When I listened to this line of Omnium Gatherum’s „Rejuvenate!“ it stuck in my memory and popped up again and again from time to time. Just like this morning while taking a sighing look on today’s Tuska schedule. ‚Bull…‘ I thought. ‚There’ll be hardly a break not to think of break long enough to take meal anytime inbetween …‘
So I wondered on which criteria I would decide whom to see and whom not to attend. Whom only to give a short glance taking some photos and sparing some as it is. My particular inner conflict tonight would be – at least as editor and photographer of a metal zine – Headliner or Afterparty? As a fan my choice is easy. But then what is that makes this choice easy for me?
If it was only for the music – meaning the instrumental parts of the music – my inner conflict might be tougher. But then the Headliner in question is Sabaton. I think there is no need to tell you much of their style and stage appearance. But as it happens many music fans do not spend to much attention on the lyrics for a whole bunch of possible reasons. But thinking particiularly of Sabaton and the range of topics their songs deal with at least I cannot ignore their lyrics.
In general: I am a pacifist and visiting friends in (Northern) Ireland in the (early) 1990s I have at least a faint idea of what (civil) war feels like. Since that I do explicitly cope badly with the idea of glorifying war heroism, agitating parols and inflamatory phrases on war, especially if related to the wars of the 20th century. Considering the situation of rising terrorism and populism such words may easily – even if intended to express quite the opposite – feed ignorance, discrimination and most of all feed a latent aggression in thoughts and moods towards all those differing just a bit. And this is quite the opposite of what to me the very open-minded, integrative metal community stands for!
Don’t get me wrong, I am not accusing Sabaton for coming up with their lyrics. I would encourage us all to be aware and stay open-minded.
My private choice would be easy anyway. The Afterparty will host the one and only summer gig of Barren Earth. So I have to go there. Standing another chance for the band of introvert friends from the lakeside camp, Vorna, I have to go to the Afterparty even earlier. Vorna will explain in their interview (coming soon) their band’s roots, music and a lot more!
Yet the general question remains unanswered. Whom to see and whom not. And why so? We’ll have some names on the set up today – starting in the early afternoon already – that you might not have many opportunties to experience live. So my idea was to grant those priority over big shots if the choice of a noise has to be taken.
My personal schedule: Anneke van Giersbergen’s Vuur, Wintersun, Pekko Käppi, Insomnium, Devin Townsend Project (with a special guest as I was spoiled), then a short visit on Mayhem before changing the location towards Virgin Oil to see and meet Vorna and Barren Earth. Spice this program with another two or three interviews and we have a stew cooking from noon to well after sunrise!
