Greetings,
To start off. Pierre, man, am I ever happy and grateful that you got that one! Enkil, I'm happy you felt the way I did bout every aspect! Paul, it's no big rush to get your review up. I'm happy that you thought it was a great display, as well! And I'm sure Fred would say the same. It was truly remarkable and creative all the way through.
Well, well, well. I can conclude that last night's display was a total success. The variation in music was well done, similarly to that of Argentina and France, but the music was most pleasing and delightful to the audience. It made the display more enjoyable, especially to the various and authentic effects, particularly the extensive use of the three 12 meter towers. In essence, the display was very original and enjoyable in many aspects. This was an incredible effort from this Swedish team, especially since it's their first time!
Anyways, I must definitely comment on the weather. The forecast did, indeed, live to its end of the bargain, though I was once again worried about the conditions prior to 9:00 P.M, like France. There were some developments from the remaining system that did show some signs of steady preciptation, but thankfully, that moved out and left mainly cloudy conditions with some decent clear breaks that were provided. This was also backed up by lenient winds that, thankfully, blew away the smoke, especially there were some excessive smoke during some segments. This could have been because of the earlier rain and some humidity. But, this could be just me. Anyways, this has been one of the smallest crowds ever. Well, you honestly can't blame them since it has been raining all day long. In fact, where I park, there was only 4 cars, including mine!
The display, in general, was excellent, but the beginning, was, once again, spoiled by a pause and again felt anit-climatic after the countdown. This has been the case this year, except for France. Regardless, it started off really neatly and dramatically, not to mention with some excitement. The effects used all the way through were really integrated to the originality of the display, especially considering that this sort of display was very colorful.
The first segment started off with 3 stacks of smoke coming from the towers, I think. Then the colors were getting more visible and defined. The towers, itself, were nicely used, particularly with coordination. They were very well presented and truly represented the Swedish atmosphere and their hometown, as the information section states. I want to point out how synchronized the towers were with the music and highly compatible to their main theme. The variations of effects from the towers were incredible mainly because of how they were sprouting out according to different forms of music speeds. I also felt that they gave us an idea of Swedish tradition through different arts, mainly the towers. This, in turn, also made the display very traditional in many aspects. One of the best uses of the towers was probably at the moment where there were shots sprouting at different angles. This was very coordinated with the music, once again.
The lower effects were also very tight with the music, I mean, VERY tight. The candles and lower mines (if that's what they're called) at the bottom to mid levels were very colorful and amazing. Most of these lower mines startled the audience, mainly because of the way it was going with the music, considering it was fast paced. Similarly to Argentina and France, this display made the fireworks "dance." Also, there were many glittering fountains, I think. The lower effects also felt original, since there were many segments that had various colors and different forms of art. This helped to reduce redundancy.
The sky was also usually filled with many massive shells with some salutes mixed in here and there. The colors in the sky were amazing, especially with the lower level effects coinciding with the upper action. The mix of colors between both low level and upper level were apparent and really made me enjoy this display all the way through.
As I said, the colors, in general, were dramatic. The display had so many colors that I could not remember which colors they did not use!

I also want to point out some traditional colors! The massive blue and light orange shell mixtures used in some segments gave a good portion of the display a very patriotic impression, well, that's what I got from the mixture of these colors. The towers were also nicely integrated to the colors demonstrated in the sky. I felt that it represented their country. It also reminded me of the display in 1994. The faux finale segment was EXCELLENT. The colors were so transitional! It reminded me of U.S.A in 2003 for what they did in their ending. This segment was similar. The frequent change between colors made it feel like the real ending, though I didn't think it was the ending.

But it was definitely dramatic and intense. Also, the bombs and salutes between this segment were apparent! Some really high level shells really blew my chest away and made my ears ring! Kind of like Argentina.
The effects were probably one of the most important and most well done criteria for this display, in which it represented it's originality. There were many various effects. I was, once again, so pleased and delighted to see the use of girandolas, except they used pretty much every kind of form of girandolas! There was even one kind that I noticed that exploded upon reaching a certain height, while sparkle cracklers overhead! This was most admired. The use of these effects ranged from double and single ascension girandolas, while others were double ascension and gold glittered girandolas! This was truly amazing.
There were also many other superbe effects! I noticed some go-getters and serpents (if that's what they're called) in some segments! This made that unique echo sound, like an eagle. The serpents filled the lower level to mid levels while other massive white, green and blue shells were high in the sky. There were also the use of many bright and lasting glittering effects, especially when there's transition between other colors. There was a whole segment that filled the whole sky with glittering sparkles which really captured the audience. I was also so VERY delighted to see saturn and triple ring shells! Also very welcomed by the audience. It was really nice to see those, especially when they started increasing the pace with other shells. and lower effects. The music also fitted this segment a lot. I also noticed a lot of scattered shots, particularly the way they broke up high in the sky. Also, there were many scattered shots all the way through. There were also those lasting sparkles that changed to green from white as they trailed into the river. Finally, there was also a very stunning effect, which was used in on of the latter segments. It was also very much breathtaking because it was directly overhead!

It sounded a lot like heavy rain after they explode. The effect is very similar, but I'm not sure of the name. But it sounds like rain, which is another personal favorite.

Plus, I rarely see it overhead! It's not just the way in which they used the effects that made it original, but it's the way in how they did it, which brought unique effects. ne of the parts I enjoyed most were the integration of that unique orange color while mixing in with the blue.
There was also a huge range of serene moments to very excitng moments! This was apprent in the exciting moments with those shell of shells/multi- breakers accompanied by many volleys of salutes and massive barrages of shells, particularly with the white and green variations. I'm also sure that excellent use was made of the lake during some serene moments, especially with those glitters and kamuro bombardments drifting down. This was noticeable with the weeping willows, too! Very dramatic.
The choice of music was highly enjoyable and was sincerely to my liking, as well as to the majority of the people, which really makes you go more into the display than when it isn't with your personal tastes. This is what I felt. The music also was very traditional, especially with the legendary Swedish group, ABBA. I do like a lot of their songs!

And I was happy to see that there were a couple of them. The music, in general was very complex in the sense of variations, which was very similar to that of both Argentina and France. There were many times where the music was very slow which resulted in serene moments ranging to many segments where things almost felt that they were out of control, once again, the stunning transitional faux finale. The music really suited many of these segments, particularly the songs "Great Balls of Fire" and "Gimme Gimme Gimme." I noticed that the segments also had different effects that sort of coincided with the music themes and also, the main theme. The towers were one of the most synchronized effects, especially considering that this was with fast paced music. Once again, the lower levels were most tight, as well. However, I did feel that there was a couple of times where I noticed that the fireworks kept going while the music stopped, but then again, I suspected that this could be because it was going along with the narration? That's the impression that I got. Either that, or it there was something wrong. Otherwise, they were defintely tight with the music.
Synchronization was simply flawless. Once again, the variations between music speeds really made the display enjoyable. Listening to personal favorites also made it feel like the fireworks were literally dancing with the music. There were times where I felt that it was just totally perfect. The candles and mines were also nicely used with the music in many parts. The choice of music also fitted into the main theme.
Well, here's my rankings for this display and my rankings, so far, on who I felt was the best.
Travis' personal rankings and display criteria ratings.
-Synchronization: 9/10-This rating could be variable because I'm not exaclty sure if the fireworks kept going in a couple of segments where the music stopped because of either because of difficulties or because it was going along with some form of narration. Either way, the music was very tight with this display.
-Color: 9.7/10-Need I say more? This entire display was everything but no color!

The use of many colors really made the display creative with many levels in the sky.
-Creativity/Originality and Concept: 9.7/10-The display was was so mingled with art and and creativity and thus making it so original. The way they used many effects, like the girandolas and triple ring shells to the use of the patriotic colors were amazing and serioulsy defined the main theme!
-Choice of Music: 9.5/10-Mainly because it was higly enjoyable to me and the many members of the audience. This made everyone go deep into the display.
-Finale/Overall Appreciation: 9/10-This is a FINALE. There was so much taking place that it was really hard to keep up with everything going on from bottom to top! It was lenghty, colorful and noisy and everything I could ever ask for! The last piece was deafening with those absurdly loud salutes! I'm sure Pierre liked that, as much as we all did!
-Overall: 9.4/10!
Here's the order of the displays, in my view:
1-Sweden
2-France
3-Argentina
4-Australia
In conclusion, I will most likely have to readjust my ratings before the end for each display, since they're incredibly high!

I'll also probably have to adjust my synchro rating for this display after I figure out if the music kept going in a couple of segments for a reason. But, to be honest, the last three displays, including last night's, really felt like they deserve to be up there. It really feels like that. Anyways, this was a truly artistic and creative display! The forms of art all the way through, especially the towers, really put them up there, which is why I rank this display slightly over France. It was more creative and I suspect that the towers will give them the advantage. The choice of music will also give them a benefit. The only criticism that I have about this display was anti-climatic beginning after the countdown and I also felt that the narration pauses in between segments were a little frustrating and distracting, but this really and honestly didn't take anything away from the overall standings. This could also be the reason why the display went over 10:30. The finale was awesome and, in my opinion, the best so far, mainly because of the length, but it was hard to tell the difference between the intensity of France and Sweden! Somtimes I also felt, as Enkil said, that France's ending was a tad more intense, but then again, I felt that way about Sweden, too! I was really screaming and waving my umbrella everywhere!! It was incredible! I can't remember how much I was screaming!

And yes, Pierre, I was thinking of all of you, as well. Then my thoughts turned to you when that barrage of salutes went! Overall, definitely the #1 display this year, but as Enkil said, I also suspect that Argentina is still the judges favorite. And this display really reminded me to that in 1994, though that was a different firm.
Despite a wet day and a small crowd, it was truly worth it to witness something like last night. Those who stayed home...TOO BAD!!!

And yes, Pierre, I'll be sure to stay hydrated! Actually, we'll need to stay hydrated all week, it looks like!
Best regards,
Trav.
