Abyss's Review (6/12/00, Wetlands Preserve, New York, NY):
Death and Free Beer
O.K. I've gone to quite a few shows at the Wetlands in NYC, and I've bought many an expensive beer. But I'd like to start this review by giving a hearty thank you to the bartender, who recognized my ability to drink and tip, and comped me a couple Sierra Nevadas. I believe that's the first time I've ever been given free beers at a show, and I invite all bartenders to follow this fine young man's example. That said I'll go on to the metal…
Shadows Fall
Photo by Cynthia PelznerIt's been a good amount of time since I've seen a metal show, so just entering the room after a stressed filled day was a breath of fresh (by fresh I mean the smell of sweat, beer, denim, and leather) air. I immediately went to the bar to whet my whistle (and began getting fucked up) and then turned my attention to Shadows Fall. This Masshole band has been a favorite of mine ever since I first saw them at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, and tonight, even though they were often complaining of technical problems, they didn't let me down. I personally thought they were the best on the bill, and they are certainly performing some of the most exciting music in the extreme scene today. They ripped through a set that contained the songs you'd expect, with a great many songs from their Century Media debut. This included the title track "Of One Blood." Now while their album, at mid year, is in contention for album of the year (I know it's early, but this will give you an inkling of how much thought I put into my top tens), there is no doubt in my mind that "Of One Blood" is the best single of the year. A complete song that infuses soul and aggression, "Of One Blood" is the perfect summary of the Shadow's Fall sound, and it inspires me that such a layered song can be performed so effectively on stage. Shadow's Fall should have headlined this tour, and they should get exposure on a mainstream tour (like side stage at Ozzfest), but I do believe they are one of the few truly heavy bands that will make it to a wider audience, they are just that good.
After the personal love-in I had with myself during Shadows Fall, Krisiun had a lot of work to do. I really like Krisiun, but their sound tonight was all vocals and drums, and that really lowered my enjoyment. They played to an enthusiastic crowd, and continuously thanked us for supporting "real metal." I've actually always thought this was funny because it's never the fans who sell-out, it's the bands that try and make more money. We should thank them for not compromising their sound. But anyway, I digress… Krisiun played an intense Brazilian death metal set that entertained, even if it didn't inspire. I was much happier just to be at a metal show drinking beer than I was to see this particular band, but then again, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't banging my head the whole night either.
Krisiun
Photo by Cynthia PelznerDismember was a band that I wasn't really looking forward to at all. I like them and respect them, but I've never been psyched to hear them. They did show a great stage presence, however, which was helped along by a very supportive crowd, and they played their straightforward accessible death just as well as could be hoped for. I actually was impressed with their stage presence, because they actually seemed to enjoy being onstage more than the average band in their genre. Smiles often ran across their faces as they played, and it led to a lighthearted, good time for all. No matter what the lyrics of the evening spoke of, it wasn't about violence, hate or Satan, the night was all about love… love for metal, and that puts a smile on even my cynical, miserable face. What a great night. I wasn't blown away by the whole evening, but it was of a high enough quality that my hangover at work the next day didn't seem to bother me that much.
Death's Review (6/12/00, Wetlands Preserve, New York, NY):
After a particularly brutal Monday, I finally made it downtown to the Wetlands, tonight the focus of Manhattan's underground death metal elite. Immediately upon entering a strange but pleasant sense washed over me. Oh yeah, this was a metal show, with all of the sights, sounds and smells that go with it. Although I had missed Shadows Fall (who, of course, absolutely rule live), and Krisiun was already on the stage, I didn't care. I was at a metal show, there was a good crowd but it wasn't crowded, and I was going to get myself a beer.
I got three. By then Krisiun was fully raging, and Abyss was commenting to me on the awesome leads occurring only a few feet in front of our faces. They did rule. But I couldn't hear any of the ordinarily prominent buzzsaw riffing slicing through the muddy bass-drum-vocal only mix. This really hurt the ability of Krisiun to inspire the reckless abandon in me the last time I saw them here.
Dismember
Photo by Cynthia PelznerDismember was better then they were on their latest record. After seeing this show and reading this month's feature on the band in Metal Maniacs, I decided that they are a solidly cool death metal band whose dedication and perseverance deserves my respect. They delivered the metal to the faithful, and, in the end, what more can you really ask for? Overall, despite my late arrival and the absence of Katyklysm, the show was a solid good time for a rainy June Monday night.
Hel's Review (6/12/00, Wetlands Preserve, New York, NY):
The night was chilly and rainy. Must be a night of metal at the Wetlands. I don't know why, but every time there's a metal show at this venue, the weather's shitty. And one of the bands doesn't show because their car broke down. Two for two - this club's on a streak.
Krisiun
Photo by Cynthia PelznerTonight's casualty was Kataklysm, a band that I've never seen before and I was looking forward to checking them out. That will have to wait, apparently. It figures. After all, I liked their new album and kept bringing it up as a candidate for review. There comes a point though, when it becomes clear that that just ain't gonna happen, and I was hoping give them a little play via this review. I guess I did anyway...
Shadows Fall took the stage first, and I wasn't there. I was extremely disappointed to have missed them. There are only two things that make me feel better about that. First, I've recently seen them (Mass Metalfest) and can completely envision what it was like. My second consolation thought, I'll be seeing them soon at the Milwaukee Metalfest. Word was their sound was terrible, but I'm betting they killed anyway.
I finally did get there shortly after Krisiun took the stage. The last time I saw them was one of those rainy nights at this same club. While there were still sound problems - the only time you could really hear the guitar was while he was soloing - I was able to stand in an unusually good spot where not only could I see, but the sound was a bit better than over on the side where I usually end up. I was impressed at how HUGE these three men could sound, even with sound problems. I was able to actually see both of the guitarist's hands while he was soloing and, damn, he can pick as fast as he fingers. A fantastic performance from some really impressive musicians.
So finally, Dismember. I'd never seen these guys live. What I really didn't expect was the crowd's reaction. They were pretty into Krisiun, but they went truly sick for Dismember. The first serious pit of the night came almost instantly when they started playing. I was able to regain my awesome spot, after some kindly metalheads decided they didn't want to see me get crushed and made some space. The people who were standing there were enormous Dismember fans and didn't speak any English. The band tore up the stage to the delight of their fans. Despite the small crowd, Dismember seemed genuinely pleased with the response, and dedicated multiple songs to the fans. The sound, once again had its problems, but the band seemed oblivious and managed to sound alright anyway. They even came back for a much demanded encore.
Dismember
Photo by Cynthia PelznerAll in all, I had a great time. I'm bitter about missing Shadows Fall, the crappy sound, and the missing band. I really do love the live metal experience, so it's always very difficult for me to not hand out five skulls. But I have to remind myself, it's not just the performance of the band that gets graded in the live setting. It has to go to the overall experience. Given my complaints, I have to act accordingly, even though the bands all (from what I saw) earned better.
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