Earlier this year I was invited to attend Bear Stone Festival in Slunj, Croatia. Based on some videos and various photographs from previous editions I was anticipating the experience, though I wouldn’t know it was going to have such a huge impact on me as this festival is simply very special. The combined stunning scenery, sunshine, Croatian hospitality and amazing live music changed my festival experience completely. I simply had never experienced anything like it.
So with full anticipation I’ve been waiting for the first announcement of next year’s edition, and they’ve simply kicked the ball out of the park already. Having names such as Graveyard, Motorpsycho, King Buffalo and The Vintage Caravan in your first announcement already is for some enough reason to book their tickets for the festival already, and this was only the first announcement, with no doubt more exciting names being added to the line-up. As during the previous editions, Bear Stone opens their doors for a of of local bands, either Croatian bands, or from neighbouring/nearby countries, which made last year so exciting as well, that eclectic mix of big names and so many unknown bands to check out and enjoy.
For this upcoming edition the festival has expanded their line-up to 40+ bands, there will be a 3rd stage in full use, no clashes at all, and plenty of camping space with a new campsite opened near the festival grounds.
Check out the festival’s website to stay up-to-date and for ticket info.
In the meantime, I asked festival organiser Marin Lalić about 3 albums that have influenced him hugely in his musical career, laying the foundations for his festival dream, namely Bear Stone Festival.
Metallica – Master of Puppets
It was the summer of 2008. I was going through a website with guitar tabs and I saw the name “Metallica”. I don’t know why I clicked on it because I haven’t heard any of their songs, but I was going through the names of the songs when I saw the title ‘Master of Puppets’. I thought that sounded badass, so I clicked on it and was captured by the mathematical-ness of the numbers that formed the guitar tab of the song’s opening riff. I had to hear it, so I went to YouTube and that was it. It was basically the moment that changed my life because from there on I got sucked into the world of rock/heavy metal music that keeps me happy to this day.
Rainbow – On Stage
This was the first LP that I bought when I got a record player in college. At the time I was a fan of Ritchie Blackmore and Dio, but I haven’t yet heard any Rainbow songs. I remember hearing it and being completely blown away by Dio’s vocals at the end of the interlude of ‘Man On The Silver Mountain’ and by the sheer heavy-ness of ‘Still I’m Sad’ and ‘Sixteenth Century Greensleeves’. It’s so dynamic and well-rounded with energetic parts marbled with mesmerising solos. This was a huge revelation to me and a special memento that reminds me of my college days.
The Sword – Warp Riders
Warp Riders was the turning point that made me realise that there is an evolution of the heavy metal genre that I got accustomed to over the years. From the opening ‘Acheron/Unleashing the Orb’ and catchy ‘Tres Brujas’ to groovy ‘Warp Riders’ and energetic ‘Night City’. Some say that it’s a smidgen of the stoner rock influence in it, but whatever it is, I adore it and have dedicated Bear Stone Festival to it.
