-here/

A snowy backyard it seems.

10.  I cannot get over how intense this video is.It's dark, brutal and has a wolf. What I wouldn't give to see Behemoth again. One of the best nights of my life. Seeing Nergal's face just gave me so much strength. My spirit animal is apparently an Otter but I'm definitely more of a Wolf. I want my own Wolf.

I friggin love Behemoth. I should read up more on Mythology. It's been a while. 

11. When I grow up, because apparently I haven't yet, I want a room full of just these. 

                                              

Meet The Meat You Eat Humanimals

I'm an honest person. Sometimes brutally honest. And as experience has taught me, being that brutal doesn't sit well with, unsurprisingly most of the human population. People like hearing what they want. Yet no one is prepared to listen to what they need to. Which further pushes me to make people see reason in the brutal truth. I cannot stand ignorance, just like I have a strong dislike towards those who seem to be under the impression that they're the sole great beings walking Planet Earth. As anti-Humanimal as I sound for the most part, I really am not. But I am an anti-lets-chop-some-animals-up-and-satiate-our-taste-buds-because-there-are-in-fact-too-many-of-them. I hyphenated that for you so it's easy on the irises (irii?) but it has more effect when you un-hyphenate it.

Now since I'm honest and all that jazz, let me get straight to it. Also, just to put it out there, never do I use the word 'hate'. If you've read a previous post, you'll see why. And as I said before, I only use it when I really have zero tolerance for something. And I think I've reached a point in my life where I've further understood myself and I can safely say that I absolutely hate the fact that animals are killed for people. I didn't understand it when I was 3 and I certainly do not comprehend it now. When I was a child, albeit a weird and rather eccentric one, I knew something wasn't right with the world when I walked past the meat section in the supermarkets. I'd go to the rather humorous extent of pacing up and down that aisle, head high up, nose revealing the elegant nostrils of a 3 year old and with just one phrase I'd impact the reactions of my fellow supermarket-goers greatly; "SHMEH-LAAAAAAAY'.

Translation: Smelly. This positively wreaks. Much to the embarrassment of my family, who would conveniently disappear into either sections leaving me to my young blood protests, they found it hilarious. But I was making a point then. It's not easy trying to communicate when you're that age. No one gets you! Heck no one gets me now even!

As is common being a Vegetarian, I'm forever asked how I survive without meat, how I'm even standing without so much as a flinch when I haven't consumed the dead flesh of another being. I'm very firm but subtle in my views and I don't discuss my opinions or anything about how I feel until I completely trust a person. sometimes it takes more than trust too. Many times in the past, due to reactions, I've just backed off about things when it comes to me. I let the bare minimum surface. This isn't to say that I have a lot of secrets or I keep things to myself. It's more I keep TO myself. Sounds anti-social, but it works for me. Until a few days ago, I was asked yet again why I'm a grass-eater.

Another thing I always make clear to people is that I will not judge you if you eat meat ( well maybe a little), you can do whatever you want. It's just that I don't. But when I'm pushed, sometimes I say things which make people wish they didn't bother asking me questions at all. Said person didn't really say anything harsh, but what he did say caused me to feel so much hatred because of the general attitude of the human race towards the animal kingdom. "It's just meat."

Wherever you're reading this, I want you to say that out loud. As cliché and YOGI this sounds, close your eyes and say it. "It's just meat". Really? That's all it is? It's also a life that has been taken for the sole purpose of satisfying a never ending greed and food fetish. It's a life that was once someone's child, someone's parent and someone's close friend. It's just the meat of a living being, similar to yourselves who have the given right to live their lives and not end up on someone's plate as a kebab.

People only see the close-to-end result. Or the end result. But do you see the process? Do you see how your curries and roasts end up that way? What you see are names on a Menu. Just lumps of meat which to people who eat meat are just like piles of vegetables. They bear no meaning. It's just food. It's normal.

It isn't normal. It's a tragic affair happening everywhere on a daily basis in all of the 200 odd countries in the world at every given second. This isn't to say that Meat should be stopped. But instead of being in a constant state of denial, think a little before you buy your next hamburger. Or before you talk to a Vegetarian. Or before you meet me. Meet what's being killed. I can cook my own dinner from scratch. But can you?

Also I've been wondering, it's positively shattering what went down in the Philippines. But has anyone even considered giving a minute of their time to a little place in Japan called Taiji?

I think you should. You'll understand me better then.

The Night That Was Moonsorrow

I laughed to myself at how appropriate the band I was heading to see that night was, Moonsorrow, as one of the craziest thunderstorms recorded in the city, raged down on the people of Sydney, everyone shuffling around like minions looking for any form of transport to get them out of the gripping wet cold. Walking to trains, trains to bus, bus to a taxi and then on my feet again, I ran as quick as I could to what is fast becoming my second home, the Manning Bar to witness a night of beautiful Finnish Pagan metal magic.

Unfortunately I missed the opening band Dead River Runs Dry, who describe themselves and their music as "A charred black slab of ruthless venom that only Australia could spit out".I had listened to their 2012 release WINTER 2012, filled with black metal goodness but I'm sure I would've enjoyed watching and hearing them live as well. Hoping to catch them the next time.

I entered the venue, wet and exhausted but my body ready for a night of metal, just as Germ's members were doing their sound-check. Germ, are slowly becoming one of my favourite local acts. The first time I caught them was, when they opened for Enslaved and honestly I was all a mix of shock and awe. As a haunting and beautiful symphonic intro plays, the dark, hooded and masked figures of Germ come on stage, reminding me of bats. Now there is something special about this band which I absolutely admire, they lead you into believing that they are all about the black metal symphony when the vocalist, Tim Yatras, with a mystic, depressive demeanor  powers in, with screams that remind me of banshees, piercing through the ghostly black metal  melody. My word, does he have some insane vocal chords. this is definitely not something a lot of people would like, let alone consider music but I was beyond impressed especially the second time around. The guitar segments are a treat to the senses, I had my eye constantly on the lead guitarist and my eyes were close to popping out of their sockets! His hands move at a supersonic speed. The band as a whole is awesome to watch, the vocalist disappearing in dramatic pauses, only to come back and unleash those vocals with even more gusto. An epic part of their performance is when the multi-talented Tim unleashes his brutal less depressive side on the drums, tribal-ing up the sound and the mood a notch. It truly is something you need to develop a taste for but trust me, once you see these guys, you'll wrap your head around their style which is intense, unique and beautifully depressing. 

Finally, the heroes of the night, the gorgeous Finnish men of Moonsorrow. There's just something about Scandinavia and mythology that psychs my brains out. Throw in some metal and you've lost me. That kind of music literally takes you into a whole other world, and with Moonsorrow? It's all about the dark and eerie depths of the mysterious and historical land of Finland. Adorning red paint  that was splashed across their bodies and faces, entering the stage to the beautiful symphonic, key filled intro of Tyven as frontman, Ville Sorvali strides in topless, his band mates dressed in black leather outfits, I knew I was in for a heavy and fun night. 

With a powerful presence, the Finnish Viking outfit burst into Sankarihauta with such a blistering sound that I could feel my ear drums vibrate. Horses neighing in the background, that mid-paced pounding of the drums, majestic riffs, the sound of swords slaying, gives you full visuals of  brutal armies charging at each other in a struggle to win a battle. Ville's voice is something else. The chanting, elements of flute and chants just adds to the beauty of the Finnish epic based track. They definitely brought out the charming side of metal too. There's a small guitar solo towards the end of the track that sounds even more perfect live. You cannot help but love this band that dedicate their music to the folk tales and epics of their country.  

There were the traditional war horns and beers raised in respect, a fan dressed in a kilt, Moonsorrow started off on a highly energetic note. The guitarist causing a riot with his mad headbanging,along with the vocalist, it was so much fun to watch! One of my favourite things about this band is that each member contributes to the singing, be it leads or backing vocals. Various pitches and vocal tones add to the magnanimity of their melodic folk music as well as doing justice to the length of these songs. Seriously, these guys are contenders against the likes of legendary band Opeth and their awesomely long tracks. 

Powering through some of their most brilliant work, 'Kivenkantaja', 'Pimea', 'Kylaan Paasa' which has a definite didgeridoo or atleast something like it featuring in spurts throughout the length of the track, riffs beng hammered all over the place and powerful screams with some beautiful symphonic segments in between all of this. The rhythmic clapping during this track followed by the traditional 'Oi Oi' yells, Marco Tarvonen's insane drumming,  really got the crowd going completely bonkers.Truly makes you want to go to war or atleast break something just to have this song playing in the background. Another one of my favourites Jotunheim blasted out. WHAT A TRACK. 19 beautiful minutes of sheer folk awesomeness. I was in a complete trance listening to this track, which begins with a beautiful instrumental passage, slow paced melodic guitar riffs opening your mind to the beauty of the Scandinavian country. The sound of birds, the soft sounding keys, send you into a calm state before without any sort of warning suddenly transcends into a beautiful balance of crushing folk and black metal, the vocals both growls and the backing chants in an atmosphere of  heavy and acoustic add to the charm of this track. One of their most amazing songs yet!

After a conversation with the crowd about their homeland, Moonsorrow prepared the adoring audience for their final 15 minute track of  the night, with one of the most amazing tracks ever composed by Moonsorrow, from their 2011 album "Varjoina kuljemme kuolleiden maasa", the crowd was in a riot as 'Kuolleiden Maa' echoed through the air. The power of this song is magnificent as is the charisma of the Finnish five-piece, gracing our shores for the very first time. It was a beautiful night, bringing together metalheads from all over Sydney to witness one of the greatest folk metal bands of all time. Yes it was one hell of a night, the night that was Moonsorrow.

The Night That Was Behemoth (literally)

Behemoth. The very sound of that name is enough to give you a chill down your spine. It creates visuals of a beastly power that has an inevitable magnificence and can grip the minds of people in an instant. Needless to say, that is exactly the persona of Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth. The moment Soundworks touring dropped this announcement, I felt an array of emotions rush through my head all in a matter of seconds. I could hardly believe it yet again that the year I get to Sydney, a band I go crazy for was heading my way.

The first act of that epic night were Sydney's five piece death metal outfit Exekute . I had never come across these guys before but that's the beauty and advantage of getting to a gig early, you discover some pretty amazing bands/musicians which you may have been previously ignorant to. How were Exekute you may ask? My favourite phrase, 'Sheer Brutality', wouldn't even begin to define how good they were.  The rather large crowd were already losing their shit as the band came on stage., I was taken by surprise when I saw a rather peaceful, looking and short human take to the front of the stage, and I couldn't help but think stereotypically for a second, because he did not seem to look like the frontman of a death metal band. Oh, how insanely wrong I was, because looks are truly deceiving. From the very start, Fred Jaya  unleashed the power of his brutal vocals, with me having to constantly lift my jaw up off the ground. For a person just walking in, no one would've suspected that this was just the start of the show. Circle pits had broken out, fans head banging all over the place, it was insane! One song that stood out to me was 'Sledgehammer Symmetry', crushing vocals, mad heavy riffs , drumming at a supersonic pace,  it was a masterpiece. You do not want to miss out on these guys the next time they're playing.

 Italian metal maestros, Hour Of Penance were up next and being a big fan,  I was beyond psyched to see this band live.  After a few minutes of sound-check, the band graced the crazed fans gathered in high numbers at the  Manning Bar. As hoped by me, the first song of the set was 'Ascension' which is one of my all time favourite HoP tracks, and my favourite off their 2012 release 'Sedition'. Truth be told, I was a little bummed when there were issues with the sound, with the usually powerful Paolo's voice not being heard quite clearly. Moving away from his mic, there were random sounds, the backing track being heard more significantly than the sounds of the instruments. But Hour Of Penance being Hour Of Penance, they moved past the sound problems soon enough, only to put on a show deadly enough to brutalize your eardrums. These guys are the epitome of perfection live! 'Decimate the Ancestry of the Only God', another epic track left my brain rattling inside my head, because decimate is what they did. The band's music has a sound that can bring you to your knees and the way in which they delivered this song was not only perfect, but so friggin effortless that it just makes you think. I really hope they come back to our side of the hemisphere again soon.

Post Hour Of Penance, I was getting so restless, as was the rest of the metalhead bunch, all of us anticipating what was most certainly going to be one of the most memorable nights of our lives. Minute after minute with the tension of waiting increasing, and after what seemed like an eternity, the lights dimmed. Death growls, roars and whistles pierced through the Manning Bar as it was filled with the doomish melody. Thus appeared on a Sydney stage for the second time in their illustrious career, the hooded, ghostly figures of  Behemoth, taking majestic strides, heads bowed down. It was absolutely magical and the show hadn't even started yet. To call it a show, to me, would be criminal, because it was so much more than that.

Nergal, the man is a legend and has an aura about him that just orders respect. Corpse paint, a chickenfoot garland and his ghoul-like black hooded glory, he yells to the crowd, "It's good to be alive!", the response being the deafening roars of Behemoth's devotees. I could feel a tear roll down my face, inspired by a man who for over a year has given Leukaemia the finger and come back more powerful, more brutal and brought it out in Behemoth's music. As the majestic figures of Orion and Seth took their place on either side of the frontman, and former Decapitated drummer Krimh, there was an intense feeling floating in the air as the well known opening to 'Ov Fire and Void, ripped out sending the maddened crowd into an absolute frenzy.  With every song that was played, the energy kept rising, my neck unforgivably losing all sensation, the blood rushing to my head. Never before had I been in such a crazy atmosphere, but I wanted more. Everyone did! Just when I thought my life couldn't get any better, the polish death metallers burst into their newest song 'Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel' off their upcoming album 'Satanic'. Needless to say, I lost it. Fist pumping, screaming, I literally am at a loss of how to describe what the scene was like that night. This was only half-way through the set.

Playing more favourites, Decades of Therion, At The Left Hand Ov God, Chant for Eschaton 2000, there was just so much emotion, energy and power at The Manning Bar. Orion and Seth blasted their respective guitars delivering riffs that melted face and made you want to break something. They play with such a deadly speed, the stage presence commanding the utmost respect for one of the greatest black metal bands in the world. Inferno being absent was filled in by Kerim 'Krimh' Lechner who was a first class beast on that drum kit. I swear when you see this man drumming, you have no idea what is going on because you can see no feet, no hands and no fingers, beasting his drum kit at a shattering speed, his muscles and demonic face bringing the hearts in my eyes out. Suddenly, out of nowhere, painted in white and adorned in fake blood comes a figure who beat the shit out of the drums, adding an indefinite tribal flavour to the night. Ending their amazing set with the likes of 'Lucifer', Nergal wearing his famed Apostasy mask, looking more brutal than ever, Behemoth ripped through their final track of the night, the crowd going crazy one last time. Dramatically slowing down, the lights dimming until we were left in complete darkness, the sounds of the guitars fading out, the heavy breathing of fans, it was an absolute blessing to have witnessed what we did, and with a limp body I left, The night that was Behemoth.

I always try and avoid using public washrooms. I will HOLD IT if I have to. But the few times i have ventured off into the world of the commoners peeing facilities, I have ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS come across that species of women who are putting on their face for atleast the second or third time that day. At a gig recently, a metal gig, I went in to change and I see a girl there with her whole friggin make up kit spread out on across the length of two sinks.

SOME GIRLS IN PUBLIC BATHROOMS:



OTHER GIRLS IN PUBLIC BATHROOMS:




And then there's ME.


                                                 


Gotta love those hand dryers man.

Why I think Medicines are allbawlz.

I was a little bit on the not-too-well side last week. My new job, which I shall be writing about soon because it's rather interesting, has been keeping me on my feet. From work at the end of the week it's usually straight to gigs. Sunday is when I crawl into my blanket and disappear, lost in an abyss of sleep and recurring dreams. As is common when you see someone who isn't in the 'pink of health' as they say, I was told a number of times to consume little demonic pellets that supposedly are powerful enough to fight the demonic little shits in your body that cause you to have whatever it is that you are down with. Let me get straight to it.

I DO NOT APPRECIATE THE CONCEPT OF MEDICATION. It does not help me in the least. I've seen it, my family has seen it. Yet people don't believe me when I say they do nothing to help me when my health is on the offside. It's funny because my body just does not react to medications. But ten thousand gallons of water, a few bars of cocoa and a long run and hey! I'm back in action. Weird? I belive so. But welcome to my world children, where the Weird dominates and the Eccentric rule.

I was about 8 when I had to take my first meds. Atleast that's as far back as I can remember. I was at my gran's place when I fell pretty sick. She instantly brought out an entire pharmacy and placed it before me. Luckily I only had to take two but even that I wasn't too keen on. This is something I tell people when asked what is it that I'm scared of: It's swallowing medication. That is my fear. Not spiders, not the dark, not heights, not spoons. Medicines. I DO NOT LIKE THEM. She attempted to make me swallow two of them, which took me about 15 minutes because I kept drinking water in preparation to swallow the little buggers but eventually my fear got the better of me and along with the medication came out lunch.

It's been 13 years since that little ordeal and even though I have conquered that fear, considering I take supplements everyday, I still don't like medication. And haven't taken any in the past few years. Unless I REALLY have to. Which has been only a couple of times. I haven't been to a doctor in years as well. Many people tell me that that isn't a good thing because I need to be 'aware' of how my body is. Which just leads me to believe how much more stupid humanity gets everyday because, I would be more aware of MY own body than someone who's actually PAID to BE AWARE and to generously write out lengthy prescriptions subsequently making pharmaceutical companies bask in the glory of wealth and you to gradually lose your mind and what's in your wallet.

I know it's a strong point of you but hey, I'm Aquarian. That's how we roll. What do I do if I fall sick though you may ask?

1. Exercise. Vigourous exercise. It is my belief that you need to sweat out whatever's inhabiting your body and get it out of your system.

2. Music. Calms your mind, your body and keeps you on the positive side of things even on your sicket, most disgusting day.

3. Eat like a starved little street urchin. I eat. ALOT when I'm not well. I had four dinners last week in a period of 3 hours. Excessive consumption of cocoa is also advised by me. When I have the flu, I eat cartons of ice cream. Fight fire with fire I always say. Eventually it'll explode the shit out of the place leading to an abyss of nothingness.

4. Watch stand-up. I remember my mum telling me about this one guy who had Cancer. Like stage three cancer. He spent all his time watching everything that was funny in the hospital and BAM. Remission! To this day I keep that in mind, sick, not sick. At the end of the day, you need to be happy and what better way to do that then watch videos of Dylan Moran and Danny Bhoy and people leaping off of trampolines falling flat on their schnozes.


Someone told me once that I was a first class hypocrite because I have a thing against medicines but I take supplements. How are they different. Really. Human stupidity levels radar going BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP.

Supplements, especially the ones I take are organic and are solely consumed to make up for the nutrition that is lost out when you don't get enough from the food you eat. It's to keep your cells healthy, rejuvenated and to keep your immune system the boss of it all. Smell medication you pick up from the dentist. Go on. I ask you. You will most certainly lose the will to smell after you have smelled some of them. Smelt? Smelled? Friggin english.


I want to eat Malteasers in the rain now and listen to Insomnium.

Goodbye Mortals.

The Night That Was Lambshuggah

All I can say is, a few years from now, I am definitely going to rub in the faces of my future kids ( and other people of course) that I was present for what could very well be the most epic night of my life so far. I knew from the very second that Soundwave Touring announced a double headliner tour with two of the biggest names in the metal world, that I would be there, even if I had to sell a friggin limb. The two bands that I listen to all the time, two bands who are so insanely different and unique, two bands that can literally shred your ears and rip your face off with their sheer awesomeness.

The queue was insane. people were sloshed, psyched and it just seemed like the perfect night to witness the metal magic of Lamb Of God and Meshuggah. Finally inside, I was in two minds because the Roundhouse has this brilliant balcony giving you a full view of the venue. Eventually I ended up down, and look up about 20 minutes later to see Blythe casually doing some photography and Chris Adler lazing around watching the crowd with that gorgeous beard of his. At around 8.15 the Swedish Djent-lemen, pioneers of a wave of a new musical genre, made themselves present before the gradually building up crowd at the Roundhouse, giving  perfect meaning to the saying 'The Calm Before The Storm'. Taking to the stage in an abyss of darkness, Meshuggah burst into 'Swarm', which pretty much melted my very face off. And it was just the first song! The Swedish outfit played quite a few tracks off of their latest album, 'Koloss', such as 'The Hurt That Finds You First', 'Do Not Look Down', and of course 'Demiurge'. 'Demiurge' with it's massive sound was positively brutal live. My man Fredrik Thordendal, Hagstrom and Lovgren were majestic, shredding guitar ever so effortlessly and Tomas Haake being a beast.It was beautiful to watch, although the light show I felt could've been toned down a bit as the band was not entirely visible. 'I Am Colossus' made my heart do funny things to say the least. The band has this powerful aura when performing and watching them while listening to some of my favourite tracks just made me appreciate even more how intense and skilled they are as well as the intricate nature of their music. Jens Kidman was an absolute stunner, his vocals captivating the place, ricocheting off the walls of the Roundhouse, possibly giving new meaning to a literal 'breakdown'. Throughout their set, Meshuggah made it clear that their sole purpose was to destruct eardrums with their deafening and brutal sounds and destruct they did. Ending their set for the night with a couple of tracks off of 'Catch Thirtythree' and another tight song, 'The Last Vigil', it was a performance that will stay fresh in my head for a long, long time to come.

Now the beauty of a double headliner such as this, and despite this being me stating the obvious, is that, it wasn't over. The now packed Roundhouse, people pouring into every nook and cranny possible, it was Lamb Of God time. After what seemed like eons of a wait, they burst onto the stage like raging bullets. I had tears seeing Randy Blythe, considering the ordeal that the man has been through. For him to return on such a massive note, proves that music can break any barrier and he proved it that night. The crowd lost their shit when all of the classics such as 'Ghost Walking', 'Ruin', 'Walk With Me In Hell', 'Omerta' and 'Contractor' blasted on. The atmosphere was signature to that of an LoG concert, a brutal wall of death, circle pits with people giving two shits about losing limbs, not to mention all them headbangers. Chris Adler was the epitome of perfection as Campbell, Morton and Willie Adler brutalized. At this point my neck was, hanging by a thread, literally. Back on stage for an encore, and which I found hilarious, was a random appearance by Michael Starr of Steel Panther who are soon to be touring Australia too. It was a rather amusing and interesting appearance at that, with Starr asking the ladies in the crowd to flash him, generally tripping on Randy and after a point it just got weird, and he was escorted off stage leaving Randy with an extremely shiny blue vest. Putting on said vest, Randy broke into my all time favourite 'Redneck' while I simultaneously went on to break my neck. It was amazing. The love for the band was overwhelming and it just goes to show how strong the metal brotherhood Down Under is.

Ending their epic set with Black Label, Lamb of God left the stage with a heavily satisfied crowd. Randy Blythe -The man is a legend and I have so much respect for him. That night meant the world to me and I'm so happy that I was a part of it. Watching two of the greatest bands that ever existed on the same night put on a show that brutalized minds and bodies, it was perfect.