Been wanting to write a little about Starset’s new album, Horizons for a while. Just never got round to it till now.
Starset are my favourite band that take me to another world every time I listen to them, a world where I am more than happy to jump into. They really are an escape, a way of coping with everyday life. Especially with what every day life is at the moment in the real world.Â
They’ve always amazed me with their sound, I had never heard anything like them before. When I saw them supporting Shinedown I was completely hooked on them from the get go. So much so, I was looking forward to seeing them more than I was Shinedown the following night of the tour! (Sorry Shinedown, still love yas!)
I’ve been able to see Starset on their own tour since, and it was the best gig experiences I’ve ever been to. The demonstrations they put on truly do take you to another world. Nothing else matters, the outside world doesn’t exist for those few hours.Â
So with their upcoming tour in the UK this year, I just had to book tickets for all five dates. I just hope they can go ahead.Â
Now, onto their new album. Horizons. From start to finish, it’s an album that can make you feel a whole whirlwind of emotions.Â
As desperate as I was to listen to the album as soon as I woke up on the day it was released, I manged (just) to resist the urge until I got home from work and had finished sorting the horses. I put on my noise cancelling headphones, cranked the volume up and made sure there would be no distractions. Because that’s the only way to listen to it first time.Â
The Breach is the perfect way to start, it pulls you right in. Makes you follow them through the wonderful journey.Â
Otherworldly instantly stood out for me, it’s a stunning song that gives me the warmest feeling every single time I listen to it. It always gets turned up extra loud, to feel the music through me. Even now, with probably over one hundred listens it still moves me. I didn’t think any other song in the world would beat my love for Starlight, but of course if there was one out there, it had to be another Starset song.Â
Symbiotic is a close second for my favourite in the album. But the heavier songs such as Devolution and Icarus are very close behind. Though it would be so difficult, if not impossible, to try and rank Horizons in order.
Dustin’s voice still amazes me, how he can go from singing so beautifully and calm, to more intense singing and raw screams.Â
The length of this album is perfect, the amount of songs and the length of them. I’ve often found myself wishing some songs would never end, and Starset give us that. It doesn’t feel rushed, it’s not over quickly.Â
As usual, Starset are telling a story through their music. There’s dark moments with equal moments of hope and light. Though the ending song, Something Wicked, does leave us wondering what’s to come next in the world of Starset... But dark or light, I can’t wait to find out!Â
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Made this blog to... well, blog. But didn’t get very far. I have decided that my new years resolution for 2022 will be to try and actually keep updating this... Whether that happens or not, we shall see!Â
This year has been a weird one, but amazing, I’m a believer in things working out and happening for a reason. At the start of the year if you told me I’d be a gardener (and loving it!) and that I’d be living where my horse is, I would not have believed you.
Having Sammy on my doorstep (sometimes literally) is the best!Â
Hoping that 2022 will be better in the way of getting back to gigs. I have missed them SO much. And hoping that Starset tour in February will still go ahead, but rather worried it won’t with the way things are going. Fingers crossed though!Â
Anyway... Let’s see if I remember to actually update this regularly from now on.Â
My Mum and I went on holiday to Iceland for a short break last month. We stayed in Reykjavik.Â
The first thing we noticed on arrival, is that of course Iceland isn’t covered in snow and ice like some may think. It is a vast land of beautiful scenery, very colourful. (Including the buildings!)
After a late flight in the night before, we decided to explore around the city. We found the Perlan, which is a large glass dome with multiple floors and plenty to do. From a real man made ice cave, an interactive model of Látrabjarg with the puffins, to the observation deck at the top and much more.
Our view on the observation deck wasn’t too impressive due to the rain and cloudy weather. But it still gave us a good view over Reykjavik. The man made ice cave was an experience in itself. It was freezing cold – as to be expected – and quite low in some areas. Made with real snow and ice taken from the Blue Mountains. I’d also highly recommend to go with the guided tour, because the guide really knows his stuff and it was very interesting.
We got a bus back to the city and spent the rest of the day wandering around the city. We found a nice little pub called The Irishman. As everyone says, Iceland is very expensive so definitely bear that in mind when going!
On our second day we had booked to go on the South Shore adventure. We booked through Reykjavik Excursions and highly recommend them. The guides are lovely and friendly, happy to answer any questions. They are very informative and added in funny little stories about different places.
While on the bus journey, we noticed that Iceland was very flat. There wasn’t many trees so you could see for miles and miles. One tour guide told us that if you got lost in one of the ‘forests’ they have, that you just have to stand up and you’d be able to see your way out!
Instead of fields of cows and sheep, the main animals to be seen were horses. With the odd field of sheep. What I find amazing is they don't allow any horses into the country, so they don’t have to worry about common diseases like we have here.
They also have it cracked in regards to drainage of their fields. They have ditches around almost every field we saw, to help keep the fields mud free.
Our first stop was at Skógafoss waterfall. Until you’ve seen it, you’ve never seen a real waterfall before! We were lucky that the sun came out long enough to give us a rainbow effect at the fall too. It is spectacular. And also where part of Thor: The dark world was filmed.
Next we went to Reynisfjara black sand beach. It is stunning, yet also fierce. The waves were crashing against the shore with such power, even without the warnings about going too close you would certainly think twice about it! At the beach we also saw the Reynisdrangar rocks and Columnar Basalt.
For lunch we stopped in a lovely little village called VÃk. The church at the top of the hill looking over the village was lovely.
On the way back we stopped off at Sólheimajökull and had a short walk to the bottom of a glacier, which has formed a small lake with many icebergs floating down it. Â
The last stop of that excursion was another waterfall, Seljalandsfoss. Another beautiful waterfall that you can actually walk behind. We didn’t, however. Not fancying getting soaked! (There was also a small stall there that sold the best doughnuts I’ve ever tasted.)
On our third day we spent more time wondering around the city. We went to the Whale museum. Which, wasn’t really worth the entry fee. It was cool to see the model whales to real size, but there wasn’t much else there to do. But it certainly passed a little bit of time while it was raining.
We had a look around the shops, buying gifts to bring back and souvenirs. There is plenty of nifty little places with different kind of souvenirs to your normal holiday shops.
Our last full day we went on The Golden Circle & Friðheimar excursion. Our first stop was Friðheimar greenhouse cultivation centre, which was really interesting. It’s one of the largest in Iceland. Growing tomatoes using all natural resources that Iceland has to offer. As well as importing hundreds of bees to pollinate the plants. And no use of any pesticides.
Geysir geothermal area was our next stop. We got to see the active geyser Strokkur, which was quite the sight when shooting up water! We had lunch there too and had a look around the various shops on offer there.
Then we went to Gullfoss waterfall. If I thought the two previous waterfalls we saw were amazing, this was something else. It has three different levels to it ending into a deep canyon, and you are able to either look down on it from above or go lower down to the middle area. It was a bit of a hike down a rocky slope, but worth it to get closer to the waterfall.
Returning to the bus, rather soaked from being so close to the waterfall, we then went to Þingvellir National Park. Where we walked along by the Mid-Atlantic ridge which is The Eurasian and North-American tectonic plates pulling Iceland apart slowly.
Unfortunately we were not lucky enough to see the Northern lights on our trip, as it was cancelled each night because of the weather. But the beauty of the country more than made up for it. And it is somewhere I would love to return to at some point in the future.
I remember the first day we met. You were so excited to buy your first pony.Â
I remember how unsteady you were on my back when you first rode me. But I was patient, I took my time to allow you to adjust.Â
I remember when you took me home and pampered me with brand new rugs, tack, brushes and a new head collar with my name in gold.Â
I remember taking lessons with you. You would often struggle, get frustrated, but I always remained calm and allowed you to figure it out.Â
I remember going to our first show together, we got placed second. You were on cloud nine and I got extra carrots for supper.Â
I remember that time a boy broke your heart at school. I was there for you to cry into my mane until you could cry no more and felt better.Â
I remember the times when you would just jump on my back, bareback, and we would gallop like the wind through the fields.Â
I remember you telling me how much you loved me, that I was your everything.Â
I remember over the years how we grew together. Your riding got better and those rosettes kept on coming.Â
I remember when I started getting older, I needed to slow down. You couldn’t understand why I wasn’t as agile as I used to be going over the jumps.
I remember when the vet came out and you were told bad news, that I was getting old and my body was getting weary. That it was time for me to slow down.Â
I remember going on light hacks with you, but you were never as excited as I was. I enjoyed those moments with you, just you and I in the beautiful countryside.Â
I remember the days when I was too tired and sore to do much, I just wanted to spend time with you in my warm comfy stable or field, but you wanted to go riding instead.
I remember one day when a man came to visit me. I didn’t understand why you lied to him about my age and ability.Â
I remember when that man came to load me onto a trailer. I thought maybe we were going together, to another show.Â
I remember being unloaded after a long and grueling journey, but you were nowhere in sight.Â
I remember the man working me to the ground until I couldn’t take no more and gave up the fight.Â
I remember being dosed up on bute. I felt so good again, pain free, I felt so young.Â
I remember being sold again.Â
I remember when they had to get the vet out, because I was lame. No amount of bute would help this time.Â
I remember when a big scary lorry came to get me and the exchange of money between hands.Â
I remember the smell, other horses already aboard.Â
I remember the long journey, falling over and struggling to get up amongst the other horses that were panicking alongside me.Â
I remember our last destination.Â
I remember your face, why are you not here now?Â
What did I do wrong? I was your loyal steed for years, won you all those rosettes and trophies.Â
I gave you unconditional love. Surely I deserved that in return?Â
Surely I deserve a nice retirement. A chance to enjoy my later years with my friends in the paddock. With you bringing me carrots and apples every day and brushing me so I look pretty...
I remember feeling like a machine. That was no longer of use for purpose.Â
I will always remember you, but you won’t always remember me.Â
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