Dear readers!

Here are some pictures of another sporting event I have attended. About a week ago, I went to Montreal to attend the soccer game between Montreal Impact and Toronto FC. Since there is a big rivalry between the cities of Montreal and Toronto, the game was sold out and the atmosphere was absolutely great. In addition to this, the weather was nice, I was there with one of my friends and another guy and the game was filled with action, passion and tension. Sadly, Toronto FC won 1-3 against the home team at Stade Saputo but it was still a great experience. It was the first Montreal Impact game I have attended so far this year. I will try to be back for another game in late September against New York City FC and I also cross my fingers that the team I support will make it to the playoffs. For now, I wanted to share a few great pictures with you. You can find a few interesting messages from both fan camps in there. My favorite picture is the third one from the top. Have a great day!

 Dear readers of my blog!

A little bit more than a week ago, I attended my first football game of the season. The Ottawa Redblacks won their home game against the BC Lions and have since added another impressive win against the struggling Montreal Alouettes. Will the Ottawa Redblacks defend their Grey Cup title in their hometown? I hope and believe so. Last year's Grey Cup in Toronto is still the greatest sports event I have ever attended along with the CONCACAF Champions League final between Montreal Impact and Club América two years ago. I will attend another Redblacks game with some colleagues and students this weekend when they host the game against the surprisingly weak Hamiltion Tigercats. For now, I simply wanted to share a few pictures of the game I have attended with you. Enjoy and have a great day!

Ladies and gentlemen!

I've always wanted to attend one of Cirque du Soleil's magnificent shows and when I heard that they would come to Gatineau to present their new show ''Volta'' inspired by extreme sports, I decided to buy a ticket. 

The last time I had attended a circus show was way back in April 2006 when I visited Saint Petersburg, Russia with my high school at the age of sixteen. Let's say that I was looking forward to finally rediscover the quirky characteristics of a vivid circus show.

The show lasted for about two hours and fifteen minutes, including a break of about twenty minutes after the first hour. I could witness spectacular action from acrobats and BMX drivers among others but also a storyline revolving around a talent show called Quid pro Quo and a main character who would rise from zero to hero. The crowd was invited to cheer and participate in the beginning and occasional slapstick elements with a clown would keep old and young fans in the audience interested until the very end.

I really liked my experience but must admit that the fee of one hundred twenty-five dollars was simply too much. Half the price would have been reasonsable as well. Still, if you like circus shows and extreme sports, there is no way you can get around ''Volta''. I wanted to attend a show of what might be the world's most renowned circus group and I pretty much got what I had expected.

Please enjoy the numerous pictures I have taken during the show below. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

In a certain way, it was my own personal birthday gift to myself when I went to see Guns N' Roses in concert earlier last week. I had heard about the band's underwhelming shows in the past but I simply wanted to see this legendary hard rock band once in my lifetime before it could be too late. 

To be honest, Guns 'N Roses put up one of the greatest concerts I have ever attended, probably only beaten by the mighty Black Sabbath in 2014 and Iron Maiden in 2016. The band played an incredible total of thirty songs from its numerous different releases of all eras, including famous classics such as ''Welcome to the Jungle'' and ''Sweet Child O' Mine'' but also more recent tracks like ''Chinese Democracy'' and ''Better'' and cover songs like ''Knockin' on Heaven's Door'' and ''Live and Let Die''. As if that weren't enough, the performance included numerous jam sessions and solos, an outstanding light show and colourful videos on three giant screens.

The concert lasted for an incredible three hours and twenty minutes and didn't even included a break. This is probably the longest concert I have ever attended and might even beat Groovy Aardvark's thirtieth anniversary show last year. I was happy that my personal Guns N' Roses experience turned out to be a blast that was worth every penny I had spent on the expensive ticket.

If you have the chance to witness the band on its Not in This Lifetime Tour, don't hesitate and get your ticket as soon as you can.

Here are a few pictures taken during the first few minutes of the show. I decided to not take more pictures to be able to fully enjoy the concert. This is the kind of attitude that I would have liked to get from the numerous busy smart phone users and electric cigarette or pot smokers around me but nothing is perfect.

Duff McKagan (bass guitar)

Slash (lead guitar)

Axl Rose (vocals and piano)

Frank Ferrer (drums and percussion)

TD Place in Ottawa

Markus Stock is probably Germany's most active musician, producer and singer who has recently reunited Empyrium to record a comeback record in form of The Turn of the Tides. The doom metal and symphonic elements of yore are gone as the new record is a true neofolk jewel. Appeasing sacral choirs as well as slow and smooth lead vocals meet dreamy guitar chord progressions, elegiac piano sections and a shy rhythm section.

As it's the case on so many records involving Markus Stock, the opening ''Savior'' really sets the tone with its epic, hypnotizing and magic atmosphere. While the song is best enjoyed during a lonely autumn night or during a walk by the sea side, more traditional metal fans will have a hard time appreciating this elegiac, repetitive and slow song that focuses first and foremost on its enchanting atmosphere. Aggressive vocals, engaging rhythm sections or vivid guitar solos are nowhere to be found in this song or on the entire album for that matter.

My favorite song is probably also a track that exemplifies best what Empyrium currently stands for. ''The Days Before the Fall'' opens with gloomy sacral keyboard passages, melancholic string melodies and smooth tribal percussive elements before it evolves into heartfelt folk soundscapes and appeasing low lead vocals. This song had already been included on the superb neofolk compilation Whom the Moon a Nightsong Sings that is an excellent introduction to this emotional, intellectual and smooth genre. It's a record to dream yourself far away.

If The Turn of the Tides were Empyrium's first record, this band wouldn't even be close to be accepted by this site's metal standards. If you are a patient listener who is able to appreciate smooth ambient soundscapes, uplifting folk inflences and majestic sacral choirs, you will discover this record's true beauty. Fans of the band's early years should listen to this controversial comeback effort with an open mind. Traditional metal heads might have a really hard time with this challenging output. Personally, I like several songs from the album and I am able to listen to it from start to finish if I'm in a particularly smooth mood but I find this album a little bit too slow, repetitive and dragging at times. The Turn of the Tides is a unique album but only recommendable for a much limited and specific audience.

Final rating: 75%