I discovered this morning that this blog has had over 500,000 hits, so that is a pretty good fact to mention here today. It will hit 1,000,000 way faster than what it took to reach this place, so that is something to look forward to. Many thanks for visiting Trinkelbonker.
(My shot of Babymetal, left shot of me plus Ronnie James Dio – note my Lucy In The Sky fanzine on the table in front of him – by Michael Johansson, Glenn Hughes by Christer Bolin, part of old fanzine note by Jörgen Holmstedt in the upper right corner – the inserted flag is the flag that represents Jämtland County here in Sweden, so I am being patriotic here!)
I published the Retrofuture magazines between 2010 and 2015, eight of them, plus two Western novel Specials (Montana Blue & Tornado Blaze) and then the soon to be all gone Storsjöodjuret/Great Lake Monster Special. The Retrofuture issues was the thickest ever (60 pages) and they were jam packed with great stuff. Loads of rock stuff (the Purple Family thing was always present), tv & film, books, several pages with Storsie/The Great Leke Monster (local legend here in Jämtland County) history in each and every issue, etc etc. I just had a ball making them. As I put them up for sale now on the Fanzine Newsstand, it is the first time ever that I do so outside of Jämtland County. Looking back, I am very happy with what I did here. Legendary Swedish publisher Hans Hatwig (that I interviewed for the final issue) had this to say, “If more magazine creators like you had existed, things would have looked less dire for the Swedish magazine business”. Not bad feedback for a hobby enthusiast. This was also the years when I photographed nice wowen in Western outfits, and published novels. I dare say that there has never been a publication quite like this in Sweden. You can read up on the details on the Fanzine History tag on this blog. Then you can get your copies at the Fanzine Newsstand tag.
(My shot of said fanzines – For sale in Sweden only, might trade for Babymetal if you live elsewhere)
Tony Iommi has commented on his facebook page that “Paranoid” has been streamed one billion times. Can you imagine if all those people bought actual product…
I love the idea of making books for all ages available to the general public, and so I have always had a soft spot for libraries. Now I buy my books but last week I payed the Citizen Office a visit and they share the same building as the local library here in Stugun (Jämtland County). I took a peek inside and realized that this library was a very nice place with a very cosy atmosphere, and it even had a huge model ship on display by the famous and highly eccentric man Wilhelm Höyholm (1876-1939), a bit of a wanderer back in the day. So I made a point to pay this library a visit today to blog about it (it was OK to take some pictures, many thanks!). I asked the clerk on duty if she knew how many books the library had at the moment and a quick check on the computer gave us an answer: 14,668. One can also pick up tourist pamphlets and brochures. Opening hours at present is: Mondays 15:00-19:00, Tuesdays 09:00-12:00, Wednesdays 09:00-12:00 plus 13:00-16:00 and Fridays 09:00-12:00.
In a New Years Eve message, Tony Iommi has confirmed that the much talked about Tony Martin Black Sabbath Box is scheduled to be released in May 2024. No details as yet, but this is certainly good news.
(My shots of Iommi and Martin, plus nice landscape from my neck in the woods)
We have yet another year to look back on and as always there has been some terrific records coming our way (too many to mention them all). But here is my Top 10 list of essential stuff anyway… Studio albums only.
BABYMETAL – “The Other One” (Japan)
LOVEBITES – “Judgement Day” (Japan)
ROLLING STONES – “Hackney Diamonds” (UK)
ELEGANT WEAPONS – “Horns For A Halo” (UK)
MUSES – “Goddess Of Victory” (Japan)
DOLLY PARTON – “Rockstar” (US)
VELVET INSANE – “High Heeled Monster” (Sweden)
COVEN JAPAN – “Earthlings” (Japan)
MATS KARLSSON – “Mood Elevator” (Sweden)
SUPERSONIC REVOLUTION – “Golden Age Of Music” (NL)
(My shot of Babymetal, Stockholm 2023)
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TOP 10 LISTS ON TRINKELBONKER: TOP 10 BABYMETAL PREDICTIONS FOR THE 2020s (November 30 2023), 10 AWESOME GLENN HUGHES MOMENTS (August 17 2023), 10 AWESOME DAVID COVERDALE MOMENTS (August 15 2023), 10 AWESOME SONGS OF THE 2020s PART 4 (August 15 2023), 10 AWESOME GILLAN SONGS 1978-1982 (July 29 2023), 10 AWESOME BLACK SABBATH SONGS 1980-1995 (July 28 2023), 10 AWESOME SONGS OF THE 2020s PART 3 (July 27 2023), 10 BRUTAL BABYMETAL SONGS (July 26 2023), 10 AWESOME SOLOS BY JON LORD (July 24 2023), 10 AWESOME SONGS OF THE 2020s PART 2 (July 23 2023), 10 AWESOME SONGS OF THE 2020s PART 1 (July 20, 2023)
Plenty of new bands coming up in Japan. A group called Risky Melody has just released a new album called “Reflection”. They still have to make an impact but I think they have good ideas and some catchy tunes. Check out the new video “Phoenix” or explore further with “Reboot” from the previous album. Hanabie on the other hand, just blew out the door with their debut album “Reborn Superstar!” this year. Millions of hits on YouTube and concerts all over the world has paved the way for success. They are also the new darlings of the press, as seen on the current issue of Metal Hammer (which I will showcase next week on this blog as I get my copy), along with Babymetal. The final act that I would like to mention today is Mad Medicine. They released an album in Japan called “Mad Medication” earlier this year. Strong Kawaii elements. Check out the very eccentric “Mad Sick Show” video.
(My shot of Babymetal, Stockholm 2023 – Risky Melody, Hanabie and Mad Medicine covers are from official platforms)
Brought the camera with me as I headed to buy some groceries this morning and took this snapshot down by the river. I like the fact that there is a strong sense of community where I live. This little building stands close to the bridge and can be seen by people that pass the village, or by locals. Very nice.
It has been 13 years since Babymetal first appeared on a stage together in front of an audience. They did not have a band back then. But they had the talent. 13 years and four studio albums later they are well on their way to world domination. The 2020s got a shaky start (that was a universal situation), but they are out there doing their thing again and the future looks bright to me. Here is a list of predictions of things to come, if the Fox God so chooses.
# There will be four additional studio albums in the 2020s. The fifth will be released in late 2024. There will be a connection to the Metalverse project on this album.
# There will be exclusive 10th Anniversary Editions of “Babymetal” in 2024 and “Metal Resistance” in 2026, both with added bonus material (unreleased songs) and bonus DVDs. This will signal a trend that will continue for years.
# In 2025, when the festival season is coming up in Europe, a UK publisher will be the first outside of Japan to publish an entire magazine devoted to Babymetal. This magazine will be sold out within two weeks. A second edition with an alternative cover will be in print within months.
# By 2026, they will start to have top billing on many festivals around the world. This will only increase as the years go by.
# In 2027 they will realise the idea to take out Japanese artists with them to create Japanese festivals outside of Japan. This will be an enormous success.
# The tradition of having interesting collaborations with other artists will continue. Metallica, Nightwish, Rob Halford (Judas Priest) and Don Airey (Deep Purple) will all contribute on future Babymetal albums.
# There will be future tours with Metallica, Nightwish, Tarja, Lovebites and Rammstein.
# In 2028 Su-metal, Moametal and Momometal will all release Limited Edition solo EPs in Japan.
# Babymetal will end 2029 with a special performance at the Tokyo Dome. The lore will include visions for the 2030s.
# In 2029, Sweden Rock Magazine will also publish their first feature about Babymetal. Better late than never.
(My shot of Babymetal, Annexet/Stockholm 2023)
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TOP 10 LISTS ON TRINKELBONKER: 10 AWESOME GLENN HUGHES MOMENTS (August 17 2023), 10 AWESOME DAVID COVERDALE MOMENTS (August 15 2023), 10 AWESOME SONGS OF THE 2020s PART 4 (August 15 2023), 10 AWESOME GILLAN SONGS 1978-1982 (July 29 2023), 10 AWESOME BLACK SABBATH SONGS 1980-1995 (July 28 2023), 10 AWESOME SONGS OF THE 2020s PART 3 (July 27 2023), 10 BRUTAL BABYMETAL SONGS (July 26 2023), 10 AWESOME SOLOS BY JON LORD (July 24 2023), 10 AWESOME SONGS OF THE 2020s PART 2 (July 23 2023), 10 AWESOME SONGS OF THE 2020s PART 1 (July 20, 2023)
This was the third concert that I have seen with Babymetal. It was also the best. They absolutely slayed and I have to say that this has to go down as one of my Top 5 concerts of all time. They are a lethal killing machine, and a cute one at that. The professionalism on display is almost other-worldy, and yet they make it seem effortless, like it is the most natural thing in the world to do what they do. Of course it is not, far from it. They have worked very hard to be what they are today, and word is spreading in the Rock & Metal community that this is something else. Hard to define, they once launched it as Kawaii Metal (meaning Cute Metal), but it has morphed into a thing of its own. There is an element of happiness and joy for sure, yet they are borrowing wildly from every facet you can dream of from the old Rock & Metal Tree (and elsewhere). But the thing is, their mix is a thing of beauty, of grace. And they do make people happy.
Opening with the old chestnut “Babymetal Death” is a bit of a ritual by now. It is designed to get the party going, and also for the members (Su-metal, Moametal and Momometal) to present themselves, and to get people involved. Then they give us “Gimme Chocolate”, and people are just going nuts. From then on, the classics just pile up. The incredible variety, and the skills that the Kami Band puts forth, all helps to create an absolute monster of a show. And they know that they are good. You better be if you bring acts like Wargasm from the UK out with you. But the thing is, this is their own Universe, or Metalverse, and they are (to quote Rob Halford), fearless. At least it looks like they are on top of things at all times. In reality, they are human like the rest of us. Fighting, giving it everything they have got every night. The journey of Babymetal has not always been been smooth sailing. But they have persevered and pushed on. And here they are. Nailing it.
“Distortion”, “B.M.C”, “Maya”, “Brand New Day” (bit of a surprise), the crowd is loving every second of every song. Most bands will take it down a notch or two at some point in the set. Babymetal calms down only once, for “Monochrome”, as they have the crowd light up the room with their phones. Then it is back to hard driving and top notch classics again, “Metali!” (with Kami Band into), “Megitsune”, “Headbanger” and “Road Of Resistance”. It all ends with a bit of Babymetal lore. Then Su-metal thanks the crowd using the Swedish word for Thank You, “Tack!”. And instead of saying “See you!”, she says “Vi ses!” (same meaning) in Swedish. And she means it. You can tell that she/they are grateful for being part of this wonderful thing called Babymetal. The connection with the people is beautiful. Following the adventure that they have embarked on is a wonderful thing. Things were getting a bit too predictable in music. Then these ladies came along and changed all that. I think we owe them a lot of love and respect for what they have achieved. And for what they continue to do as they march on. To victory.
(My shots, except for “flag shot” which was taken by Seth Nilsson)
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