Greetings from the UK! It's so good to be back in Europe. It already feels like home. Birmingham is a lovely city and I can't wait to get to know it better. It has been a very busy 3 weeks and my brain hurts recalling all the amazing things that have happened. Last weekend we had a day off and I went exploring downtown and discovered a few treasures. The best one was this pub called Scruffy Murphey's. It's a heavy metal pub where the locals who wear their leather proud gather. Since Birmingham is the birth place of metal it felt historic being among such colorful characters. They had a sweet gig going on this tiny stage by their downstairs bar and it was like being among family with hair flying, guitars singing, and seeing the uniform of black across the front row. It was surreal experiencing metal in a new culture. It wet my appetite for more. I really am making it a goal of mine to dig deeper and discover more underground metal in my time here. I have 6 months to embrace England and at the rate we're going I think we'll be best friends soon. The people are lovely, the scenery is breath taking, and I'm proud to call this home.

What I'm listening to:

Stratovarius came out with a new album at the beginning of the year and I have to say I can never get enough of this classic power metal act. Though I am still getting acquainting with the album I'm not head over heels for any song particular. They kept it safe and continued their original sound which is always good, but not really special. Timo Kotipelto vocals continue to impress with his wide range and sheer power of sound. It's a good album and I'm excited to get to know it better!



I can't stop listening to this song! Accept's album "Blood of the Nations" is epic. These guys have been around for years and they still kick it. The duel guitars in this song give me the shivers. If you need a fist pumping hair twirling tune this is for you. Rock on and cheers dear ones!