KISS /w Momoiro Clover Z - Two different styles and generations, but a great collaboration

Last night, I found a video completely by chance: a music clip with the hottest band in the world, KISS, who collaborated with a J-Pop girls band called Momoiro Clover Z, to make a song named "Yume no Ukiyo nor Saite Mina "(or Samurai Son in the English version).
The clip has been online for just on 19 January, and already has nearly two million views and a good review, it was even to the top 1 in Japan during more than two weeks. I had never heard of the group Momoiro Clover Z, which is composed of five young Japanese women, who sing and dance music J-Pop. It's not really my kind of music. At first I did not know what effect this might give with a rock band like KISS. I listened to the song, saw the video, and yet, the result is not bad, I would even say very good and catchy.

KISS was formed in 1973 and Momoiro Clover Z was formed in 2008. We can say that it is the clash of generations, and the two groups have a completely different styles of music. But despite this, the two groups have managed to create a very catchy song by blending their styles, giving an unexpected and very good result. I welcome the work done.

In a making of of the clip, we see Momoiro Clover Z meet KISS for the first time in their lives. We can see that young women were honored and very happy to meet legends like KISS. We can even see that KISS is impressed by the choreography of the young Japanese singers, which I must admit, is very well synchronized. 

And from this collaboration is also born a great friendship between the two groups. Paul Stanley has even announced during an interview in the company of one of the singers of Momoiro Clover Z: "Now, we are friends forever."

In conclusion, I would say bravo to KISS and Momoiro Clover Z for their work together. Although the styles and periods are different, have can still get to create beautiful things.

ROCK ON!

To see the video clip, it's here:

                                                                                  

                                                                                       Mathias, the Lordi Rider

The Mosh Pits in the Metal world

ATTENTION: In this article, I am not criticizing the metal or the metalheads. I only criticizes the Mosh Pit.

I started listening to rock music in 2008, but I became a true metalhead only in 2009. In short, I'm a metalhead, in the heart, blood, and soul, I like almost all forms of metal and rock, I am very curious and always eager to discover new bands, but if there is one thing I do not understand and I can not stand, because I have experienced personally, it is the movements of crowds during the concerts, called Mosh Pits.

The concept is this one: a maximum of fans form a hollow circle in the middle of the crowd and begins to shake violently in all directions. When you see it from a distance, one could almost believe a giant brawl. I am quite willing to set the mood in a concert, but here it goes a little too far, right? Hey, it's a concert, not a battle, so calm down a little.

Uh....It's a concert, or a war? 

To begin, I finds this concept completely stupid because it's very dangerous. I have heard of Mosh Pits which degenerated. People have been injured, there's even been deaths during Mosh Pits. Can you imagine? This is terrible! People had come to a concert to have a good time, and are died all because morons (probably drunk or drugged), decided to start a mosh pit that ultimately turned wrong.  When I see this kind of disasters, it makes me angry, and it saddens me greatly, at first for people who suffer the consequences, but also because it gives a bad image of the metalheads. It is not surprising that with that kind of crowd movement, some people say that the metalheads are violent people.

And another reason is that ..... What is utility of the mosh pit, seriously? When I go to a concert, it's to enjoy the music and the show, but not to be shaken in all directions and feel like a pin in a bowling game.

I already been trapped in a mosh pit. It was during the giant concert with Motörhead, Airbourne and Tarja, last year. During Airbourne, fans started a mosh pit, and I was right next door. Fortunately I was able to get out of the mosh pit quickly without hurting myself, but I was shaken several times, which is not nice at all, and a man completely drunk is became violent, told me that he wanted to fight and started threatening to hit me (luckily, his friends intervened, they apologized).

In short, to say, I do not understand the Mosh Pit, I do not see the utility, I can not stand that. This is my opinion, each at his own.

                                                                 Mathias, the Lordi Rider

Masks: one of my hobbies

One of my hobbies is to wear masks (mostly monsters), and collect them. I've always had a fascination for the masks, and that's may be why I have a particular fascination for the masked bands (like Lordi, KISS or Gwar, for example).

Me, with one of my oldest masks

Why I love wearing masks? To hide my face? I do it just because I like that, and also because when I wear a mask, for some reason, I feel different, like I was no longer human, and I become someone else ....

Of course, I like to complete my disguise, with several other accessories.

Yeah, it's me!

Why I wanted to write about my passion for masks? To express myself, because as I have explained in previous articles, I have rejected all my schooling for my different tastes, but also my passion for monster masks. The other students have often made fun of me and my masks, and I have suffered a lot. Some said that I was a psychopath and that I would end my days in an asylum.

But now I am no longer afraid to express myself and show my passion. I wear masks if I want, it is not prohibited, and those who say it's useless, stupid, or that I am a psychopath who deserves to finish in the asylum, well I tell you this : go fuck yourself, get out of my site, and feel yourself save that I do not come kick your ass to get you out of my site by my own ways.

And for those like me who support me, who have special hobbies, well I also support you, and do not be ashamed of your passions, because it is they that allow you to have dreams.

Do not let people judge you. Be yourself!

   

                                                                                                  Mathias, the Lordi Rider

Concerts for 2015

The year 2014 was full of discovery of new bands and great concerts for me, and I hope this year will be too. For now, I have four concerts planned for this year: two bands I've already seen in live, and two bands that I have ever seen (for now).

I'll start in the order of dates:

March 16
Band: Halestorm
Room: Bataclan - Paris
For my first concert of the year, I'll see the American hard rock group Halestorm. This is the second time I see them. I saw them last year and they were great. I will always remember when Lzzy Hale, the singer, had seen my message and had me a smile and a wink. And now, less than a year later, I'm going to see again this group of which I am a big fan. I know they will make a great concert, I feel it.

March 17
Band: Lordi
Room: Trabendo - Paris
The day after Halestorm, I'm going back to Paris. My mother and sister will go to another concert, and I take the opportunity to go to the Trabendo and see the band Lordi, for the third time. I saw them twice in 2013 (the second time was a gift from my parents for my birthday, so I did not know in advance). Yes, Lordi will come in the same room or I've seen Halestorm last year. I look forward to reviewing the Finnish monsters, especially my scary and beautiful Schizo Doll, Hella.

June 16
Band: KISS
Room: Zenith - Paris
HELL YEAH! AT LAST! I have waited for this moment for a long time, and that dream becomes reality: I'll see KISS in live for the first time in my life. The last time they came to France, it was to the Hellfest 2013, but I was not go because it was too expensive. I waited a long time I watched every day, but gradually, I began to lose hope. And one day, by chance, I look on the KISS website, and I saw a date in France, in the Zenith of Paris. At that moment, my heart made a huge leap in my chest, and I had to buy a ticket as soon as possible. And now it's done, I have my ticket, and I just have to wait. I wanted to get the best, I got the best. The hottest band in the world: KISS!!

June 26
Band; ZZ Top
Room: Zenith - Paris
See two legendary groups in the same room and in the same year, this is a crazy thing, but I will. After KISS, I will return to the zenith, to see the Texas rock band most famous in the world: ZZ Top! They came last year, but I was not able to go to see them because I had other planned concerts. But this year, I tried my luck, and I want to see them at least once in my life. These guys are legends, they have revolutionized the world of rock, and their music is really great! With KISS and ZZ Top, this June will be a trip in the 70s.


All these concerts are very important for me and I look forward, to all! But this year I'm going to do less concerts than last year because I also want to get a training, to enable me to find a job and get some money for my future projects.

But for these concerts, I says: LET'S ROCK BABY!


                                                                                                           Mathias, the Lordi Rider
                                 

The terrorist attack in France, to the Charlie Hebdo: I defend my freedom of expression!

January 7, Paris was put on high alert: Terrorists stormed the offices of a newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, and killed several people, including designers. They killed them because they had drawings on Islam, but with humorous purpose, nothing more and nothing deliberately offensive. These terrorists wanted to destroy our freedom of expression, and plunged all France into terror for several days, but eventually the intervention forces managed to shoot them down during a shootout.
I live near Paris, and when I heard about this terrorist attack, I was really shocked, like all France. My sister, who was going to Paris the next day to join friends, crying and was terrified at the thought of having to go to Paris, but she preferred to stay at home, and I understand her.
In the days that followed, millions of people paid tribute to the victims of this cowardly act and despicable, perpetrated by bastards heartless and soulless. They wanted to get us on our knees, but ultimately, they pushed us to all stand up against them! Myself, I made several tributes to the victims, with messages to their families, and drawings I posted everywhere. Why? Because I feel really concerned about this.
I have my freedom of expression, and I want to defend it. No one will deprive me, and I will continue again and again! People do not let themselves be intimidated and continue to express themselves freely deal with these terrorists who want to impose their crappy and cruel laws. They did not win, and as long we are all united, they will never win!
And I also wanted to thank all countries for their support to France. The French thank all of you from the heart, everyone!
NO to the fear! NO to bullying! No to terrorism!
Let us all be united! Freedom of expression will never die!



                                                                                                         Mathias Poupinais, the Lordi Rider

What can I wish for 2015?

One year ends and another begins. 2014 was a good year. There is had very good times and also bad times, but somehow a perfect year, it does not exist. So what can I expect for 2015?
Well simply continue to live as I am, because I have the chance to lead a happy life with a loving and welded family, to have very cool friends that I love with all my heart and I consider my brothers and sisters, and to continue to be as I am, and do not change.
I hope to go to many other concerts and live unforgettable experiences, spend great time with my family, my French friends, and also my foreign friends.
I wish a very Merry Christmas and very good Happy new year to my family and my friends, and thank you again to all of you for giving me the joy of life that makes my heart beat and soul. I love you all.

Happy 2015 to all!

Lordi Scare Force One costumes

The tradition of Lordi is that at every new album, they change their outfits, and what's great about it is that in the same time of wait for the release of the album, you also look forward to see the first pictures of the group, with their new costumes. We can sometimes be worried, thinking "is what the costumes will be more terrifying, better, or bad." It is the big question in the minds of fans (and therefore mine too). So, I watched each suit of the group, and I decided to write my personal opinion on the subject.

-I'll start with my evilove, my Lordi heart, Hella. For her new outfit, I am absolutely not disappointed. She is still beautiful. Curly blond hair suited her very well, but the black hair are just as beautiful, and make her even more terrifying. Her outfit is darker, with a black leather outfit, dark and sexy, I love that. And with blood on her body, it's even sexier. Her face did not change in my opinion, and that's good because I love her face as she is. For the purple mittens, why not, it adds a bit of color. But I think she should have kept the metal bracelets on the wrists she had in her outfit "To Beast or Not To Beast", it could have been good too. Finally, Hella is still beautiful, she's my monster love! 

- Mr. Lordi now. His face changed of color, scars changed too, and horns also on the face are a little larger. Hair and beard, nothing to say, it is the same, but that's how we want Mr. Lordi. Her outfit is even bleaker, with different shoulder armors, again, new faces on the knees, and a new belt, with a skull. His boots are also greater still (I wonder how high he will go). And without wanting to make a pun, his new outfit no lack of spice. His armor is studded with small spikes, nd I think it's cool. His hands and claws seem taller than before, too. In conclusion, I would say that holding Mr. Lordi is right for him, and this outfit is even more terrifying than the last.

-For Amen, I have not much to say, because he has not changed much, except for one thing: his bandages have completely disappeared. His golden armors were replaced with the same, but darker. The face is almost the same too, but one piece of flesh torn from above the right eye, and or we can see the skull. But even if his outfit has not changed much, Amen is still as cool as usual.

-By cons, Ox has undergone a lot of changes I think. For me it's the one that has changed the most. Her face is completely different, the horns are larger, but he has a even more frightening head like that, and it's great. His outfit also changed a lot. His coat still has fur, chains, but this time, spikes on the shoulders, which adds a great effect on him. Personally, I would say this outfit of Ox is even more badass and brutal than the one he had for "To Beast or not to Beast." With this outfit, Ox seems more brutal, and what is more natural when you are a minotaur.

- For Mana, which surprised me the most, and I think that was the case for many it is his new haircut. I admit I was a little disappointed with that, and I still prefer her long hair in "To Beast or not to Beast," but I don't criticize, Mana with short hair, why not, but that's not what I prefer on him, that's all. His outfit also has changed, he no longer looks like a pastor of darkness, but more like a warrior now, with this armor. For the face, well, he has not changed much.

In conclusion I would say that their new outfits are great, dark, terrifying, just enough for monsters like them.




                                                                                                                     Mathias, the Lordi Rider