The Metal Gods 2003 Tour
Rating: 5 Skulls
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The Metal Gods 2003 Tour
Rating: 5 Skulls |
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Abyss' Review (5/2/03, BB King's, New York, NY):
Halford
Photos by SolomonPractice What You Priest
For some unknown reason, BB King's in Times Square has the hardest time with the concept of a guest list. It seems every time I've gone there, just about EVERYBODY has trouble. Rumor had it this time that they had the list for the wrong night. Luckily I eventually got in (Thanks Gabriel, you fucking rule!), despite all 'their' efforts to keep me out.
My anticipation for this night was bolstered by the fact that I hadn't seen a show in a while. In fact, I think the last one I saw was the Nile show in this very building, and yes I was bitching about the guest list then as well. I was going to see Deicide about a month ago, but that was quashed when Syracuse made it to the Final Four, I mean, when is that going to happen again? I'll probably see Deicide over ten times in the meantime. Anyhoo, my point was I was raring for some metal, and this tour had a little to offer from each style that I love.
HalfordPainmuseum apparently played, but I saw neither hide nor hair of them. In fact I had thought they had cancelled due to the fact that there were very few people in the club when I entered and there was a long time with no live music, so there must have been a problem between them and Carnal Forge. But I was excited for my first time seeing the Swedish neo-thrashmeisters in a live setting, and I must say I enjoyed their set thoroughly. They had a great deal of energy despite the fact that the venue still hadn't filled up. I can't imagine anyone not enjoying their thrash meets Gothenburg sound at least a little bit, and the fact that they seemed to be having a ball up there just made it all the more easy to enjoy yourself. Only one minor complaint after seeing them in person: Carnal Forge live is a more pleasurable experience when they leave their shirts ON. Just a little advice from your Uncle Abyss.
This was also my first time seeing Amon Amarth (yes also due to Syracuse, who are the 2003 NCAA National Basketball Champions, by the way!). Although they're referred to as Viking Metal, I've always considered them melodic death. Seeing them in person, however, they definitely look the part, either that or they were kilt-less extras from Braveheart. Luckily they played their new anthem "Death in Fire" which I consider one of the most infectious metal songs in recent memory. I was a little disappointed that the solo seemed just as anemic live as it does on the disc, just going to show no one is perfect. The band had a great set, however, but the venue was still well short of capacity, so it may have been robbed of some energy.
TestamentThe club started filling up by the time Primal Fear took the stage. I originally thought this was going to be a lull in the show for me, as they're not really my thing, but I'm happy to report that I had a ball during their set as well. Their Helloween come Priest style sounded great live and vocalist Ralf Scheepers is as good a frontman as you can get. Not only is his voice remarkable, he looks like he would feel just as comfortable in an arena as a small club. Even though he looks like a little too much like Right Said Fred, he kept the audience involved the entire time and commanded the stage. It just goes to show you that talent and experience still mean something.
One of these things is not like the other... Immortal took the stage next, in all their corpsepainted glory. Their sound (as well as the mix) was by far the most unique of any of the bands that played. It's pretty amazing that they are able to pull their stuff off live with just a trio. The crowd seemed appreciative, well, except for the jackass who threw a full beer smack-dab in the middle of Abbath's face (hell, if he didn't want it I would've drunk it. I ain't proud.). Abbath took it in stride, however, finishing the song and offering to buy the motherfucker another one. They played mostly stuff off their last few albums, but there really isn't a weak spot in their whole catalogue. I can't wait 'til they come back as headliners some day.
HalfordTestament hands down ruled the evening. No debate, no competition. Chuck Billy looked and sounded awesome, it's so great to see him doing well (it also takes away any excuses for not releasing a new album soon.) The show brought me back to my teens. They opened with "Practice What You Preach" and never lost anyone's attention throughout the set. It was pure adrenaline from start to finish. To my excitement they played "D.N.R" from their last album. That is one of my favorite songs of all time, so I was sure it would be resigned to concert obscurity. It's amazing how little cred Testament seem to get considering how awesome and consistent they've been all these years. They literally haven't lost a step and it's a shame that, even among real metalheads, Metallica's new album seems to be generating more of a buzz than theirs.
I know I'm a bastard. I've never been much of a fan of Halford or Priest. This would mark my first time seeing the Metal God in person, and he didn't disappoint. Not only did he bring his guilded voice, but he also brought biggest and most elaborate leather jacket I've ever seen. The thing had its own area code. For what it's worth, he did sound great. His fans were rabid as hell and soaked up all the energy he put forth, but in all honesty, I was still a little punch-drunk from Testament's set. Even though I'm not much of a fan, there was no doubt that I realized I was in the presence of greatness. I do wish I had seen Priest in their heyday, but this was good enough for now.
Reviewed by Solomon (5/3/03, BB King's, New York, NY):
Ah, this should be interesting, seeing how my compatriot Abyss attended the Friday show and I stood in on the Saturday event. Not often you get two nights of the same act in such a small establishment, even in the sprawling metropolis of New York. BB King's is not the first place I'd expect to see a metal concert, but they already had a sizable turnout for the Nile/Napalm Death show in February, and it looks like they are prepared to carry on where the WWE hall left off (RIP). Seeing how I'm getting too old for this shit, I decided to go Saturday in order to give myself a breather before heading into an eight-hour-plus show. BB King's is rather small for this type of event, but it'll do, and both nights were apparently sold-out or close to. Now, about those beer prices...
TestamentUnfortunately, for reasons unknown outside of rumors and speculation, the rest of the tour had been cancelled after the New York dates. Too bad for the rest of you, as this line-up left little to complain about. I believe Symphony X and Dark Tranquillity were among those originally slated to share the bill, but the final package was primo, giving everybody a taste of metal both new and old. Halford guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak and his band PainmuseuM started if off shortly after the doors opened to an understandably sparse gathering, but I was impressed by what I heard. This was some modern power/thrash-type music that provided plenty of punch and was aided much by the forceful death growl/screech of vocalist Tim Clayborne (ex-Hatred). Soon after this wake-up call, Carnal Forge opened with a full salvo of melodic Swedish death in the form of double-bass-from-hell "Welcome To Your Funeral." More madness ensued via "I Smell Like Death," "H.B.F. Suicide," "Ripped & Torn," "Divine Killing" and other happy, love-your-fellow-man stuff. Violently impressive, although I would suggest singer Jonas Kjellgren keep his shirt on next time (eeeww!).
HalfordNext up was another Swedish juggernaut, Amon Amarth, and, outside of Halford, these guys were the kings on Saturday night. I've only heard Amon Amarth stuff here and there, but they remind me a lot of Hypocrisy, which is not surprising considering where these guys have traditionally recorded, and this is a good thing. No big surprise, the band opened with the melodic lead track from the new disc Versus The World, "Death In Fire," and followed with more grinding, Viking death with "Bleed For Ancient Gods," "Versus The World" and everybody's favorite military stomp, "Victorious March." "March" can wear thin with its repetitive, punctuated da-da-da riff, but this is what makes you wanna "mount and rove," baby. The more commercial power metal of Primal Fear almost seemed out of place at this point, but they delivered the goods, LOUDLY. Damn, no "Armageddon," but we got other goodies like "Angel In Black," "Chainbreaker," "Fear," "Nuclear Fire" and "Battalions of Hate." Immortal pounded it out with "One By One," "Damned In Black" and the ever-heavy "Tyrants." Testament's live sound seemed a bit muffled, or I was just deaf by this point. Nevertheless, we got all the hits in full force, and it's good to see Chuck back in the swing of things, pounding out the tunes in true CB fashion. The band covered a wide range of material, from newer tracks like "DNR," "True Believer" and "Three Days In Darkness" to older cuts "Into The Pit" (no duh), "Over The Wall," "Disciples Of The Watch" and "Practice What You Preach." We even got several cuts from the Low album, including the chugging, kick-ass "Chasing Fear."
TestamentAfter watching a Halford performance, the first thing that springs to mind, and no offense to Rob, is "wow, that old man can still belt 'em out," or something to that affect. After 30+ years of singing loud, teeth-grinding music, it's amazing The Metal God still has the power and stamina he does, and this must be why he maintains that title to this day. Saturday's set gets big brownie points not just for the performance behind it, but the choice of cuts themselves were original and inspring. Actually, the solo Halford selections were few compared to the full helping of Priest we got. "Resurrection," "Made In Hell" and "Hearts of Darkness" were part of the plan, but mandatory opener "Painkiller" let you know home is where the heart is. The band pulled "Never Satisfied" from Rocka Rolla, and when was the last time you heard that one? "Diamonds And Rust," "White Heat, Red Hot" from Stained Class, the ultra-groovy "Victim of Changes," "Breaking The Law," "You've Got Another Thing Coming," hell, they even did "Light Comes Out Of Black" off the Buffy movie soundtrack. Ha! Okay, I'll let the silly "yeahyeah" thing he does with the audience every time go. The man can still hit those high notes like he was twenty.
Metal Gods is definitely a contender for tour of the year.
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