Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

Polish death metal legends VADER are currently touring Asia. The Band has issued the tour diary Day 4 and 5, read it below:

Day 4 – Travel to Japan:

We got to the airport dead early. 30 minutes before we could even check in for our flight. So there was nothing to do now except wait. And then wait some more. When we checked in (on some kind of Korean lowcost airline) we were made to sign a contract saying that if our musical equipment was damaged during the journey, we would have to take responsibility and not the airline. In short, they could completely ruin our equipment and legally we would be able to do nothing. Motherfuckers!

We stopped off for breakfast and then went through all the usual bullshit and got onto the plane. The flight was dreadful but quite short and before long we had landed in Nagoya. We were through immigration and customs very quickly and it was really nice to be in Japan again! Until I stepped outside and felt the unfathomable humidity of death! Oh well, everything will be fine when we get to the hotel! A bed! Air conditioning! Comfort and relaxation! Nope. Check-in wasn’t for another five hours so once again we waited… and waited… and waited…

Takuro, our translator for the Japanese part of the tour, was able to take us for lunch (and of course a beer) and it was the finest meal of the tour so far. He even taught us how to use chopsticks. A very helpful skill in Asia! Then finally we checked into the hotel and got some rest. We then travelled to the venue at around 20:00 to check the drum kit that Tama provided for the Japanese shows. I didn’t have to bother, it’s better than my Tama kit in Europe! Starclassic Bubinga. Looks killer sounds even better! After the quick check it was time for dinner and more beer of course. This time it was a mix of traditional Japanese foods; traditional salad, sushi, chicken, pork teriyaki and lots of other great stuff. I was totally full by the end!

After this it was time to sleep and get ready for more sightseeing in the morning and in the evening, our first show in Japan!

Day 5 – Show Nagoya (08.07)

In the morning we travelled to Nagoya castle – about a 20 minute drive from the hotel and spent a few hours looking round. It was extremely impressive! A lot of exhibits showing the history of Nagoya and the castle and a lot of really interesting displays and photographs. Then it was off to set up and soundcheck. Setting the drums took a very long time – Daniel and I had to change all the skins and then tune the drums and set the hardware, electronics and microphones. Then we decided that the drums sounded shit so we tuned them again! The whole process took around 2 hours just for the drums and then it was time for everyone else to check their equipment.

After soundcheck was done, it was time for a quick meet and greet with some fans and then the rest of band headed straight for the hotel. I stayed to see our support bands and to make use of the venue’s wifi- I didn’t have any at the hotel. The first two support bands Trendkill and Mary’s Tyrant are both really great thrash bands with a very European style. The main support ‘Hell and Hell’ were a more ‘Japanese’ metal band with more make-up, interesting props and a real sense of humour, which is something I appreciate a lot!

Our show was a lot of fun- it was really hot onstage under the lighting but the crowd were great and really into the music. We somehow survived but my evening wasn’t over. I have no crew on this tour except a very handsome man named James Stewart and so it was time to pack all the drums, hardware and electronics. Daniel did show up to help me towards the end and it was actually all done pretty fast – we were out of the venue by 23:00. We went back to the hotel and met up around 00:00 for a couple of beers (naturally) and some dinner and then to sleep. Tomorrow Osaka….

Also check out VADER Tour Diary from Seoul, HERE.

check out below the taster from the Nagoya show

Check out all the tour dates below:

July 05 – Seoul, Korea @ Jalya Art Hall
July 08 – Nagoya, Japan @ 3 Star Imaike
July 09 – Osaka, Japan @ Namba-Rockets
July 10 – Tokyo, Japan @ Garret
July 11 – Tokyo, Japan @ Garret
July 12 – Beijing, China @ Yu Gong Live House
July 14 – Singapore, @ Ossuary
July 15 – Live In Bangkok @ The Rock Pub

More information at:
https://www.facebook.com/vader – http://www.vader.pl