Heavy Metal

Make-up

September most wanted!

September 11, 2013

The changing of the season always brings with is a whole bunch of new releases, and for some reason this time a lot of them are things that want to empty my bank account!

First up Rockateur from Benefit.

Er hello Benefit. Please stop making things that I want as my purse is very empty and I attribute most of that to your shiny pretty things!

I’ll admit the rose gold shimmer of Rockateur is not exactly the most rock and roll of blushes but the swatches of this look gorgeous and the packaging and marketing have sent it straight to the top of my wish-list!

Rocateur is £23.50 and available here.

Urban Decay Heavy Metal glitter liners

Urban decay have relaunched their Heavy Metal glitter eyeliners (which in my opinion are the best glitter liners EVER) in seven colours, L-R Glamrock, Distortion, ACDC, Spandex, Amp, Junkshow and Midnight Cowboy.

I own three liners from the last time around – Glam Rock, which is identical to Glamrock (except..you know…without the extra space in the name), Air guitar which is very similar to Amp, and Stavedive which doesn’t seem to have a dupe in the re-launch. I’ve already got my eye on Distortion and Spandex, but I think I’ll wait and see if they do them in a set at a discount before I rush to buy them individually.

As far as I can see these liners are currently only available on the US website for $19 each.

Lime Crime lipstick in Glamour101

This is by no means a new release, but something that has hidden on my wishlist for a long time. Glamour101 is described as a retro/blood red and even if it wasn’t for that gorgeous rich deep colour I would want this just for the purple glittery unicorn packaging!

It’s also well worth checking out their more extreme lip colours, one day I will be brave enough for the bubblegum blue of No She Didn’t!

Available for $15.99 from the Lime Crime website or £11.50 from Cocktail Cosmetics.

ELF HD Blush in Headliner

Again, not a new release but this has been out of stock since forever! The ELF HD blush comes in five shades, and Headliner is the lightest. Though I love a strong blush, the colours are very intense on the skin so I figure starting with the fairest shade and working up to the most intense might be a good plan!

Elf HD blush is £3.70 from here, though only 4/5 of the shades are back in stock.

Illamasqua Reflection Palette

Do I need more eye-shadows? Er yes! Illamasqua make the most beautiful silky colours that have real staying power and their newest palette is definitely up my street! I love the fact you could make everything from the most subtle to the most outrages looks with just these four colours. Also hello fabulous packaging. /shallow.

Available for £34 from the Illamasqua website.

So there you have it, all the shiny things I want the most this month, is there anything new or back in stock that you are dreaming longingly about?

Totally hellbent for things I don’t really need but really really really want!

– Gem

Festivals, Metal, Music

Gemma’s Top 5 Heavy Metal Treasures

August 27, 2013

Reading Amie’s recent post on her beloved metal shinies reminded me I put together a list of my own favourite bits and pieces but never got around to posting it – so here it is!

Amie and I, like most heavy metal fans, will hoard and stash almost anything related to the genre, be it a limited edition signed CD or a scrap of paper a band member drew a penis on.

Being in a band means we also have a huge collection of memorabilia from our own tours and shows, and from other bands we have met along the way!

We all have those treasured things that rise above the rest though and I thought I would share a few of mine with you.

Iron Maiden Vans

Have you ever had a pair of shoes you loved to the point you let them get in this state?

Amie bought me these as a birthday present some years ago and I literally wore them every day till they reached the point they are in now. If I thought I could get away with wearing them as they are without looking like a complete hobo I probably would.

Even now I cannot bring myself to throw them away…I even still have the box they came in (full of gig tickets and other memorabilia in the loft!) and I imagine I wont ever throw that away either!

Edguy AAA Pass

You know that one song you listen to, that no matter how dire the situation it -always- cheers you up? For me and my band-mates that song is “Superheroes” by Edguy.

When we were offered the chance to support them at the HMV Institute in Birmingham we were all more than a little excited (as you can tell by look of Amie and Adam’s fridge!)

Edguy were all very lovely and we hung out in the dressing rooms backstage after the gig which was just the perfect end to a great day.

Bloodstock Artist Wristband

For the uninitiated, Bloodstock Open Air (BOA) is a annual heavy metal festival in Derby, UK. I’ve attended every year since 2007 and don’t plan on missing one any-time soon!

I don’t think there is a single metal band in the UK who doesn’t dream of playing BOA from their very inception, it was certainly at the top of our dream-gig-wishlist!

Last summer we finally got the email we’d been wishing for, and my artist wristband is a lovely memento of our first major festival slot.

Original “Sign of the Hammer” Manowar vinyl.

This was a birthday gift from a student at my music school and her family earlier this year. I squealed so loud when I opened it I think I burst a few eardrums!

This is in immaculate condition, having been part of her father’s personal collection since it’s release in 1984.

I love it so much I keep it out on display at all times in my room with the rest of my Manowar treasures (of which there are a great many!)

Handwritten Thunderstone setlist and stage photo.

In September 2010 we supported Thunderstone at The Roadhouse in Birmingham. Having been huge fans of the band for years, when they finally came to England for a one-off gig in London we jumped at the chance to talk them into letting us support them at a later date.

Jump to a few months later and we’re in the green room with the heroes that inspired my own band to form. It was an absolutely magical night for us, culminating in being invited on stage to sing “Until We Touch The Burning Sun” on-stage with Thunderstone.

I also managed to snag the handwritten set-list which has been pinned to my “Wall of inspiration” ever since!

So there you are, my very favourite treasures! Do you have any items of significance, maybe even some Dakesis trinkets hidden away somewhere!

Totally hellbent for priceless pieces of scrap paper

– Gem

Fitness, Music

Heavy Metal Workout Playlists 1

July 18, 2013

Ever had that moment at the gym where you think you can’t go any further, then a song comes on that gives you a surge of energy and enthusiasm? Well here’s my inspiration for those last few km today!

This song is guaranteed to get the blood pumping! Highly recommended for running!

Another little gem for a good sprint – THAT chorus always makes me want to push a bit harder no matter how worn I am.

Yes, yes, cheeky self promotion slipping in here, but as I’m going over the songs for rehearsal I discovered that this has a great feel for all kinds of cardio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLCp5U7wotQ

Manowar are ALWAYS my go to for weights. The song title says it all but the anthemic melody works a treat too.

Anything thrash is a winner in the gym, but this song just makes me want to break things*. This also got me VERY excited about seeing them at Wacken in two weeks!

*My targets, not myself generally

Today’s cooldown came courtesy of some friends of mine Captain Horizon. Not metal, in fact I struggle to stick them in a single genre and I’ve been friends of the band for about four years!

So there you have it, maybe there’s some new bands in there for you or maybe you’re going “ahh yes that’s a great song, why didn’t I think of that!”.

Are there any songs you would recommend to get the adrenaline flowing?

Totally hellbent for the healthy metal lifestyle

– Gem