The last full day of the Barge to Hell. The "it's going to end" feeling has begun to rear it's ugly head. One thing about my Metal experiences is that it has prepared me for this day, and to take the saying that has been said time and again but very applicable to this situation, "all good things must come to an end".
For those of you who have not gone to Metal Festivals, this is a feeling you will one day feel as the last full day is what you make out of it and will leave the mark on the festival you attended. Some people go full throttle to get the last shits and giggles out of their system, where as for others it is the opportunity to wind down and soak in the festival in a calm state, to prepare to get back to "civilization".
For me, it was a chill day considering the events from Day 3. Plus some of the bands that I couldn't catch on Day 1 due to the whole delayed stage-build were on my cross-hairs today. That's what makes Barge to Hell and 70,000 Tons Metal the kick ass fests they are, the bands go on twice during the entire cruise, in case you missed them for whatever reason that occurs.
The Belly Flop Contest. A tradition since the invention of the modern pool. This is the contest of the armchair general from the Xbox and PlayStation armed forces, the cubicle jockey, the fast food critic who acts as the "unoffical" quality assurance coordinator. In other words, for those whose waistlines exceed the equator.
Where those who are of the heavier disposition can't excel in many physical contests (except sumo wrestling and defensive/offensive line in American football), there is the belly flop contests, which is perfect for those who don't wish to compete in the aforementioned sporting contests for the big guys and gals.
Advance apologies for the blurry quality as the weather was causing the condensation (it was cool with a somewhat blaring sun beating us down).
Possessed. The name alone is enough to end my commentary for the next couple of pics. And if you don't know who they are, well, consider yourself in the wrong side of the 'hood.
In my 14 years (as of this writing) as a Metalhead, one of my first "REAL" Metal bands I heard was Krisiun. My first time watching them was back in 2001, and the countless shows I have seen them perfrom, they deliver.
Will the Pirate in row 4 please report to the bridge, your boat is being towed.
As if the Metal festivals on land have enough calamities, it seems the cruise was not spared. Of course, when these things happen, they do make for fun stories. The ice machine brought forth the "Wile E Coyote" maneuver.
If the pic was taken any closer, it would make for a great Black Metal album. Ya know, the whole snowy mountain background, although the band members would have to be the size of Lego people.
Sodom was next on my list of bands to watch, and considering their delayed stage time on Day 1 which prompted my sleep-in protest, this was as good as it got.
My first time seeing Sodom was in Wacken 2011, and like with Mayhem, it seems seeing this band perform live again will be under irregular (as in some place I have never been before or rarely).
To give you an idea what type of venues the bands played, here is the Chorus Line Theater with the lights on.
Before Sodom took to the stage, we had some noisy neighbors on top of us. One of the few times this is actually a good thing.
Let me be frank, this trip was about kicking back and enjoying the bands in a way the local dumps, aka the venues/nightclubs/over-glorified scenesters hangouts/etc., from my neck of the woods would never allow possible.
Taking to the stage.
Sodom was doubling as a birthday party band. Hats, kazoos, and gang-bangs, the "Miami style" birthday celebration. For a Metal birthday, you'd figure they would go with Birthday Dethday.
One of the last things I did was walk around the vessel and soak in the scenerey as I knew the end was coming fast and furious. I managed to go to the Viking Crown Lounge, albeit empty. With a name like this, I am surprised they have not made the most of this area.
Calling Captain Napolipolita, your drink awaits you in the bridge.
Soaking in the night one last time.
This is the perfect picture to end the last full day of Barge to Hell. Taken from the Viking Crown Lounge.
To be continued...
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