The second day of Barge to Hell, and while last nights Pool Deck debacle did put a sour taste for the voyage, it didn't ruin the experience entirely as things like this is almost expected in a Metalheads journey. Think about it, how many times have you gone to a concert, from the local bar shows to the shows in night clubs to the medium sized venues to the mega stadiums and even festivals, and there has been some kind of delay and/or issue to get the bands playing? Today was the first full day of the Barge to Hell, meaning, an entire day of Metal madness from morning until the wee hours of the nights, this was one party that was only starting to warm up.
Speaking of morning, I managed to get some breakfast in the Windjammers Café, and was joined by surprisingly many other Metalheads (we're not known for being morning people, that's why we excel in working night shifts, where we belong). Probably the different time zones where they come from grants them the ability to be awake so early in the morning? A Metallic Scientific Hypothesis.
Like the saying "early bird gets the worm", just replace the bird with an iron clad eagle and the worm with a hell-spawned serpent.
An overview shot of the Windjammers Café, to see the feast that fueled our morning shift of steel \m/
Another upside to waking up early is the sight you get, and being in the middle of the ocean improved the reward.
The Pool Deck, aka the Main Stage, makes it appearance in the day time, and it was a beautiful sight.
The day hasn't started yet and we already have the random passed out people in the morning.
At least these Metalheads took the appropriate step and jumped in the jacuzzi.
The merch booths were separated into 2 sections: The Barge to Hell Schwag and the Bands Schwag. What you see first is the Barge to Hell schwag stand.
More on the Bands Schwag later, but right now we focus our attention on the main entrance to the Casino Royale, where a very Metal discovery awaits us.
The Metal Discovery in question?6?6?6? The Wolf Run Slots Game. What makes this Metal is the game is based on one of the Most Metal Creatures to ever grace this planet we call earth, the Wolf (just ask Marduk, Deströyer 666 and Wolfen Society). I6Z6A6N NOTE: There will be a dedicated post about this game on my other blog, Channel 13 ( http://channel13metal.blogspot.com ) at a later time. Stay tuned.
By the stroke of luck, I managed to win some money out of it. I played 1 single dollar and managed to walk out of there with a whopping $3.43 (at least I walked away while I was ahead). If this did not make my trip better, I don't what could have made it better.
Just to give you a sneak peek, here was the line for the Bands Merch.
The elevators.
The purpose of mentioning the elevators? The most random video of this trip.
Random artwork to enhance the experience.
First band I managed to see on this day was Artillery.
Watching the band from the jacuzzi.
When at Metal Festivals, regardless if it is land or sea (at some point air will have a Metal Fest, but for now we will settle for the stage divers and the flying cups of over-priced shit beers found at venues), you meet very awesome people, and this happens to be one of them. This is Hal (sorry for the misspelling dude, you still kick ass \m/), from Belgium, the beer capital of the world.
Metal Festivals are pretty much Metal Concerts on the important Volume "11" setting for those of us who attend, but than there are those who push it to Volume "12", a volume very few dare go. This is my Volume "12", and I would like to introduce all of you my alter ego, the Metal Tourist \m/
The best part about passing out in this festival is the pool lounge chairs, which offers a nice comfy alternative to the gravel/farm field/grass/etc. floors other festivals have.
Another band I caught briefly was Seita.
Mid-day, and the view was spectacular.
Loudblast had their shot on the Pool Deck.
One of the common views were the people working in the cruise coming out every once in a while to check out the scenery, and if anything, they added to the aura that was Barge to Hell.
As you can see, fellow Barge to Hell attendees had a great sense of fashion \m/
Sacred Reich was one of the main courses for today, and they played a very tight set.
Aside the excellent performance the band puts on, you also have the fans that provide an extra dose of entertainment, and this woman with the booze funnel was definitely a winner.
Another group of people that provide more doses of fun at Metal conerts/festivals are the moshers, those who dare sacrifice others and sometimes themselves to the Metal Gods, who add an extra layer of insanity. The guy doing the moshing circle in sandals definitely scores \m/ HEAVY POINTS \m/
This next dude had a very familiar flag I know all too well, the Honduran flag. The reason I know this flag, I am half Honduran (with the other half being Cuban, and born and raised in the USA). This dude was about as good company as it gets. Many thanks Tulio \m/
A close up of the main banner over the Pool Deck stage with its many sponsors.
Hal enjoying himself on the Barge to Hell. For somebody about to meet Satan, he sure seems happy.
Another shot of the jacuzzi.
Metalheads by the pool, just chillin'.
This is what you call ending a chapter in the Barge to Hell.
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Sailor.
Next up on the list of kick ass dudes I have met is Byron, hockey fanatic from the great neighbor to the north, Canada. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Inside the cabins were the televisions with the usual channels to keep people entertained. One channel was the info channel which provided up-to-date coordinates of the vessels voyage.
Here is the monitor doing what it does best with some "interesting" music (sometimes good, sometimes bad).
Napalm Death. I've seen this band a number of times during their numerous South Florida runs.
The fans ever observant.
The first time I saw Mayhem was at Brutal Assault in 2011, and this was my second time seeing them. It seems every time I see this band, it is under some very unusual but pleasant moments.
And than the Vikings fought to the death to win the hand of the Valkyrie...
Some more cruise employees getting in on the Metal Assault.
While some of the food was included, others had a surcharge, and since I was hankering for some burgers, I figured the Johnny Rockets would kill that craving quick.
Remember the long line for the Bands Schwag Merch Booth. Here it is in the flesh. Truth be told, the selection was "limited" for this type of festival.
Scattered throughout the Schooner Bar (where the band merch was) you had some boating items to show the subject of marine travel in some detailed form.
This was my first time seeing Sanctuary, and the performance was solid.
Seems like Papa Emeritus decided to get in on the Barge to Hell. Actually, this was Sofia, a friend of mines from down the road where I live. I gotta say, the costume and demeanor was flawless \m/
Some more of the cruise staff enjoying the Metal Festival.
One can argue many fans jumped on this ship to catch one certain band, and that would be At the Gates.
I don't think I need to say the cruise staff have become Metalheads \m/
Watching the band while resting on the lounge chair.
Off in the distance, another cruise with its inhabitants. They had to be boarded and ransacked to show what a real party is.
Moonspell. As always delivering the goods in perfect timing.
The audience giving the reaction to the perfect delivery.
You know this sign had to be in this blog.
The central nexus of my cruise. This was the key to my home, my on-board money and my badge of honor.
Grave, deforming the pirates on-board the Majesty of the Seas.
A friend of mines told me the Barge to Hell was like the Brutal Assault festival but on a boat. Seems the moon from my run in Jaroměř has followed me here.
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