Dec 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!

Joyeux Noël! / Merry Christmas! / Frohe Weihnachten! / Iloista joulua! / God jul! / Nollaig shona! / Nedeleg Laouenn! ...
May these Christmas eve and day be beautiful for you and the ones you love, and bring you joy and all the nicest possible stuffs!!

Dec 23, 2012

First Upload on YouTube!

I uploaded my very first video on YouTube!! :D


only the french people that know Minute Papillon can understand what's going on there ><' sorry guys...

Dec 21, 2012

21.12.12

...so what? It is 00:42 here. Nothing else than a normal night.
They really make me laugh, with their "apocalypse" ><'
good night people! And don't worry, you'll still be safe for Christmas

Dec 19, 2012

Christmas

Next Tuesday is CHRISTMAS!! :D How are you going to spend it?
My first Christmas away from home, without my family... Feels a bit strange, but I'll survive! Just have to wait patiently for the present my parents sent me :)

Dec 18, 2012

Celtic

The more time passes, the more I want to learn the celtic harp... Thanks to some bretons & irish musicians, such as:

Cecile Corbel


Alan Stivell


Moya Brennan


As a bretonne, it's kind of part of my roots. I'm feeling more and more bretonne and not so much french... kind of strange.

Dec 16, 2012

Millenium - Män som hatar kvinnor

You may have heard of the books by Stieg Larsson. But I'm gonna talk about the film "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo". Not the american version, directed by David Fincher, starring Daniel Craig & Rooney Mara. No, I focus today on the swedish adaptation, directed by Niels Arden Oplev, starring Michael Nyqvist & Noomi Rapace - that's why the title of this post is the original title of the book, which actually means "men who hate women". This 1st Millenium tome is the only one I read. I found it fantastic, and I wanted to see this swedish film.
The story is of course based on the book, but there are many elements missing in the film:
- Mikael Blomkvist doesn't have this "womanizer" side anymore, and nothing is told about is relationship with co-worker Erika Berger
- Originally, Henrik Vanger convinced Mikael to work with him by telling he has some compromising informations about Hans-Erik Wennerström. NOTHING about this in the film!
- Nothing's told about Mikael's ex-wife & their daughter... However, in the book, she leads her father to find the key of the enigma in Harriet's dairy.

But Noomi Rapace portrayed greatly Lisbeth Salander. And the sexual sadist of legal guardian of Lisbeth is also remarquably well played!

To conclude, I'd say this film is quite good, safe you did read the book. In that case, you'll find it deceiving, though the actors' performance are very good!

I think I have to see the american version now, to compare them ^^

Dec 7, 2012

Metal'N'Growl...


I sing since I'm a child, play the guitar since I'm 13 and have been into metal for nearly 4 years now. But there is ONE thing I would love to try: growl/grunt/scream, in one word: extreme singing.
Yes, I'm a girl... so what??? I can quote at least 3 women that sing this way:

Candice Clot, ex-singer (I sadly have to call her that) of the french band ETHS



Masha Scream, singer of the russian band ARKONA


 

and, last but ABSOLUTELY not least, my idol in extreme singing....
Angela Gossow, german singer of the swedish band ARCH ENEMY
(here with her bandmate Michael Amott)



Yes, beautiful faces could hide incredible vocal cords! I wish mine were so....

Nov 29, 2012

Onnea

Onnea means congratulations in finnish. And I have two persons to congratulate today:

First, I want to congratulate Eero Sipilä, Battle Beast's bassist, on his birthday!!
Paljon onnea Eero!


Then I have to congratulate Tarja Turunen, ex-Nightwish's singer, on the birth of her first child. It's everything but false!!! Go there if you don't believe me!

Paljon onnea Tarja!!!

Nov 28, 2012

Stuffs "en vrac"

 Had no idea of how to name this post ^^' anyway...

I started to read A Game of Thrones, by George R. R. Martin, in English of course! I've heard so much of this that I HAD to read it!!! ^^

To share a bit more with you my passion for photography and my own pictures, I made a new blog!! Don't hesitate, take a look, comment to give me your opinions about my photos (if you want to, of course ^^)... Thanks in advance!!!

Read on the weather forecast that there'll probably be snowing tomorrow here, in Germany!! =) Tomorrow is going to be cold anyway
Time to get some sleep now...


I already mentionned Blackoustic (twice ^^), and this traditionnal finnish song, Karjalan Kunnailla... Must say it's one of the greatest lullabies I've had ^^ Have a good night, people!!

Nov 17, 2012

James Bond : Skyfall

Saw this film tonight, and I must say I loved it!! I'm not a big fan of Daniel Craig as James Bond, but I must admit he played really good in this film! Good job, mr Craig!
And the musical theme, sung by Adele, is also beautiful!

Can't help having a thought for the composer of the original James Bond theme, mr John Barry, RIP.

Nov 16, 2012

Feels like home...

...to receive a packet from my mum containing some typical Breton biscuits!
Ate those with a coffee with my host mother & sister. Sooo delicious! Damn, I missed it more than I thought! Merci maman!! ^^

Nov 13, 2012

Nightwish with Floor Jansen

After Anette Olsson's departure, the line-up of Nightwish turned into this:

Tuomas Holopainen - Keyboards
Emppu Vuorinen - Guitar
Jukka Nevalainen - Drums
Marco Hietala - Bass
Troy Donockley - Bagpipes
Floor Jansen - Vocals

First, I was quite sceptical, especially when I heard her singing Scaretale.. But then, I heard her version of Higher Than Hope. And I considered this again... It's logical that she doesn't sound like Anette on the most recent songs, Floor is a lyrical singer! And her versions of the songs are nice too... I just have to get used to these ones ^^

This one is simply... WOW!!
Now, I think that it wouldn't be such a bad thing if she stays in the band... I know, I told the contrary before, but as we say in France, only the fools don't change their minds!!


Nov 7, 2012

Time to sleep

...with this piece of wonder as lullaby!^^


Bonne nuit / Good night / Gute nacht / Hyvää yötä / God natt... 

Nov 5, 2012

And I forgot...

... to wish a very happy birthday to Angela Gossow, singer for the band Arch Enemy!!

Alles Gutes zum Geburtstag, Angela!!!!!!

Battle Beast live with Noora

Pictures are better than words, so take a look by yourselves:

I personnally think she is AMAZING!!! Anton, Juuso, Pyry, Eero & Janne made a great choice!!
Hyvä, Noora!!!! :D

Blackoustic

I already talked about this in the beginnig of october. Blackoustic is the acoustic album of Timo Kotipelto (Stratovarius) & Jani Liimatainen (ex-Sonata Arctica). And I FINALLY got to buy it today!! :)
There are mainly covers from Stratovarius/Kotipelto solo songs, but also a Sonata Arctica cover (My Selene), and covers of 'Behind Blue Eyes', 'Rainbow Eyes', 'Out In The Fields' & 'Perfect Strangers'. Jani also wrote/compose a new song for this album, called "Where My Rainbow Ends". And the last track of the album is a traditional finnish song.  It sounds almost weird to hear Kotipelto singing in his mother tongue!!! ^^
I really love this album!!!  I'm a great metal fan, but acoustic music is truely beautiful too, and very relaxing!

Nov 4, 2012

Folk metal family gets bigger

Folk metal has many branches: 'pagan metal', 'celtic metal', and even 'Viking metal'...
But forget about all these ones, today's post is about a new subgenre, 'Pirate Metal'. It's actually folk metal music with pirate themes. And I discovered this with the Scottish band Alestorm.
Yeah, Alestorm, not 'Halestorm'. Careful, these 2 bands have NOTHING to do with each other ^^


But Alestorm isn't the only one!!! You have also Swashbuckle


And some more... I don't know all the bands ^^
Hope you'll enjoy! :)

Nov 2, 2012

Something new...

2 things, actually. First, I changed my host family, that didn't went so well with the 1st one. So it's as if I were just arriving in Germany... ^^ New town, new school...
Second stuff: I found a new hobby: fan-arts!!! :)
Here's my very first one:
(French people will understand, I think... ^^)

Proud of myself! :D

Oct 24, 2012

Kamelot's new video

Kamelot released the video for Sacrimony. And I must say I LOVE it!!! Tommy Karevik has truely an incerdible voice, and Elize Ryd too! :) Can hardly wait for "Silverthorn"!


Enjoy!!!

Oct 8, 2012

Zurück

I'm back from Zeeland. Spent a great week there. It's really a wonderful place.

But what a shock for me today... I just learnt that Anette Olzon left Nightwish. I almost cry while reading this. She's a great singer, but I sadky didn't have the occasion to see her singing live...
I'm all the more angry to have missed them in April, when they came to Nantes!

Sep 29, 2012

Gonna be a great month!

October 2012 will be great, no doubt about that!!!

First, I'm going to spend a week in the Netherlands! First time there, thanks to my dear host family! :D

Second, 2 great albums will be released during this month!
- Silverthorn, new album by the american Symphonic metal band Kamelot, 1st one with their new singer Tommy Karevik (Seventh Wonder)
(you can already here the sample for "Sacrimony" there)

- Blackoustic, acoustic album by Timo Kotipelto (Stratovarius) and Jani Liimatainen (Sonata Arctica's former guitarist). Most of the songs are covers (including a Sonata Arctica & 2 Stratovarius covers), but it will also feature some songs from Kotipelto's solo album and a BRAND NEW ONE!!!
Here's the trailer:

You can also check Jani's blog for some more informations ;)

The 69 Eyes, Seven Kingdoms, Cradle of Filth, Whyzdom, Wintersun, My Dying Bride, Lacrimosa and many other bands will also release new albums...

October will rock, for sure !!!! :D

Sep 18, 2012

A change in Battle Beast's line-up

The finnish band Battle Beast announces a change of line-up:
singer Nitte Valo left the band a month ago, to focus on her family life... and they have a new one! A young woman called Noora Louhimo.


Noora already has experience as a singer. She's featuring on the song Let Me Sleep, by the finnish band Avenie, and she sang for the band Admiral Octopus

The band announced this change on their Facebook page and with a video. The background music is the song "Iron Hand", sang by Noora.

I wish all the best to Nitte in her new life, and good luck to Noora! Her voice sounds great too, I can't wait for the new album!

Sep 17, 2012

We Are the Others

A very special post today, in memory of Sophie Lancaster.

5 years ago, in August 2005, Sophie and her boyfriend Robert Maltby were attacked by a group of young people, severly injured and both fell into coma. Robert recovered gradually, left with lasting brain damage, but Sophie never woke up, and died the 24. August 2007.

The reason for this attack: they were both goths. Sophie died because she looked different.

Her family created in her honour the Sophie Lancaster foundation (Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred & Intolerance Everywhere)

Delain's last album "We Are The Others" is dedicated to Sophie.You can watch the video for the song "We Are The Others" here

What happened to Sophie really chocked me. I can't understand how some people can be so little tolerant regarding different people. Maybe because I feel like an "outsider" sometimes.
If you have a point of view about this topic, leave a comment, I'll be happy to read them :)

We are the others,
We are the cast outs,
We're the outsiders
But you can't hide us,
We are the others,
We are the cast outs
You're no longer on your own
If you feel mistreated,
Torn and cheated,
You're not alone,
We are the others
(Delain)

Aug 27, 2012

Battle Beast

Let's talk about metal music. About a young heavy metal band from Finland: BATTLE BEAST


Mostly known for their supporting Nightwish during their European tour, Battle Beast released their debut album "Steel" in 2011. The actual line-up is :
Nitte Valo - Lead vocals
Anton Kabanen - Guitar & vocals
Juuso Soino - Guitar
Eero Sipilä - Bass & backing vocals
Janne Björkröth - Keyboards & backing vocals
Pyry Vikki - Drums

background (left to right) : Eero, Janne, Pyry, Jusso,
foreground: Anton & Nitte

Nitte's voice make me think of Rob Haldford's one. And their music is simply awesome!! Anton & Jusso are fantastic!
And as every Finn, they love to laugh and are very funny!!

Hope you'll like them. I personnally love their album!!

Jul 16, 2012

Excalibur in Broceliande

On Saturday, I surely spent the best evening of my life!!!
I was in Paimpont, Brittany, to see the Excalibur live show. And when I say "Excalibur", I'm talking of Alan Simon's celtic-rock opera trilogy.
Here are some pictures:

Moya Brennan, from Clannad
(Enya's big sister)
Chris Leslie, from Fairport Convention

Pat O'May & Alan Simon

Alan Simon

James Wood



















And a sad news to finish: Jon Lord, keyboard player in Deep Purple, passed away today... RIP Mr Lord!
Selkeä


Jul 6, 2012

News

2 pieces of news today.
A bad one first: Children Of Bodom's frontman, Alexi Laiho, is currently in hospital in Oslo, Norway. He suffers from a "serious infection", according to the band's website. Don't know the exact illness however. As every single COB fan, I wish he'll recover soon.

Then a good one: I had the results of my exam this morning... and I pass!!!! I'm so happy! 
Ok, a little song know : Valokeilojen Vampyyri, by Indica
wishing you a good evening and a great week-end!!

Selkeä

Jun 7, 2012

Hyvää syntymäpäivää !!

Today, 7th June, is Henkka Seppälä's 32th birthday!
Most of metalheads know him as Henkka T. Blacksmith. He plays bass for the finnish melodeath band Children Of Bodom.
Here's their song Shovel Knockout, extract from their last album, Relentless Reckless Forever


Soooo sad I can't see them at the Hellfest next weekend :( Anyway..
Hyvää syntymäpäivää Henkka!!! (that means "happy birthday", in finnish)

Selkeä

Future

Hi :)
I haven't been posting for a while, but I have some exams soon, and I have to work hard! I've almost finished high school now...
I'll spend next year in Germany, and I promise I'll post more often, with sometimes photos from where I'll live... and something else. More to come soon
Good luck to those who, like me, have exams this year. Go go go!
Best regards
Selkeä

Apr 26, 2012

Last night's discovery of mine: Arkona

Last night, I discover a new band. Arkona (Аркона), Pagan metal/ Folk metal band from Russia.
Here's the actual line-up:
  • Maria "Masha Scream" Arkhipova: vocals, keyboards
  •  Sergei "Lazar" Atrashkevich: guitars 
  • Ruslan "Kniaz": bass
  • Vlad "Artist" Lyovushkin Sokolov: synths, drums
  • Vladimir "Volk": wind ethnic instruments
Here's their song "Slavsia, Rus" (russian:  Славься, Русь)


Hope you'll like it! Enjoy anyway!!! :)
Claire

Mar 25, 2012

All the best!!!

I learn last night that Yves Huts just left Epica, after having played bass with them since the beginning. Almost a decade spent in this band...
Yves explains the reasons why he left on Epica's website. Here are his words:

"Hi everybody,

013 is the venue where we did our first show with Epica and, almost a decade later, also my last. I'm leaving the band because I have another career opportunity that is not combinable with the schedule of a world touring band. I've tried to live these two different lives simultaniously for as long as I could but in the end I just had to make a choice, one of the most difficult ones in my life. I look back to these 10 years in Epica satisfied and enriched with life experience. As a founding member I'm proud of what we've achieved so far and I'm sure the future has a lot more great things in store for the band.
I would like to thank the band, crew, fans and everybody else involved for the good times and I wish my successor good luck.

Those of you that might be interested in any possible future musical plans of mine can visit my artist page on facebook

Kind regards
Yves Huts"

You'll be missed Yves. Anyway, I wish you all the best for your upcoming project(s) and I hope we'll see you soon with a bass guitar again.

Mar 8, 2012

Harry Potter RPGs

Did you guys know that you can also use Facebook to play?
Role Play Games, for exemple. You have a facebook account which you use only for the character you're playing. On facebook, there are many RPGs about Harry Potter. You are a character of the book/films and you're studying in Hogwarts :) My best friend and I do own one of them! Lots of fun :) but we're needing someone to play Harry Potter, the Weasleys, Draco Malfoy, Who-Musn't-Be-Named, Bellatrix Lestrange, Luna Lovegood, Cho Chang... And many more!
So if you speak French well enough to understand all-day conversations, things related to Harry Potter, and if you want to play one of those characters, join us!
You can find our fb page here: http://www.facebook.com/hplegends.roleplay
Hoping to see some of you there soon :)
Claire

P.S: are you sad that this magical series are over, like me?

Mar 4, 2012

One week left...

Still one week before the release of Epica's new album, Requiem for the Indifferent. Can't wait to hear it!!!!
Hope I'll soon be able to see Simone, Mark, Isaac, Coen, Yves and Arien live!

Mar 2, 2012

See Who I Am :)

Hi everyone!
I'm Claire, nice to meet you :)
Here I'll talk about everything and nothing, so if you're ready to hear me, welcome on my blog!
Let's talk a bit about me:
You must know that music takes a huge part of my life!!!! I'm a big big big fan of metal (black, melodeath, symphonic...) and I have a band project called Aoides with my best friend Sissie.
I also write, sometimes. I began a little fanfic about Harry Potter's world, which you can find here /!\ It's in French! I'll try to translate it

Enjoy my little stupid discussions ;)

Claire

P.S: The title of this post is a song by Within Temptation