Sentenced has brought me 7 years (2005) of pure pleasure. From the first time I heard "Farewell" to now. Still remember that moment like it was yesterday. So depressed at that time, and that song just gave me somewhat a little bit of hope because I got the feeling that I'm wasn't alone in this world. I wasn't the only one fighting depression... I was only 13 years at that time and far from thinking the same way I am now.Over the last 4 years (2002-2005) I've seen them 9 times (from my counting... may have forgotten something?) and only 1 of them was in Norway. The rest was abroad and I've never doubted a second that it would be worth it, because I knew it would. I've dedicated my life and soul to Sentenced, and even now after their death I will still dedicate myself to them. They are one of my number one inspiration when it comes to music and vocally I've heard that you can hear that I'm inspired by Ville Laihiala and Taneli Jarva, tho I'm not so sure myself.
When I saw them in Oslo (2002) under the "The Cold White Light" tour they where eighter drunk or had a terrible hangover because after more or less half the set Tenkula went of stage and that was like after skipping many songs which we got the intro to only. I remember I saw the playlist and saw that "Farewell" was there. Made me really sad that they didn't play that one. I wasn't 18 at that time and I was almost not allowed into the concert. I told them I didn't bring my ID card and they were like "No we can't let you in then". So my brother, Frode told them "Does it look like he's under 18?" and they were like "Hmm, okay just go in then". I remember that I smiled from ear to ear when I got in. There was a warm up band and then Lacuna Coil played for half an hour, then Sentenced entered stage. Before this gig I had told myself that "I'm sure I'll never get another chance to see Sentenced live", something I couldn't be more wrong about.
In 2003 I saw them in Wacken, then in 2004 I saw them at Gates of Metal and Summer Breeze . In 2005 I saw them in Nummirock, Metaltown Festival, Wacken and both "The Wake" concert and The Funeral concert in Oulu. At Nummirock Ville even said "This one goes out to Christoffer" before playing Farewell which I'm eternal greatful for. It's all thanks to Lopakka. I can admit I haven't talk to many big artists, but Lopakka is the nicest artist I've ever talked to cause he's so down to earth and friendly. I have to thank Lopakka for everything he's done for me and I'm always going to be so eternal grateful for everything. Nothing is forgotten.
Sentenced will never be forgotten. Their music will live eternal and each 1st October will be a memorial to the worlds greatest band from now on. October the 1st, 2005 will always be burning freshly in my mind. It's a day which made an impression on me.
May Sentenced rest in peace
Sentenced concerts I've attended:
2002 - John Dee, Oslo Norway
2003 - Wacken Open Air, Germany
2004 - Gates Of Metal, Sweden
2004 - Summer Breeze, Germany
2005 - Nummirock, Finland
2005 - Metaltown Festival, Sweden
2005 - Wacken Open Air, Germany
2005 - The Wake concert, Oulu Finland
2005 - The Funeral, Oulu Finland