Average Rating: 4.66
Go to Judgment Committee Reviews of this tour
Reviewed by Redwolff (3/9/01 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, NY):
I think Death adequately covered Morbid and Pantera, and Musashi was the only one of us that caught Nothingface, so I will say a word about Soulfly. Death doesn't think too much of them, and I can sort of see his point. While Soulfly does sound a lot like newer Sepultura (which may be a criticism right there) it has taken on the flavor of some of the nu-metal bands like Primer 55. However, I really, really like Primer 55, and I really like Soulfly. They've kept the drum-heavy sound of Sepultura, made it more tribal and given it more of a groove. You could say Soulfly is to Sepultura what Perfect Circle is to Tool. Now, we were all at the Perfect Circle show at Hammerstein's last week and none of us liked it because it just wasn't Tool. In the same respect, I guess Death doesn't like Soulfly because it just isn't Sep, and also because Max really did look like a chicken was attempting to lift off of his head every time he gave a dreadlock-flinging jump. But, like Phil coming out to sing with Morbid Angel, Vinnie came out to drum with Soulfly, and isn't that an equal show of support and acceptance?With such a billing, I expected the crowd to be really rowdy, and so threw down two beers during Morbid's set (which eventually got chased by four or five more) to prepare my system for all the rudeness. Except for one incident, when a pit opened up right next to me and knocked some poor bespectacled Pantera fan into me and Cyn, most everyone carefully picked their way through the crowd, those over indulging threw up in the trashcans and not on the floor, and in the back pit near us everyone was careful to pick people up immediately so they wouldn't get hurt. It was really surprising.
Submitted by Matt (3/3/01 UIC Pavillion, Chicago, IL):
Well, it's about time this tour finally got on the road and hit Chicago. I had been holding that ticket since October and couldn't wait another day to see this show. That said, I'll get into the review.The night started off with Nothingface who I actually really enjoyed. The only bad part was that I didn't have floor seats so I had to bang my head off up in the seats until I found a way down. Their set was rather short, four songs I think, but it was full of energy and the crowd seemed to enjoy it. After they were done, we went looking for beer when we realized there was none, they had no fucking beer because it was on a college campus. After that terrible revelation it was time for MORBID ANGEL. Unfourtunately I was still in my seat for the first two songs but managed to get a ticket stub from some dude to get me on the floor. When I finally got to the pit I was a bit disappointed that no one was really moshing because they didn't know who Morbid was. So being the huge fan I am (they're the main reason I was at the show), I started to growl along with the lyrics which led me to start shoving people to get the pits going. Once I was satisfied with the pit participation I let the incredible sound of Morbid take over and lost myself in the music. This was the first time I've seen them and it was everything I expected.
Up next was Soulfly. Not a whole lot to say here except they're good to mosh to and it's always nice to hear Max screaming his ass off. The set was descent and highlighted by ROOTS, BLOODY ROOTS which I always enjoy. I was a little disappointed, however, with the acoustics in the building and the fact that the lead singer from Disturbed came out and sang with them. I don't really like Disturbed and the lead singer is a prick (I've talked to him a few times a local shows downtown and he thinks he's god's gift to metal).
Alright, enough about that, lets talk about Pantera. By this time of the night I had inhaled quite a bit of second-hand marijuana smoke and wasn't too sure what was going on. I do know the stage exploded and with that the pits went fucking nuts. I can't really review what songs were played because I get too caught up moshing I don't really pay attention. What I can say is they sounded great and I had a blast bashing some heads in the pit with a few buddies. Pantera has to be one of the best metal acts to mosh to. When you get Vinnie's double bass pounding accompanied by Phil's yells you can't help but lose it. All in all Pantera was great as were the others. I hadn't been to a show since Ozzfest so this was very refreshing. I had a great time and I base my review on the mosh pits which deserved 5 skulls. I was sore for three days after and wouldn't have it any other way. I can't wait to see what the boys have planned for this summer tour.
Reviewed by Solomon (2/10/01 Idaho Center, Boise, ID):
I've been surprised by the number of hard acts that have passed through this area in the last few years. Marylin Manson, Rob Zombie, COC, Kiss, Creed, Def Leppard, Tesla, Motley Crue, Scorpions, you name it. A lot of this has to do with better venues and better promotion, and Pantera is no exception to this upward trend in the Treasure Valley's metal attraction. Actually, it's not surprising they decided to come back, given the sizable turn out at the band's last Boise stop with Anthrax/Coal Chamber back in 1997. The opening line-up was more interesting this time around, and Saturday night was a solid kick in the head for all in attendance.All the bands performed well, but Morbid Angel was, no doubt, the odd man out on the bill. This was the first time I had ever seen a death metal band live (unless you count In Flames, and they really don't), and my overall impression was mixed. I wish I had familiarized myself more with Morbid Angel's music before seeing the show, but I was well aware of Trey's reputation. The vocalist/bassist came out and domineered the proceedings with bass held upright and death grunt in full tow. Seeing fast, complex music like death metal in a large setting kind of diminished the overall experience, and the sound mix was such that the more intricate parts were mushed up. Erik and Trey ripped it up, hair and fingers flying but, alas, the guitar solos were chopped up or buried by the rest of the onslaught. I can't say I walked away with a greater love for death metal, but the guitar section of the band was a force to be reckoned with. Hope to see them in better surroundings next time.
Pantera came out and stomped us flat. The stage was almost Kiss-like in construction: huge amplifier stacks sat on both sides on the stage and held up a large "Pantera" banner that lit up in flames like the entrance to Gehenna. Opener "Hellbound" obliterated all doubt that these guys are the real deal, and they continued to drive that point home with tracks like "Goddamn Electric," "Becoming," and "Suicide Note Part 2." I'm not real big on solo spotlights, so I was pleased the band stuck to playing familiar tunes and entertaining us with some funny stage banter. Phil was in fine, crude form that evening, extoling the virtues of weed and amateur muff diving. He even got the women to chant "suck my dick," and then quickly hoped that wasn't really true. Sometimes Phil has a tendency to get kind of self-righteous with his "we are metal, you love us" speeches but, damn, if it ain't the truth.
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