Embraze @ Kuusisaari, Oulu
18.09.2004
Happy Birthday, EMBRAZE:)
Happy Birthday, Olli-Pekka :)
by Melamory
And… like it always happens with reviews on gigs in Oulu, I should start with the question “Why?”, because it's the most obvious question when you speak about Oulu :) Well, this time our reason why was 10th anniversary gig of Embraze, the very dear band to us. And because of our inside-joke - this gig is not only 10-years' but also the 10th one at all ;), we felt that everyone who can manage it should be there. That's it. I mean, there're just a few small chances to see Embraze live, and one should use every chance, and this time there was jubilee special exclusive unique gig, so… Four crazy Russians took their way to Oulu.
Trip to Oulu by bus was as long as it was ;), but surroundings were charming – cold lakes, red forests with toadstools and sometimes rain – so typical beautiful autumn in Pohjola. Oulu met us with quite dull rainy weather, but it was warm enough still, so I could wear my corset and leather coat, and it made me happy indeed :)
My meeting with Late was planned for 21.30, but he was late:) So we had to waste some time drinking beloved minttuviina (which is surely the best Finnish drink ever) right from a bottle. Backstage promised to meet some familiar faces:) And of course the first question I asked was if Embraze was gonna play Passion:) Actually, I was sure to hear “yes” in reply, but unfortunately – no, Embraze didn't plan to play it. Getting apologizes from the band members and promises to rehearse the song till the next time, I said it's a pity I wouldn't hear “fuck me, suck me” from the Sinmakers:) Hanging around Teemu Hautamaki joked that if Late was a real man, why he couldn't sing “fuck me, suck me” to a lady:) All that “fucking” conversation got the attention of ex-Embraze guitar-player Juha Rytkonen, who asked me how to say “fuck me” in Russian – sure, one day he should come to Russia :) So, this plain phrase was discussed in all possible ways and languages – Finnish, English and Russian:)
The gig started at 22.30. And the beginning of the performance was beautiful: Embraze played Kiiminkijoki, this amazing melody. And I have to mention the audience there… Like it always happens in Oulu, fans know the musicians and the musicians know lots of people in the venue. That's why the atmosphere was cozy. And after the gig the guys from Embraze was happy like hell: more than 600 people came to Kuusisaari to celebrate their 10th Anniversary, and it was the hugest audience in Kuusisaari ever.
The first song in the set was spiritual and evil Dead Spring from debut album Laeh, recorded in 1998. And then we heard two new demo-songs - beautiful Sleeping Ground and our favorite Memory Trace Of Our Time. Should I mention that the public got both the oldest songs and the newest ones perfectly.
Then the line-up changed a bit. Olli-Pekka and Sami left the stage and their places were got by ex-members: already mentioned Juha and bass-player Petri Kenell. Returned to the young age Embraze played two songs from Laeh again - Ñharm Of The Wilderness and Sweet Hate, the last one was just perfect:) And the audience screamed: Juha, Juha, Petri, Petri!
Ollari and Sami returned on the stage, and next two songs were performed with extra-vocals. To sing backing-vocal on Sinmaker Jonna Drushinin went on stage, and then Altti Vetelainen - to perform Closed. The public met him enthusiastically, sure he is a local hero! As to Altsu, he growled his backing-vocals, headbanged and beautified the stage a lot:)
Together with Altti Lauri left the stage. Then he appeared, told something to the audience and disappeared again. While Lauri was "off line", skin-head looking ex-guitarist Marcus Regelin began to turn-on the guitar. The audience supported him : Manku, Manku! Marcus and Sami were enough to play the guitars, so next two songs - Sin, Love And The Devil and Endless Journey – were the only ones songs Lauri behaved like a real metal-singer who shouldn't keep himself near the mic stand. It was unusual and nice to see Late running across the stage without a guitar, jumping to Ilkka's drums and headbanging a lot. Endless journey was especially enjoyable. The song deserves huge respect for its philosophical lyrics. I can hardly imagine how it's possible to remember all the lyrics, but they are cool:) And Late tried to keep amazingly serious face performing the masterpiece:)
And Lauri's images are also worth mentioning. He started the gig looking very cute, like we all used to see him in Charon. Well, he didn't wear his sexy "Charon t-shirt";), but still looked like a good boy:) But then he changed the image completely. Spending a few seconds at the backstage, he returned in another one t-shirt and with a knitted hat. New t-shirt was cool – it was a prehistoric super-exclusive Embraze merchandize with EMBRACE logo on it. Now Late would looked like true-evil sinmaker:) of course if he wouldn't smile like a happy child every moment during the gig:). Well, actually Heidi, Ilkka, Olli-Pekka and Sami had happy smiles on the faces too :)
In the end of the set Embraze performed mystical Mystic and great Close My Stage. Then the end of the gig was announced, and the band left the stage. Of course, they returned - returned to play My Star, which couldn't be missed in the set-list. That was the end. Last "kiitos paljon" from the band to the amazing audience – and the guys continued celebrating at the backstage room.
I have no doubt that the public enjoyed the gig a lot, 'cos the gig was just great. But as to the musicians, they were happy. And grateful . Actually that's why I respect bands from Oulu a lot. They are not only talented and sociable, they are also very attentive and grateful to the people who came to see the show and supported the band, to all the people who paid attention to the band, to all the heaven and infernal gods for keeping the band together and so on. And… I said it many times already, but I can repeat it again and again – it was my pleasure to be with Embraze that night.
After the show Late and Sami agreed to make a short interview for Crimson Dawn. Thanks, guys! We spoke and spoke till the club was closed. Then everybody moved to a cute baari in Oulu, where I saw many familiar faces again:) And all the unfamiliar faces were open and communicative, and of course everybody was playing somewhere, singing somewhere or working somewhere rockmusic-connected%). The night was beautiful, and I can't wait to see lots of people again. But – like everything in the universe – this night was over. That was the time to give everybody the last hugs, to say the last "thank you" for the brilliant band and the great gig and to promise to see each other one day again, as soon as possible of course:)
Late, Heidi, Ilkka, Olli-Pekka and Sami, you are the best and we love you loads!:)