New Tattoo: Black Winter Day

I'd like to think that all real metalheads are familiar with Amorphis' classic and highly influential second album, 'Tales from the Thousand Lakes' and the EP that followed, 'Black Winter Day.' If you do know or own BWD then I'm sure you've already realized that my most recent tattoo is a variation of the artwork for that EP. This is my third metal related tattoo and by far the biggest and best one yet.

You may recall me saying how I wanted to get some sort of tattoo to commemorate my adventure in Finland and although its almost a year later this is more or less that tattoo. I'd had the idea in mind for this tattoo for quite a long time ago, before even going to Finland last year, but I wasn't certain where to get it or if I'd ever have the funds available to do it. So, recently I just sort of said, "Fuck it, I'm just going to do it." And that's what I did yesterday. I also went to a relatively new tattoo shop here in Milwaukee called, 'Rockstar Tattoo & Co.,' which is different for me since I'd been going to same shop and artist for years now. However for this tattoo I just wanted to try something new somewhere else and I'm glad I did since the results are stunning.

In comparison you can see that my tattoo is slightly different as the wings (the visible parts) are much more detailed and the colors differ slightly, although the Mjolnir is a bit simplified, but such small details are tricky to ink. Also my tattoo doesn't have the background and I'm not sure yet if I'll go with something similar or go all out and try a different approach. I've already got the modern Amorphis logo tattooed on my wrist, so the classic logo wont make any appearances between the wings. I realize the photo I have posted isn't the best, but its hard taking a photo of your own arm, believe it or not. So, click on the photo to see a larger version of it!

Right now I'm feeling a high or sorts getting such a sharp looking tattoo and I'm already thinking of more ideas. Of course some of you know that I've already created the, 'Finnish Winter Metal Patch Jacket,' and now I'm kind of thinking of this being the start of the, 'Finnish Metal Half Tattoo Sleeve.' I say half sleeve because I've got an old tattoo on my left bicep that's too big to cover up or really enhance much, so I'll probably just dedicate the lower half of my arm to Finland. Some ideas I've considered are having a Finnish flag blowing in the wind behind the bird, as well as just more band related artwork from my favs, such as, Moonsorrow, Beherit, Swallow the Sun and so on. I've also got an infinite amount of love for Finnish prog/psych rockers, Kingston Wall and they'll definitely find a spot in there somewhere too. Who knows, maybe even the Karhu beer logo/character will appear.

Lastly one of the reasons for getting this is because I am going to Finland once again at the end of June for Tuska and various misadventures and its my thinking that such a tattoo might spark and interesting conversation or two. We shall see.

Anyway, hope you enjoy seeing things like this around here once in a while. As always I like to change things up and not just do reviews all the time... and if any of you are going to be at Tuska this year definitely get in contact with me soon. Always awesome to meet new people.