OMG

i can barely begin to describe the truly fan-fucking-fabulous time i had at the concert other night. I almost hesitate to say that it is my favorite so far, as my repertoire includes NSync (x2), BSB (x2), Mariah Carey, and INXS with Marty Casey and the Lovehammers.

But i digress.

Me and Mike left around 6:40 *after mike forgot his ticket*, got to Kool Haus around 7 and got into the venue after a quick pat down search around 7:30. Of course, being in line was an experience unto itself with crazy smelly metal fans (i am generalizing here.), and people high and drunk.

He is Legend was already playing when we got in- I really enjoyed them as they were a bit more rock and metal than hardcore heavy. Mike made fun of the lead singer b/c he was from N. Carolina and had a strange accent in his opinion. The bass (?) player's hair was MAJESTIC! Past his waist, it flew in giant arcs over his head and shoulders when he "headbanged".

Then a 15 min-ish wait before Chimara came on. During this time I got to experience 1st hand how much pot is smoked at these things. Yeah, not so nice.

Chimara was good- my least fave of the night but still enjoyable. A lot heavier than H.iL

and then a long wait before my very highly anticipated performance of the night

DRAGONFORCE

Yeah, they sound exactly as they do on their CD- massively epic guitar solos, powerful vocals, and enough awesomeness to make me squee. again. and again. Their keys guy was CRAZY jumping windmills and "pirouetting" while playing. i took one video, just of him. The guitar players were amazing and the vocalist was *insert superlative*. It was funny during one of their songs (either op. ground and pound or through the fire and the flames) where they let the crowd sing and they knew the lyrics for the chorus but it very obviously faded out as it got farthe rinto the song.

DF laughed at us and our inadequacy.

Then a really long wait before KSE and then a massive surge in which I got hit in the face (no bad results, thankfully). I can;t say enough how awesome they were- vocalist was a lot of fun, really well-spoken and funny. We were far enough back that we weren't affected by crowd surfers but still kept a weathered eye out. KSE was actually the act i saw the least of b/c just when they started this REALLY tall guy moved in front of me. I saw the vocalist and the guitar player a couple of times, but i mostly just enjoyed the music.

We left sweaty, gross, exhausted, and smelling of pot. I went to McDs and got burger and fries vbefore taking a shower to get the stench off.

Today i can barely move my neck and my right knee and foot are killing me. I have been taking advil all day, so not feeling it too badly.

If you want to see photos from Ali's b'day and the show, go here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2145125&l=a34a8&id=28111212