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Abyss's Review (8/13/02, Roseland, NYC):

In Flames Photo by Cyn

Instant Asshole: Just Add Water

Can somebody tell me why, even though I get to the venue an hour early, I still miss some of the opening act? Is it really that hard to get people inside this venue? Luckily for me, the first time I'm really interested in seeing an opening act I have to spend an hour on line in a 100 degree heat index. I had little things to get me through it, however, including a belly full of beer and the anticipation of seeing Dave Lombardo with Slayer for the first time since I saw them in 1988. I did spend most of my time on line bitching that Soulfly should be opening up because I couldn't care less about seeing them, while seeing In Flames live is always a treat.

Slayer Photo by Hel

In Flames where on stage when I got inside, and I'm not sure how much of them I missed. I did get to see about 5 songs, however, including two tracks from their upcoming album. Now, there has been a great amount of trepidation about how good the new In Flames record is going to be, and I'd like to say that the new material I saw here allayed my fears, but that is not the case. There is no doubt that In Flames is making an attempt to court a more mainstream audience. And while the songs weren't terrible, they had sections that seemed cool, they struck me as sub par. What scares me even more is that In Flames' newer material sounds much better live, so the record may be even worse than these previews belied. That is largely speculation, however, and I still cling to hope. In Flames are always cool, but this performance was a little disappointing, largely due to the short set time. As I said, I only got to see five songs, two of which were new, and two of which were from Clayman, so my favorite material wasn't well represented. They did have all of the energy you'd expect from them, and they seemed to win over a Slayer crowd that didn't really seem to know who they were. Despite the disappointment I am really glad that they are on this bill and I hope it helps their record sales.

Soulfly was up next, yawn. In all honesty I couldn't really care less. I actually made an attempt to care less and couldn't do it. The only slightly interesting parts were the Sepultura cover "Roots, Bloody Roots" (the song about a frustrated English gardener) and "Eye For an Eye." Even the percussion, normally a highlight for this band, seemed uninspired. I guess I just don't like this band anymore as I actually find myself getting irritated just by watching them.

Soulfly Photo by Hel

It was during Soulfly's set that Musashi informed me that some idiot turned on the sprinklers in the men's room. While the prank seemed mildly amusing on paper, the next time I had to take a leak it became less and less so. It apparently took quite awhile for the powers that be to either find out about or turn off the sprinklers. I figured it would only take them a couple of minutes, but when I visited the bathrooms about 20 minutes later, they were still spraying. I must say I was a bit taken aback by how much water was pouring out of those things, as the entire room looked like a scene from a submarine disaster movie (Das Bathroom?). This whole situation caused the boys to raid the ladies room, despite numerous vocal protests. Poor girls, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

This was the best Slayer show I've been to in awhile. They played with their usual intensity, and pulled out one of their best set lists ever. The lowest point was "Stain of Mind", but that song was actually more enjoyable than normal due to the fact that it was surrounded by older classics. I guess I'm saying I like Diabolus songs much more in small doses. Slayer played all of their classics, but we got numerous treats. "Postmortem" into "Raining Blood" (I realize this isn't all that rare anymore, but it still makes me smile like a giddy schoolgirl), was thrown in with often overlooked classics "At Dawn They Sleep," "Antichrist" and "Spill the Blood." If that doesn't get you excited, I don't know what else I could do besides post naked pictures of myself. My only true disappointment for the night was the fact that I couldn't see Mr. Lombardo all night, as he was hidden by his kit. He sounded great though (actually they all did), and it was very comforting knowing he was back there. I really wish they'd all consider making this a permanent thing, but I know they won't. As with every Slayer show, there were pits everywhere as the crowd ebbed and flowed the entire night. There was tons of energy, sweat and smoke. Praise Hell Satan!

So this is a show that you don't want to miss. Great setlist, great opening band, and a crappy middle band that gives you ample time to drink yourself stupid before Slayer.

 

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Death's Review (8/6/02, Universal Amphitheater, Universal City, CA):

In Flames Photo by Cyn

Metal at a theme park? Only in LA. The scene was a touch surreal as Slayer, Soulfly and In Flames descended upon the Universal Amphitheater--part of the Universal Studios Hollywood complex--for an evening of metallic mayhem at a venue actually inside the famous theme park. Park personnel literally roped off a section of the park's walkway leading up to the "Waterworld Stunt Show" (or something like that) to allow the throngs of unwashed metalheads to make their way into the venue without accidentally mixing in with the poor, unsuspecting tourists. As this was my first experience with this venue, I found the scene amusing to say the least.

The venue itself is large (about 6,000) and extremely corporate and sterile. Still, I found the seating arrangement to work, the sound to be serviceable and the sightlines fantastic, making up for the seeming endless levels of security, the ridiculously expensive beers and the complete lack of smoking allowed inside the venue (apparently, there is no smoking allowed anywhere indoors in California--even inside of bars). And while the setting may have been way too squeaky clean for anything even remotely close to what one might think of as metal, Slayer delivered such a killer set it almost brought tears to my eyes (admittedly, itself a decidedly un-metal reaction but seriously, they were just that goddamned good that I almost could not help myself in my inebriated state). But I digress.

Peek-A-Boo, Mr. Lombardo! Photo by Cyn

We entered the venue, got a beer and made our way down into the "pit" area, where a small number of ticket holders were allowed to stand and mosh in an area with no chairs right in front of the stage. The place was far from full as In Flames took the stage, each member wearing matching white outfits. No one in the place seemed to have any fucking clue as to who the hell these Swedes were, save for the small number of underground metalheads scattered throughout the arena who immediately commenced thrashing all about to In Flames classics like "Beyond Space" and "Colony" as the nu-metallers and dinosaurs in the crowd stood and watched, mouths agape. As expected, In Flames began to pick up serious steam as the set progressed, and by the end of the affair the band appeared to have won over a good portion of the originally skeptical audience. This is what all opening acts hope for, and if this is any indication of the reception the band has gotten and will get over the balance of the tour, the shows were well worth it and In Flames will be sure to have gained more than a few new fans by tours' end.

Of course, whether or not they keep the old ones is of some concern for those who have heard the four-song sampler from the forthcoming Reroute to Remain album which is currently making the rounds among the underground metallic press, but I can safely say that while new material such as "Cloud Covered" did indeed sound a touch . . . different . . . it actually came across pretty cool in the live setting. That's me, of course, and I must admit I kinda like the new material. But whatever your take on the changes afoot in the In Flames camp, in the live setting, they just don't seem all that dramatic. Perhaps their impact is lessened a bit when stripped of studio tricks and simply performed on stage by the band? Who knows, but I liked what I saw this night, and I was proud to be banging my head up front from song one as In Flames slowly won over the crowd. Slayer audiences are notoriously difficult for the openers, but In Flames left the stage with heads held high and the promise of selling a few hundred more copies of Reroute to Remain than would have sold a mere hour earlier.

Slayer Photo by Hel

Soulfly was next and--while I have pretty much officially written off Max, Soulfly and Sepultura at this point--I must admit they sounded better than I had expected. Sure, I got bored and went outside for a drink halfway through the set, but the new material from 3 did sound heavier than the past couple of albums and the drummer (although sporting red and black spiky hair) actually pounded the shit out of his drums at every turn and showed himself to be extraordinarily talented. As for the set list, I was psyched to get a chance to thrash around to the Sepultura classic "Arise," but I was pretty much bored for the rest of the set. Not only does screaming "no fucking Hootie and the Blowfish" come off as dated as it sounds in 2002, it never really did all that much for me in the first place. Been there, done that. Bottom line? While I'm personally finding myself falling squarely outside the Soulfly tribe these days, their new record is heavier and they can deliver live I guess, if you're into that sort of thing.

After a brief intermission and some time spent chatting with some new metal friends, the mighty Slayer took the stage. Given the set list, and the fact that the band is currently sporting a 100% original lineup (can't say that about Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth or any of the other eighties thrash contemporaries these days, can we?), combined with my buzz peaking right about the time they took the stage, it all added up to an almost religious experience for me. Opening with "God Hates Us All" and "God Send Death" set the stage and had me fired up of course, but this was nothing compared to my reaction when the set kicked in and I was pummeled with track after track after track of killer, old school and lesser known Slayer classics. "The Antichrist," "Spill the Blood," "Postmortem," and "Hell Awaits" all made appearances, alongside the expected Slayer live staples such as "Mandatory Suicide," "Dead Skin Mask," "War Ensemble," "Chemical Warfare" and "Angel of Death." The video screens were ablaze with trippy yet violent imagery during "Postmortem," and Tom introduced "Dead Skin Mask" with a killer a cappella scream of the chorus. But the absolute highlight of the evening was the amazing and unexpected inclusion in the set of my favorite Slayer song of all time, "At Dawn They Sleep." This killer, killer tune is long, has many awesome parts and features Tom Araya at his best (". . . the last thing that you'll see is the hunger in my eyes . . ."). About halfway through the tune it all sunk in: I was drunk, watching Dave Lombardo jam "At Dawn They Sleep" with Slayer from the front row. Seriously folks, it really doesn't get any better than this. Who cares that they completely lost me with the "Payback is a bitch mutherfucker" nu-metal rap a few songs later: by the time the whole audience was shouting "kill!" "kill!" "kill!" "kiiiiiilllll!" at the end of "At Dawn They Sleep" this was a five skull show no matter what happened next.

Seriously folks, metal is indeed in the midst of resurgence, and you should enjoy it while it lasts. In Flames playing mainstream venues like Universal Studios . . . Slayer playing "At Dawn They Sleep" and "Hell Awaits" with Dave Lombardo. Five years ago, you never would have seen this coming. Today, it is only the price of a concert ticket away. Savor it.

 

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Hel's Review (8/6/02, Universal Amphitheater, Universal City, CA):
This show would be my first large-scale musical event in L.A. I was unsure what to expect, and that was fortunate, because I never could have dreamed up anything like this. The lines to get in were phenomenal, and even though I possessed a photo pass, each and every security guard stopped me and told me I could not bring in my camera. I felt as though I was entering East Berlin before the wall came down.

It turns out that the venue is actually inside the Universal Studios theme park, which added to the surreal quality of the evening. At one point, we were standing outside, and a security guard came over and told people to quiet down - apparently people's conversations were disrupting the Waterworld stunt spectacular taking place next door - very odd, if you ask me.

Soulfly Photo by Cyn

In Flames took the stage promptly in the matching all-white outfits. They have been doing this recently, and I have to admit that I don't like it very much. Exactly what is wrong with the good old-fashioned jeans and metal t-shirt uniform? Do the matching outfits make them cooler somehow? I think not.

Silly outfits aside, In Flames put on a blistering, albeit short set of songs from nearly every release, including a couple of new ones. I have to hear more of the new material before I pass judgment on it, but what I heard sounded like it fit into the set, for whatever that's worth. The existing material speaks for itself, and was delivered brilliantly. The audience, for the most part, seemed to have no idea what to make of what was happening in front of them, though several did seem to catch on before the end of the set.

In Flames Photo by Hel

Soulfly was next, and predictably, presented a set chock full of nu-metalness. The highlight was definitely the old Sepultura song, "Arise," but otherwise, I could have done without their set entirely. Death and I spent much of the time wandering around the venue and took several turns outside, just to escape while we waited for their set to end. And, at long last, it finally did.

Finally, what the night was all about - Slayer. I can't begin to describe the wonder of standing in the photo pit with these guys onstage. It was like a dream - all four original members standing before me, hamming it up for the camera. After my last several shows at Roseland, I had become used to not being able to even see the stage, let alone the band, while they performed - wow, what a difference being able to see them makes! The music is no less stunning, but actually seeing it adds greatly to the experience.

Slayer Photo by Cyn

Our tickets were in the "pit" area of the floor, and this section was spacious enough that I could stand near the very front of the venue, so even after I exited the photo area I was still able to have a wonderful view of the action. Again, at Roseland Slayer shows, it did not matter where you were - there was a pit. Here, the pit was in the center of the floor, as has long been the traditional scenario. Nor was this pit the most frenetic I've ever seen. The entire event lead me to wonder - where are the true metalheads?

If I discover the answer to that question, I'll let you know. In the meantime, if you have an opportunity to catch this show, be sure to do it. Slayer played more old material than they have in years, including some wonderful dusty gems. Slayer alone was well worth the price of admission, and if you add In Flames, it's the most bang for your buck than you'll get almost anywhere!

 

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