A quick review from the Australian Tour.

Australia was – indeed- a good way to start the year since this time I won’t be able to tour as much as I’d like to. Those 5 shows were remarkable. I had the feeling that they just kept getting better day by day, but I gotta say that Adelaide is obviously my favorite, followed by Melbourne and Sydney. Nothing will ever top The Thing That Should Not Be, seriously. That song has always been my least favorite from the record, I repeat, MY LEAST FAVORITE, but after hearing it live, it’s a complete different thing, I mean,  I felt like being in another world for those what 6 or 7 minutes. I’m still amazed on how good the setlists were. I wasn’t expecting too much since they were festivals shows.

On the other hand, It was hell doing 2 shows in less than 25 hours. I mean, I’ve done that before, but Aussies were too hardcore. They are the type of crowd that push during the whole show no matter what. Which one was the worst? Brisbane, definitely. It was funny cause the other shows (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth) weren’t as bad as Brisbane… well, Melbourne got hardcore by the half of the set until the end, but the rest of them, especially Adelaide, were super quiet. That’s a plus for Adelaide. HOWEVER, during the Blink 182 or Slayer setlists, things were even worse than during the Metallica set, as brutal as in Brisbane.

Here’s a photo on how bad the scene was:

This was the most difficult tour I’ve ever done so far, I mean, I caught a flu after the Sydney show cause I wore the same wet shoes after the show in Brisbane (an idiot spilled his water in my shoes and no, I didn’t bring a spare pair) so I got the flu because of that. Then, while flying to Melbourne my head was about to explode because of this flue, then I missed one flight, spent all my money on another one, had nothing to eat and basically survived because I have the best friends in the world: Metalli-friends. I owe my life to them, seriously. I’ll never get tired of saying the same thing. HOWEVER, you must be wondering whether I’d do this again or not. My answer? Of course I would! Despite the fact that these were the most brutal shows I’ve ever been to, plus, everthing that I already mentioned, I would do it again and a thousand times more. Why? Cause Australia is fucking cool and I fucking love Alex, Nicole, Ange, Farzad, Mark and all my Aussie friends. Next time, I’m gonna make sure to bring more money, though.

Here’s a video from the tour. I know, the audio sucks. I’ll sort it out for the next video from the next tour, when? I don't know. Hopefully Orion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sodnKrUMbng
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sodnKrUMbng
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sodnKrUMbng

Perth, Australia - Day 10, 11.

I arrived in Perth during the afternoon, not sure about the time as I had a complete mess in my head with the difference of hours within OZ.

Met Alex at the airport. He had been waiting for a Qantas flight cause Stone Sour was probably on it. Instead of that, A Perfect Circle, Bullet For my Valentine and the whole Metallica crew arrived on that flight. I spoke to Flemming, Big Mick, Zack, Justin, Josh and some others. Took pictures with some of them and then helped Alex taking pics of him with the guys from Bullet For my Valentine.

After that, we went outside the airport to take the bus and finally go to the city but Alex lost his wallet. We came back to the airport and found the wallet on the seat where he had been waiting. Then we were about to take the bus again and I noticed that Alex was desperately trying to find something inside his bag, it was the wallet again. Yes, he lost his wallet twice in less than 5 minutes. This time we started looking in the floor, the funny thing was that I walked behind him all the time and didn't notice when it fell. After 20 minutes of searching, Alex asked in lost property and I still can't believe how lucky he is cause, yes, he got it back.

Then we took the bus to the city and walked to Alex's Hostel. We had booked one single room for us and the idea was trying to accomodate ourselves in there. Unfortunately, we couldn't make it work cause the staff at the reception were looking at us all the time. We tried but it didn't work. So I had no choice and left the Hostel, luckily, while I was waiting for Alex, I found a Chilean friend that I met on the Adelaide show, Miguel, he offered me accomodation and I had to accept cause I basically had spent all my money on the flight and that left me with my pockets empty.

We walked to his Hostel and I slipped in. It was easy cause it was bigger, so nobody really noticed. We sat down and talked for about 2 hours and then we got thristy. We went to the city for a drink and while we were walking down the street, the most surreal thing happened as I looked inside of one of the restaurants and saw Rob Trujillo, of course I thought I was going mental, but then Miguel said: hey and it's Kirk there. We were so shocked, I was thinking like: then, everybody will keep saying that I'm a stalker, but c'mon, let's face it: if you're walking down the street and found these two guys. Are you going to keep walking or wait and try to get something? We didn't wait more than 5 minutes and they came out. They were hanging on with a bunch of surfers. Rob crossed the street to get into his car and Miguel, before Kirk left, said Hi to him. No, you probably wouldn't be expecting this but I do was expecting the fact that, Kirk was, again, DRUNK. HA! We both took pictures with him as he was looking like one of the Mortal Kombat's characters in a 'FINISH HIM' state. We had a handshake and then he left.

We went to Macca's and then headed back to the Hostel. Got into his room. It was a shared dorm, it had like 10 beds or so. Fortunately, it was almost empty, so we could accomodate ourselves very well. Once I was about to close my eyes, I was thinking: I just met this guy 2 days ago and now I'm on the same bed with him, yeah that's weird, my mom wouldn't be proud at all. HA! I guess that life on the road is my only excuse.

Next morning I woke up at 8 or something, picked up everything, went outside the room and patienly waited outside the female toilet to see if anybody was going out or inside of it as I needed a special card to get in there. After a while, I got inside, took a shower and then left.

Met Alex in his Hostel and we headed off to the show. Took the train and it was for free just by showing the festival ticket.

We found a huge line which we, again, skipped. Alex wasn't feeling very well, so he went to get some tissues, he took my camera to do some filming after that. Unfortunately, the doors opened before Alex could come back. Then I got in, got my last wristband and walked, yes literally, walked to the main stage. It was so funny cause I walked straight and just found a small stage, then I asked somebody: where is the main stage? She told me I had to turn right, so I did and it was all blocked. Then I asked a security guard where was the entry, he just opened one of the fences and let me get in. I was surprised as I was quite sure that I wasn't going the right way, however, the main stages where just in front of me and I kept walking, went through security again, showed my wristband and got the rail.

The crew was on stage getting everything ready for the show. Josh and Justin asked me how the hell I got in there that early. I was like: I just made my way through. We all laughed.

Then got a bunch of calls from Alex, he couldn't believe that I was already in. However, I saved the spot for him and he made it.

Memphis May Fire was the first band, most of their crowd where young crying ladies and young hardcore dudes. Didn't like them at all.

Then we got Anthrax, Tamahawk, Slayer and Blink.

After Anthrax, Nicole was on the rail and we made a space for Miguel who just joined us.

Throughout the day, we took a lot of pictures , Mark stopped by to say hello and good bye in case we wouldn't see him again. Meeting him was super nice, he is very cool. Unfortunately, we couldn't share that much cause he had to film before and during the show.

We got squashed in Slayer and Blink's setlists. BLOODY HELL. Blink was even worse than Slayer, Nicole got smashed against the rail by an asshole putting his arms around her, it was difficult to breath. So sad I couldn't enjoy Blink either in Adelaide and Perth, it was too brutal. At least, I enjoyed them a lot in Melbourne.

We were ready for Metallica. The show started and we got super pushed against the rail, it was sooooo painful. We were too tight one to the other, even if I had Miguel on my right side and Nicole on my left side, breathing was difficult.

The pushing was so hard that Nicole left the rail on the second song, she tried to resist but she couldn't, later on she told me she had broken her rib. So just imagine how hard the pushing was. Still, we all agreed that it wasn't more brutal than fucking Brisbane.

During the set, Lars saw me in the middle of the crowd, grinned and gave me a huge smile in Sanitarium, later on Seek he pointed at me and thanked me for travelling. Same with James. Both with huge smiles on their faces. That just made the whole trip worthy.

The set wasn't as good as in Adelaide or Melbourne, but it was okay. We got Metal Militia, such a good surprise.

Before they left, Lars threw another drumstick to me, I was planning on giving it to Nicole (as she had made a banner to get her drumstick) but this time, there where too many hands around me and the stick just hit the ground. Guess what happened? Security guards fucked it up again.

After the show, we all met at the booth, took a picture and then walked to take the train to the city. We ate something. The plan was getting beers, we were waiting For Claire, Melinda and Mark, so in the meantime, Miguel, Alex and me went to the Hostel to change our dirty and wet clothes. Once we came back, they had all splitted up cause everything was closed. Too sad I didn't have the chance to say good bye to the mighty Farzad, either my beloved polish guys. Such a shame, really.

The 3 of us spent the night in the city, we got in some restaurant, talked and waited, by 3 am we were all dead. Saying good bye to Alex was fucking hard. We spent so much time together that I love him as much as one of my brothers now. He's such a cool buddy, I'll be looking forward to seeing him anytime soon.

A shuttle bus picked me and Miguel up at his hostel. I slept all the way to the airport. Once at the airport, I fell asleep again, then said good bye to Miguel. Kept sleeping. Caught my plane and sleept the whole way to Sydney.

Now I'm at the hostel tiping this. Can't believe it's over.

Once I'm home, I'll do one last post with pictures and videos from my camera.

Can't wait to come back home, 3 days to go.

C.

Adelaide, Australia - Day 9/ Perth, Australia / Day 10

We arrived at 07.25 am in a sunny Adelaide. While Piotr and Kasia were picking up their stuff, we saw most of the Metallica crew. They were just getting in.

Piotr told me that they wanted to stay at the airport for a bit more cause it was too early and they were planning to get late to the venue, which is completely understandable as we got smashed against the rail yesterday. I can feel the pain in different parts of my body, but there's two shows left only and there's no way I'm gonna be at the back for a couple of bruises.

As I got out of the airport, I saw the whole Metallica crew getting into a private bus, all of them were looking very tired and sleepy.

I took the Bus and headed over to my Hostel, left all my bags there and took the tram to the venue.

There weren't many folkes there, but the place was small so it looked pretty packed. We were given yellow wristbands to get in. The Gates opened, they checked my bag, then I ran and made it to the front row, saving one spot for Nicole and the other for Alex.

Alex joined us before Anthrax. Luckily, there wasn't too much pushing during their set, but there were a couple of mosh pits behind us and the sand just started flooding around, breathing was difficult and we got all dirty.

During the day..hmm..I think I haven't mentioned anything about the other bands. Well, Crossfaith, from Japan, are really cool, everybody gets on fire during their set, their songs are like a metal-tech thing and the drummer is truly amazing.

Anthrax had a pretty cool set, they have been changing the songs and it's a lot of fun seeing them. The drummer is hot and he's kick ass, he's filling in for Slayer as well. Tomahawk sucks, period. Stone Sour is fucking amazing, unfortunately, they were on the Metallica stage just for the first two Soundwaves. Same thing with Bullet For my Valentine. Then we got Slayer, I think i know their songs just because. I don't like them that much, but I don't mind seeing them, except for the pushing thing cause during their set, things got brutal. Breathing was almost impossible.

After that, Blink was on stage and seeing them was just a pleasure cause I grew up listening to them and I finally got the chance seeing them live. Couldn't help singing along to most of their songs. Pretty cool. Mark is such a cutie. I even got his pick!

After that, Linkin Park hit the other stage. Don't know how but I do know all their songs and their lyrics, it's just a radio-thing, I guess.
During their set, I felt so bad, like I wanted to throw up, I wanted a toilet, I couldn't breath properly and I had been smashed the whole day on Slayer and Blink's sets. I was so dissapointed of myself but my body was already in pain for the Melbourne show, so I decided to leave. I told Alex: dude, I'm leaving, I'm too fucked up, there's no way I'll survive for Metallica. He was like: okay, if you think it's the best thing to do... Then I asked Farzad to help me out and get out of the rail, and he was like: there's no way you're going out. I'll take care of you. So he just gave me more water and water and water and then I started feeling better. Alex left the rail, stood behind me so I could breath better. He was even holding my back softly to make me feel better and it worked out. Before Metallica I was feeling bad again but as the Ecstasy of Gold intro began, I knew I was ready to rock. A couple of minutes before the show, I took my chilean flag so Farzad could see it and suddenly, a chilean guy that was like 5 people next to us on the left side, asked me if I was from Chile. He had been doing the soundwaves as well, but he had been working on Australia For a bit. Anyway, it was nice talking in spanish again.

The show:

What a fucking epic show, set and everything, they just keep improving the sets. After each show I've been like: tonight was obviously the best. But now I gotta say that Adelaide was fucking mental. I wish Mexico City would have had THESE TYPE OF SETS, THE COOL ONES!

Anyway, before Thingy, I mean, when I heard that weird intro as I was looking at Lars like: wtf is this, Lars was just like: hang on and you'll see, then James did the first two chords of Thingy and I fucking died, right there. First time hearing that song live and I can bet is the best version ever. So fucking heavy, well executed, tempos in time, Kirk didn't fucking up with the solos. It was just mental. I'm just missing Disposable to have the Full Puppets album, pretty sure they'll play it in Perth. After Thingy, Lars pointed me with his drumstick and said: you weren't expecting that one, RIGHT? I just said: no. HA! He laughed and went inside.

If that wasn't enough I just got Unforgiven, AMAZING. Cried during the whole song, just couldn't help it. Pretty Amazing version as well. Then I got Orion. EVEN GREATER! Then, as the crowd was quite quiet, I decided (finally) to take some pictures and videos. The stage was low so pictures didnt go that well as I had security guards in front of me, so they fucked up most of my photos. I just decided to do some filming, it was a lot of fun as Lars was posing all the time For the camera, but I probably didnt get it well recorded cause I was looking at him and didn't focus him very well haha. Anyway, I have those memories with me.

Later on Sandman, Lars was testing my air drumming skills as he asked me to follow him during the song. Failed in a couple of times, he humilliated me just a bit and we both laughed, he just changed some cymbals hits to fucked me up.

Then we got Motorbreath! I was fucking jumping and singing along during the whole song, it was so amazing.

After Seek, Lars was ready to give out his drumsticks, but first he came in front of us with his drink. He shared a bit, drank the rest, put the cup in the floor and just kicked it in our direction. I just had an iceball in my head hahaha, but it was fun.

After the show, met the polish guys again, walked to our hostels and we planned to meet at 5 in their hostel to go to the airport.

I just took a shower at the Hostel and then planned to sleep for just two hours. I even put the alarm on.

It didn't work, really.

After the 'two hour nap'

7.40 am and I woke up feeling a bit weird. I quickly stood up and noticed that there was sun outside, this could only mean something: i had missed my flight.

I just jumped the hell out of the bed, picked up everything and went to the toilet to wash my face. Ran down stairs to the reception to give back the key and get my 10 bucks back. The japanese guy at the reception told me that to check out, I had to pick up the bed clothes and bring it to the reception. Like a rocket, I went up stairs again, picked it up and gave it back at the reception. I was obviously wasting my time.

The japanese guy wasn't moving so I yelled at him, saying that i was in a hurry and everything. He inmediately gave me the 10 bucks and called a taxi for me (yes, I was so desperated that For the first time in history, I asked For a taxi, HA!).

While waiting, I asked the japanese guy for a phone to call Alex or Farzad, he was about to charge me for that, I yelled at him again and he just lend me his phone. Quickly, tried to call Alex and Farzad but any of them had the fucking phone available, things were just getting ugly.

I took the taxi and got to the airport in a matter of 15 minutes. Once there, I ran to the second level where the departures section was and asked a nice gentlemen where could i get a new flight ticket cause i had missed my flight, he told me to go to Virgin's customer service to see what they could do for me. At that point, I could only imagine that I would have to buy another ticket with no right to get a refund or paying a fee to get another flight.

So it was, as the nice lady in the Virgin Customer service counter told me that the lowest fare she could offer me at the moment was 700 bucks. I was about to cry and just started thinking how stupid I had been, but it was okay: I had been awake for more than 40 hours with two shows in between in two different cities, dealing with a cold, not eating that much, being at the rail both times struggling with fat aussies getting kicked out over my shoulders/neck/head. Full of bruises and scars... I just fell asleep, didn't know whether the alarm had rung or not, but missing a flight was the last thing I wanted. It had to be the most expensive flight, of course! Lucky me.

I kept running from one way to another at the airport. Went to Jetstar and they had all their flights full. Nothing to do. They told me to go and ask Qantas. So I did and nope, everything full or business class just available for more than 1000-something dollars. BITE ME.

I headed over the Virgin's counter again and asked for flights departing in the morning of the day of the show. It was even more expensive. So I just took a deep breath and thought: ok, what are my options. At that time, I could come up with some ideas:

A) staying in Adelaide and miss the show.

B) buy a flight to Sydney, wait there until the 9th and miss the show.

C) BUY THE FUCKING EXPENSIVE AIRFARE, GET MORE AND MORE BILLS, GO TO THE LAST SHOW IN OZ, HANG OUT WITH ALL MY BUDDIES AND! Most importantly here, SEE LARSEYPOO AGAIN BEFORE JUNE.

I think that, my only option all the time was the third one. So I just, bought the airfare, assuming that the rest of my stay in Australia is gonna be fucking tough as I have no more money to get food or to get transport, but I know that everything happens for a reason, if i have to go through all this, i will.

Once I decided it. I told the lady that I had to buy it anyway, I had no choice. She told me to go and check online cause it MIGHT BE a bit cheaper, she said that I have half an hour to move my ass and find out. I quickly took my iPhone and checked if there was internet available, but no. There was nothing there. I asked an old and very nice lady about internet services within the airport, she gave me instructions and probably, noticed my desperation face cause she assisted me all the time, she didn't let me alone at any moment, we went through security in order to get internet connection from the other side of the airport (fucking Adelaide's Airport). There was wifi but it was working too slow, so I had to rent a computer for 2 dollars and it was even worse, working slower. I tried to check Virgin's Home Page, waited a bit. I just had 15 minutes to do it and once it loaded, it was the same price that the lady had given me, then the internet just collapsed. It looked like everything was just against me.

Went back to the Virgin counter and bought the flight to Perth with one stop in Melbourne. Poor little wallet. It's completely empty now.

I had to run to gate 23 and once I got there, I noticed that I had read the other boarding pass (melb-perth) then checked again and it was gate 13, right on the other side of the airport. I ran as fast as I could and got there just in time before they closed the gates.

Once with my ass in the seat. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

Melbourne, Australia - Day 7-8

After landing in Melbourne, I was feeling like shit. Couldn't hear anything and I was feeling dizzy. Got to the pharmacy and bought some
Medicine that costed me like 20 dollars. RATS. After that, met Sebastian (an ex-classmate that's currently on a student interchange in OZ) he took care of me all day long.

I fell asleep earlier in order to get better For the show.

Day of the show:

I met Alex at his Hostel in the center of Melbourne, I got off on a wrong train station so I had to walk For ages to get to his Hostel. Once i did that, we went to the venue by tram, it was full of metalheads and we could barely listen to each other.

Flemington Racecourse didnt look that big as in the map. It was pretty small and different from the others two festivals. This time, the 2 main stages were completely separated, that wasn't that cool cause I actually missed Stone Sour. Anyway. I met the polish guys at the rail an Alex just got behind us later on .

It was a long hot day. I wasn't feeling that well, but once again, Metallica and the man behind the drum kit made me feel alive and well, I had a great time with one of the best set list I've ever heard. Started right at the middle of the rail and by the half of the set we started moving to the left side as the pushing was hardcore.

Can't wait to see what they're playing tonight!!

I'm currently at Melbourne airport tiping this, it's 5.08 am and i havent slept anything. I'll try to catch some sleep now.

C.

Sydney, Australia - Days 4, 5 and 6.

James' IG photo was the clue.

I reached him thanks to the polish guys and Thomas who told me that he was probably staying at Four seasons. Me and Alex just waited there until he came out of a car and we both freezed right there. Couldnt believe that james was just right there. He noticed we were just seating and even though we couldnt move cause we were too shocked, he came forward to say Hello to us. The first thing i said was: Hello james!! He just said Hello, gave us handshakes and then i said: nice to meet you again. Then we had a little chat:

James: you looked familiar, i think I've seen u before
Me: yeah sure, we met in Italy. Remember? Udine.
James: i think i saw you in a lobby as well, waiting for me with another girl.
Me: oh yes, that was in Vancouver last year, ha!
James; yeah so I remember you from here and there. You're from...
Me: Chile!
James: And you... (Pointing at Alex)
Alex: just from adelaide

James: Do you wanna get something signed, autographs, photos? I'm about to go to bed.

I asked him to sign my shirt. I pulled it out for him and he just signed it. I asked him to play Fixxxer one day cause it's a great song and I love it. he said that they should play that cause he loves it as well. He signed a 5 dollar For Alex and then he asked if we wanted to take pictures together or separately we both got pictures separately and everything went fine.

Thanked him and goodbyes.

The next day i was supposed to meet the polish guys to see the city. They were waiting For james from 10.15 am and i got there at around 11 cause i had to pick up my clothes from laundry. Once there, i just sat down on the floor cause I was carrying all my bags so i didnt come into the lobby. 2 hours later, the Polish guys came out of the hotel with a big smile on their faces. They told me that they talked to james For a looooong while, got pictures and things signed. Pretty amazing. While we were talking, James just got out of the hotel with two dudes, one of them was his assistant, he walked in our direction and tried to hide behind his arm, joking.

He told me that there were some chilean folkes inside his hotel. I was surprised. Piotr took a picture of us, James asked him to hurry up as he was really hungry. After that, he just left walking into the park.

We kept moving and got around Sydney talking about everything that James told us. We visited The Opera House, The Harbour Bridge, The Botanic Garden and even took a ferry that went under the bridge and dropped us on the other side of the city where the Hard Rock Cafe was. We had lunch there, I got a giant salad with all kinds of vegetables. Then, we just kept talking about our meeting with James.



After lunch we went to the polish guys' hotel, I packed my bag again cause it was a fucking mess and then left to the airport where I spent the night.

I haven't felt very well these days. I have a cold and it's messing with me :( hope to get well soon.

C.