Eyes of Fyr

Blog

Welcome to my blog. This is where I write stuff that, for the most part, pertains to updates in the Media section. It's also the place where I spew anything else I may wish to impart. So far commenting has not been made available. It may remain this way or it may not. I do appreciate the views, though, so thanks for visiting!

'XII

Welcome back, people. All the latest news that's fit to post follows with pictorial coverage of the events of Friday, January 6.

The opening act comes courtesy of God in a glorious orange sunset complemented by a patchwork of high clouds. Such spectacular views often go uncaptured but the feet were on the ground at the right time for this Ton Photon.

The main event du jour was the lineup of bands playing at MoJoes in Joliet starring Sanctuary, with supporting acts Diamond Plate and Ghost in the Ruins. Testimony were originally in the lineup but they bailed and I didn't capture their replacement.

Ghost in the Ruins, a Savatage tribute band from the Chicagoland area, took the stage at roughly 8:15 and proceeded to deliver a quality set of Sava covers, much to my delight and the delight of the crowd in front of the stage. Will probably be seeing more of them this year so stay tuned.

Diamond Plate was up next. A total newb, I went in having never seen or heard them before but came away impressed. This original act from the Chicagoland area will be opening for Testament at Austin's next month so there may be additional fotos (and possibly video) of them here in the near future.

Sanctuary – This was a major flashback into the past. I don't think they toured a lot back in the day. Their '80's Aragon set opening for Megadeth is the only previous gig in my concert history. It's a good bragging point even if it does date me. What's it been, ~25 years? (Eeek!) They were pretty tight. It's almost like they never left. It didn't seem likely that they'd ever be on the radar again but here we are in 'XII with another Sanctuary date in the can. Who knew?! This delightful chain of events turns the frown upsidedown since the demise of Nevermore in 2011, one of the unmentioned low-lights of last year. Video footage was shot but the output is not yet ready for prime time. A total of 5 songs were captured. Will try to have them processed and posted in a reasonable amount of time considering there are others in the queue. Check back later for updates.

And last but not least, thanks to a couple of good friends I got into the show for free and I have this:

Apparently, the only way to get tickets for MoJoes events is online. I've read that's the case for other places as well. I'm really hating this trend. Only once (in 2006) did I order online thinking there'd be an actual ticket at the door, but it was not to be. Since then, I haven't order online. I thought I'd be able to get one for Sanctuary at the venue a couple days before the show but that was a complete waste of time, fuel, and nearly 8 bucks in tolls. They weren't even open that particular Wednesday night. No use trying to call ahead of time, either, no venue phone available. Then later on the 6th I discover they don't have their own ticket terminal. This came to light when I tried to get a ticket for the Iced Earth show in March and came up empty.

Technology isn't evil if it's utilized properly. For instance, an automated phone message indicating the venue was closed that day would have been useful. But it goes too far when it starts to replaces things (e.g., jobs). Did newspapers go away when radio came along? No. Did radio go away when television came along? No. All this shit should be value added, not taken away. That Esurance jingle rings so true here, technology when you want it | people when you don't. People or things, so very true.

All that aside, MoJoes is actually a great place for shows like this. It doesn't appear to be a sports bar complex doubling as a concert venue like so many other suburban music locations around here. It has a large open room with a balcony, a big stage, great sound and lighting, it's camera-friendly, away from the city, and the staff was friendly and accommodating too. The bartender kindly agreed to keep an eye on my coat and one of the security dudes let me go upstairs to take fotos/video even though the balcony was closed off that night. There are more positives than negatives so I don't want to generate a bunch of bad publicity for them, but that ticketing thing still bugs me. Oh well, the "By a Thread Presents" offers a clue about the state of things I suppose.

Thanks to Eden's Fall Ray for the hard copy ticket and thanks to Scott Davidson (again!) for the very last-minute comp +1. It was totally unexpected. And also, great praise and thanks to Almighty God Most High for that beautiful Feast of Lights in the sky. Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed Nomini Tua da gloriam!

Ode to End Times

Welcome to 'XII my friend
The beginning of the end?
Well it could be I suppose
but truth be told no one knows
No one knows but God Most High
When the lights go out in the sky
When Times, a Time and Half-Time fraction
When comes to pass in appointed fashion.
Welcome to 'XII my friend
A new beginning not the end?
Well it could be I suppose
but truth be told no one knows
No one knows but God Most High
Make ready now for judgment line
It could come at any time
Weight of heart determines state
A Lake of Fire or Pearly Gates
The end of time will come my friend
About the How it's always been
Sum of all existence

— R. S. Harris, January 2012

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