TUSKA OPEN AIR METAL FESTIVAL 2010

words byВ Evil Trin, photos: Evil Trin

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DayВ 3, 4 July 2010 - The song does not remain the same

...which, surprise, surprise, is scorching (the newspaper says it is the hottest so far this year), but today's programme is shorter, because tomorrow is a working day.
This time my trip to the festival area is uneventful and I go into the Inferno tent to watch Finntroll.

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The crowd both inside and around is so thick, that I wonder why such an obviously popular band is not playing on the main stage. The answer comes a few hours later when Kasper Mårtenson tells the story that the initial idea was indeed such, but Dave Mustaine threatened that he will not share the same stage with “pagans”. I just wonder what is Mr. Mustaine's opinion on Satyricon being on this stage on Friday...
As usual, the folk-metal bands are rather entertaining live, though not as much on the stereo at home and this is very much valid for Finntroll.
The humppa is infectious and the people inside are trying to dance brandishing inflatable weapons, while those outside are craning their necks for a better view.

Sometime towards the middle of the set one of the keyboard players proposes a marriage to his girlfriend. We can't hear her answer, but I do hope it was “yes”.

The first attraction on the main stage today is W.A.S.P. For one reason or another, I have missed them all four times in Bulgaria, so now I finally have the chance to see what people say is a really great show.
The audience is massive and sings along toВ  LOVE Machine, Babylon's Burning, Wild Child, I Don't Need No Doctor and I Wanna Be Somebody, but I get the impression that W.A.S.P. are just going through the motions.
Besides I establish that the Photoshop and the professional make-up have worked miracles onВ  Blackie Lawless' promo pictures.

Maybe it's just not their day, but compared to the Nevermore debacle the evening before, W.A.S.P. are, if not great, at least good enough.

I miss the next bands in the tents – it's too hot and I am hungry and rather tired – guess I'm getting old for this shit.

Then we're again in the photo pit, once more wading through the mud and listening to the Tuska song, waiting for Cannibal Corpse.
Headbanging and growling, growling and headbanging and some more headbaning and growling – Corpsegrinder's wet hair dries out completely by the end of the second song. The sound is turned up real loud and is somewhat painful.

American death metal is generally not my cup of tea and I don't even try to watch and listen to Cannibal Corpse.

I take the similar approach to Nile in the Sue tent, though they are definitely a bit more palatable.

After another long walk about the festival grounds, during which I acquire the ultimate Halloween accessory – a gas mask, comes the time for the final headliner for this year's Tuska – Megadave, eh, excuse me, Megadeth.
Having in mind the funny story of how Mustaine demanded weed and was politely refused, which has been circulating all afternoon, I briefly entertain the idea that he has already left, but the guy arranging the bright yellow picks on the mic stand clears up my suspicions. Shortly after Megadeth take the stage.
What strikes me is the fact that Mustaine announces Headcrusher as “A song from MY latest album”.

The show, wich is not much different than the Sofia gig the week before, with only a longer setlist, ends at 9 p.m. sharp and we head for the nearby and very widely advertised bar PRKL, which, turns out to be rather underwhelming.

So we move to the really wonderful Barbäkkäri, which welcomes us blasting Amorphis. And so  we put a worthy end to the 13-th Tuska.
Next year – same dates, different place, different song.

“...Heinäkuun ekana viikonloppuna, dai-dai-dai...”

GALLERY DAY 3