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Abyss's Review (6/3/02, CBGB's, New York City):

We Came Here To Rock! (But For God's Sake, Don't Touch Anything!)

For the first time in the gazillion times I've come to the East Village underground music Mecca, CBGB's, I found myself on a rather long line. Perhaps it's because I'm usually late, and by the time I'm arriving there are usually more people leaving than trying to get in, but the wait allowed me gaze into the front display window for the first time. It's no surprise that I've never looked into the display before, as it is little more than a static commercial for merchandise and the club's history. But it also contains a plaque notifying us all that it is the best rock venue in NYC. Upon reading this, I came up with only one conclusion; this "academy" or whoever voted on this doesn't get out much. Because, no matter how much you want to talk about tradition and history, CB's is a cesspool, and probably one of the worst venues I have ever been to. Case in point: The bar and bathrooms are separated by an ocean of sweaty moshing spectators, a floor plan that has to be inspired by that of the bathroom system of hell. Not to mention the fact that once you get to the bathroom you are instantly reminded that you should have brought gloves with you. Talk about rude, even the bugs in CB's lavatory don't even have the decency to scatter when the light's on, they just get in line behind you and ask you to hurry up.

Scissorfight Photos by Solomon

Anyway, fear of infection aside, I walked in when Scissorfight was already on stage, found a comfortable spot and prepared to listen to 3 bands that I knew little about while waiting for the majesty that is Shadows Fall. While I respect Scissorfight's who-cares-what-anyone-thinks attitude, their music wasn't really doing anything for me. That's not to say that I wasn't entertained, mind you. There's something about seeing a Grizzly Adams lookalike screaming at the top of his lungs that puts a smirk on my face. These guys seem like they are more interested in having fun that impressing anyone, which is cool in and of itself, but their stripped down, straightforward two riffs per song catalogue wasn't making me feel anything, and basically just made for adequate drinking music. To each his own, I guess.

Unearth was on next, seemingly the band that everyone's heard of but no one knows anything about. I say this because I have asked many different people in the past of what kind of music this band plays, and I have heard responses that suggest anything from hardcore to doom, and always ended with the line, "but I don't really know" Well, finally, for me at least, the mystery wrapped in an enigma shoved up the butt of a riddle was finally settled. Unearth play some kickass melodic metal that, rather than emulating Gothenburg, maintains a decidedly American presentation. The melodic parts are fun and impressive, with finger tapping and behind the head soloing being showcased, being showy and proving their chops at the same time. And while the melodic parts were fun and exciting, the band really took hold with a caustic low end that makes it seem like your ears aren't actually collecting the soundwaves, but rather are being infected by them. The band itself fortifies this concept by flailing around as if they are in the death throes of some monstrous, neurological disease. A blissful, and thankfully, contagious disease. Unearth found a new fan.

Shadows Fall

I had trouble wrapping myself around From Autumn to Ashes, but that may have been due to my poor view of the action more than any shortcoming of the band themselves. I found myself behind the stage with a view of only one guitarist and a few glimpses of the flailing frontman. What I heard and saw, however, I liked a great deal. There was an amazing amount of energy, both on stage and in the crowd, as the band mixed hardcore, metal and even a rock vibe to a successful conclusion. By the end of their set I found my curiosity quite piqued, even as I started kicking myself in the ass for not negotiating a better view (it's not my fault, I have a phobia about touching sweaty men. It's crippling at times.)

Now that Shadows Fall has had a little exposure on MTV (and I do mean little), it's obvious that they're sellouts and we should turn our collective backs on them, right? Of course not. Shadows Fall remain a torch bearer for modern American metal, and I'm a little shocked that MTV actually had the foresight to catch on to them. They, of course, killed. Despite the stifling heat that had accumulated throughout the evening, the band didn't allow the energy level to peak, throwing props to old school metal as one could see the t shirts of Testament and Obituary dancing across the stage. The new material seemed to shred much like the tunes we've already come to know and love, making the wait for the new record seem that much more agonizing, and we were even treated to an encore of Motley Crue's "Live Wire," a pleasant treat if I may say so. Aside from that, I don't know what else to say. I'm running out of ways to tell y'all how much this band rules, so if you haven't listened to me by now, I guess it's just your loss.

This tour gelled well together, playing similar threads of metal, but all with character and variety. Here's hoping this scene continues to grow.

 

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Death's Review (6/3/02, CBGB's, New York City):

More Metal Than You Ma's Kettle!

From Autumn to Ashes

Unearth RAWKS!!! Learned this I did last Monday night (I'm a fucking Star Wars geek these days and yes, I am in full-on Yoda immitation mode). While the band has often been billed as a hardcore outfit, trust me: Unearth play killer riffs, with tons of technicality and metallic flourish. And as I walked into CBGB's Monday night (having missed Scissorfight due to the welcome early, 7 p.m. start time) and saw the guitar players waving their guitar necks in unison a la Tipton and Downing of Judas Priest, and then the one guy play a lead behind his back a la Malmsteen or Hendrix, I was instantly behind this killer up and coming act. If you like the Gothenberg, MA thing, and are prepared for that sound mixed with a strong metalcore influence, yet coming from a band which paradoxically displays more pure musicianship than the vast majority of its peers, then check out Unearth. Now. Hardcore kids are already into it, but metal kids have no clue. Trust me, a year from now, Unearth will have established itself as a major part of the underground metal scene, perhaps rising to levels close to where Shadows Fall sit today. Check them out for yourself and let's check back a year from now to see if I'm right.

After Unearth, it was time to catch up. What a great night! It seemed like "everyone" was out, and CBGB's was pretty packed -- on a Monday night no less! God bless New York, the land where every night (or at least 4 out of every 7) is a heavy metal party.

Shadows Fall

So anyway, I quickly compared notes on Unearth's performance with fellow attendees Abyss, Hel, Redwolff, Solomon and Musashi. We hung out a bit, drank some beers, said hello to friends, and got ready for Shadows Fall. The chatting and partying continued throughout From Autumn to Ashes, whom I tried to watch for a minute but was in the end simply too "hardcore" to sustain my attention for long. I did like the female vocals I heard crop up on one song, but my interest was fleeting.

Soon enough it was time for the main attraction: Shadows Fall. I was psyched for new material, and I was rewarded with a killer rendition of "Stepping Outside the Circle" along with "classic" Shadows Fall favorites like "Of One Blood" and "Crushing Belial." No, I didn't get to hear the song that is supposed to sound like Pantera's "Cemetary Gates," and no, I didn't get to hear the rumored cover of Pink Floyd's "Welcome to the Machine," but we were treated to Motley Crue's "Live Wire"! And really, isn't that enough? For a show that some might confuse as pushing toward hardcore, this was a serious metal night. First rate performances from killer bands, running on an efficient schedule in a classic club full of all my favorite New York City metal friends. It doesn't get much better than this. At last not on a Monday night.

Unearth

Soon enough it was time for the main attraction: Shadows Fall. I was psyched for new material, and I was rewarded with a killer rendition of "Stepping Outside the Circle" along with "classic" Shadows Fall favorites like "Of One Blood" and "Crushing Belial." No, I didn't get to hear the song that is supposed to sound like Pantera's "Cemetary Gates," and no, I didn't get to hear the rumored cover of Pink Floyd's "Welcome to the Machine," but we were treated to Motley Crue's "Live Wire"! And really, isn't that enough? For a show that some might confuse as pushing toward hardcore, this was a serious metal night. First rate performances from killer bands, running on an efficient schedule in a classic club full of all my favorite New York City metal friends. It doesn't get much better than this. At least not on a Monday night.

 

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Hel's Review (6/3/02, CBGB's, New York City):

Scissorfight

I had really been looking forward to seeing Scissorfight, as Redwolff had been talking them up for, literally, years and I had never before had the pleasure. As always seems to happen to me, however, circumstances conspired to prevent this from happening. I ended up arriving during Unearth's set, and I was relieved to at least see part of the performance provided by these melodic metal firebrands.

Unearth's set was inspired and energetic. I heard a couple of my favorite songs from Stings of Conscience and thoroughly enjoyed the little bit of their set that I did manage to catch. I greatly regret not seeing the entire set. I encourage everyone to explore this band for yourselves, and don't miss them if they come to a club near you!

Shadows Fall

I admit, I didn't pay much attention to From Autumn to Ashes. I was "backstage" (a term to use very loosely when referring to CB's, considering you MUST go behind the stage to find the bathrooms) when their set started, and while I did attempt to listen and see them, I wasn't tantalized in the slightest by the glimpses I gleaned, and soon gave up the effort. They seemed to me like fairly generic new-fangled hardcore, and that style has never really appealed to me to begin with, so there's my explanation for my half-hearted effort. Take it or leave it.

Unearth

Shadows Fall was the last band of the night, and was greeted with great enthusiasm by those in attendance. They literally tore through their set, displaying the energetic abandon that has become a hallmark of their live performances. This was the first time I had the opportunity to seem them with their new drummer, and he fits in perfectly, keeping flawless time and performing all the complicated fills, all the way through to the very last song. Their set over, the band left the stage, but the audience demanded more. Brian apologetically informed the crowd, most of whom had not budged from where they were standing when the band left, that the only other song they had ready to play was a cover, and they proceeded to break into Motley Crue's, "Live Wire." An unexpected conclusion to a thoroughly enjoyable night. CBGB's may be a disgusting stinky hole, but I love it all the more for that.

 

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