Chronology is overrated.

-10:35 PM:  Exiting the Trocadero, soaked in sweat, sore from the action, and with no voice left, I realized I rarely feel this awesome.  We started the long haul back to the car, just a little bit destroyed in the best way possible.  What a great set.

-10:30 PM:  A second encore.  I do love a second encore.  This one was a cello rendition of Metallica’s The Unforgiven.  No vocals, and no need for them.  Very calm, very ethereal, and a great way to finish the night.

-10:18 PM:  They came back for an encore.  That makes me happy.  Most European bands I’ve seen don’t do encores.  Sons and Daughters once told me that they thought it was silly, and that only American audiences enjoy it.  The song they played for this encore is a stirring mash-up of several classical pieces, injected with drums and a fierce vocal assembly from Mr. Green.  I could listen to that all night long.

-10:12 PM:  The main set just ended.  I was floored by that last song, a rendition of Metallica’s Enter Sandman.  So intense, and I’ve never seen anyone drum that fast and happy.  The way that they were able to make 200 year old cellos sound like guitars while playing them over their heads was amazing.  These are some truly talented Finns.  I wonder if they’ll encore…

-9:55 PM:  Inquisition Symphony is such a good song.  I felt the bone in my chest thump as the rhythm just got faster and faster.  That’s the feeling that makes life worth it.  My heart, my ability to feel, was just penetrated by this ball of wonderful sound.  Euphoria sets in shortly after.  And I am whisked away to somewhere foreign and beautiful.

-9:46 PM:  I haven’t danced this much in months.  The crowd is really getting into it and the vibe in here is unreal.  They just brought Toryn back out to perform I’m Not Jesus.  He nailed it home.  I love his little dance moves that he throws in between verses.  He also offered the mic to an audience member who covered a verse of the chorus.  Not bad for a random drunken fan, I must say.  Toryn has such a big grin on his face while he performs, as well.  So cool, and so antagonizing cute.

-9:35 PM:  Head banging and cello playing.  At the same time.  Is there anything in life that can top this?  Have I stumbled across this at too young an age?

-9:28 PM:  Just witnessed a song called Helden.  As Perttu Kivilaakso put it (in his adorable Finnish accent), “This is a cover of a song by a British man that will be sung in German by an Alaskan with a Finnish band in Philadelphia.  It makes no sense, but, OK.”

-9:06 PM:  They just introduced their guest singer, Toryn Green from Fuel.  I never realized how good he looked.  What’s more important, though, is how he sounded.  The first song he performed was I Don’t Care, off of the album Worlds Collide.  He slapped his own twist on it and made it an entirely different, but also excellent song. 

-8:49 PM:  I’ve never seen anyone move a bow that fast.  Wow.

-8:39 PM:  That drummer of theirs, named Mikko Sirén I’ve discovered, is one talented dude.  And he’s been grinning non stop.  I don’t think there’s a happier person in this building.  I’m glad they invited the drummer into the band back in 2005.  It adds a whole new dimension to their music.

-8:27 PM:  Show just started.  Totally bypassed any kind of opening or buffer band.  The band came out to The Who’s Won’t Get Fooled Again, which threw me off a little.  They’re sitting in the best chairs I’ve ever seen (cello skull metal things of beauty) playing their song Grace.  So radical.  I see myself dancing a lot tonight.

-8:15:  Made it!  Tonight we’re here to see a Finnish band called Apocalyptica.  They’ve been around since 1993, and stunning ever since.  I’ve never had a chance to see them before, so I’m really looking forward to this.  The band is 5 pieces, 4 cellos and one drum kit.  The cellos are manned by Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso on a usual basis.  They have an additional cellist touring with them, Antero Manninen.  He was a staple in the band until 2002 when he left to pursue other interests, but still tours with them when needed.  I’m not sure of the drummers name; I’ll get back to you on that.  I don’t have nearly enough Finnish Cello Metal in my life.  Tonight should remedy that, on the short term at least.

-8:01 PM:  Geez, I can’t believe we’re late!  I think we’ll be ok, they never start these things on time anyway.  And there has to be some kind of opening or buffer band, no?  I can’t believe we had to park 4 miles away.