Hallo zusammen!

Mit ein wenig Verspätung gibt es hier die Bilder meines verlängerten Wochenendes von Freitagmittag bis Sonntagabend in Drummondville. Dort fand die Classique hivernale de la Ligue de hockey junior majeur du Québec statt, mit insgesamt zwei Partien dieser Liga und zusätzlich einer Partie der Midget AAA Liga. Das Wetter war gut, die Partien waren spannend, die Stadt war ganz nett, aber Unterkunft und Verpflegung waren etwas überteuert.

 Der Park Saint-Frédéric mit der gleichnamigen Kirche

 Der Fluss Saint-François mit Blick auf den Staudamm von Drummondville

 Ende der Eishockeypartie der LHJMQ zwischen den gastegebenden Voltigeurs de Drummondville und den Phénix de Sherbrooke

 Die Maskottchen der Voltigeurs de Drummondville: links Tirobut und rechts Doris

 Aftershow des Eishokeyspiels am Freitagabend

 Skilanglaufpiste am Village Québécois d'Antan

 Kunstwerke vor dem Drummondville Olympique Sportkomplex

 Gebäude der Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières in Drummondville

 Gebäude der Pères Montfortains

 Zeremonieller Bully vor dem Spiel der LHJMQ zwischen den gastgebenden Voltigeurs de Drummondville und den Tigres de Victoriaville am Samstagnachmittag 

 Tanzspektakel des Cégep de Drummondville in der Pause

 Gruppenfoto nach dem Spiel, welches wegen heftigen Schneefalls immer wieder unterbrochen werden musste und insgesamt über drei Stunden dauerte

 Eröffnungszeremonie vor dem Sonntagsspiel zwischen den Cantonniers de Magog und den Gaulois de Saint-Hyacinthe der Midget AAA Liga

 Ende der Eishockeypartie am Nachmittag

 Finales Gruppenfoto der beiden Mannschaften der Midget AAA Liga

 Ankunft des Zuges aus Québec-Stadt in Richtung Montréal und Ottawa 

Even nearly four decades after its foundation, it's still a great joy to listen to this surprisingly juvenile Japanese heavy metal legend. This is due to two very important factors. First of all, one has to cite Niihara Minoru's truly unique voice who manages to mix controlled screams with a somewhat raw undertone and a particular accent that adds a melodic yet vibrant note to his performance. Secondly, Takasaki Akira is still one of the best guitarists in the genre who pulls off fast and melodic speed metal solos as well as gripping heavy and doom metal riffs but who also experiments with psychedelic soundscapes every now and then. Supported by a tight rhythm section, these eternally young protagonists entertain us throughout thirteen new tracks and a generous running time above one hour. The limited edition of this release even includes a nice selection of recently re-recorded classics. Since this album is one of the band's few to be released by a big international label, you shouldn't even think twice about purchasing the limited edition of Loudness' Rise to Glory.

The first few songs already showcase Loudness' typical soundscapes in a fresh way. The instrumental opener ''8118'' opens with a mysterious, psychedelic atmosphere inspired by Indian folklore which is due to the guitarist's conversion to Buddhism which occurred in the nineties when the band almost broke apart and this inspiration can also be found in the other instrumental track ''Kama Sutra''. ''Soul on Fire'' and ''Go for Broke'' are powerful heavy metal tracks with slight melancholic undertones that could have been released back in the eighties but that sound up-to-date thanks to passionate performances and an overall crunchy production. The bouncy ''I'm Still Alive'' quickens up the pace, slightly inspired by speed and thrash metal of the late eighties without denying the band's classic heavy metal vibe. If you're able to sit or stand still while listening to this energizing track, you're probably either deaf or metal just isn't your kind of music. A song like ''Until I See the Light'' includes a few acoustic guitar passages but quickly evolves into a slow-paced stomping metal track that makes you want to tap your feet. Loudness' style truly represents what heavy metal is all about.

The album proceeds with a mixture of mid-paced heavy metal anthems, up-tempo tracks with minimal speed metal influences and a few playful songs with extended guitar solos and occasional psychedelic folk influences. The thunderous ''Massive Tornado'' and the epic ''Why and for Whom'' could be cited as highlights in the second half but the record is slightly losing steam as time goes by. If the record had been reduced to the best eight or nine tracks, it could easily compete with the band's greatest cuts from the eighties. 

As it is, Rise to Glory is still a very good heavy metal record that outclasses most other genre veterans thanks to the distinguished guitar play and vocals. After the somewhat formulaic The Sun Will Rise Again, the Japanese heavy metal quartet is definitely back in the game with this more diversified, passionate and refreshing late career highlight. If you like heavy metal, you should certainly get your hands on this great output.

Final rating: 82%

Den of Thieves might be a stereotypical movie about tough guys trying to outsmart one another but it's a really entertaining ride and worth the praise it gets.

First of all, the story is fast-paced without any lengths. Each character is introduced appropriately, the tension slowly rises until a gripping climax and the final twist is quite impressive as well.

Secondly, the acting performances are stellar. Gerard Butler fully impresses as tough and pitiless detective who convinces with unshakable determination but also shows his flaws with his aggressive recklessness. Pablo Schreiber offers a very solid performance as strong, intelligent and ambitious criminal who turns out to be much more complex than meets the eye. The secret protagonist of the movie is O'Shea Jackson Junior's character who goes through a spectacular development from being a curious bartender, becoming involved in a gang of highly trained criminals and ending up what seems to be an undercover collaborator with the local police force. Each character has important flaws and strengths which makes everyone of them particularly authentic. Identifying a clear protagonist or antagonist is nearly impossible which sets this movie apart from other genre flicks.

Thirdly, the action sequences are quite spectacular, including car chases, gun fights and hand-to-hand combat but these elements are never overused and keep the movie diversified yet credible.

Fourthly, the main heist is truly spectacular and nerve-firing as the clever criminals face quite a few serious challenges. The whole sequence lasts about half an hour but feels less than half as long because it's so gripping.

Fifthly, despite being an action movie, this film doesn't overuse special effects, employs lighting techniques smoothly and utilizes calm camera work. Stylistically, this movie goes back to the great action movies of the eighties which is quite refreshing and not headache-inducing. Great action movies don't need shaky cameras and zombies but should stick to the simplest ingredients to fully convince. This is what Den of Thieves accomplishes very successfully.

In the end, watching Den of Thieves was a surprisingly positive experience. I haven't watched such an overall enjoyable action movie in a very long time. Fans of action cinema with tough guys in the key of the Die Hard franchise just can't get around this film. I certainly don't aim to sound controversial but the only thing to point out is that this movie was made by men for men and might appear somewhat stereotypical to most women. On the other side, it's just the other way around with films like Pitch Perfect. If this movie seems to be right down your alley, you will enjoy it for sure but if it's not your type of movie, just ignore it.

Symphony X's Underworld is a quite complicated record for me. Objectively, the American progressive metal quintet finds the right balance between simple thrash metal riffs, a few contemporary djent soundscapes and appealing melodic solos in quite varied tracks from instrumental openers over focused mid-tempo stompers to more elaborate epics close to the ten-minute mark. However, the album just doesn't click with me despite numerous approaches and the fact that people around me with similar tastes in music have spoken very positively about this album. The element that is missing to make this album more than just good for me is feeling.

Symphony X sounds like a faux progressive metal band that seems to try very hard to include tough riffs in each track and to revamp its style with djent influences without trying to come around with emotive yet intellectual ideas that made records of the past so appealing. Underworld sounds calculated, cold and contemporary in songs like ''Nevermore''. The talent of the musicians seems underused in the at times simplistic song structures. Russell Allen, who regularly convinces as guest singer in projects such as Ayreon or on his solo albums, doesn't manage to unfold his impressive vocal skills either. The band even lacks a truly unique sound and reminds of an angrier version of modern Dream Theater throughout the record.

There are a few more emotional moments as in the oddly chosen first single and half-ballad ''Without You'' and the smooth epic ''Swan Song'' but most of the heavier tracks sound dull, exchangeable and predictable. Surprises such as the promising instrumental opener ''Overture'', that should work very well in concert, are missing on this calculated effort.

Objectively, there is no stinker on this release which has a coherent guiding line but it just isn't my cup of tea. If you like American power metal that focuses more on aggressive riffs than uplifting melodies, you will certainly like Underworld. If you like progressive metal's technical aspects but don't want to sit through complex epics, this album's straighter approach might also sit well with you. If you are an unconditional Symphony X fan, you will also find a few redeeming qualities. But if you're looking for emotive, inspiring and melodic progressive metal, you should just skip this album.

Final rating: 65%

Even nearly four decades after its foundation, it's still a great joy to listen to this surprisingly juvenile Japanese heavy metal legend. This is due to two very important factors. First of all, one has to cite Niihara Minoru's truly unique voice who manages to mix controlled screams with a somewhat raw undertone and a particular accent that adds a melodic yet vibrant note to his performance. Secondly, Takasaki Akira is still one of the best guitarists in the genre who pulls off fast and melodic speed metal solos as well as gripping heavy and doom metal riffs but who also experiments with psychedelic soundscapes every now and then. Supported by a tight rhythm section, these eternally young protagonists entertain us throughout thirteen new tracks and a generous running time above one hour. The limited edition of this release even includes a nice selection of recently re-recorded classics. Since this album is one of the band's few to be released by a big international label, you shouldn't even think twice about purchasing the limited edition of Loudness' Rise to Glory.

The first few songs already showcase Loudness' typical soundscapes in a fresh way. The instrumental opener ''8118'' opens with a mysterious, psychedelic atmosphere inspired by Indian folklore which is due to the guitarist's conversion to Buddhism which occurred in the nineties when the band almost broke apart and this inspiration can also be found in the other instrumental track ''Kama Sutra''. ''Soul on Fire'' and ''Go for Broke'' are powerful heavy metal tracks with slight melancholic undertones that could have been released back in the eighties but that sound up-to-date thanks to passionate performances and an overall crunchy production. The bouncy ''I'm Still Alive'' quickens up the pace, slightly inspired by speed and thrash metal of the late eighties without denying the band's classic heavy metal vibe. If you're able to sit or stand still while listening to this energizing track, you're probably either deaf or metal just isn't your kind of music. A song like ''Until I See the Light'' includes a few acoustic guitar passages but quickly evolves into a slow-paced stomping metal track that makes you want to tap your feet. Loudness' style truly represents what heavy metal is all about.

The album proceeds with a mixture of mid-paced heavy metal anthems, up-tempo tracks with minimal speed metal influences and a few playful songs with extended guitar solos and occasional psychedelic folk influences. The thunderous ''Massive Tornado'' and the epic ''Why and for Whom'' could be cited as highlights in the second half but the record is slightly losing steam as time goes by. If the record had been reduced to the best eight or nine tracks, it could easily compete with the band's greatest cuts from the eighties. 

As it is, Rise to Glory is still a very good heavy metal record that outclasses most other genre veterans thanks to the distinguished guitar play and vocals. After the somewhat formulaic The Sun Will Rise Again, the Japanese heavy metal quartet is definitely back in the game with this more diversified, passionate and refreshing late career highlight. If you like heavy metal, you should certainly get your hands on this great output.

Final rating: 82%