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We are both absolutely delighted to welcome Krusher Joule to the Mearfest family. A very well known Celebrity in the Rock and Metal World. Krusher is a brilliant art designer, DJ, MC and all round hellraiser. He was Kerrang main art designer for their Glory years, he worked with numerous bands, including Hawkwind, Black sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne and many more. He has sent us beautiful shirts, a sweatshirt and art prints including one of his more well known album sleeve Black Sabbath's Born Again, for our raffle. The hundreds of welcoming comments on our facebook page says it all. Krusher is a very loved legend. WELCOME.  Such an iconic album sleeve Black Sabbaths Born Again album The one album with Ian Gillan as the singer. Designed by Krusher Joule One of a limited number of prints To see this amongst the beautiful art prints and shirts sent to us yesterday bought back so many memories. I bought this on the day it was released in 1983 What were you doing then? I was 18 Heavy Metal was absolutely Massive at the time. You couldn't turn on the radio and not hear tracks from Ozzy, Dio, Saxon and Iron Maiden. I'd just got my first car an old MK 3 Cortina I was an apprentice Electrician going to College one day a week and night school for extra maths. I worked at Eton College the public School during the week learning my trade I was still in the Boys Brigade who were celebrating their Centenary with huge events being held all over the country, especially Glasgow the city of its birth. I was enjoying going to gigs, so many gigs. Playing as a drummer in my first band. Going to pubs, playing darts and pool Life was opening up for me And in the background the sound of Heavy Metal a constant reassuring, exciting and inspiring sound that has stayed with me throughout my life.    
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Ten years shared love and tears turning day to night then dark to light Ten years of hopes and fears turning clouds of grief Into firm belief Ten years. our prayer she hears my love I send from the Rainbows end I love you. BY BRIAN MEAR   Our entire Mearfest family wish to say a big happy birthday to a very special person. Mr Steve Grimmett (The grim reaper) Last year we really got to know this amazing man. He came to Mearfest South and got up on stage to play one of his hit songs 'See you in hell' with the Culloden boys. His voice could be heard in neighbouring Reading! It was incredible to witness. He stayed the whole day, watched all the bands and had endless selfies taken, signing every thing any fan of his had to sign. On a personal note, we feel we have all been on a journey together. Steve, you are unique. 10,000 mearfesters and our good selves wish you a wonderful birthday and year ahead.  I met up yesterday with Tony Hatton of London Classic Metal God's Airforce. He handed me 2 copies of Airforces new Album "Strike Hard" and 2 Airforce T shirts all for our next Mearfest Raffle in October. Both Cds are signed by Guest Vocalist Paul Dianno Paul Deano I've seen this band a number of times and I have got to say that over the last few years they have become something quite formidable Their appearance at last years Mearfest South has become something of legend. The line up consists of Flavio Lino Vocals Chop Pitman Guitars Tony Hatton Bass and ex Iron Maiden Drummer Doug Sampson. The links and heritage of this band and Iron Maiden are strong and go back over 40 odd years. The Album is pure Classic Heavy Metal from the opening intro to the last chord and drum beat. Flavio is an immense vocalist with a huge operatic and stunning range The guitar and bass work is thunderous and interwoven with Dougs Brilliant percussion the entire album is faultless. I think what has struck me the most is the incredible sound. (Recorded and Mixed by Pete Franklin of Chariot fame) This Album is very powerful and the sound is absolutely spot on. Great to hear Ivan Giannini again on "The Reaper" What an incredible front man and vocalist!! The albums highlight for me has to be the track "Don't look in her eyes" Where Flavio and Paul Dianio share the Vocal Duties. Christ I'm transported right back to the Maiden Killers Tour in the early eighties listening to this!! To be totally honest I wasn't expecting this, a good solid Metal album yes, but this is an absolute Monster of Album. This band have been around for a very long time in one form or another Their history is long and my God they deserve every accolade that will be rightfully awarded to them over this. When the World returns to some resemblance of normality and this band gets to play live again. Get yourself down the front, stand close together, drink in hand. Feel the surge, the Power, the heat of the lights Throw the horns high This is an incredible achievement and one that should raise this band up high in the Hallowed Halls of Heavy Metal. Favourite Tracks for Me... Die for You, The Reaper, Don't look in her eyes and the epic War Games. Not only do Airforce Strike Hard they Strike to Kill! Bloody Amazing!!!   Firebird From ash she learns to slowly rise ablaze the frozen Northern skies through suffering we learn the grace to bring us to this higher place the Firebird prepares her flight burning through this starless night with deepened red and golden fire she leaves the smoldering funeral pyre unfurled, her glory and her might a thousand shards of purest light for what was lost will this night soar and we will learn to grieve no more Brian Mear .  Our lovely friend Danielle Aylen and her talented Dad have completely overhauled the Tombola (originally kindly donated to us by Marie Edwards From The Farnham Royal Village Hall.) It's now sleek, shiny with magnetic door and brass hinges It has been given a touch of bling, ready for our rocker roller tombola raffle for cradle uk. BELOW IS THE MAGIC MEARFEST BOX DANIELLE MADE FOR US.  It's been a strange day and one of emotion
Seven years ago today we absorbed the sentence above How I drove us both the 17 mile trip from the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading home to Watlington in Oxfordshire i'll never know The following day the 11th of August neither of us can remember one single memory. Such was the shock and the enormity of what had happened to our lives. I do know that as terrible as that journey was it was nothing compared to returning to the Labour ward on the 12th and the events that followed. Seven years is a long time. But we will both remember that sentence as long as we live So will the other 19 families that will lose a Stillborn or infant every day in the UK. For us and many, many thousands of people who suffer, Preterm, ectopic, Stillborn and Infant loss we will always remember that life lost, that life loved, that life unlived. I have a small story to share. For my Birthday I received a gift of money from a dear friend. How was I going to treat myself? I've bought no music over the past 5 months Concentrating on paying the bills etc. So I contacted Andy Rowe from the fabulous Melodic Rock Band THE ROOM. I asked him if he would do me a bundle of The Room Merch for the amount as I absolutely love the band. He refused any payment though and today I received this lovely parcel containing CDs, a DVD a Caught in the Machine Birthday Card and a fabulous T shirt. This for me is the perfect gift Music such as this with the richness, scope and depth to drown yourself in. I look forward to searching the Room to a greater extent than ever before To looking in the darkest corners and opening windows of light and colour of fantastic vistas Expect reviews from both these albums 1,Beyond the Gates of Bedlam 2,Caught in the Machine Plus the DVD Live at the Robin 2 Oct 2016. Andy you are a God amongst Men I look forward to announcing the Band at Mearfest when the World once again opens When The Golden Ones are Drowning in Sound Love and light Brian  You left us |
