Exhumed with Impaled, Decapitated and Vehemence
Rating: 4.33 Skulls
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Exhumed with Impaled, Decapitated and Vehemence
Rating: 4.33 Skulls |
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Death's Review (8/17/02, The Showcase Theatre, Corona, CA):
Decapitated with Vehemence's singer
Photo by HelI suppose I could bitch at you about the fact that we had to travel to Corona, about the fucking traffic on route 91 east and that bullshit pay express lane that kept us who hadn't paid for the privilege of driving in the good lanes in ridiculous traffic, and how it caused me to get to the show late and miss Vehemence, or how Incantation, Dragonlord and Dead to Fall all cancelled, or about the fact that the club served no alcohol, tried to charge people $3 for a "re-entry" pass or - get this - how I even got in trouble for chewing gum inside the show (no bullshit - the place has a strict no gum policy), but you don't give a shit about any of that, do you? You want to hear about the music, right?
Part of Impaled's stage decor
Photo by DeathLet me tell you this: this show got me fired up about death metal again in a big-time way. This show was just plain fun. An enthusiastic crowd witnessed three great death metal performances by some of the best showmen in the business. Decapitated alone made it worth the trip. This band just absolutely kicks ass, and the guitar tone heard on some of the thicker riffs sounded absolutely perfect this night. The fans ate the shit up, going nuts for all of Decapitated's set before going really nuts for Decapitated's cover of Slayer's "Mandatory Suicide" for which they were joined by Nathan from Vehemence on vocals. Afterward, the venue quickly put music on the PA and announced that Impaled would be up next. The fans wanted more, and chanted so long and so hard for Decapitated's return that the band actually did come back on stage and strap on their instruments, only to be reminded over the PA that it would be Impaled up next and that Decapitated were done for the evening, thank you very much. All in all, a killer performance from a great band that was truly awesome to get to see and alone was worth the trek.
Impaled were next. I fucked up big time in not giving Mondo Medicale a better score - I'll remedy that when we do our score adjustments later in the year. These guys don't just sound like Carcass, they're just plain fun. This is all that is right about death metal, and Impaled put on a very entertaining show. They too did a cover, as they too were joined by Nathan for another old-school thrash number, Metallica's "Metal Militia." The whole band was decked in white shirts with skinny black ties and blood-splattered butcher aprons on over them. The stage had an "impaled" Eddie-type creature and some skulls and other assorted accessories. And the band sounded sick while looking like they were enjoying every second of what turned out to be a great show.
Exhumed
Photo by HelExhumed closed out the night with their usual brand of chaos, highlighted by a cover of the Carcass classic "Exhume to Consume" and the usual does of projectile vomiting. They were solid, fun and totally metal. In fact, the whole night was. Long live death metal! I'd even come back to Corona to see more shows like this.
Hel's Review (8/17/02, The Showcase Theatre, Corona, CA):I had been eagerly anticipating this show for weeks. Dragonlord was supposed to be added to the bill for this date, and I figured the trek to Corona would be well worth it. The day before, I found out that Incantation and Dead to Fall had cancelled, and I was bummed, but still, the line up was going to be great.
On the day of the show, good intentions to leave super-early were thwarted by an overly slow sales associate, and Death and I were forced to leave later than we had planned. Once we finally arrived at the venue, I received two bad pieces of news: one I had anticipated, one I had not. I was disappointed but not surprised to learn we had missed Vehemence - I had really been looking forward to it, but considering our late start and the terrible traffic we encountered, it was to be expected. But the other - Dragonlord had also cancelled - that was terrible news.
Vehemence
Photo by SabbathThat left me with only three of the original seven bands that were billed for this show. Even if this had been the original bill, I would have been there anyway, so I decided to enjoy myself even without all of the previously scheduled entertainment.
Decapitated made this task easy. Their blistering set was positively incredible. The mostly-full venue was vocally enamored with the boys from Poland, and even demanded an encore - loudly and at great length. The band gamely came back to the stage, but the venue wasn't having it, and would not turn back on the microphones, accompanying this action by multiple announcements over the PA that they would not allow an encore. I ask you: when nearly half of the bands slated to play on a given evening do not show, why not allow an extra song or two? Beats the hell out of me.
This venue was ridiculous on other levels as well. It was an "all ages" club, which meant no alcohol whatsoever - not a problem for me, since I don't drink, but most metalheads do, and prodigiously, I might add. But even more oddly, they charge $3.00 for the privilege of re-entry. What?! I've never heard of such a thing, but in a venue full of such anomalies, I suppose I should have been less shocked.
Impaled
Photo by HelI set all of that aside, and turned my attention to Impaled. I have often sung the praises of this band, both of their records and their live show, and this instance gave me no reason to rethink my stance. Garbed in "blood"-splattered or leather butcher aprons, the three-axe attack took the stage. The played several tracks off the new record, along with several from the prior releases as well. The show was all it should be, and I walked away, satisfied but for the lack of merchandise - I had my heart set on an Impaled t-shirt, but alas, they didn't have the female version.
Exhumed closed out the night, expressing their surprise at being the headliner, and apologizing to the crowd that they did not have more material ready as a result. They made due with what they had, and put on the high-caliber show expected of them, complete with the usual extras. The fans had been supportive of all the bands all night, and this was no exception, with many in attendance lustily shouting song suggestions at the band throughout the set.
All in all, it was a fun night, despite the cancellations, and the inane policies of the venue. The three bands I saw all complimented one another wonderfully, and I had the rare treat of seeing two bands play with fire back to back! Next opportunity you have to see any of these bands, regardless of who else may or may not be on the bill with them - I demand you take it!
Reviewed by Sabbath (8/17/02, The Showcase Theatre, Corona, CA):
Arriving early to The Showcase in Corona, I was informed that Incantation and Dragonlord were not going to be appearing, which I was not too upset about. I was there to see Vehemence. Newly signed to Metal Blade Records, Vehemence were on their first U.S. tour in support of their debut release on Metal Blade Records entitled God Was Created.
Decapitated
Photo by HelFor the kids who are not familiar with who Vehemence is, they are a Melodic Death Metal band from Phoenix, Arizona. If I had to compare them to anyone, the closest comparison I could make would be to Ill Disposed and Gorefest. It is difficult to compare Vehemence to anyone because they really have their own unique sound that draws attention to those who are looking from something more than just another "Death Metal" band.
I was looking forward greatly to witnessing their performance. Their time slot was approximately 45 minutes scheduled directly before Decapitated, and they did an excellent job of preparing the crowd for the Polish Metallers. They started off with such intensity, and the sound permeating from the Showcase was excellent. Their time slot was shorter than expected, but they do have songs that are quite a bit longer than average. They incorporated old songs off of The Thoughts From Which I Hide, their self-released CD of August 2000, 2 songs off of God Was Created ("She Never Noticed Me," and "God Was Created"), and 2 songs of their newest material ("Kill For God," and "You Don't Have To be Afraid Anymore") which will soon be recorded for Metal Blade Records.
Their stage presence is incredible, and Nathan Gearhart delivers one of the most intense vocals I have ever observed live. Their set was flawless, and every song was performed with such passion and severity. I was prepared to see Vehemence, but was not prepared for the satisfaction they gave me and the crowd. For their first song played, "I Take Your Life," there were only about 2 rows of people in front of the stage. By the time they played their second song most of the 250 people that attended were making their way to the front of the stage, obviously impressed with their consistent brutality. This being Vehemence's first tour it went alright minus some setbacks due to poor tour date booking. Hopefully we will see Vehemence back on tour very shortly hitting more states then this tour allowed. They fulfilled everything I had anticipated from listening to God Was Created, and I recommend picking this album up if you have not already.
Exhumed
Photo by HelDecapitated, hailing from Poland, went on directly after Vehemence. The crowd was prepared to take a bludgeoning from Decapitated with this being their first appearance in the U.S. touring in support of their latest album, Nihility; they played most of their set from that album. A few songs off of Winds of Creation were played, and two covers including Napalm Death's "Suffer the Children" and their famous "Mandatory Suicide" cover on which Nathan Gearhart from Vehemence accompanied Sauron on dual vocals. Their presence was amazing. I was in awe witnessing some of the best guitar work played by Vogg with his incredible skills of alternate picking. Decapitated is an act not to be missed, if you happened to miss this tour make sure you look for them next summer as they proclaimed their return.
Gore Gods Impaled of the Bay Area were set to play after Decapitated in support of their new album Mondo Medicale. Having witnessed Impaled previously, I was already prepared for the onslaught of this Carcass-influenced, fire breathing foursome. They played songs mostly off Mondo Medicale which were pretty hard to swallow. Their presentation was tight and persistent, with their new guitar player Andrew LaBarre. They did a cover of Metallica's "Metal Militia" as well. Impaled's Mondo Medicale has raised the stakes for one of the sickest gore metal albums ever to come.
With Exhumed and their reputation I really do not have to say much regarding their stage presence or performance. They are well known by their vomiting bass player who loves to release his filth onto people. I remember when they played the Whiskey a Go-Go with Mortician back in 2001, and he regurgitated onto a girl who seemed to love every minute of it holding up her plastic cup to maybe get a morsel. Their set always being redundantly fierce, Exhumed is usually always predictable gore. They always put on a good show, and know how to finish off the crowd. This tour had a unbreakable impact of brutality, gore, and violence. I hope to see a tour this action packed very soon indeed.
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