Буря преди Midsummer – Storm in Human Form

At last the fickle weather decided to give us a bit of summer, admittedly not for long, but it was enough to be in sync with the thunderous event that was upon us and the oncoming Midsummer. A truly sacred and revered holiday for Scandinavians, and in this event there was, not expressed, but strongly emphasized, I would say emblematic Scandinavian (Swedish) presence. So to celebrate Midsummer in such a magical, almost supernatural way is “once in a lifetime”, making it once again a spectacular event and experience.

For fans of statistics and accuracy, here are some facts. On June 23, the Storm in Human Form event took place at the JOY Station club in Sofia. Organizers Tsena Koev and Zhivko Koev gathered on one stage:

Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen, Talisman, Axel Rudi Pell, Sons Of Apollo)
Mats Levén (Therion, Candlemass, Yngwie Malmsteen)
Snowy Shaw (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Therion, Dimmu Borgir)
Tsena Koev (Kristal Bardess, Vivaldi Metal Project, Tsena Koev)
Mistheria (Bruce Dickinson, Vivaldi Metal Project)
Leonardo Porcheddu (Vivaldi Metal Project)
Alexander Slavchev (Beloslava, Graf, Lili Ivanova)
Nick Nikolaev (Stanley, Slavin Slavchev, Hug or Handshake)
Anton Piperov (Caliberty, Fat Bertha, Fool Circle)
Nia May (Overheat, Hammer Dance, Early May)

The set list included 21 compositions that have become timeless classics of Rock and Metal music and the musicians who created them. And about, some of which I will try to tell you in this text. More than two hours of true pure emotion and cosmic happiness. Huge work, which requires even bigger hearts. Thank You!

But, as you know, every storm comes with a particular, almost unsettling calm, which evokes the anticipation of the stormy stirring of the layers of space to come. For us, the role of this anxious anticipation was played by Ghost Warfare. The band performed six compositions, which according to the announcement are from their latest album, the fourth in a row. I admit I am not familiar with the band’s work, it was my first time to see them live and perhaps with regret I will say that they did not leave any vivid impressions on me. Still, I’m sure they have their fans who enjoyed their set. You can see their set list below.

Set list:
“The forsaken”
“Master of the fade”
“BRS”
“1303 2777”
“The path between”
“Something Wicked”

The tension of eager anticipation builds to the point that my humble company and I are probably more tense than the guitar strings on stage. Ever since I first started writing reports, а concert has kept me so many days and nights floating in other worlds and trembling with emotions that are still hard to describe. And it leaves me with the impression that words capable of describing what was experienced and what happened have not yet been invented on this Earth. But I will try to tell you about the magic of human voices and virtuoso musicianship, which combined with supernatural beauty and meticulous professionalism become Fury.

Well, patience they say is a virtue and finally Nia May and Tsena Koev appear on stage introducing Jeff Scott Soto. The evening begins in a very classical way and the adaptation of A. Dvorak’s “Tears of Splendor”. The rumble of the approaching storm is becoming more palpable and has reached the point where a universal musical deluge will be poured down upon us. For now, though, the atmosphere, albeit charged with the vibrations of elemental power, gives us a bit of the lusty, laid-back spirit of the AOR days with “Colour my XTC”. You can dance, flirt and reminisce about the rebellious toupee hairstyles and frayed jeans of the 90s. Romantic, carefree times, right?!

For me, every concert has a breaking point from which the show either flies towards its crescendo or totally collapses. Our breaking point here was the appearance of the irresistible Snowy Shaw. Not only a genius musician, but also an incredible showman. Around him on stage it’s always boiling and seething. It’s been many decades since I was enchanted by the blonde fury behind the drums in King Diamond (my most favorite band ever). It’s not like I haven’t dreamed of meeting my astral twin (we were born on the same date), but that was somewhere on the “beautiful dreams” shelf. Snowy Shaw’s participation in this event is truly “one of a kind,” as he said in an interview, “This is one of the extremely rare occasions in recent years where I’ve actually accepted an offer to perform live. The reason is that this is a really unique and exciting event, and something new for me. You’ll see.” In addition to worthily sharing vocals with Mats Levén, he introduced us to his original song “The End Of An Era”. A vividly memorable presence and performance that showered us not only with impeccable professionalism, but also always managed to insert a fun note and give us even more smiles and cheers.

The biggest surprise and absolute bomb of the night (I guess not only for me) was “Rising Force”. I was expecting something from Yngwie Malmsteen’s work, but not this, not in a Mats Levén performance. This is also Mats’ first appearance of the evening. His performance segues into Valdenberg’s insanely beautiful “Burning Heart”. Once this artist appeared on stage it seemed to glow with his smile and charisma. First love they say is the most cherished, and it’s even better when the dust of time cannot erase it and fade like an old photograph. Decades have passed since the moment Mats Levén emerged and stood out for me among all the other artists on the Rock scene. He wasn’t going for the image of the typical cocky frontman with a powerful voice, singing with a tight throat and exuding generous sex appeal. He had a mystical Victorian air and a voice that told stories. Qualities that excite you much more and you can’t shake them off. Qualities that leave a mark forever in every single fan.

Some time ago a Swedish musician said to me, “singing is like breathing, you are born with it. Everyone can sing.” And on the evening of the 23rd we witnessed this relentless Swedish school, the strong, robust, compelling voices that are capable of leading thousands after them. However, I will be running away from myself a lot in this report, as to my readers, my extreme Swedish bias is clear. But the maelstrom of energy we were pulled into was one hell of an (in a good way) alchemical mixture of international participation. Bulgaria, known for the mystery of its voices, Italy, the mecca of classical music and opera, and Sweden, the homeland of some of the best Rock and Metal musicians. No, I’m not missing Jeff Scott Soto, but he’s half Bulgarian, as he joked most of the time. It was funny the moment when he asked for rakia and was handed a glass of whiskey. He just smelled it and said, “But that’s whiskey!” and handed the glass back. Well, a few songs later he got his coveted rakia.

But, back to the music. The human fury that brought all of these elements together that we witnessed at JOY Station was created in the alchemical laboratories of studios, rehearsal rooms, or perhaps in the hours of solitary inspiration when artists create their creations only they know what magical fluids they have stirred there. Stars are stars because they are high, someone had said. No, stars are stars because they are among us and they spread their light and the joy of sharing. Art would be just icy nonsense without it being shared, empathized, multiplied by gasps, applause and mutual passion. And speaking of passion, “Miserere” by Tsena Koev in duet with Mats Levén is passion in pure form. The song is a combination of explosive feelings and divinely sweet poison created in a secretive Victorian age. We were unanimous that the song sounds much more beautiful and impactful live than in the music video.

“Storm in Human Form” is the climax that sweeps everything around it. The storm that was going on inside of us with a much greater force than the one around us. The song is from Tsena Koev’s upcoming self-titled album. In addition to these compositions, Tsena also presented several original songs featuring Mats Levén and Snowy Shaw. And once the human storm has reached that unstoppable moment that borders on the destructive power of a hurricane, it settles imperceptibly into one of the most beautiful examples of symphonic Metal – “Lemuria”. Fleshless caress and cool breeze from ancient worlds. Tsena’s caressing voice, Snowy Shaw’s dramatic falsetto and Mats Levén’s warm aperture replaced the sirens that bewitch and entice with their voices.

It’s clear that, as much as I’d like to, I can’t cover such a huge set list in all its detail. An interesting and unforgettable moment of the show was the performance of “Mysterious” by Jeff Scott Soto, who invited Kaloyan Nikolov, a finalist in The Voice of Bulgaria, on stage. As well as the guitar solo of maestro Leonardo Porcheddu. Maestro Mistheria, besides his impeccable professionalism, added a pure Italian Renaissance refinement and opulence to the overall impact.

The first of the encore is “Sons of the Staves of Time”. A Therion song not only featuring Mats Levén, but also written by him, which over time became one of his calling cards. Performed by Mats in the same exciting and dedicated way we are used to hearing and seeing it. Here of course the female vocals are Tsena’s.

The end brings everyone together on stage for a performance of the timeless “The Show Must Go On”. A timeless that Queen once left to the world and to their colleagues. May their show last forever, for they are the joy of the world and the Storm that makes us feel alive.

Legendary stars of the world Metal scene, concert masters from Vivaldi Metal Project and established Bulgarian musicians shared a stage to prove that music has no age, rules and boundaries. Music is soul, heart and life. A whirlwind of Elements that united to achieve an unearthly harmony and transcendent beauty. Something significant happened in the musical life of Bulgaria, but it remained a bit underground. Which, on the other hand, turned it into a boutique and very intimate experience for those of us who were there.

Whoever thought of “metalizing” classical music and opera singing was a genius. Not only did a now sustainable musical genre emerge, but masterpieces were created that I am sure will remain in time as classic examples of music. We have a work of classical Bulgarian literature – “When thunder strikes, the echo fades”. Storm in Human Form was a thunderclap that struck our hearts, and the echoes of it will linger in each of us who attended for a very long time. I wish for another such event in the foreseeable future. A bow to all the artists and organizers who created this thunderous event for us! Glad Midsommar!

GALLERY

Storm in Human Form                                                                                  Ghost Warfare