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Published On Midlands Rocks

http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/reviews/live-rock-reviews/gig-reviews/turisaschthonickiuaswolverhamptonwulfrunhall%E2%80%934thnovember2011

Turisas
Chthonic
Kiuas


Tonight the crowd is full of Turisas clones. Red paint, plastic sword convention and the infamous 'BATTLE METAL' chant. It is unusual for a band of this genre to do EIGHTEEN, yes EIGHTEEN UK tour dates! In fact Turisas frontman Mathias Nygård, stated that most bands will just play London, Manchester and Nottingham, but they wanted to do a proper tour, confident that fans would turn up and support the band – and they are a rewarded handsomely with the Wulfrun Crowd turn-out. It’s really a pity more Promoters/Booking Agent's don’t follow suite to allow more fans to see their favourite bands.

First up are Kiuas. Having seen the band support Firewind back in 2008, Kiuas are a band who have the potential to be big and it’s really a shame that they remain very much a hidden gem. If you enjoy Power/Folk Metal with hints of progressiveness, then Kiuas are your band! Since the departure of former vocalist Ilja Jalkanen, it is interesting to hear Kiuas adapt their sound by adding in Harsh Vocals to alternate with the powerful sections of clean singing. It's hard to imagine their older material with harsh vocals, however, the combination brings a new dimension to their music. Set closer 'Warrior Soul' firmly remains their classic anthem and is very much adored by the appreciative Wulfrun crowd.

Suprise act of the night are Taiwanese Melodic Black Metal band, Chthonic. I am confident that this is a band that we will be hearing much more of in the future. Their live performances are as slick as you can get and the sound mix, simply perfect. There is not a soul in the Wulfrun who isn’t trying to headbang to rapidly changing time signatures blended with symphonic and fastly played instruments.

But it was Turisas who stole the night, storming their way through a glorious 90 minute set. Judging by other setlists from this tour, it seems that the Wulfrun was treated to extra songs and a greater time in front of these red faced Metal Gods. The 2011 album release 'Stand Up And Fight' makes up a large proportion of tonight's antics, showcasing that even after three albums the band still has much more to offer. From 'The March Of The Varagian Guard', 'The Great Escape', 'Hunting Pirates' to title track 'Stand Up And Fight' each receiving the Metal stamp of approval from the Wulfrun Crowd with swords raised, fists aimed high and rapturous applause.

Yet it was the encore that really sealed the night in spectacular proportions. A cover of Boney M's 'Rasputin' followed by 'Battle Metal'. It is here when the band acquire swords of their own. Prolific frontman Mathias Nygård remarks he can either sing, drink beer, or wave a sword around which gets one of the biggest cheers of the night. Talented Violinist, Olli Vänskä is also worthy of a mention, working his way effortlessly up and down the neck and furiously bowing the living hell out of the Violin with elegance and agility. Although Mathias does mention he may be more than a little brassed off with all of the talking he has done before Battle Metal commences - the poor guy's fingers must have nearly dropped off after playing one riff for atleast five minutes straight before the song got under way!

As the night ends the Turisas Army retreats and surely awaits the next time the warcry of Battle Metal resounds in Wolverhampton...

Setlist: The March Of The Varangian Guard, One More, The Great Escape, To Holmgard And Beyond, Sahti-Waari, Hunting Pirates, Fields Of Gold, Five Hundred And One, Stand Up And Fight, Rasputin (Boney M Cover), Battle Metal

Sun 18 Sep – Awake By Design, Cold Stone

Published on Midlands Rocks (www.midlandsrocks.co.uk)

Awake By Design with support from Cold Stone (18th September 2011, Robin 2, Bilston)
The streets of Bilston are fairly deserted on this chilly Autumn evening, but it's not long before the Robin2 is drowned in a sea of Awake By Design and Cold Stone t-shirts. It's nice to see a modest turn-out at the Robin2 supporting the local music scene and the regions up and coming young talents.

Up first are Rugby based trio Cold Stone. Instrumentally they exhibit plenty of raw talent and I think that once this talent is refined and developed a little more then they have the potential to become a solid live act. Their guitarwork is super slick and cleanly executed and some of their bass intros are nicely composed. I would advise them to steer clear of the Hendrix and Led Zepp. covers and focus their energy on their own material. More interaction with the crowd wouldn't go amiss either, but this will come with experience. If they can get the vocals to the same standard as their instrumental pieces and add more technical drum licks to their sound, then they could be a band on the local scene to keep an eye on.

http://www.myspace.com/coldstoneofficial

Awake By Design is a band continuing to go from strength to strength. Since this time last year, the band has opened for Finnish Metal superstars Apocalyptica and Sonata Arctica, which are by no means small gigs! And, with an upcoming support slot on not one, but TWO of Leaves’ Eyes UK Tour Dates, the band look set to gain themselves an even greater following – and rightfully so!

Tonight’s show gets off to a flying start with Awake By Design showcasing plenty of new material from their upcoming album release which really does take their sound to the next level. The vocals soar in ‘Forever They Told’ and the varied riffs and instrumental accompaniments are a huge development from their first album. Stylistically this incorporates elements of Gothic and Progressive Metal with smidges of Symphonic influences. If this is the direction they plan to continue with then the Metal world had better watch out!

Proceedings are drawn to a brief standstill when a guitar string breaks - the result of guitarist Callum Downing furiously shredding his way through a series of melodic, sweeping guitar passages. But handle it like pros they do as the band launch into a ballad (originally planned for later in the set) which is undeniably beautiful and really showcases the power, emotion and range in Vocalist Adrian Powell’s voice. He is joined by the wonderful Faye Brookes who with a little more confidence and stage presence, could definitely give the likes of Simone Simons et al a good run for their money.

An extra dynamic added to their sound tonight is the use of Harsh Vocals from talented Keyboardist, Nik Sinnett, which mixes well with the dark and intense atmosphere created by Awake By Design’s heavy and progressive instrumentals. This adds a whole new dimension to the overall sound of the band and it will certainly be interesting to see if this element will weave its way into more of Awake By Design’s compositions.

The last song of the night sees vocalist Adrian running (literally) up and down, side to side, weaving in between curious onlookers who attempt to keep a track of him – a virtually impossible task. More antics like this and Airbourne’s Joel O’Keefe will have stiff competition!

With a new album on the horizon and the aforementioned Leaves’ Eyes support slots, it’s clear that this is a band going places!

Setlist: Forever They Told, Moments Of Fame, World Of Mirrors, Visions Of Truth, Falling On Me, Yesterday Rain, Surface, Ethereal, Sentiment, Silence Undone, Carve The Sun

http://www.myspace.com/awakebydesign

First Published; http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/reviews/album-reviews/cd-reviews/trivium-inwaves

Trivium

In Waves

It’s at times hard to believe that Trivium is still a relatively young band and yet this is their FIFTH offering!
Trivium definitely know how to tease fans, particularly recently with bizarre coding (surrounding the releases of their singles) appearing across the web, providing fans with a trail of clues - only adding to the hype and anticipation surrounding the release of ‘In Waves’.

As with its predecessors, In Waves continues the wave of the Trivium revolution, adding something different, whilst maintaining the sound and style that has made them one of Metal’s undisputed rising stars.

The album opens with ‘Capsizing The Sea’, a short instrumental introduction, before immediately unleashing into the album’s title track, ‘In Waves’. ‘In Waves’ is easily the catchiest song on the album with its melodic chorus and, strong vocal lines from frontman Matt Heafy, who effortlessly switches between clean and harsh vocals throughout its entirety.

‘At Skylines Severance’ is most certainly a highlight, and I can already envisage the ginormous mosh pits and circle pits that will erupt and destroy to the momentum of this frantically paced number. Don’t be fooled by the seemingly understated opening and its “pretty” guitar work, as the track quickly speeds up with ferocious drum beats leading the way, in what could be one of Trivium’s heaviest songs to date.

‘Caustic Are The Ties That Bind’ is another top track that perfectly harnesses the clichéd mix of heavy and melodic. This track has everything that fans of Trivium know and love, from roaring guttural screams on the verses, to a perfectly placed breakdown consisting of guitar riff pressed against soft vocals which may just make you cry, before launching into a classy Trivium guitar solo. Messrs Heafy and Beaulieu take a bow!

I am pleased to report that this album finally brings fans a Trivium ballad song (of sort) - other than the “blacklisted”, ‘This World Can’t Tear Us Apart’ on the bands third album, ‘The Crusade’. The track entitled, ‘Of All These Yesterdays’, is nothing short of a masterpiece. The opening is very ballad like with the music slowly progressing into a powerful crescendo – A perfect close to the album.

Overall, ‘In Waves’ is a solid release with big riffs, memorable chorus’ and a mix that will serve as yet another stepping stone into catapulting Trivium further up the ranks of Metal greatness. It will certainly be most interesting to see which direction Trivium will take their music next...

‘In Waves’ is released on the 5th August 2011 through Roadrunner Records.

Tracklisting:
01. Capsizing The Sea
02. In Waves
03. Inception Of The End
04. Watch The World Burn
05. Dusk Dismantled
06. Black
07. Built To Fall
08. Caustic Are the Ties That Bind
09. A Skyline’s Severance
10. Forsake Not the Dream
11. Chaos Reigns
12. Of All These Yesterdays
13. Leaving This World Behind

Thu 28 Apr – The Pandemonium Tour 2011

Midlands Rocks Reviews Kamelot in London; http://tinyurl.com/64f5g75

Kamelot, Evergrey and Amaranthe

"Post your top fifteen bands/artists, the first song you heard of theirs, the song that made you fall in love, your favorite album and your current favorite song."

I. Trivium
1. It was either A Gunshot To The Head Of Trepidationm, Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr OR Requiem.
2. Unrepentant, Ignition and To The Rats (LIVE) It was amazing.
3. I like each album in their own ways. They're all so different so I can't possibly choose one. I guess I have a soft spot for The Crusade because thats the tour I saw them on and it was my first metal gig.
4. Shattering The Skies Above (I hate the studio version SO much and the clean vocals and structure of the song annoy me so much but live it is fantastic.)

II. Kamelot
1. Anthem
2. Anthem
3. Epica
4. Epilogue, Memento Mori, A Feast For The Vain and Lost & Damned.

III. Lamb of God
1. Funny story, My brother told me people died at Lamb of God shows so I automatically disliked them for no reason and assumed they were too heavy for anyone to listen to. I have no idea. It was possibly Black Label, 11th Hour or Hourglass on Last FM.
2. Blacken The Cursed Sun
3. Sacrament
4. Grace

IV. Five Finger Death Punch
1. No idea but it was one in their Download set that I was mesmorized by.
2. The Way of the Fist, Dying Breed, The Devil's Own
3. The Way of the Fist
4. Dying Breed

V. Machine Head
1. The first song I appreciated was Descend The Shades of Night.
2.Descend The Shades of Night
3. The Blackening
4. Left Unfinished

VI. Madina Lake
1. House of Cards and I HATED it. I used to turn off the radio when it came on and said they were over-rated. I'm glad I changed my mind.
2. Here I Stand and One Last Kiss
3. From Them, Through Us, To You.
4. Me Vs The World.

VII. Killswitch Engage
1. My Curse.
2. Rose of Sharyn
3. The End of Heartache
4. Starting Over

VIII. Nightwish
1. Amaranthe.
2. The Phantom of the Opera and Ever Dream
3. End of An Era
4. Ghost Love Score.

IX. Eyes Set To Kill
1. Reach
2. Where We Started and Her Eyes Hold The Apocalypse
3. Reach
4. Violent Kiss

X. Slipknot
1. Possibly Duality.
2. Dead Memories
3. All Hope Is Gone
4. Surfacing

XI. Dream Theater
1. Constant Motion. I'd heard Petrucci won awards for his guitar playing and then noticed I had a song by them on my iPod. I hated the vocals but was like woah he's amazing.
2. The Spirit Carries On
3. Live in New York
4. The Spirit Carries On

XII. Nickelback
1. How You Remind Me
2. Savin' Me
3. All The Right Reasons
4. Someday

XIII. DragonForce
1. Through The Fire And Flames
2. Trail of Broken Hearts
3. Ultrabeatdown
4. Heroes of Our Time

XIV. Divine Heresy
1. Failed Creation
2. Saviour Self and Closure
3. Bleed The Fifth
4. Saviour Self

XV. Epica
1. I actually have no idea at all.
2. Safeguard To Paradise
3. I don't own any of their albums. I just know odd songs. Pretty bad yeah. But I'll say Consign To Oblivion Or Run For A Fall (the set of studio songs and dvd)
4. Memory

Opening Credits
Saturday - Kids In Glass Houses

Waking Up
The Good Left Undone - Rise Against

First Day At School
Where We Started - Eyes Set To Kill

Falling In Love
Karma - Kamelot

Losing Virginity
No Other Place - Hollywood Undead

Fight Song
Colours - Machine Head

Breaking Up
Right Side of the Bed - Atreyu

Prom
Not For This World - Madina Lake

Life
Under The Knife - Rise Against

Mental Breakdown
Friends and Lovers - Madina Lake

Driving
Set To Fail - Lamb of God

Depression
Mineral Haze - David Lewis

Partying
11th Hour - Lamb of God

Happy dance
Silent Voices Kill - Madina Lake

Betrayal
Bloodletting - Lamb of God

Regretting
Nemesis - Arch Enemy

Long night alone
One Gun - Lamb of God

Flashback
Chamber The Cartridge - Rise Against

Getting Back Together
Down From The Sky - Trivium

Wedding
Atila The Hun - Saxon

Birth of Child
Metropolis - Dream Theater

Final Battle
Wait And Bleed - Slipknot

Death Scene
Forgotten (Lost Angels) - Lamb of God

Funeral Songe
Bite The Bullet - Machine Head

End Credits
Vendetta - Slipknot


So here's how you do it:
- Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
- Put it on shuffle
- Press play
- For every question, type the song that's playing
- When you go to a new question, press the next button
- No cheating!

1, What's your favorite song by 15? (Senses Fail)
Without a doubt Calling All Cars. It was the first song I heard by them which was actually on Kerrang! Radio (Back when it had some credibility and didn't play lame Indie/Mainstream trash and the same playlist on repeat every show...) and as soon as I heard the intro the volume was up and I waited anxiously for the radio announcer to say who the band was (Cause I'm so cool) and that was that.

2, How did you get into 20? (DevilDriver/Firewind)
I don't have a 20, I have a joint 19th. So...

DevilDriver - I actually have no idea. I think, on one of the Metal Hammer CDs they had Clouds Over California (which is my faveee song by them) and yeah, its one of the few DD songs I like.

Firewind - A friend told me to check out Mercenary Man, and the intro is just plain cool. And they rocked live. What more can I say? :-)

3, Who is your favorite member in 1? (Trivium)
Matthew K. Heafy.

4, Whats your favorite lyric bit by 29? (Rhapsody of Fire)
Hmmm. Probably "Sacred power of raging winds". Because thats the only song I really listen to of theirs.

5, Have you ever seen 22 live? (Omnium Gatherum)
No. I wish I could though. I found them on a random Last FM genre thing and was wowed by the guitar solos, so checked out their other stuff and liked that too.

6, What's your favorite album from 10? (DragonForce)
Umm. Ultra Beatdown or Sonic Firestorm.

7, Do you own any merchandise from 3? (Madina Lake)
An "I LOVE ML" Top which has kind of shrunk.

8, What is a good memory you have of 7? (Machine Head)
Sonisphere Festival 2009. I'd seem them twice before, was GUTTED much to the point that it felt like I lost a best friend when they pulled out. I was so angry that I sent a rather angry email to the promoters telling them to "fix this mess now". I was shocked to get a reply. Ummm. But yeah, Sonisphere was special because no one was sure if they would be there, and let me tell you, when the Lamb of God singer mentioned Machine Head, the crowd went CRAZY, hugging and everything. I don't usually cry at Metal or at gigs, but Beautiful Mourning and Halo were WOW! I was also in the Davidian Circle Pit. Robb's words were, Tonight we will make circle pit history. And we did! Seeing Robb lost for words on stage and go all teary made me cry. It was nice to see a band genuine about what they do. I don't think they could quite believe how far they have come as a band themselves. It was AMAZING.

And secondly, meeting them at The Black Crusade. Such lovely guys. :-)

9, Is there a member of the same age as you in 2? (Kamelot)
No. They're around my parents age. :(

10, When did you first get into 8? (Slipknot)
I actually have no idea. I always liked the song Duality. Probably from watching their videos on Scuzz. But I only really started to get into them after going to the listening party for All Hope Is Gone. And seeing them live really got me into them. :-)

11, Who likes 4 along with you? (Lamb of God)
Quite a few million people on Earth one would imagine. My brother used to like them. I refused to listen to them because my brother told me people died in their mosh pits. Hah. Then this year a couple of people on the TriviumWorld Forums encouraged me to check them out and I liked them. :-)

12, Which song did you first hear from 16? (HIM)
Wings of a Butterfly. It was my brothers first attempt to get me into better music. I told him it sucked, but I secretly loved the guitar solo. Haha.

13, What song made you fall in love with 5? (Eyes Set To Kill)
Reach I believe. It was on a Last FM Shuffle (yet again) and well I heard the intro and was like hey this sounds good, and then it had female vox, which again, I thought were pretty good. Now, all the bands I liked that day turned out to be no longer existant, so it was kind of a relief when I looked at their Myspace page to find they were still a band. So I ended up getting their album and haven't looked back.

14, Which song do you not like by 18? (Caliban
Some of the stuff on the Caliban Vs Heaven Shall Burn split. I like it when Caliban mix the whole screaming harsh vocals with the cleanly sung very melodic (?) Chorus's seen in songs like 'I Will Never Let You Down', etc and none of these ones seem to have that.

15, Why do you like 14's songs? (Five Finger Death Punch)
People told me to check them out. I never did. Then I tuned into the Live Download 2009 Webcast, and they happened to be on. I'd never heard of them and got the surprise of my life when it was an awesome set, which made me more gutted I wasn't able to attend. So after that I checked out more of their stuff. Yay.

16, Where did you first hear 6? (Killswitch Engage)
I'm not entirely sure to be honest. I think I heard My Curse when it was released on Kerrang! Radio every other song haha. (again back when it was a significantly BETTER radio station) and I really liked that and slowly discovered more of their stuff.

17, How long was 19 a singer before you liked them? (DevilDriver/Firewind)
Joint 19th again.
I pretty much liked both singers instantly when I heard them. hah.


18, Does 13 have a song that gives you a bad memory? (Divine Heresy)
Ummm. Closure perhaps? Its such a soft metal ballad compared with other stuff and really highlights Tommy Vext's talent as a singer. Too bad they kicked him out the band. The new singer sucks in comparison.

19, When did you get into 17? (Atreyu)
I did some street teaming and it was when they moved to RoadRunner so we got to hear some of their new stuff. I'd avoided Atreyu because one of my best friends liked them and they were not into rock or stuff, so when people asked me about them I told them Atreyu were a samey band that I hated. So I heard the new stuff, loved the intros and chorus's and slowly discovered their back catalogue.

20, How long have you been into 9? (Dream Theater)
Ummm. 2 or 3 years perhaps? But more so the past year or so. I randomly had one song of them from a Metal Hammer CD on my iPod and was about to select my next track when I spotted Dream Theater. I then remembered something about a certain Petrucci being a guitar God, so thought, yeah I'll give them a go. I HATED the vocals to Constant Motion, but the guitars were good. And I slowly discovered more of their stuff. Really got into them when a friend lent me their Live in New York album. Amazing stuff.

21, If 11 had a concert 300 miles away, would you drive there to see them? (Nickelback)
I think I would. I saw them in 2008 and they were amazing live. Just way expensive to see.

22, How many CDs do you own of 12? (Enter Shikari)
Just Take To The Skies. I went and saw them live knowing like 2 of their songs and they were great live. Their new stuff on the other hand. I just CANNOT get how bad the vocals sound. Really do not like the direction their latest album has gone in. I should probably listen to more songs off it but the few I heard were horrendous.

23, Does 21 have a song that makes you cry? (Kiuas)
I don't think they do. Thorns Of A Black Rose is perhaps the most "cryable" song.

24, Does 27 have a song that makes you happy? (Arch Enemy)
Nemesis. Because its the only song by them that I really like.

25, Does 23 have a song that makes you smile? (Opeth)
Hmmm. The Lotus Eater or Ghost of Perdition because they're put together really well.

26, What's the last song you've listened to from 28? (Necrophagist)
Probably Only Ash Remains. The guitar work and bass intro is epic.

27, Is there a song by 32 that you've listened to more than 30 times? (3 Inches of Blood)
The Goatriders Hoarde. :-)
36 times.

28, What is a song from 50 that you've only listened to once? (Symphony X/Cavalera Conspiracy)
Okay so I have a join 51st. And I actually have no idea. Probably.

29, Is there a song you are sick of hearing by 24? (GBH)
All of them. Most of their scrobbles are from my brother's refusal to change last FM to his. So I get annoyed when they appear. :-)

30, What song got you into 40? (A1)
Ummm. Same Old Brand New You. Or Everytime. :-)

31, What is your favorite single by 25? (Rise Against)
Give It All. Which was actually the first song I heard by them.

32, If 49 hated you, what would you do? (Scar Symmetry/Stone Sour/ Maximum The Hormone)
Again I have a tie. :-)
Ummm. Not much. Probably stop listening to them.

33, What would you say if 42 or one of the members from 42 asked you out? (Roadrunner United)
Thats ALOT of members. But it does include a certain Mr Heafy and Mr Flynn, both of whom I would definetly say Yes to. I'm NOT obsessed. :P

34, Would you care if 41 had a boyfriend/girlfriend? (Fightstar)
Couldn't care less. Though Charlie WAS the best looking member in Busted and his accent is quite nice.

35, Who has the best voice in 46? (Avenged Sevenfold)
Well that means I have to say M. Shadows. But jeeeeeez is his voice bad. Someone mentioned how err nasaly it was and I haven't been able to take him seriously since. It annoys me ALOT now.

36, Do you think 26 is/are good looking? (All That Remains)
I'll be honest and say I've never seen a picture of them. (Yeah, I'm cool) *Googles* They do not appeal to me. I've seen better, but I've also seen ALOT worse. Average perhaps?

37, How many times have you listened to your favorite song by 36? (IWalls of Jericho/3 Doors Down)
Ummmm.

3 Doors Down - Here Without You = 35 Plays
WOJ = NO idea. Less than 9 plays evidently.

38, How many CDs do you own of 30? (Sanctity)
None. If they appear on my Last FM Radio then thats that. They're pretty samey to be honest.

39, Is there a song from 38 that makes you mad? (Metro Station)
ANY song other than Shake It. But mind you even that makes me MAD because they CANNOT actually perform anything live. There is NO excuse to not have any of their songs anything but perfect. Its not like they're difficult to play. Makes one wonder HOW much editing they have on their songs. Over-produced, over-rated? Hell yeah. I'd hasten to add that my awlful singing voice is perhaps better than Trace and Michael's? :/

40, Which member from 31 do you want to see go solo? If 31 is only one artist, what would you do if they joined a group? (Epica)
Simone Simmons.

41, What does your favorite song from 48 remind you of? (Scar Symmetry/Stone Sour/ Maximum The Hormone)
SS - Slaves To The Sublimal
Stone Sour - Bother
MTH - Zetsubou Billy

42, Did you hate 43 at first? (Steps/Goo Goo Dolls)
Can't say I did. I only really like Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls.

43, Does your best friend also listen to 33? (Still Remains)
A few people on TW listen(ed) to them. They don't exist any more though. :(

44, Do you think your parents would like 37? (System of a Down)
My mom would probably put up with them. My Dad on the other hand, BIG NO NO.

45, Does 47 have a song that makes you want to dance? (Funeral For A Friend)
They're a bit TOO emo to dance to, don't you think? Maybe to Into Oblivion though. I really like the riff in the Chorus and the opening is awesome.

46, Have you ever seen 34 in person? (Turisas)
Hah. The person I stole this quiz off had the same band! *High Five*
I saw them live once, if that counts? I didn't really get much of a look at them though as the entire floor (and I mean ENTIRE floor) was one huge mosh, so I spent most of their set on the floor because I couldn't get up. Haha.

47, Do you like 44's name? (Steps/Goo Goo Dolls)
Errr. Not really? Goo Goo Dolls reminds me of those trolls with weird funky coloured hair sticking up.

48, Is there someone in 45 that you want to go out with? (Within Temptation)
Errm NO.

49, Do you know anyone that hates 39? (Pokemon)
EVERYONE loves Pokemon. The original series that is. :-)

50, Have you ever danced to a song from 35? (3 Doors Down/Walls of Jericho)
Can't say I have. WOJ is more mosh material tbh.