Nile with Arch Enemy, Hate Eternal and Origin
Rating: 4.33 Skulls
|
Nile with Arch Enemy, Hate Eternal and Origin
Rating: 4.33 Skulls |
||
|
|
||
Abyss' Review (8/6/02, WWF World, Times Square, NYC):
Hate Eternal
Photos by SolomonIt was hard not to get a little sad when I realized that this would be my first show without fellow JC members Hel and Death, as they left to pursue fame and fortune on the West Coast. I certainly hope this doesn't result in another East Coast/West Coast rivalry because we all saw what happened to Tupac and Biggie Smalls. Anyway, I couldn't stay depressed all that long with a bill this killer about to unfold before me. I was a little depressed as I got to the venue at 8:00pm, which was exactly when I planned on getting there (funny how it's easier to get somewhere promptly when Death isn't around. Curious indeed.). Unfortunately, I somehow missed all of Origin, a band I really wanted to see, but then again I've seen them a few times to I guess it's not a travesty.
NileI would shortly meet up with Musashi and Solomon for a few beers right as Hate Eternal would take the stage. Maybe it's because I've seen this band so many times, but they seemed a little lackluster tonight, definitely at the beginning. They seemed clumsy and loose to start the show, and a little off time. Of course their hair was all in synchronicity due to the plethora of fans on stage that made their locks defy gravity. I swear, this band has more fans on stage than in the pit. By the end of their set, however, they really started to hit their stride and got my head a bobbing on a few occasions. I personally like Morbid Angel and Alas better, but these guys definitely rock.
Of course Arch Enemy kicked ass, but I found myself a little depressed during their show, due to the fact that I found myself feeling old. The reason for this was the two high school kids in front of me. First off, I probably wouldn't have even noticed them except they looked so out of place. They wore hip-hop looking clothes and had bleached spiky haircuts; they basically looked like the average kid on MTV's TRL. Not that I really care what anybody wears, but it caught my attention. Anyway, they reminded me of the girls you used to see swooning when the crowd was shown while Elvis or The Beatles were on TV. Every time Angela would look in their direction they would get so excited they'd start quivering, I actually thought they were going to wet themselves. It was very distracting, but aside from that spectacle, Arch Enemy definitely controlled the show. The crowd response was frantic (although this show wasn't sold out), the band demanding attention without even the hint of effort. This, my second time seeing Angela as frontwoman, has solidified (in my mind at least) her position as a dominant singer. Her voice sounded great and powerful, almost to the point that the amplifiers seemed unnecessary. The band was dead on, as it seems they always are, and the Amott brothers lived up to their reputations as shredders - giving a good showing of technical ability and showmanship. The rhythm section was thick and precise, and (as always) underrated. The set list was expected, but far too brief, and I was a little disappointed that they didn't play "The Immortal," but their versions of "Bury Me an Angel" and "Heart of Darkness" kept a smile on my face and my head on a hinge. This band rules.
Arch EnemyNile came on with the nearly impossible task of following up such a solid live act. Nile are no doubt a formidable band, but I had trouble getting into them after Arch Enemy's sonic spectacle. They, like Hate Eternal, started off poorly. They sounded off, missed some leads, and were generally sloppy - something Nile is not exactly known for. A few songs into their set, however, they settled down and hit stride, giving the crowd (which thinned slightly after Arch Enemy) a show of punishing American death. The crowd seemed a little anemic, almost tired, as the band tried harder and harder to light their fire. They eventually were successful for the most part, but never received nearly the accolades that the previous band did. Too bad though, because they did kick some ass. The new songs were received very well, and they played a good amount of them. The most praise came for "Black Seeds of Vengeance," as always, and I was disappointed when no encore ensued. End result, this is a killer type of tour that doesn't come around all that often. If you're able to catch it, consider yourself lucky.
Reviewed by Musashi (8/6/02, WWF World, Times Square, NYC):Metal in New York just keeps getting better. I showed up last night at the World and I was pleasantly surprised to see it packed with metalheads... and not just the usual ugly bunch of freaks but some very shapely and attractive young women as well. I arrived and Hate Eternal was already a couple of songs into their set. At first I was a little bored by their music, but by the last couple of songs in their set, I was truly inspired by their intensity.
NileDespite Hate Eternal's technicality and fabulous hair, I was most excited to see Arch Enemy. Arch Enemy is just too much fun. They have their shit together. They look and sound awesome. I must admit I think their music is a little corny, but in a good way. They have just enough pop sensibility to make their songs fun and memorable, but have enough musical gusto and guitar shredding to be taken seriously. In my opinion, Arch Enemy definitely should have been headlining this show because they were in command of the music and the crowd much more than Nile.
Arch EnemyI love Nile's music, but I have to admit that they just do not impress me live. Live Nile sound like every other band and lack that special somethig that makes their albums special. I don't know what it is that makes me say that. As their set goes on, I just felt the wind leaving my sails. So as I left The World, I was happy to have seen all three great bands, but was feeling like Arch Enemy should have headlined. Nonetheless, it was a great show and a great night. I hope you all catch this show when it comes to your town.
Reviewed by Solomon (8/6/02, WWF World, Times Square, NYC):
Boy, was I ready for a metal shot in the arm. I was just hoping I didn't get stuck doing overtime on Tuesday night and miss a good portion of the show. Luckily, work ended at the usual 6pm quitting time and I sped home, threw on my trusty "Ravenous" t-shirt, grabbed my camera and got my bad self out the door. The WWF is rather prompt when it comes to showtimes, and Origin had already started their set upon my arrival. Abyss and Musashi were due to arrive soon, and I had only missed a song or two, so I more or less got the full death metal treatment right off the bat. These guys were pummeling and impressive to say the least, vocalist James Lee spewing hell from his lungs like a champ. Hate Eternal continued the assault with more blistering, head-spinning gutteral whomp, complete with Erik Rutan's nimble-fingered axe-manship.
Hate EternalArch Enemy were the odd-men (in a gender-neutral sense) out on this package. Calling them "death metal" is a big stretch, as far as I'm concerned. Yeah, the vox are right, but there's way too much melody and bouncy rhythms in most of their material to lump them in the same catagory as Morbid Angel or Cannibal Corpse. Anyway, they were there to do the job and, judging from the number of bodies flying over the railing, someone was glad they showed up. The band certainly knows how to make an entrance. Daniel Erlandsson stepped up to the kit and the piano intro to "Enemy Within" waffed over the speakers, sending Michael, Chris and Sharlee running onto the stage. Of course, Angela "Panzer Division" Gossow is the last to emerge, completing a well-executed stage maneuver. The Enemies proceeded to invade the World with a sixty-minute set covering songs old and new, including "Immortal," "Bury Me An Angel," "Ravenous" and "Dead Bury Their Dead." Someday I'll get them to play "Savage Messiah" and "Dead Inside," but i guess that will have to wait. Bassist Sharlee D'Angelo, with his towering frame, Rickenbacker billyclub and raven mane offers a domineering presence, and head growler Gossow weilds the mikestand like a Samuri warrior, roaring away in a very un-lady-like manner. Somehow, I was more impressed with AE at New England this year. Maybe NE was just a matter of first impressions, but their performance at the World was hardly disappointing.
NilePurveyors of Egyptian Death, Nile wowed an anxious following with cuts from their last three albums, including the newest, In Their Darkened Shrines. Funny a group of guys from North Carolina who look more like gas station attendants than death metal masters would pick up on North African mythology and exploit it so well. I think the whole Egyptian thing is great, a welcome distraction from overworked satanic posturing and walking nu-metal Adidas advertisments. I still have to chuckle that the band's laptop is like a permanent stage member, but I guess they need it to simulate all the creepy chanting and effects. Bassist/vocalist Jon Vesano is a cool frontman, looking/sounding evil and built like a bulldozer. I didn't walk into the World as a full-fledged member of the Church of Nile, but walked away from their performance with a greater appreciation for what these guys are trying to do.
For those in attendence on Tuesday night, the Nile show was a rare slice of death metal heaven, four bands who showed everyone a thing or two about how this style of music is supposed to be done.
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.
