Goth, Rock, Metal and Chips with Curry Sauce! OK, the curry sauce wasn't great but the rest was amazing!
After seeing the Fabulous Eddie Izzard at the O2 in Greenwich on Thursday night, Keith and I got back to South Woodham at about 1am to do last minute packing and hair-dying and stuff. We finally crashed out at 3am, only to be rudely awoken by many, many alarms at 7am!
One large mug of proper coffee later, we headed off to sunny Southend to pick up Dan and Laura, who were equally excited about the prospect of a weekend of rock and metal mayhem.
We decided to avoid getting fleeced by service stations en route and opted for a huge breakfast in a builder's cafe, which judging by the looks on people's faces, had never served a bunch of goths... ever! Then we were on our way, ably assisted by Dan's SatNav which bleeped at me every time I went over the speed limit. There was probably too much bleeping really, truth be told.
The journey was long and rainy. I was already knackered from sod-all sleep. Thankfully Dan took over driving just after we passed Birmingham and I nodded off in the back seat for a bit until we reached Wales.
After some driving about in darkness, hilly roads and LOTS of rain, we finally found Pontins in Prestatyn, home to Hard Rock Hell! After a mad dash to the chalet to dump luggage and change into something suitably outrageous, we headed straight for the stages for the night.
Joy of joys - everything in walking distance - I don't have to drive - Rum here I come!!! Wahay!
Dan and Laura
Me and Keith
First up, Korpiklaani. Finnish folk metal band. They were amazing, energetic and a great boost considering most of us were running on energy drinks at that point!
See all the Korpiklaani pics here!
Next up Dutch band Delain. Singer had a great voice and Laura and I really liked her jacket... and that fact that she wasn't too girly to do a bit of headbanging!
See all the Delain pics here!
Then on to Swedish metal band Hysterica. Definitely the biggest disappointment of the event! Despite the carefully contrived "metal" appearance they were definitely the Metal Spice Girls manufactured band. They weren't up to much really so we only stayed for two tracks.
See all the Hysterica pics here!
After that disappointment we headed off to a different stage to see Ratt, an original 80's hair metal band (yeah - I cribbed that off Keith - I had no idea!). I didn't know any of their stuff at all but loud energetic and rocky was good and I really enjoyed their set.
See all the Ratt pics here!
Stomachs growling, we headed off in search of food to find the only option was Captain Cod and he was definitely wanting to shut shop! Sadly we were in the door before he did and three out of four of us had chips with curry sauce. Three out of four of us also regretted the curry sauce almost instantly! Not only was it vile, it also had sweetcorn in it, much to Keith's very vocal disgust! Laura was the only sensible one who refrained!
After that we headed back to the other stage which had thankfully been vacated by the awful girl band and was now host to Eden's Curse, a band we hadn't particularly planned into our hectic schedule but as it happens we were glad we got to see. The guitarist was brilliant and fascinating to watch play!
See all the Eden's Curse pics here!
At this point we were all flagging (and suffering the effects of curry sauce) but most of us wanted to see the last band of the evening, Sonata Arctica, and there was still almost an hour to go before they came on! Dan caved first and headed off to the shop to get milk for the morning before going back to the chalet. Keith, Laura and I decided to stick it out. Well, in a manner of speaking. Keith went off to watch Winterborn while Laura and I grabbed a table on the sidelines and I actually did fall asleep in my chair for their entire set!
Keith came back and woke us up before leading us to the neighbouring stage the long way round, which took us outside into the cold and rain. OK, yes, we definitely woke up!
Sonata Arctica were worth staying up for! I'd only heard some of their stuff for the first time in the car on the way up and I have to say they sounded much better live. Despite my extreme sleepiness, I thoroughly enjoyed their set.
See all the Sonata Arctica pics here!
Shuffled back to the chalet, did battle with the sofa bed and collapsed in a heap. Ahhhh sleep!
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