EPICA- Part II

Concert: EPICA. Design your universe North American tour part II
Date: November 30, 2010
Venue: Denver, Bluebird theater

First: NuclearBlast did this thing where they were giving out positions on the guest lists, both Tatiana and myself won spots on the guest list! We got in for FREE!!!! Yay!!!

This concert had to be the best so far. Everything about it was just awesome! They had an internet broadcast of the concert like the week before the Denver show and, of course, I watched it. That was when I found out that The Agonist was one of their opening acts. Now they are a newish band but I already LOVE them. Their singer sings both growls and clean vocals and she has an amazing voice! She was the reason why I was drawn to the band.

Anyways, since the Agonist was up first we wanted to get their early to make sure we didn't miss them. We got to the club about half an hour before the doors opened. We met some cool people in line, had a nice convo and all. When we got in we went to the merch stands and I got an EPICA martyr of the free world shirt an Agonist shirt and three bottles of water then pretty much ran to the ground floor by the stage. Didn't get first row (right up on the stage) but second row is just as a good. We met some more cool people while we were waiting for the show to start. I wish conversation was always as easy as it is at concerts.

When the Agonist came on stage I was excited. The singer was great, they played my favorite song second (after the intro/no lyrics song). Headbanging started here. There's nothing more awesome than getting into the show right off the bat. During their last song (unfortunately I can't remember their set list T_T) Danny (the guitarist, who was standing in front of us most of the time) had a solo while Alissa was singing. Mostly everyone was cheering on Alissa (nothing wrong with that) but I was rocking out to Danny's playing. I did my scream, the really high pitched one, and had the horns pointed to him, head banging and all that fun stuff. We made eye contact (I know that sounds like a stalking fan but it's true!!!) for a few seconds before he went back to rocking out. THEN when they were done he tossed his pick right to me! BUT I'm such a loser with slow reaction time. (when ppl say "think fast!" and throw something at me I'm like "huh?" and I get hit). SO I didn't catch it! ='( I was looking around for it for a while before I gave up (someone said it was probably in my clothes 'cuz I was REALLY layered up so it seemed likely). Cool thing, Tatiana managed to grab one of the drum sticks! Though it would have been really awesome if I had a pick and she a drum stick from the same band, alas it wasn't meant to be.

The next band was Blackguard. OMG...I don't know why I didn't like them before (they were always a band I meant to check out but never got the chance to). But after seeing them live...I would love to see them live again! They are soo energetic on stage! Serious headbanging continues! The bassist (I don't know their names yet) was really crazy. I, and a lot of other people, touched his guitar while he was playing! He even bopped someone on the head with it! They were all so energetic, very much involved the crowd. They are truly entertainers and musicians. I didn't even know their songs and I still was jumping up and down and screaming my head off for them!

The last opening was Scar Symmetry, a band that I like. I am familiar with a few of their songs but I can't say that I'm a HUGE fan or anything like that. They were awesome live though. They were also energetic (though I don't know if they topped Blackguard in that category). The crowd seemed to love them, many people were singing along with them and even I did for the few parts that I know.

Finally EPICA. After the second song, Simone did the intro thing and said something about the crowd sounding good (more along the lines of EPICA must have been doing good because the crowd was so loud). THEN she said, and I quote to the best of my memory, "there is even someone here screaming loud enough to break glass! Where are you?" Who else could she mean but me? I screamed, the really loud and high pitched one! I didn't hold it for as long as I know I can because Simone leaned back and even took a few steps back and said, "Wow (or was it ow?) I think I'm deaf! It's a good thing I know all the songs, at least I hope I know all the songs!"

(Major fan girl squeal here). Of the hundreds of people there, Simone singled out my scream! ME! She recognized me! After that I turned to Tatiana and did an "omg squeal", which the guy in front of us laughed at and asked me if I was happy. OF COURSE! (also, the guy behind me joked that I should stop that scream after Simone's deaf comment!) After the third song I let out another one of those screams, which caught Isaac's attention and he pointed at me and smiled! Yay for my annoying (and probably obnoxious) scream that gets peoples attention!

On a side note, I do feel bad for the guys that were in front of me. I didn't want to scream in their ear but I couldn't help it! I hope they don't harbor any bad feelings for me after that. I know when Mark did the girls vs. guys thing I made a few people wince. Unlike at the Apocalyptica concert the guys in front of us weren't jerks so I really feel bad about that.

Okay, other memorable things....Tatiana managed to get Yves's attention and they were holding eye contact for a good few seconds, he even wiggled his eyebrows at her! Gosh, I just love when bands interact with the fans! Simone also pointed the mic in my general direction a few times (I love being so close to stage!) so I got to sing into the mic a few times! =)

The rest of the show was just as amazing! EPICA is really an amazing band!

I can't wait to see them live again!

Just for memories sakes: after the concert we rushed to the bus stop so we could get to Market Street Station before the last bus to Boulder left. So we were sitting in the station, dazed and repeating "that was awesome"! when some guy tried to start a conversation with me/us. First he mentioned my Marines beanie but after I just did an initial "yea..." nod he mentioned the drum stick that Tatiana was holding and started asking us about the concert. Most of the conversation was between him and Tatiana, though he was sitting next to me and he kept hitting on me. I smiled, tried not to laugh, a few times which encouraged him. It was flattering but would have been even more so if he weren't drunk. He backed off after an "she's hott" comment when Tatiana agreed with him and wrapped an arm around me and we leaned against each other. Hahaha!

Anyways, the night ended with hot coco and I'm pretty sure I fell asleep with a huge grin on my face.
Another awesome night in Denver!

Past concerts (Epica)

Me second metal concert. My first concert with a friend who can truly understand the epicness of metal. It was in February...on a Monday. I went over to Tatiana's apartment and from there we caught the bus into Denver. 

We got lost, sort of. We got off way too early and had to walk like twenty or so blocks...I was wearing a mini skirt too. 

We walked long and fast enough that just using that much energy kept me warm. There was black ice all over the place and I kept slipping but thankfully I never actually fell. It was about 32 degrees outside (I remember because I saw this sign that said the temp in C and Tatiana said it was about 32 in F). When we finally got close to the club my mom called to thank me for the birthday card I sent her earlier that week. I was only half paying attention because we were so close to the club. 

Once inside I bought a shirt for myself and a sweater for Tatiana. Then we hurried down to the ground floor in front of the stage. We were about fifth "row". As the first and second act finished we had moved up to second "row" and as Epica started Tatiana was leaning against the stage and I was right behind her. 

The only word to describe the show is epic (which fits considering they are EPICA). Even though we were so close there wasn't the feeling of vibrations from being so close (like at the Apo concert). None the less it was amazing! Issac was closest to us so I watched him the most (and got the most pictures of him). 

At one point during "Cry for the Moon" Simone asked the crowd to sing with her. She looked right at me (and Tatiana) and held the mic right at us. Omg! I've probably never shouted so loud in my life. I love when bands interact with the crowd and that was like the epitome of it for me (that I've experienced anyhow). 

For pictures I got a really good shot of Issac, one of Mark and a few of Simone. Airen too once he was out from behind the drum set and bending down to shake hands with the crowd. EPICA said that they were going to retour the cities that were successful. Denver among them! We'll be seeing them later this year! 

Past concerts (Nightwish)

My very first real concert. All the other concerts before were family friendly at the Houston Rodeo.
Nightwish was supposed to be in Houston around September (2008) but we got hit pretty hard by Hurricane Ike and the show was cancelled due to damages to the club.

Fortunately, later that year Nightwish returned to Houston. It was around finals, so May...ish I suppose.
I went with my older sister and our uncle drove us to the club. He sure took his time though, I could have got there in time for the meet and greet but he wanted to eat and talk (and he talks a lot). We just ate a few pieces of garlic bread. Luckily I did have gum so I didn't go the concert with garlic breath.

When we got there Volbeat was just starting. I liked them. They were described as a mix between metal and Johnny Cash and I think they did remake one of Cash's songs. I can't remember if it was after or before the opening act started but some guy wanted to take a picture of the set list (I guess to show that he was in Houston...idk) and asked me to hold up the paper for him. Then he let me keep the set list!

We were pretty close to the stage by the time Nightwish came on. Not as close as I'd have liked to been but it was still close. They started with "7 days to the wolves" and I started the crowd singing the chorus opening "howl!". I had been pretty devastated when Nightwish announced that they weren't going to be in Houston the first time so I kinda stopped listening to their music because it made me sad, so the words to the songs weren't fresh in my mind.

They interacted with the crowd enough but unfortunately I wasn't that close or noticeable. Before the last song Marco taught the crowd how to say something in Finnish. I forgot what he said by the time they started playing the last song ("Wish I had an angel"). I remember Ariel screaming out for him to teach the crowd how to say something dirty in Finnish. Heh, by then we were too far to hear all the way upstage (we moved back to buy a tee shirt).

Before we got in the club though we heard one of the guards telling this guy that he might be able to catch the band by the tour bus (he was asking to get an autograph) so after the show we ran towards the back of the club where the tour bus was parked. We got there before security so when they set the barricade we were inside it. A few minutes later Toumas came out and he waved to Ariel (I was too busy squealing like a fan girl at seeing him so close).

Ariel wanted to smoke but they took her lighter at the doors so she asked some random guy for a light and we started talking. His name was Alcatraz, a pretty cool guy. He got in the club for free because he was so late for the show. Anyways, so when Toumas finally came back out (maybe an hour or so later) we got his autograph and Alcatraz took a picture of me and Toumas with his camera for me.

Jukka came out a little later and that's when I started freaking out. I started hyperventilating and I swear I almost fainted. Alcatraz asked Jukka if he could take a picture of me kissing him on the cheek (said I was too shy to ask myself. It was also something he'd done with the singer of some other band) and Jukka agreed. So I was standing in Jukka's arms for like five minutes before the picture was taken. He actually took more than one picture. And I'll never forget the feeling of Jukka's skin. Or the feeling of Jukka playing with my hair!

Oh! What I got them to sign was the set list the man from earlier let me keep! We waited outside the club for a bit longer before we decided to call a cab and leave. Unfortunately if we had stayed longer we would have met Marco. Oh well, I'll just have to meet him next time. When I got home I was so excited. I framed the set list (and still have it framed and hanging on my wall). Like a day later Alcatraz e-mailed me the pictures he took of me and a few of the show. He even got a video of the show!

I can never forget this night! It was the highlight of my life up to then. One of the best nights of my life for sure. It is also one of the things that led to my meeting with my best friend. A year later at CU I met a huge fan of Nightwish and those autographs were something we bonded over with in an instant. It was kind of like that scene in Step Brothers, "Did we just become best friends?" And yes we did.

Apocalyptica/Dir en Grey

Concert location: Denver
Concert date: 9/4/10 (Sat)

I was so much more excited for Dir en Grey than Apocalyptica.
The opening band, Evaline...or something, was alright. I didn't like them too much but whatever. Actually, at first I thought they were going to have a female lead singer. Instead it was just some guy with emo like hair and skinny pants.

There were some people who wanted to start a mosh pit right next to us. Two of them stank...like they forgot to put on deodorant or something. So I asked some guy who seemed open to the idea of a mosh pit to trade spots, didn't help much. Tatiana stood back against the railing during the Dir en Grey show, out of the mosh pit. I stood with my legs and arms braced for impact for half of it. More than a few times I would totally forget that there was a mosh pit and just concentrate on the show. Oops, those were the times I got tossed around like a rag doll. I'm not even a small person. This couple next to me, the girl like Nightwish (commented on the shirt that I was wearing), they helped me out occasionally. The girl, she went and elbowed some guy in the back after her boyfriend pulled me out. Hee hee, totally cool people.

There was another guy who helped me. He pulled me out a couple of times and stood next to me to block the...erm pitters? Whatever those who partake in mosh pits are called. I held out all the way to the last Dir en Grey song when someone elbowed me in the rib, then my right boob, and finally my chest. After the hit to my chest I dove out and almost collapsed on Tatiana. I couldn't raise my right arm without hurting or even take a deep breath so I just half cheered.

The music however was great! Although I can't repeat the lyrics, I did know the parts when Kyo screams so I got really into it during those parts (screaming with him and all). The only one I was able to get a good picture of was Kyo, only because he was standing on the platform.

After Dir en Grey, while things were being set up for Apocalyptica, we went to buy things. Tatiana wanted a shirt, I wanted water. On the way up I saw Sarah and Hanah T. from high school. When we got back we tried to get closer to the stage but the closest was next to the guys who wanted to start a mosh pit so we moved. One of the other mosh pit instigators was standing right in front of me. He was a tall mofo so he was blocking my view of the stage. I tried to ignore him and when Apocalyptica came out and I screamed (having leaned forward, which placed me right next to his ear). I have a really high pitch scream. Really high pitched. I noticed him give me a dirty look so I did it again, and again and again each time going higher than the last until he left. Haha, I may not have been able to push him out of the way but I sure did scream him out of the way.

The Apocalyptica show was much calmer than the Dir en Grey one. There were still a few mosh pit moments but we were far enough that it didn't affect us too much. I got really into it when the show got on. They started with a Metallica song, Master of Puppets I think, and I was head banging and fist thrusting like crazy. "End of Me" was amazing, like half the people already knew all the words even though the album was just released. I was one of them. It was during that song that I noticed that Paavo interacted with the crowd very much. I'm thinking especially the girls. Gosh, he is such a flirt. He was winking, wiggling his eye brows, licking his lips, flicking his tongue out, frinkin' gyrating his hips. Oh God I swear that man made me appreciate how incredibly sexy a cello really is. Is it wrong that I am now totally hot for a man who is older than my parents?

Eventually, I got Paavo's attention. My really high pitched loud scream will do that. I was all smiley, had the horns up, and was dancing to the music. Paavo nodded, winked at me, and we held eye contact for a few seconds. I swear it felt like it was five minutes but the song is somewhere around five minutes and so its probably not possible.

The music was incredible too. I could literally feel the vibrations from the speakers. I screamed and my scream vibrated. It made my knees all weak whenever a solo or slow part came because that's when you could really feel it.

I really wanted to shake hands with them. But there was a barrier in front of the stage so we didn't get to. So sad. Hopefully next time that won't be the case. Because the next time I get to see them live, I'm definitely going to see them live. And I want a spot right up close to Paavo. I think he stole a piece of my heart.

Oh, and the next morning when I woke up I discovered a couple of bruises. One on the inside of my upper arm (I think it might be from when that guy kept pulling me out of the mosh pit). One of my foot (people did keep stepping on my feet) and one on my back. The last one might have come from when I was pushed into someone or when someone pushed me.