11-10-2019 Velcra

We did see Misterer earlier this year at the Tuska afterparty show and that was quite a success. Since then the band released a video that they recorded there and played several shows round Finland.

What makes Misterer different is the fact that they have their drummer, Mikko Herranen, upfront. He is also their vocalist and while doing that he also headbangs a lot. A remarkably energy comes from that. But despite him being upfront there is still a great role for the guitarist to give the whole some more oomph!. Being there on the sides, creating a symmetry while watching the show. The bassist is kind of hidden behind the drums, seemingly not wanting to be in the foreground at all.

With their sense of humor the band shows different sides of themselves. At one point being all Thrash but then mixing it all up and throw in whatever they feel like. For them purists out there it may be confusing but the band put it in one logical line. Their show was entertaining and it seems like the audience enjoyed it.

It has been a while since we heard from Iiwanajulma but this year they became a bit more active. An album is seeing light. “Casino Loyale”is its name and recently a video has been released of the song “Ramram”.

We got to know Iiwanajulma for the incredible tension that lays within the music. Though the songs have Finnish lyrics, it is not hard to feel the atmosphere of these and while watching the show you feel they are building slowly towards that climax in a song or even the set.

Although the music is not necessarily comparable to Stoner you can often feel that same way of tension building there. Of course the band features the new material very well here but we had also some joy when older work like “Euforia” was played.
The audience seem to soak it in and appreciate the whole well. A well deserved applause was concluding their show. What a wonderful new chapter of Iiwanajulma.

In 2008 the band Velcra announced they would not be playing for a while and just as random this show appeared via Facebook. So a surprise to many, but surely a welcome one. Nosturi, who faces closure by the end of this year is the host of it again, just as where they ended their activities many years ago.

A sold out venue proves that this band is still deeply loved here in Finland. In fact, it was so full that we got stuck in the photopit because the exit was blocked with people keen on watching the show. The band played their classic songs fiercely, having an amazing lightshow to accompany them. In the back of the venue people were standing on benches and tables to get a better view and feel the energy. People were sing along to songs like “My Law” and “Can’t Stop Fighting”.

At the end we were getting to listen to a long story about the band, which is all in Finnish, but from what we grasped from it was a bit of history, some thanks to people involved and also a slight hint to something happening in future. What that is all about is what time will tell. For those who are interested on what is going on with the members right now besides the bands we saw playing tonight, Jessi Frey recently released some solo material which is worth checking out.

Then the band played personal favorite “Shine For Me” with a slight hiccup but not many seem to either notice or care. And why would they, the legendary evening contained everything they have been waiting for. I think we can safely say that this was THE show of the year!