Rating: 4 Skulls
Reviewed by Solomon (5/19/01 The Pound, San Francisco, CA):
I must be either really dedicated or really nuts to drive the 600+ miles each way from Nampa, ID to the Bay Area for this gig, but considering the line-up for this tour is killer and I had some time off coming, I decided to take the plunge and embark on a metal pilgrimage to the Medina (or Mecca?) of the West, San Francisco. I was somewhat apprehensive about taking this trek, as Angel Dust had been having vehicle problems, and I didn't want to get there and find out their van blew up somewhere on I-5. But, what the hell? Ten hours in the car with a stack of CDs, and nothing but dirt and rabbits between Marsing, ID and Reno, NV. Okay, the Sierras are nice, but I-80 is one long, lonely road. Was it worth it? You bet!
Nevermore
Photos by Solomon
When the Metal Judgment webmaster, Garth, and I descended on The Pound, I wasn't exactly overcome with awe. This is apparently a new joint that has been hosting shows only for about a year or so, and it's conveniently situated in the industrial district of San Francisco, away from innocent bystanders. From the outside, it appears to be an oversized tool shed. We entered the place just after the opening act, Mudslinger, apparently a local band, had started their set. Alright, The Pound looked better from the inside: nothing special, just an average looking bar/hall with maybe a 150-200 head capacity. I think these bands could have drawn a bigger crowd had they played a larger venue but, by the time Opeth hit the stage, the place was packed with metal fiends. I guess my only beef was the volume could have been taken up a notch, especially for the opening acts, but the sound mix overall was fairly good.
God Forbid
I had heard very little, if anything, from God Forbid's debut Century Media release, Determination, so I can't say I was expecting anything, but GF certainly ripped us all a big, fat new one with their Slayer-meets-Sweden sound. Funny I should mention Slayer, as the crowd assaulted the band with requests for a cover of the almighty "Angel of Death," after the band slammed through originals like "Divide My Destiny" and "Nothing." Frontman Byron Davis flatly told the crowd a Slayer tune was a no-go, but the boys made up for it with a Sepultura tribute.
Angel Dust
Angel Dust was a major reason I showed up for this gig, as I had an interview with Frank Banx (bass) lined up and I didn't want to miss this hot power metal band's debut American tour. If you are looking for aggressive death metal with guttural vocals, don't see this band. If you want solid, traditional guitar riffing and a kick-ass vocalist who knows what the fuck he is doing, see Angel Dust. It would have been cool to hear some material from Border of Reality, or even their obsure 80's releases, and it would have been nice to hear "Sanity," but stuff like "Bleed," "Let Me Live," and the pile driving "Cross of Hatred" kept me and the rest of the fans in metal heaven. Vocalist Dirk Thurisch is a real frontman, who not only possesses an ample set of pipes but does his best to get the crowd involved with singing, clapping, or whatever.
Mudslinger
Opeth received a universal display of affection from the gathered throng, and proceeded to wow everyone in attendance with a five-song set of long, highly-structured progressive metal tunes. Sometimes the massive length of the average Opeth composition can be a real test of patience in a live setting, but there's no denying these Swedes can command an audience. The band inspires more of a classical sense of reverence than an impulsive urge to mosh. Hell, you can't mosh or else you might miss something important! Opeth covered an early Morningrise tune, "Advent," and a new one, "The Drapery Falls," but I hope in future shows they will add the awesome "Bleak" and "Blackwater Park" from their latest magnum opus. I had heard the band was playing "Credence" at some shows, and they did this one here. A great song, but this one was so mellow it seemed almost out of place given the heaviness of the evening, but variety is always good. Of course, no Opeth gig is complete without "Demon of the Fall." Another notch in the guitar strap for Opeth, I must say, and Mikael Akerfeldt gets extra points for wearing a Candlemass t-shirt.
Opeth
Not unexpectedly, Nevermore came out and destroyed. Hair flying and 7-string guitars chugging, the band gave a proper performance that contained plenty of Dead Heart in a Dead World material, but didn't leave out the past. Okay, we all know they weren't gonna play "Battle Angels" no matter how hard we screamed for it (kudos to the guy in the Sanctuary shirt), but at least towards the end of the set Nevermore honored us with a VERY unrehearsed stab at "White Rabbit." Nothing was heard from the debut release (no "Garden of Grey," dammit), but "Next In Line," "The Seven Tongues of God," and "The Death of Passion" helped round out the set. Warrel "The Great" Dane was in ripe form, getting right out there and doing it like he meant it. He seemed to be in a good mood, only pausing long enough to playfully chew someone for spilling his beer. There was a sense of "oh, shit," when he accosted Jim Sheppard for almost causing an on-stage injury but, I take it the man is never subtle, is he? Warrel was cool in paying tribute to Testament in his prologue to "Seven Tongues," and one of the evening's best moments came from his explanation of why MTV wouldn't play the video for "Believe In Nothing": because he won't sing "like a little white rapper bitch." Amen, brother.
Nevermore
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