So here I am, as promised, ready to begin to tell you my rock-show experience :P It is listed cronollogicaly, and divided in three posts. In the end of each one I rate them, in a scale of 1 to 10. Ready? Here we go :D

Red Hot Chili Peppers // 24th January, 2003

Alright, my first rock show ever was back in 2003, with my favorite band at the time: RHCP. They had just released By The Way (an album which I don't like as much as other Chili's albums), but they played several hits that made the californian band famous. A pretty nice show, overall, lacking some funky tracks (and excellent ones) heard in Mother's Milk (like Taste The Pain), but they don't play those musics anymore, so it isn't a flaw from a single show. Songs like The Zephyr Song, Californication and Under The Bridge made the delight of the audience. By the way, this was the first and only show i've seen from the balcony :P // 7

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Rock In Rio Lisboa 2004 (Sepultura -Slipknot-Incubus-Metallica) // 4th June, 2004

My first ever music festival, and a great one, by the way. Rock In Rio ran away from Brazil to settle down in the other side of the Atlantic Ocean :P And what a line-up this was, by the way...

Sepultura: With or without Max Cavalera, Sepultura's shows only mean one thing: mayhem! And this was no exception :P Altough I don't like it as much as I did with Max, Sepultura pulled of an ok show, and even brought a Samba company with them, to jam a few times. // 6

Slipknot: I'd like to tell you: I'm not a Slipknot fan, as I don't find their music attractive. However, i must tell you: they rocked! Absolutely brilliant performance, even for the ones who weren't fans of the band (like me). Awesome interactivity with the audience, and songs like “Spit it Out” or “Wait And Bleed” brought the place down // 8

Incubus: After Slipknot, it was needed some rest and some nice, easy-to-listen tunes to relax and recover for the Metallica concert, so Incubus played. Nice show, playing the latest album, “A Crow Left Of The Murder”, as well as some of their main hits, like “Drive”. However, their show might have been a bit longer than required, as everyone was looking for the next show...// 7

Metallica: Millions of fans can't be wrong, neither were the 90 thousand people present in front of the stage, headbanging like people did 10 years before, with the same band. Presenting their latest work, “St. Anger”, James Hetfield had always the crowd on his side for any single minute of the show, which lasted nearly two and a half hours. Every single hit was played, completed with lots of effects, and interactivity with the audience. A Metallica concert couldn't get better than this one, so it deserves a perfect // 10

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Velvet Revolver // 11th September 2004

Being a fan of Guns n' Roses, Stone Temple Pilots, and considering Slash the greatest guitar hero alive, the then recently formed super-band, Velvet Revolver, toured Europe to promote their self-titled debut album, and they didn't fail. VR have a series of catchy rock songs which provided great enjoyment in the show itself, and each member has so much charisma they become the show itself. Pick Scott's activity in stage, or Slash's astonishing guitar solos (I managed to be at a 5-feet distance from him during is Slither solo!). As expected, they played some Stone Temple Pilots' songs (Vaselin being one of them), Guns N' Roses tracks such as “It's So Easy” and even a Nirvana song, “Negative Creep”. Great show. // 8

That's it, for today, check again tomorrow to see the new entrys :P Till next time.

Yesterday, I went to Lisbon to see Pearl Jam at Pavilhão Atlântico, which is the biggest shows' arena here in Portugal. There was all the hype you could hope for any Pearl Jam concert.

It began around 21:45, and for the next 2,5 hours, they showed why they're still one of the best active bands in the business.

Eddie Vedder doesn't act like a rockstar: he never was and he will never be, by his choice. He's just another Pearl Jam fan, who feels each show just like anyone in the audience, and for sure you can feel his passion for the music.

Eddie Vedder is a simple man, and he's the the heart of not only the Pearl Jam band, as well as its audience.

This was their second date here in Lisbon, as they've played the day before. The setlists are slightly different, altough each one was amazing, in overall. For 5th September, the setlist was:

Severed Hand / Corduroy / Hail Hail / Save You / WorldWide Suicide / Dissident / Even Flow / Army Reserve / Whipping / State Of Love And Trust / I Got Sh*t / Garden / Do The Evolution / Sad / Daughter / Insignificance / Black / Rearviewmirror / Come Back / I Believe In Miracles / Big Wave / Once / Footsteps / Alive / Life Wasted / Better Man / Smile / Why Go / Rockin' In The Free World / Yellow Ledbetter

As you can see, that's a huge lot of songs. 30 songs, in fact, which exceeds the regular amount of songs per show. All the hits were played (exception made, perhaps, to Jeremy and Last Kiss, played the night before), as well as two covers (Ramones' I Believe In Miracles and Neil Young's Rockin' In The Free World), and even a nice jam the band played with the word "Portugal" making up the lyrics. Eddie dedicated also 'Come Back' to his late friend Johnny Ramone, and 'Big Waves' to a Portuguese surfing champion, Tiago "Saca" Pires, who won for the second year straight the qualifying series championship here in his home country (more precisely, in Ericeira, from where I write this article :P).

To this point, I have witnessed many rock shows, some good, and some awesome. Pearl Jam's show fits, for sure, in this last division. In fact, it is side-by-side with Metallica's gig at Rock In Rio Lisboa 2004 in terms of the best show I've ever seen. Congratulations, Eddie Vedder, and Pearl Jam. True rock legends, and they showed us all they're capable of.

Next in schedule, Muse, 26th October :P I wish another great show.

EDIT: By the way, I realised I never wrote about any of the other shows I've attended, so for the next post, expect a full report :P

Alright, now is the time. I'm a Silent Hill aficionado for some time, as you might see for my collection and reviews. However, I've never published an in-depth article about the series which I consider the best, by far, in Survival Horror. So, now it's time!

Silent Hill (PS)

The world would discover in 1999 a truly new gaming experience, by the name of Silent Hill, and the only reasonable adversary to Resident Evil at the time. The game tells you the story of Harry Mason who, while travelling his way to Silent Hill with his daughter, Cheryl, crashes his jeep and gets unconscious, only to discover that his child his missing after waking up. Exploring the foggy town, he discovers a lot of bizarre events, such as the town itself turning into the Otherworld. Harry's daughter has much more to do with these events than anyone could have thought at the start.

Unlike Resident Evil, which had every 5 metres the same number of zombies, Silent Hill has few enemies to take care of, but you'll always think there are lots of them hidden in the dark (you only have about a ten-foot radius of visible path around you, and that's due to your flashlight). It featured ambience and atmosphere like any game did that time, so it definately found its audience.

If you thought the crash was a big deal, just wait until you enter the Midwich Elementary School...

Silent Hill 2

Silent Hill 2 has no direct relation with the events found in the first instalment, as it follows a brand new story. We walk in the shoes of James Sunderland, an ordinary guy who receives a letter from his late wife, telling him she's waiting for him in Silent Hill.

Fans of the first game were absolutelly thrilled to see the town return again, with some known places and some new other locations, which were as scary as amazing. With the obvious improvements that the PS2 required, Silent Hill 2 is probably the best overall game in Silent Hill series up to date. Great storyline, graphics and good gameplay make this an instant classic no only for SH fans but also to any gamer.

Not only did Silent Hill 2 introduced an experience never seen, as well as it brought one of the most charismatic gaming villains ever - Pyramid Head

Silent Hill 3

A few years later, a new Silent Hill game came to the public, and this one is a direct sequel to the PS game.In fact, you control an irreverent teenager, Heather Morris, ***SPOILER*** which is, in fact Harry Mason's daughter ***END OF SPOILER *** that is living a normal life, until a day when she, at the mall, has a very disturbing dream, which doesn't appear to mean much. However, some moments later, she finds out that Silent Hill is calling her to its domains, by any reason. The game is much more sharpened than the previous two, as for the graphics, gameplay, and story. However, some of the mystic elements of the first two games are somehow missing, but this is a personal issue: some reckon this is the best Silent Hill game ever, some don't. But no doubt this is still a great game.

As it is probably the SH game that involves more fighting, there are still lots of bizarre stuff that will make you sweat and jump off the chair.

Silent Hill 4: The Room

For many, the black sheep of the series arrived just a couple of years ago. Personally, I think it's such a great game as any other Silent Hill, only it takes more time to get used to, and it might be a bit more repetitive. However, the story presented in The Room is absolutely terrific, and there isn't a single game with such intensity as SH4 presents you, in terms of storyline. Here, you control Henry Townshend, another ordinary guy with no superpowers, that somehow gets locked in his apartment - from the inside. Only he has is a steel pipe and a large hole in his bathroom, which he explores in order to find the answer to all his questions, and then he finds he's in big trouble. This game wasn't supposed to be a Silent Hill game at first, as the only connections are a forest near the town (you don't even visit the town itself), one of the main characters being refered in a newspaper in SH2 and the fact that your superintendent is James Sunderland's father.

Silent Hill 4 for sure had its flaws: no doubt about that. However, it's stunning visuals and storyline provides you an atmosphere you've never seen, even if you're a veteran at Silent Hill.

There is no defition of 'disturbance' like being chased by large two-headed baby-like enemies, ghosts, carrying an umbilical cord, or entering a room in the Hospital with a large head staring at you - yup, that's Silent Hill 4.

Silent Hill: The Movie

Many reckon that this is the best game-to-movie adaptation ever since 'Commando', and probably they're right. Silent Hill The Movie captures perfectly the essence of the town, and while the first time watching it for someone strange to the series might be a bit confusing, any veteran will link the loose ends immediately. There is the presence of many enemies known to the series - Sexy Bobblehead Nurses, Roaches, Patients, and Pyramid Head (which looks amazing, by the way) - as well as some new to the series, but quickly welcomed into the franchise, such as the painful Janitor. For sure had its flaws, quickly pointed out by the veterans - like the population that in the movie lives in the town, while in the games it's a ghost town - but it was nicely accepted by the criticism.

Silent Hill The Movie tells you the story of the first game, altought it is slightly modified, with new characters, like the terrifying Janitor.

Silent Hill: Origins (PSP)

A few days ago, Gameplay movies and pictures of the game where accessible in the internet, and they dissapoint most of the hardcore Silent Hill fans. They show perspectives similar to the ones found in Capcom's Resident Evil 4, and they seem much more shooting-based and the monsters don't look nearly terrifying, even as a beta version. The universe of fans hope the game suffers several transformations, as the formula found until now was working just fine. I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

All right, I'll be restarting the 'Song of the day' articles here in the journal. So the first song to have this...hum...honor is the greatest song in Guitar Hero (in my opinion :P). It's called Infected, and it's played by Bad Religion. Enjoy.

Bad Religion - Infected

Now here I go,
Hope I don't break down,
I won't take anything, I don't need anything,
Don't want to exist, I can't persist,
Please stop before I do it again,
Just talk about nothing, let's talk about nothing,
Let's talk about no one, please talk about no one, Someone, anyone

You and me have a disease,
You affect me, you infect me,
I'm afflicted, you're addicted,
You and me, you and me

I'm on the edge,
Get against the wall,
I'm so distracted,
I love to strike you,
Here's my confession,
You learned your lesson,
Stop me before I do it again

Just talk about nothing, let's talk about nothing,
Let's talk about no one, please talk about no one, Someone, anyone

You and me have a disease,
You affect me, you infect me,
I'm afflicted, you're addicted,
You and me, you and me

You're clear - as a heavy lead curtain want to drill you - Like an ocean,
We can work it out, I've been running out, now I'm Running out
Don't be mad about it baby

You and me, you and me,
I want to tie you, crucify you,
Kneel before you, revile your body,
You and me, we're made in heaven,
I want to take you, I want to break you,
Supplicate you, are incurable,
I want to bathe you in holy water I want to kill you,
Upon the alter, you and me, you and me

Two days ago, I finally bought Guitar Hero, at since then I have played no other game. I think its an awesome game, and for sure it'll keep me entertained for a long period o' time.

Also, I started to try the Rubik's Cube that belongs to a friend of mine. I will buy one when I go to Lisbon, and then you may call me a nerd :P For now, the #$@%ing cube just makes me wanna shot myself, as I feel so weak when my friend solves it and I can't pull a f****** face :P

My holidays have been quite good, fortunately, as I spend them in beaches, nightlife, guitar-playing, and, of course, gaming. I spend them in Ericeira, a small village in the Portuguese atlantic coast, known by its nice weather and awesome waves, that call the attention of thousands of surfers each years. This summer i'm unable to surf, skate or play soccer due to a knee injury...shame :P

So, with nothing more to say, until next time.

Cheers.

Oh yeah, it's sure a good time to be portuguese and to live near Lisbon. From September to December, there will be 4 events that I am absolutely thrilled about. So check this schedule out:

4th September - Pearl Jam

26th October - Muse

18th November - Tool

5th December - WWE Smackdown.

Oh Yeah!!

Whoa! It's been almost a year since i left my last blog entry in Papercuts Journal. I'm trying to get back to the regular Gamespot user i once was. Oh yeah! \m/

Anyway, since my departure, i've been trying a lot of games, from which i point out the Silent Hill Collection that got me completely addicted.

My return means that the best reviews in this place are back. I've just written the review for Silent Hill 2, and many more are still to come.

Cheers.

Don't Look Back In Anger, by Oasis

Slip inside the eye of your mind
Don't you know you might find
A better place to play
You said that you'd once never been
All the things that you've seen
Will slowly fade away

So I start the revolution from my bed
Cos you said the brains I have went to my head
Step outside the summertime's in bloom
Stand up beside the fireplace
Take that look from off your face
You ain't ever gonna burn my heart out

So Sally can wait, she knows its too late as we're walking on by
Her soul slides away, but don't look back in anger I hear you say

Take me to the place where you go
Where nobody knows if it's night or day
Please don't put your life in the hands
Of a Rock n Roll band
Who'll throw it all away

So I start the revolution from my bed
Cos you said the brains I have went to my head
Step outside the summertime's in bloom
Stand up beside the fireplace
Take that look from off your face
You ain't ever gonna burn my heart out

So Sally can wait, she knows its too late as we're walking on by
Her soul slides away, but don't look back in anger I hear you say

Don't look back in anger
Don't look back in anger
Don't look back in anger
At least not today

Monday morning, school re-started. Shame...

These first days have been kinda holidays, cause no-one is really wanting to do much in the first week (teachers included!). So i got to Sampas88 house, took my guitar and some games, and we spent a nice jam/playing session.

He took some games of mine, Budokai 3, DMC3 n' Smackdown vs Raw and i took Downhill domination, Devil may cry 1 and gran turismo 4. Nice games.

I got also Sonic Mega collection from another friend of mine. Great and nostalgic game!

I'm thinking in acquiring a new game. This has to be a low budget one.

So, i'm thinking either of Alien Hominid or Sonic Mega Collection Plus for the Ps2. I would also consider any "Greatest Hits" new game.

Suggestions needed