I didn’t follow the music scene very closely in the 1990s. I went to few shows and didn’t like much of the new music I was hearing on the radio. Also, I was busy with a new career and family. However, I do remember that one night, while searching for something different in the 90s music world, I stumbled upon an internet radio station out of the UK that was playing Emperor. That may have been the first time I heard true, black metal. “I Am the Black Wizards” became one of the few black metal songs that I listened to regularly before becoming much more devoted to the genre in the past 10-15 years.

Finally seeing Emperor live this past summer at Brutal Assault was very special. There was one moment, a few hours before they hit the stage, where I was sitting on a leather couch, in the fortress where Brutal Assault is held, and the members of Destruction were conducting an interview 10 feet in front of me, Ihsahn was signing autographs 20 feet in the other direction, and Au-Dessus was playing the Octagon stage just 100 feet away. Also, the creator of the Emperor logo, Christophe Szpajdel, was giving tours of his art nearby. I thought I was dreaming.

October 10th, 2019 | Tags: AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR DX lens, brutal assault festival, concert photography, emperor, metal, Nikon D500 | Category: Other | Comments Off on Happy birthday, Ihsahn!

Al Jourgensen of Ministry @ 2017 Copenhell

@COPENHELL #copenhell @WeAreMinistry #aljourgensen #ministry

October 9th, 2019 | Tags: AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G lens, concert photography, copenhell, metal, ministry, Nikon D750 | Category: Denmark | Comments Off on Happy birthday, Al Jourgensen!

Broken Top is the peak to the south (left in this photo) of The Three Sisters. Today’s photo was taken from Smith Rock State Park near Monkey Face.

October 8th, 2019 | Tags: Central Oregon, hiking, landscape, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D750, Smith Rock State Park | Category: Oregon | Comments Off on The Three Sisters

@COPENHELL #copenhell #copenhell2016 @ArtilleryMetal

Morten Stützer of Artillery @ 2016 Copenhell

Morten died last week at the age of 57. “By Inheritance” was one of my favorite albums of 1990 and was in frequent rotation on my CD player in 1991 and 1992. Khomaniac is an amazing track.

Back in 2008 I had no idea Artillery were from Copenhagen when I was in Copenhagen and saw fliers for their shows at The Rock. Unfortunately, they played before I got there (and again after I left before The Rock closed their doors in 2011). I so wanted to see them. They almost played in Southern Oregon at Club 66 in 2014, but I finally did get to see them at Copenhell.

October 7th, 2019 | Tags: AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G lens, artillery, concert photography, copenhell, metal, Nikon D500 | Category: Denmark | Comments Off on Metal Monday

Near Redmond, Oregon

We are spending the weekend exploring Smith Rock State Park near Redmond, Oregon. Today’s photo comes from the hot tub behind our Airbnb.

October 6th, 2019 | Tags: Central Oregon, landscape, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D750, sunset | Category: Oregon | Comments Off on 9th fairway of the Eagle Crest Resort