The "Decimation of the Nation" tour winds down with only three dates left and for some, like myself, this is the last "big" show of the year, and what a way to end it! Despite the oncoming snowstorm, which eventually caused the cancellation of the last show in Philly, fans flocked to the Nokia Theater to see the odd pairing of metal/hardcore hybrids Hatebreed and Tampa death metal legends Cannibal Corpse, plus Metal Blade youngsters Unearth, Born of Osiris and Hate Eternal (which Corpse bassist Alex Webster had played on their latest album "Fury and Flames").
The night started very slowly from Hate Eternal, who perform like an awkward "power trio" since the departure of guitarist Shaune Kelley, who brought a combination of grit, brutal force and technique to the otherwise mind-numbing noise and incomprehensible lyrics coming from frontman and Ron Perlman-looking reject Erik Rutan, and Webster, who was replaced by someone who had absolutely no business being onstage. The crowd seemed content to stay put without going absolutely bonkers despite several attempts from Rutan to get the crowd to lose it. His "come-ons!" seemed to draw more heckles than actual movement. If heckling was a movement, then he got what he wanted. In the short time they spent onstage, only one boy had the balls to actually crowd-surf, and even he fell on his ass because nobody was interested enough in keeping him up.
Born of Osiris didn't fare much better. Their keyboardist kept preening around like a fag peacock with bright feathers while the other members just played without any real heart behind it. They were probably the most forgettable in the entire lineup.
Unearth, who I consider to be the junior league versions of the Big Four like Trivium, were better until their little douchebag of a guitar player Ken Susi had nothing better to do expect spit water in the air righ before each song! I can't tell you how put off and disgusted I was at this little no-talent turd with nothing special to offer the band or its fans except posturing and posing. Advice to Unearth - dump this losers fast! How about I come over and spit in his face? Then maybe I could have enjoyed myself more. Once all the junior leaguers left the stage, the real meat and potatoes metal too over! T
While Cannibal Corpse lives up to the hype, I can't help but feel slightly disappointed. Not necessarily in them or their playing, but the lack of pandemonium coming from the crowd behind me. I expect flying bodies and broken bones, but even the mighty Corpse didn't "kill" the crowd as expected. I did enjoy it when frontman George Fisher made a dedication speech "to all the horny bitches" in Nokia, causing many loud squeals from the females in attendance, right before going into "Fucked with a Knife". Fisher seems especially comfortable with demonstrating his masterbatory skills during "I Cum Blood" or putting the microphone between his giant thighs which might indicate the length of his cock, which from my vantage point looked rather small. The Corpse wrapped it up with the satisfyingly typical "Hammer Smashed Face" and soon left the stage. The gracious and always-friendly Alex Webster tossed bottles of water to the thirsty crowd, one of which I managed to catch.
Once Hatebreed took the stage, it was apparent that these guys were the one they wanted to catch. But I wasn't blown away by Hatebreed that much! I yawned, in fact, which caused guitarist Frank Novinec to yell "C'mon! Wake up!" at me. Sadly, it didn't work. But I did enjoy their familiar tunes such as "Defeatist", "I Will Be Heard", "This Is Now", "To the Threshold", "Destroy Everything", a cover of Slayer's "Ghosts of War", and "In Ashes They Shall Reap" from the new album. Still, I wasn't completely won over.
HATE ETERNAL - The loss of guitarist Shaune Kelley and minus Alex Webster on bass really saps the energy completely. Set Grade: C
BORN OF OSIRIS - A complete bore. The band that doesn't belong anywhere near or on this bill. Back to the garage with you all. Set Grade: C-
UNEARTH - Fire that Susi punk and maybe you'll get somewhere.... oh yeah, and write better songs. Set Grade: C+
CANNIBAL CORPSE - Should have headlined! Above average performances could have been better if the players moved around and had some fun with it. Still, they don't disappoint. Set Grade: B
HATEBREED - Solid, if somewhat one-note. The sugary-sweet, "I will persevere and survive" attitude should be left in a self-help book, not onstage. And Jasta, this isn't a karate class or a 80s dance club, knock it off with those lame jump kicks. Set Grade: B-
Show Grade: B-
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Metallica w/ Lamb of God & Volbeat, Day 1 @ Madison Square Garden - 11/14/09
It was nearly ten months ago that I finally got to see my favorite metal band of all time, the one band that actually got me into the metal scene, performing live before yours truly. At Nassau Coliseum, Metallica played an amazing show filled with lasers, multi-colored flames, and of course, some killer 'Tallica classics and newer ones from their latest album. Here at MSG, it's pretty much the same thing here - the lasers, the flames, the killer tunes both old and new (some would say they played too many newer songs), the electricity in the air and anticipation from the sold-out crowd - but make no mistake, Metallica owned the Garden and proved that they are still the kings of metal and heavy (or hard) rock! My guess is that anyone who had a bad thing to say about Metallica before tonight were promptly silenced.
On this leg of the tour, Volbeat have replaced The Sword while Lamb of God have replaced Machine Head. As with the Nassau show back in January, the first two bands failed to really impress or excite me. Again, much like in the case of The Sword and Machine Head, the sheer size of the stage and the magnitude of the acoustics booming throughout arena, seemed to completely swallow up show-openers Volbeat and, surprisingly, second-tiers Lamb of God. It wasn't until the headliners Metallica took the stage and business began to pick up. Needless to say, Metallica delivered! Mosh pits took form almost immediately as the first riffs from "That Was Just Your Life" began to play throughout the Garden. What surprised me the most was that the pits kept moving even during a couple of the slower, less thrashy songs. Though, in all honesty, from my vantage point, the pits looked quite tame and pitiful by comparison to others I've seen. Either way, when they played "Sad But True", people were on their feet! When they played the familiar but still somewhat obscure, Diamond Head cover in "Helpless", they were on thir feet! Even during another cover, Bob Seger's "Turn the Page", people were on their feet AND singing along!
Of course, there were some rough parts. For example, frontman James Hetfield constantly rapping to the audience about being "part of the Metallica family" and "your love makes us feel really good" came off more like schmaltzy begging, like an employee pleading to his boss for a raise, rather than firm salutations and good wishes. Watching Lars Ulrich slinking and swaggering around the stage, teasing fans with cups of water and middle fingers really rubbed me the wrong way. I guess he's just keeping up the perceptions as how the media and former fans/haters view him as: a greedy, arrogant businessman pretending to be and posing as a drummer. And at times, the songs tend to drag along endlessly, as some newbie Metallica fans who aren't yet familiar with their music look quite bored and confused. In the end, when they drop their black Death Magnetic beach balls during "Seek & Destroy" again, both newbie and Metallica veterans are on their feet as the set ends after two hours of ear-splitting metal. Yes, the boys still got it!
VOLBEAT - Danish group playing (and sound like) Clutch-style rock. I wasn't impressed. These guys are mediocre at best and will remain as show-openers forever. Set Grade: C
LAMB OF GOD - Virginian thrashers who played all the right songs and made all the right moves, but an antipathic crowd of macho frat-boy, homophobic college jocks more interested in the heavy rock sounds of Godsmack or Disturbed, prove that LoG are not ready for the mainstream like Metallica, and may never will. Set Grade: B-
METALLICA - Another great show, but lacks the same dramatic and unexpected element that made the Nassau show so special. High energy performances from the band and an enthusiastic reaction from the sold-out crowd prove that Metallica are still masters of.... well, you know. Set Grade: B+
Overall Show Grade: B
On this leg of the tour, Volbeat have replaced The Sword while Lamb of God have replaced Machine Head. As with the Nassau show back in January, the first two bands failed to really impress or excite me. Again, much like in the case of The Sword and Machine Head, the sheer size of the stage and the magnitude of the acoustics booming throughout arena, seemed to completely swallow up show-openers Volbeat and, surprisingly, second-tiers Lamb of God. It wasn't until the headliners Metallica took the stage and business began to pick up. Needless to say, Metallica delivered! Mosh pits took form almost immediately as the first riffs from "That Was Just Your Life" began to play throughout the Garden. What surprised me the most was that the pits kept moving even during a couple of the slower, less thrashy songs. Though, in all honesty, from my vantage point, the pits looked quite tame and pitiful by comparison to others I've seen. Either way, when they played "Sad But True", people were on their feet! When they played the familiar but still somewhat obscure, Diamond Head cover in "Helpless", they were on thir feet! Even during another cover, Bob Seger's "Turn the Page", people were on their feet AND singing along!
Of course, there were some rough parts. For example, frontman James Hetfield constantly rapping to the audience about being "part of the Metallica family" and "your love makes us feel really good" came off more like schmaltzy begging, like an employee pleading to his boss for a raise, rather than firm salutations and good wishes. Watching Lars Ulrich slinking and swaggering around the stage, teasing fans with cups of water and middle fingers really rubbed me the wrong way. I guess he's just keeping up the perceptions as how the media and former fans/haters view him as: a greedy, arrogant businessman pretending to be and posing as a drummer. And at times, the songs tend to drag along endlessly, as some newbie Metallica fans who aren't yet familiar with their music look quite bored and confused. In the end, when they drop their black Death Magnetic beach balls during "Seek & Destroy" again, both newbie and Metallica veterans are on their feet as the set ends after two hours of ear-splitting metal. Yes, the boys still got it!
VOLBEAT - Danish group playing (and sound like) Clutch-style rock. I wasn't impressed. These guys are mediocre at best and will remain as show-openers forever. Set Grade: C
LAMB OF GOD - Virginian thrashers who played all the right songs and made all the right moves, but an antipathic crowd of macho frat-boy, homophobic college jocks more interested in the heavy rock sounds of Godsmack or Disturbed, prove that LoG are not ready for the mainstream like Metallica, and may never will. Set Grade: B-
METALLICA - Another great show, but lacks the same dramatic and unexpected element that made the Nassau show so special. High energy performances from the band and an enthusiastic reaction from the sold-out crowd prove that Metallica are still masters of.... well, you know. Set Grade: B+
Overall Show Grade: B
Monday, November 9, 2009
Trivium w/ Chimaira, Whitechapel and Dirge Within @ The Fillmore - 11/5/09
Much like the last show I went to, this was the first time I saw at least three of the four bands performing live this evening - Dirge Within, Chimaira, and Metallica Lite.... I mean, Trivium - at the always packed and always body-odor-smelling venue, the Fillmore. Jammed in the front row by the usual hundreds-plus sweaty, smelly, ugly and uneducated losers that I spend a good four-five hours fending off flying bodies, there really wasn't much anticipation for me in the beginning. I mean, Dirge Within? Who? And Whitechapel? Another lame, ragtag group coming from this piece-of-shit genre "deathcore"? Who cares! The real reason the pimply-faced youths are here is to see Chimaira, who played a very lackluster set surprisingly, and headliners Metallica Jr. - I mean, Trivium - who play their best impression of 13-year-old kids playing their favorite Machine Head tunes with their own brand of Disney Pop Thrash. But for a junior-league night like tonight, it wasn't a complete waste of time.
DIRGE WITHIN - Yet another band fronted by another Anselmo clone, though this night is populated by those, this Chicago group wasn't all that distasteful. They had enough groove-driven, thrashy riffs that would make the ghosts of Pantera proud. The frontman borrows much of the Anselmo confidence by placing a foot on the monitor and trying, in vain, to start early mosh pits. Still, the energy from the crowd seems rather positive and may prove to develop a following someday in the future. Set Grade: B-
WHITECHAPEL - This is the second time I had the misfortune of seeing these Metal Blade little leaguers, the first being at last year's "Summer Slaughter" borefest. This time around, nothing has changed except the continued growth of my disdain for "deathcore" and all these goddamn untalented kids who invest our small metal market with this shit! To paraphrase Marilyn Manson's "Great Big White World" in order to describe the two times I've seen Whitechapel, "nothing changes, nothing grows." I swear, I could take that first performance and compare it to tonight's show and it would be the same show. The same incoherent songs, the same clothes they wore, and the same faggoty bouncing that they do.... especially from their fat-ass bassist. Like Converge before, these assholes have no place on tonight's bill, or any bill for that matter. I think Slagel would be wise to drop these pricks so they can corrode another label who deserve it.... like Victory Records! Set Grade: C-
CHIMAIRA - So now we get to the big, bad, tough-guy six-man team from Ohio whose entire back catalogue is best suited for the brutal, uncivilized dwellings of MMA and UFC arenas. Playing off their new release "The Infection" which kicks off with "The Venom Inside", the band starts off with high energy, but gradually dissipates rather quickly. I really expected to have people landing on my head, dudes next to me punching me in the face, and just all-around insanity and mayhem. But of course, this is a Chimaira set, not Cannibal Corpse. Judging from bassist Jim LaMarca's constant "come on" and "wake up" from stage, I think other people in the crowd weren't very impressed, either. I realize that the band doesn't play to the audience but for themselves. Guitarists Rob Arnold and Matt DeVries play in their zone, their own headspace, rather than really play for those who come to see them. I think frontman Mark Hunter would be the first to admit that the band plays for themselves and fuck everyone else if they don't like it. And because of that, the crowd loses interest and gives a big fuck you right back at you, Mark. Set Grade: B
TRIVIUM - Personally, I can't understand how guys like "Baby Metallica" can earn the respect and eventual tour slots with the likes of Metallica, Megadeth (Gigantour), Slayer (Unholy Alliance), and Machine Head or develop an appeal from the metal masses. Sure, Matt Heafy is a nice kid and comes off like a capable frontman, especially when it comes to rapping with the crowd, a la Hetfield, but these guys barely muster anything truly their own except their own fanboy fantasies. Sure, the ugly pigs who come to their shows think they're cute and have to drag their pathetic boyfriends to come with them, and maybe there is some musical appeal there, but I can't get past the fact that they are "trying" to be like their heroes. The substitute for absent drummer Travis Smith seemed to be having a difficult time playing the drums and keeping the sweat out of his eyes, which was about the only thing remotely amusing. Set Grade: B-
AFTER THE SHOW - The fuckheads of Chimaira bailed out on meeting fans, much to their disappointment, but were rewarded with the members of Trivium instead, which isn't that great a trade-off really. Bassist Paolo Gregoletto confided in me that he was sick and needed to go to sleep, but was decent enough to take a pic with me, the only one to do so, and Matt Heafy, looking like ever so effeminate and delicate like a Japanese Geisha girl in his satin scarf and coat, braved the cold to take pics and sign autographs. But my biggest gripe and eventual target for my venom of the evening went to Corey "FatFuck" Beaulieu. The portly, absent-minded kid seemed more content to schmooze with Roadrunne Records bigwig assholes than chat with fans. Sure, he signed autographs and took pics, but when it came to gift-giving by yours truly, he simply took it and without so much as a "thank-you" (until i reminded him) went back in the bus and stayed for several minutes. When he came back out alone, I asked him for my gift back. Shocked and confused, he handed me back the gift and apologized. Still, not willing to let it go, I proceed to tell him to be more appreciative to fans and not to be an ignorant douchebag. Just then, his phone rings and HE TAKES THE FUCKING CALL!!!!!! In doing so, he reinforces exactly what I am yelling at him about. So I wish him luck on the next album and tell him to go fuck himself before departing. It felt good doing so!
Show Grade: B-
DIRGE WITHIN - Yet another band fronted by another Anselmo clone, though this night is populated by those, this Chicago group wasn't all that distasteful. They had enough groove-driven, thrashy riffs that would make the ghosts of Pantera proud. The frontman borrows much of the Anselmo confidence by placing a foot on the monitor and trying, in vain, to start early mosh pits. Still, the energy from the crowd seems rather positive and may prove to develop a following someday in the future. Set Grade: B-
WHITECHAPEL - This is the second time I had the misfortune of seeing these Metal Blade little leaguers, the first being at last year's "Summer Slaughter" borefest. This time around, nothing has changed except the continued growth of my disdain for "deathcore" and all these goddamn untalented kids who invest our small metal market with this shit! To paraphrase Marilyn Manson's "Great Big White World" in order to describe the two times I've seen Whitechapel, "nothing changes, nothing grows." I swear, I could take that first performance and compare it to tonight's show and it would be the same show. The same incoherent songs, the same clothes they wore, and the same faggoty bouncing that they do.... especially from their fat-ass bassist. Like Converge before, these assholes have no place on tonight's bill, or any bill for that matter. I think Slagel would be wise to drop these pricks so they can corrode another label who deserve it.... like Victory Records! Set Grade: C-
CHIMAIRA - So now we get to the big, bad, tough-guy six-man team from Ohio whose entire back catalogue is best suited for the brutal, uncivilized dwellings of MMA and UFC arenas. Playing off their new release "The Infection" which kicks off with "The Venom Inside", the band starts off with high energy, but gradually dissipates rather quickly. I really expected to have people landing on my head, dudes next to me punching me in the face, and just all-around insanity and mayhem. But of course, this is a Chimaira set, not Cannibal Corpse. Judging from bassist Jim LaMarca's constant "come on" and "wake up" from stage, I think other people in the crowd weren't very impressed, either. I realize that the band doesn't play to the audience but for themselves. Guitarists Rob Arnold and Matt DeVries play in their zone, their own headspace, rather than really play for those who come to see them. I think frontman Mark Hunter would be the first to admit that the band plays for themselves and fuck everyone else if they don't like it. And because of that, the crowd loses interest and gives a big fuck you right back at you, Mark. Set Grade: B
TRIVIUM - Personally, I can't understand how guys like "Baby Metallica" can earn the respect and eventual tour slots with the likes of Metallica, Megadeth (Gigantour), Slayer (Unholy Alliance), and Machine Head or develop an appeal from the metal masses. Sure, Matt Heafy is a nice kid and comes off like a capable frontman, especially when it comes to rapping with the crowd, a la Hetfield, but these guys barely muster anything truly their own except their own fanboy fantasies. Sure, the ugly pigs who come to their shows think they're cute and have to drag their pathetic boyfriends to come with them, and maybe there is some musical appeal there, but I can't get past the fact that they are "trying" to be like their heroes. The substitute for absent drummer Travis Smith seemed to be having a difficult time playing the drums and keeping the sweat out of his eyes, which was about the only thing remotely amusing. Set Grade: B-
AFTER THE SHOW - The fuckheads of Chimaira bailed out on meeting fans, much to their disappointment, but were rewarded with the members of Trivium instead, which isn't that great a trade-off really. Bassist Paolo Gregoletto confided in me that he was sick and needed to go to sleep, but was decent enough to take a pic with me, the only one to do so, and Matt Heafy, looking like ever so effeminate and delicate like a Japanese Geisha girl in his satin scarf and coat, braved the cold to take pics and sign autographs. But my biggest gripe and eventual target for my venom of the evening went to Corey "FatFuck" Beaulieu. The portly, absent-minded kid seemed more content to schmooze with Roadrunne Records bigwig assholes than chat with fans. Sure, he signed autographs and took pics, but when it came to gift-giving by yours truly, he simply took it and without so much as a "thank-you" (until i reminded him) went back in the bus and stayed for several minutes. When he came back out alone, I asked him for my gift back. Shocked and confused, he handed me back the gift and apologized. Still, not willing to let it go, I proceed to tell him to be more appreciative to fans and not to be an ignorant douchebag. Just then, his phone rings and HE TAKES THE FUCKING CALL!!!!!! In doing so, he reinforces exactly what I am yelling at him about. So I wish him luck on the next album and tell him to go fuck himself before departing. It felt good doing so!
Show Grade: B-
Monday, November 2, 2009
Dethklok & Mastodon w/ Converge and High on Fire @ Hammerstein Ballroom - 10/30/09
Tonight was an opportunity to finally get to see what all the fuss was about concerning Dethklok, who had a sold-out show last year at Nokia, and Mastodon, who also had a sold-out earlier this year at the Fillmore. As an admirer of the latter's latest Crack the Skye and great indifference to the former band altogether, as well as to the cartoon "Metalocalypse" itself, and in response to both bands' sold-out shows, when I heard that they were touring together I immediately got my tickets at the first local date to see them. Naturally and almost immediately this date was sold-out, which led to the 29th to open up for an extra date. Once I got in there, I expected a decent show and boy, did I get it! However, I will say that much of it had to do with the use of a screen in the background which led to some visual stimulation and thereby amping the sonic stimulation from the bands up to 11. Not to say that they cheated, but I would really like to compare tonight's show with another show involving Dethklok and Mastodon WITHOUT a screen in the background. I guarantee you the results would be vastly different!
HIGH ON FIRE - Riding the wave of their latest release Death Is This Communion, the stoner trio led by Matt Pike seem to get the night going. The crowd seems to dig the vibe and indeed Pike is enjoying himself, however not one joint is sparked! I can't you what songs were played because I'm not what you would call an HOF fan, but I can say that they warmed the crowd up nicely and were rewarded with ample cheers from the audience. Great energy and chaotic focus helps to sell HOF as possible stoner gods. Set Rating: B
CONVERGE - Off of their latest release Axe to Fall, this foursome seem to pick up the slack quite well, but they come off as the unlikely band on the bill - every tour has one of these - and they seem more comfortable on the Warped Tour than here. Frontman Jacob Bannon seems to enjoy bouncing around like a flea, which is what he reminded me of, swinging his arms around, waving, more bouncing and jumping, even more waving, and eventually screaming into the mic. At certain times, he reminded of Dillinger Escape Plan's singer Greg Puciato, almost as if they went to the same band camp and learned the same stage maneuvers from the same frontman handbook. The rest of the band played well, but the screeching noise that this band makes.... call it "Grindcore Jr.".... doesn't do anything for me except to start blogging on my iPhone. I don't anyone in the audience were that impressed either. Set Grade: C+
MASTODON - So finally it came down to the band I was most interested in seeing. A band whose entire back catalogue can go down the toilet or trash compactor and never see the light of day with the exception of their latest and quite possibly greatest release, the epic conceptual piece called Crack the Skye, which thankfully and expectedly was played in full from start to finish. From the opening riffs of "Oblivion" to the 13-minute closer of "The Last Baron", Mastodon played an incredible live set that featured, as mentioned above earlier, a widescreen of animation stills perhaps from the album booklet (I wouldn't know, I downloaded the album for free!) full of beautiful colors and what looked like silent films from 1900-1927, though I highly doubt these were actual films.... though I could be wrong, too. Brent Hinds even dressed the part, decked out in tight silver astro-pants and an Afro wig, adding to kooky, psychedelic vibe that Mastodon is known for. Once the band has finishing playing the entire seven-track album, they go right into playing one song from the last three albums, 2006's Blood Mountain, 2004's Leviathan, and 2002's Remission, before calling it a night. Again, I have to stress that they were helped greatly by the screen behind them, though not to take away from their abilities as a band. However, in the future, I would like to see if Mastodon can still hold up their own without the use of gimmicks and electronics and rely on the use of their instruments instead. But tonight, they get a pass. Set Grade: A
DETHKLOK - Promoting their latest release, Dethalbum II, the "band" led by Metalocalypse creator Brendon Small, more like a Mike Judge wannabe, makes use of the jumbo screen in the back just as Mastodon had used earlier to the full effect of engrossing and putting the already worn-out group of metalheads into a trance before they realize that four old men are really the brains and fingers behind Dethklok and not five animated men and decide to go home in tears. In reality, the screen actually makes great use of interludes when the band goes off to recoup, using episodic vignettes of past or maybe new episodes from the TV show. At the beginning, there's a moment where Jack Black is in character onscreen to promote the release of the heavy metal video game "Brutal Legend", which really isn't all that funny nor does it make me want to buy the game any faster, though believe me I shall! As a band, the old men on stage are actually pretty good! It helps to legendary thrash metal drummer Gene Hoglan to lend credibility, as well as Mike Keneally (who?) and Bryan Beller (no really, who?) to keep it going. Even Small, who does his best James Hetfield poses like some 40-year-old geek still living with his mother, looks like he knows what he is doing. But like I said about Mastodon, I would like to see Dethklok stripped (not MTV Unplugged style) of all its theatrics and background screen, and just be a band that plays. Guaranteed they would crumble and fail. But tonight, like Mastodon, they get a pass. Set Grade: A
AFTER THE SHOW - So after a rousing evening of satisfying my curiosity as to the appeal of the latter two bands, I decided to make my way out and introduce myself. I decided to skip meeting High on Fire and Converge and made my way to meet the members of Mastodon.
I spot guitarist and part-time vocalist Brent Hinds busy kissing his girlfriend (or wife) and catching up with friends. When we meet, he is friendly enough and we chat a bit before getting photos and going our separate ways. It begins to sour, however, when later I bring up the whole VMAs/William Hudson assault which left Hinds in bad shape. He bitterly tells me that he didn't have any money to pursue a lawsuit and thereby receiving justice for himself. Quite sad, actually. I try to get a picture with Troy Sanders, who behaves like a complete bitch and refuses to take pictures with yours truly, citing that "I don't do pics, man" and "I'm sick" as his excuse. Though as he is telling me this, I did manage to get a pic of him, which I'm not too satisfied with. I told him he should appreciate his fans more and I proceeded to call Sanders an "asshole" and a "douchebag" to his face, which he was not too thrilled about, but it made me feel much better. Next time will be different, and he'll be the one begging for a picture with me. Brann Dailor, who I had met earlier in the day at a Sam Ash signing, seems somewhat mellow and cautious about who he speaks to. I ask him random questions about this supposed film the band is trying to put together based on Crack the Skye which, in my opinion, will NEVER see the light of day. I ask him about his sister Skye, who at 14 committed suicide, on which the album is named for. Like the others, he seems somewhat taken aback and even annoyed by the questions, which isn't surprising or new to me. Bill Kelliher, who I had met the might before outside Hammerstein and was drunk off his mind, recognized me from an awful message I sent him on Facebook earlier in the day about his erratic behavior the night before, and playfully poked me in my belly. He seemed to also lose patience with me as I berated him with questions that were provocative and uncomfortable. His only defense was to ignore me, which didn't work until he retreated into the venue.
Meeting Dethklok was also fun! I got to see my old pal Gene Hoglan again and "kiss and make up" so to speak. Despite losing his mother and dear friend Michelle Meldrum, he comes across as humble, sweet and endearing to those around him, even those who went on record as to defame and insult his character to bloggers and readers online and ask awful questions in his time of mourning. Gene Hoglan proves that he is truly a man of class. The same cannot be said for arrogant jerkoffs and big-headed pricks like Brendon Small, who really does not have a humorous bone in his body. Still smarting from his rude comments last year at a bar, I brought it to his attention, and to his face, that I thought he is and will always be a rude prick and that I hate his cartoons. All he could muster was a five-second staredown, before continuing to sign autographs and take pictures with fans. When I jokingly asked for a picture with him and he refused, I called him an "asshole" in front of the fans, which drew lots of stares and hushed whispers.
FINAL THOUGHTS - Despite all the drama, I left the Hammerstein extremely happy! Happy to mix it up with Mastodon and that douchebag Small one more time, and making amends with Hoglan. I finally got to see and understand why Mastodon and Dethklok tend to sell out the venues and came away with a greater appreciation for the music, even if I download them for free! :-)
Show Grade: A-
HIGH ON FIRE - Riding the wave of their latest release Death Is This Communion, the stoner trio led by Matt Pike seem to get the night going. The crowd seems to dig the vibe and indeed Pike is enjoying himself, however not one joint is sparked! I can't you what songs were played because I'm not what you would call an HOF fan, but I can say that they warmed the crowd up nicely and were rewarded with ample cheers from the audience. Great energy and chaotic focus helps to sell HOF as possible stoner gods. Set Rating: B
CONVERGE - Off of their latest release Axe to Fall, this foursome seem to pick up the slack quite well, but they come off as the unlikely band on the bill - every tour has one of these - and they seem more comfortable on the Warped Tour than here. Frontman Jacob Bannon seems to enjoy bouncing around like a flea, which is what he reminded me of, swinging his arms around, waving, more bouncing and jumping, even more waving, and eventually screaming into the mic. At certain times, he reminded of Dillinger Escape Plan's singer Greg Puciato, almost as if they went to the same band camp and learned the same stage maneuvers from the same frontman handbook. The rest of the band played well, but the screeching noise that this band makes.... call it "Grindcore Jr.".... doesn't do anything for me except to start blogging on my iPhone. I don't anyone in the audience were that impressed either. Set Grade: C+
MASTODON - So finally it came down to the band I was most interested in seeing. A band whose entire back catalogue can go down the toilet or trash compactor and never see the light of day with the exception of their latest and quite possibly greatest release, the epic conceptual piece called Crack the Skye, which thankfully and expectedly was played in full from start to finish. From the opening riffs of "Oblivion" to the 13-minute closer of "The Last Baron", Mastodon played an incredible live set that featured, as mentioned above earlier, a widescreen of animation stills perhaps from the album booklet (I wouldn't know, I downloaded the album for free!) full of beautiful colors and what looked like silent films from 1900-1927, though I highly doubt these were actual films.... though I could be wrong, too. Brent Hinds even dressed the part, decked out in tight silver astro-pants and an Afro wig, adding to kooky, psychedelic vibe that Mastodon is known for. Once the band has finishing playing the entire seven-track album, they go right into playing one song from the last three albums, 2006's Blood Mountain, 2004's Leviathan, and 2002's Remission, before calling it a night. Again, I have to stress that they were helped greatly by the screen behind them, though not to take away from their abilities as a band. However, in the future, I would like to see if Mastodon can still hold up their own without the use of gimmicks and electronics and rely on the use of their instruments instead. But tonight, they get a pass. Set Grade: A
DETHKLOK - Promoting their latest release, Dethalbum II, the "band" led by Metalocalypse creator Brendon Small, more like a Mike Judge wannabe, makes use of the jumbo screen in the back just as Mastodon had used earlier to the full effect of engrossing and putting the already worn-out group of metalheads into a trance before they realize that four old men are really the brains and fingers behind Dethklok and not five animated men and decide to go home in tears. In reality, the screen actually makes great use of interludes when the band goes off to recoup, using episodic vignettes of past or maybe new episodes from the TV show. At the beginning, there's a moment where Jack Black is in character onscreen to promote the release of the heavy metal video game "Brutal Legend", which really isn't all that funny nor does it make me want to buy the game any faster, though believe me I shall! As a band, the old men on stage are actually pretty good! It helps to legendary thrash metal drummer Gene Hoglan to lend credibility, as well as Mike Keneally (who?) and Bryan Beller (no really, who?) to keep it going. Even Small, who does his best James Hetfield poses like some 40-year-old geek still living with his mother, looks like he knows what he is doing. But like I said about Mastodon, I would like to see Dethklok stripped (not MTV Unplugged style) of all its theatrics and background screen, and just be a band that plays. Guaranteed they would crumble and fail. But tonight, like Mastodon, they get a pass. Set Grade: A
AFTER THE SHOW - So after a rousing evening of satisfying my curiosity as to the appeal of the latter two bands, I decided to make my way out and introduce myself. I decided to skip meeting High on Fire and Converge and made my way to meet the members of Mastodon.
I spot guitarist and part-time vocalist Brent Hinds busy kissing his girlfriend (or wife) and catching up with friends. When we meet, he is friendly enough and we chat a bit before getting photos and going our separate ways. It begins to sour, however, when later I bring up the whole VMAs/William Hudson assault which left Hinds in bad shape. He bitterly tells me that he didn't have any money to pursue a lawsuit and thereby receiving justice for himself. Quite sad, actually. I try to get a picture with Troy Sanders, who behaves like a complete bitch and refuses to take pictures with yours truly, citing that "I don't do pics, man" and "I'm sick" as his excuse. Though as he is telling me this, I did manage to get a pic of him, which I'm not too satisfied with. I told him he should appreciate his fans more and I proceeded to call Sanders an "asshole" and a "douchebag" to his face, which he was not too thrilled about, but it made me feel much better. Next time will be different, and he'll be the one begging for a picture with me. Brann Dailor, who I had met earlier in the day at a Sam Ash signing, seems somewhat mellow and cautious about who he speaks to. I ask him random questions about this supposed film the band is trying to put together based on Crack the Skye which, in my opinion, will NEVER see the light of day. I ask him about his sister Skye, who at 14 committed suicide, on which the album is named for. Like the others, he seems somewhat taken aback and even annoyed by the questions, which isn't surprising or new to me. Bill Kelliher, who I had met the might before outside Hammerstein and was drunk off his mind, recognized me from an awful message I sent him on Facebook earlier in the day about his erratic behavior the night before, and playfully poked me in my belly. He seemed to also lose patience with me as I berated him with questions that were provocative and uncomfortable. His only defense was to ignore me, which didn't work until he retreated into the venue.
Meeting Dethklok was also fun! I got to see my old pal Gene Hoglan again and "kiss and make up" so to speak. Despite losing his mother and dear friend Michelle Meldrum, he comes across as humble, sweet and endearing to those around him, even those who went on record as to defame and insult his character to bloggers and readers online and ask awful questions in his time of mourning. Gene Hoglan proves that he is truly a man of class. The same cannot be said for arrogant jerkoffs and big-headed pricks like Brendon Small, who really does not have a humorous bone in his body. Still smarting from his rude comments last year at a bar, I brought it to his attention, and to his face, that I thought he is and will always be a rude prick and that I hate his cartoons. All he could muster was a five-second staredown, before continuing to sign autographs and take pictures with fans. When I jokingly asked for a picture with him and he refused, I called him an "asshole" in front of the fans, which drew lots of stares and hushed whispers.
FINAL THOUGHTS - Despite all the drama, I left the Hammerstein extremely happy! Happy to mix it up with Mastodon and that douchebag Small one more time, and making amends with Hoglan. I finally got to see and understand why Mastodon and Dethklok tend to sell out the venues and came away with a greater appreciation for the music, even if I download them for free! :-)
Show Grade: A-
Type O Negative w/ Seventh Void, Destrophy and Dead Men Dreaming @ Nokia Theatre - 10/22/09
A night dominated by the legendary Brooklyn doom/goth metal band Type O Negative that has its members venture off into party rock territory with Seventh Void and flocked with upstart bands (Dead Men Dreaming and Destrophy) who favor looks and flexing sweaty muscles over talent and creating mood.
DEAD MEN DREAMING - Pretty decent openers actually make the most of their extended time by singing randomly cheesy cover songs and actually making them work. They're onstage a bit too long, but the crowd doesn't seem to mind. A little more finesse and execution is needed for band and they may actually develop a following.... maybe! Set Grade: B-
SEVENTH VOID - the second-tier members of Type O Negative break away from the iron grip of frontman Pete Steele to produce a more rocking affair than the usual doom and gloom o the former band. Kenny Hickey does his best Chris Cornell impression at the mic while the rest of the band seem to follow along to a beat that is all their own. But there is no evidence to suggest that this venture is nothing more than just side project and will probably not be around once Type O eventually dissolves. They're typical for a rock band, but the change of pace away from Type O is a welcome one. Set Grade: B-
DESTROPHY - As good as these guys are, I can't help but wish for their set to end quickly so that Type O Negative can finally take the stage. From what I see, the band is pretty tight and the song aren't bad, but I just want to see the final act and go home already. No doubt the girls are digging the frontman, who plays like an amped-up James Hetfield but with sweaty muscled arms and none of the horrid tattoos. But in metal, looks don't matter much or make your band any better. Set Grade: B-
TYPE O NEGATIVE - Despite former Playgirl centerfold Pete Steele's shockingly overweight frame - complete with man-boobs! - members involved with other projects, and the absence of band keyboardist Josh Silver, the "Drab Four" (minus Silver) are still at the top of their game this evening. Even when the set tends to meander now and then, and quite often, they steer it back on course with some favorite cuts from albums past. The presentation is massive enough, decked out in green curtains and green lighting with the "circle around the minus" symbol that represents the band's moniker, and frontman/bassist Steele engages in some witty banter with the crowd and the briefly missing Kenny Hickey, who steps offstage to retrieve a new guitar but seems to be gone for minutes. Great moments come with show opener "Dead Again," the midway point of "Profits of Doom" and the epic encore of the 11-minute "Black No. 1". Set Grade: B+
AFTER THE SHOW
I personally got into some banter with Type O Negative/Seventh Void drummer Johnny Kelly about Facebook, and his reasoning behind it is simply retarded. He is not what you would call a bright guy. Hank Hell and Matt Brown of Seventh Void are gentlemen, and Pete Steele, aka Lurch, is.... quite a character! His sense of humor and wit is sharp and he seems to have answer for every question, no matter how ridiculous it may be. At one point, I ask him if there are plans for another Playgirl spread, to which he quickly replies: "Once is enough." And truthfully, at this point in his life, who would want to see an out-of-shape, fat and old Pete Steele naked?
Show Grade: B
DEAD MEN DREAMING - Pretty decent openers actually make the most of their extended time by singing randomly cheesy cover songs and actually making them work. They're onstage a bit too long, but the crowd doesn't seem to mind. A little more finesse and execution is needed for band and they may actually develop a following.... maybe! Set Grade: B-
SEVENTH VOID - the second-tier members of Type O Negative break away from the iron grip of frontman Pete Steele to produce a more rocking affair than the usual doom and gloom o the former band. Kenny Hickey does his best Chris Cornell impression at the mic while the rest of the band seem to follow along to a beat that is all their own. But there is no evidence to suggest that this venture is nothing more than just side project and will probably not be around once Type O eventually dissolves. They're typical for a rock band, but the change of pace away from Type O is a welcome one. Set Grade: B-
DESTROPHY - As good as these guys are, I can't help but wish for their set to end quickly so that Type O Negative can finally take the stage. From what I see, the band is pretty tight and the song aren't bad, but I just want to see the final act and go home already. No doubt the girls are digging the frontman, who plays like an amped-up James Hetfield but with sweaty muscled arms and none of the horrid tattoos. But in metal, looks don't matter much or make your band any better. Set Grade: B-
TYPE O NEGATIVE - Despite former Playgirl centerfold Pete Steele's shockingly overweight frame - complete with man-boobs! - members involved with other projects, and the absence of band keyboardist Josh Silver, the "Drab Four" (minus Silver) are still at the top of their game this evening. Even when the set tends to meander now and then, and quite often, they steer it back on course with some favorite cuts from albums past. The presentation is massive enough, decked out in green curtains and green lighting with the "circle around the minus" symbol that represents the band's moniker, and frontman/bassist Steele engages in some witty banter with the crowd and the briefly missing Kenny Hickey, who steps offstage to retrieve a new guitar but seems to be gone for minutes. Great moments come with show opener "Dead Again," the midway point of "Profits of Doom" and the epic encore of the 11-minute "Black No. 1". Set Grade: B+
AFTER THE SHOW
I personally got into some banter with Type O Negative/Seventh Void drummer Johnny Kelly about Facebook, and his reasoning behind it is simply retarded. He is not what you would call a bright guy. Hank Hell and Matt Brown of Seventh Void are gentlemen, and Pete Steele, aka Lurch, is.... quite a character! His sense of humor and wit is sharp and he seems to have answer for every question, no matter how ridiculous it may be. At one point, I ask him if there are plans for another Playgirl spread, to which he quickly replies: "Once is enough." And truthfully, at this point in his life, who would want to see an out-of-shape, fat and old Pete Steele naked?
Show Grade: B
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Soulfly w/ Prong, Cattle Decapitation, Mutiny Within @ Blender Theater - 10/19/09
If Soulfly is looking to sell tickets, then my advice would be for them to beef up its billing potential. No offense to the other bands like Cattle Decapitation, whose stage performance really betrays all the hype that they get in the metal media, but they really don't measure up to the kind of billpower that one would expect. Prong is an admirable find, and bode well with the thrash/groove style of Soulfly, or at least Max Cavalera-era Sepultura, but nothing on this bill suggests the average concertgoer got his $30 worth in tonight's performance.
MUTINY WITHIN - For a band signed to Roadrunner, they're pretty tepid and weak. Set Grade: C+
CATTLE DECAPITATION - The singer drools and slobbers his way through the set while the rest of the band members try to keep up with the speed that proves too exhausting for the listener in the crowd. For a band that has so much push from label Metal Blade, the band falls short of capturing any interest or respectability. Set Grade: C
PRONG - Tommy Victor rebounds admirably despite an extremely slow start. Prong has lost considerable steam in recent years, but the crowd seems to warm up nicely as Victor leads the crowd into groovy choruses and pushes those in the back to sing along. Still, the crowd is merely saving itself for the Soulfly onslaught, provided that some classic and familiar Sepultura tunes are played. Set Grade: B-
SOULFLY - They barely manage to salvage the lackluster show by pulling out favorite metal gems and classic Sepultura songs because, frankly, no one really cares about Soulfly's catalogue, save for a few songs. Still, not as exciting or original as shows past, and a somewhat dismal appearance by Richie Cavalera on "Unleash" doesn't really help much, but Max and company still move the crowd in fits and cause near riots in the front row. Set Grade: B-
Show Grade: B-
MUTINY WITHIN - For a band signed to Roadrunner, they're pretty tepid and weak. Set Grade: C+
CATTLE DECAPITATION - The singer drools and slobbers his way through the set while the rest of the band members try to keep up with the speed that proves too exhausting for the listener in the crowd. For a band that has so much push from label Metal Blade, the band falls short of capturing any interest or respectability. Set Grade: C
PRONG - Tommy Victor rebounds admirably despite an extremely slow start. Prong has lost considerable steam in recent years, but the crowd seems to warm up nicely as Victor leads the crowd into groovy choruses and pushes those in the back to sing along. Still, the crowd is merely saving itself for the Soulfly onslaught, provided that some classic and familiar Sepultura tunes are played. Set Grade: B-
SOULFLY - They barely manage to salvage the lackluster show by pulling out favorite metal gems and classic Sepultura songs because, frankly, no one really cares about Soulfly's catalogue, save for a few songs. Still, not as exciting or original as shows past, and a somewhat dismal appearance by Richie Cavalera on "Unleash" doesn't really help much, but Max and company still move the crowd in fits and cause near riots in the front row. Set Grade: B-
Show Grade: B-
Monday, September 28, 2009
Down w/ Melvins & Weedeater @ Nokia Theatre - 9/11/0Down w/ Melvins & Weedeater @ Nokia Theatre - 9/11/09
On a day of what should have been one of remembrance and sadness for the people who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks eight years ago, was a day of great celebration surrounded by a cloud of marijuana and metal. That is not to say that this tragic day and the heinous events that unfolded were overlooked... in fact, Seattle stoner legends the Melvins led an impromptu sing-along of "O Say Can You See" with members of Down and Weedeater joining them onstage. The bands are no doubt proud to be Americans and share this love of their country with those in attendance, even going so far as to order anybody wearing a hat to take it off and place their right hand over their heart and sing.
Upon meeting the members of Down, I found guitarist Kirk Windstein and drummer Jimmy Bower to be in good spirits despite the fact that bassist Rex Brown couldn't make the rest of the tour due to his chronic pancreatitis and being replaced by fellow NOLA player Danny Theriot, who did an admirable but otherwise ho-hum performance. Guitarist Pepper Keenan was, in a word, a douchebag. I'm not too surprised or bothered by this. Whatever his contributions are to the band, his surly attitude and inability to connect with fans, or at least put forth an effort to connect, rubs me the wrong way and needs to learn to respect people who pay money to watch his crusty, 40-something, over-the-hill, stoned-out self noodling and fiddling his instrument like he's someone important. Let's face it, when you say "Down" the first person you think about is Phil Anselmo, not Pepper Keenan. He is the last person to have any ego! So fuck you, Pepper! And what of Phil, you may ask? I have to say that he is one of coolest, sincerest person you could meet. And despite his previous doings with heroin and mud-slinging from Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell's widow Rita Haney about his character, Philip Anselmo was a true gentleman and in his words, certainly did "take care of us," his fans.
WEEDEATER - To light up the evening's first joint, this band seemed to relish burying their "music" in feedback and distorted noise rather than actually sing. There was some initial growling that couldn't be heard and after a while the band just gave up and simply played "noise." Not a whole lot else, except that douchebag Pepper seemed to like them a lot and paid ample attention to their set. My guess is that the band is a possible discovery of his. I think he needs to do better than this. Set Grade: C
MELVINS - The legendary and mysterious band from Seattle who may, or may not, have been responsible for the start of Grunge in the 80s. Certainly they didn't popularize the genre, but they were one of the first. So when I expect to hear something akin to early Nirvana or Soundgarden, but get Weedeater Part II instead. At one point, notoriously nappy-headed frontman peers out into the crowd and notices the otherwise bored, tired looks on the faces of the people in the front row, including mine, and assures us that "Down is here tonight, don't worry!" which actually proves to be one of the most hilarious exclamations ever made at a concert that I've been to. There are moments when the Melvins get a good riff going, but then stop immediately in favor of sludgy 10-minute riffs which put the front row back to sleep. Despite a rousing double-drum intro from Dale Crover and a second drummer (!!!!) that lasts for what feels like almost five minutes of continuous cymbal bashing and the rousing, impromptu sing-along for America, the Melvins fall short and disappoint. Set Grade: C+
DOWN - When all is said and done, what we want to see is Phil! The man behind the mic for metal saviors, the late Pantera, is back after two years to spread the good message that "real metal" has returned to New York City. The crowd is all over this one and bodies immediately start flying. Down pummel through several favorites such as opener "Eyes of the South" and other favorites from the first two albums, such as "Stone the Crow," "Bury Me in Smoke," "Ghosts Along the Mississippi," and "New Orleans Is a Dying Whore," while playing only one song from the latest album, "Nothing in Return (Walk Away)." But the best, and most surprising, moment was when the band kicked into their faithful rendition to Van Halen's "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love." Immediately, the crowd and myself went wild with delight and anyone who knew the words, which was EVERYONE, sang along to Phil who had a similar quality to VH's latest frontman David Lee Roth! For my first Down show, this was an unexpectedly pleasant one... and definitely one of the Top 5 best shows this year! Set Grade: A-
Overall Show Grade: B
Upon meeting the members of Down, I found guitarist Kirk Windstein and drummer Jimmy Bower to be in good spirits despite the fact that bassist Rex Brown couldn't make the rest of the tour due to his chronic pancreatitis and being replaced by fellow NOLA player Danny Theriot, who did an admirable but otherwise ho-hum performance. Guitarist Pepper Keenan was, in a word, a douchebag. I'm not too surprised or bothered by this. Whatever his contributions are to the band, his surly attitude and inability to connect with fans, or at least put forth an effort to connect, rubs me the wrong way and needs to learn to respect people who pay money to watch his crusty, 40-something, over-the-hill, stoned-out self noodling and fiddling his instrument like he's someone important. Let's face it, when you say "Down" the first person you think about is Phil Anselmo, not Pepper Keenan. He is the last person to have any ego! So fuck you, Pepper! And what of Phil, you may ask? I have to say that he is one of coolest, sincerest person you could meet. And despite his previous doings with heroin and mud-slinging from Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell's widow Rita Haney about his character, Philip Anselmo was a true gentleman and in his words, certainly did "take care of us," his fans.
WEEDEATER - To light up the evening's first joint, this band seemed to relish burying their "music" in feedback and distorted noise rather than actually sing. There was some initial growling that couldn't be heard and after a while the band just gave up and simply played "noise." Not a whole lot else, except that douchebag Pepper seemed to like them a lot and paid ample attention to their set. My guess is that the band is a possible discovery of his. I think he needs to do better than this. Set Grade: C
MELVINS - The legendary and mysterious band from Seattle who may, or may not, have been responsible for the start of Grunge in the 80s. Certainly they didn't popularize the genre, but they were one of the first. So when I expect to hear something akin to early Nirvana or Soundgarden, but get Weedeater Part II instead. At one point, notoriously nappy-headed frontman peers out into the crowd and notices the otherwise bored, tired looks on the faces of the people in the front row, including mine, and assures us that "Down is here tonight, don't worry!" which actually proves to be one of the most hilarious exclamations ever made at a concert that I've been to. There are moments when the Melvins get a good riff going, but then stop immediately in favor of sludgy 10-minute riffs which put the front row back to sleep. Despite a rousing double-drum intro from Dale Crover and a second drummer (!!!!) that lasts for what feels like almost five minutes of continuous cymbal bashing and the rousing, impromptu sing-along for America, the Melvins fall short and disappoint. Set Grade: C+
DOWN - When all is said and done, what we want to see is Phil! The man behind the mic for metal saviors, the late Pantera, is back after two years to spread the good message that "real metal" has returned to New York City. The crowd is all over this one and bodies immediately start flying. Down pummel through several favorites such as opener "Eyes of the South" and other favorites from the first two albums, such as "Stone the Crow," "Bury Me in Smoke," "Ghosts Along the Mississippi," and "New Orleans Is a Dying Whore," while playing only one song from the latest album, "Nothing in Return (Walk Away)." But the best, and most surprising, moment was when the band kicked into their faithful rendition to Van Halen's "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love." Immediately, the crowd and myself went wild with delight and anyone who knew the words, which was EVERYONE, sang along to Phil who had a similar quality to VH's latest frontman David Lee Roth! For my first Down show, this was an unexpectedly pleasant one... and definitely one of the Top 5 best shows this year! Set Grade: A-
Overall Show Grade: B
Motörhead w/ Reverend Horton Heat & Nashville Pussy @ Roseland Ballroom - 9/9/09
Almost one year ago, at the same venue, I saw Motörhead for the first time and was blown away. I missed a chance to meet frontman/bassist Lemmy, who escaped through the back exit, and instead had to settle with meeting drummer Mikkey Dee, who was polite enough but seemed otherwise uninterested in chatting with fans. This time was way different! Mikkey Dee, who opted to appear on the Swedish version of our American show "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" instead, was replaced by Velvet Revolver skinsman Matt Sorum and I got to mee the legendary Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead, who, after forming the band for almost 35 years, was standing before me. A gentleman in every respect and surprisingly quite upbeat and funny. My vision of him was the proverbial old warhorse, jaded and wiry of the road and all the whores, groupies, users, abusers and hanger-ons who latch themselves onto bands with no purpose but to bleed them dry. So it was a pleasant surprise to me that despite having a pathetic entourage following behind him, he seemed to gravitate more towards me than the silicone-injected females near him. It's one of those great thrills that you feel when you come near a legend or a hero from your childhood and he is still just a normal guy at heart and plays for the simple joy of seeing his fans happy. As he took my hand into his and we walked down the sidewalk for five seconds - yes, this really did happen! - he assured me that the fun wouldn't stop any time soon and that the best was yet to come. Oh, and yes, the facial warts are indeed real!
NASHVILLE PUSSY - Not to be confused with "Alabama Thunderpussy," these southern rockers boast a pretty down and dirty, but some good, clean fun that begins with Cheech Marin's "Pussy, Pussy" monologue in the 1995 film, "From Dusk 'til Dawn." From the word "go," the show shoots off like a wild rodeo ride, never letting up for inch until the songs ends. The band boasts two females, one is a big chested guitarist and the other the bassist, who rock just as hard as the men. No feminist bullshit on their part, and the men don't seem to impose any sexist views, except for the name of the band, although I'm sure you could hear them if you listen to the lyrics, which, unfortunately, I couldn't. Set Grade: B
THE REVEREND HORTON HEAT - And now for something completely different and totally unexpected, a psychobilly act at a predominently metalhead show. They get the top prize for being the most unlikely band on the bill, yet still manage to get some cordial applause from the crowd of mosh-hungry people who want to see Motörhead. Still, there are certainly fans of RHH in the crowd, many of whom are old, tall men who grew up in Dallas, Texas as the frontman onstage and eventually migrated to New York. The band boasts a 50s throwback style complete with a giant bass viola and a Les Paul stratocaster (I could be wrong, though) with some old-style etchings. They play music that reminds me of something I heard in "Pulp Fiction" or some David Lynch movie that uses psychobilly-esque/50s rockabilly/surf punk music. At times, the interludes get slow, but not without some clever moments that tends to toy with the crowds reaction. Still, the good Rev (who looks like a post-rehab James Hetfield) and company do an admirable job in keeping the Southern Comfort vibe going. Set Grade: B
MOTÖRHEAD - And off we go, exactly where we left off nearly a year ago, with a packed crowd of people waiting to see the Road Crew bring down the Roseland in true road-dog style. This time, however, things got a little bit louder, as I had read on some concert-goer's T-shirt that evening which read: "Motörhead... Everything Louder Than Anything Out There!" or something to that effect. It wasn't enough that I could hear the songs being played, but the band were in danger of killing every eardrum that wasn't protected or covered. Lemmy, like a great crumbling statue, remained in his position belting out the usual classics like.... oh, you know the ones.... do I really have to name them? The crowd seemed satisfied to throw themselves literally on top of each other and into the waiting arms of security more for themselves than for Lemmy. I mean, seriously, can anyone name one Motörhead song that they can mosh to? Matt Sorum covers Mikkey Dee's fat ass well on the drums and even goes so far as to mimic Dee's "tossing-of-the-sticks-everywhere" routine. And Phil just wears a damn cool-looking fedora hat. The night did belong to them naturally, but without really being able to hear the songs and singing along, it really made me lose focus. Maybe next year, in September at the Roseland again, will be a different story. Set Grade: B+
Overall Show Grade: B
NASHVILLE PUSSY - Not to be confused with "Alabama Thunderpussy," these southern rockers boast a pretty down and dirty, but some good, clean fun that begins with Cheech Marin's "Pussy, Pussy" monologue in the 1995 film, "From Dusk 'til Dawn." From the word "go," the show shoots off like a wild rodeo ride, never letting up for inch until the songs ends. The band boasts two females, one is a big chested guitarist and the other the bassist, who rock just as hard as the men. No feminist bullshit on their part, and the men don't seem to impose any sexist views, except for the name of the band, although I'm sure you could hear them if you listen to the lyrics, which, unfortunately, I couldn't. Set Grade: B
THE REVEREND HORTON HEAT - And now for something completely different and totally unexpected, a psychobilly act at a predominently metalhead show. They get the top prize for being the most unlikely band on the bill, yet still manage to get some cordial applause from the crowd of mosh-hungry people who want to see Motörhead. Still, there are certainly fans of RHH in the crowd, many of whom are old, tall men who grew up in Dallas, Texas as the frontman onstage and eventually migrated to New York. The band boasts a 50s throwback style complete with a giant bass viola and a Les Paul stratocaster (I could be wrong, though) with some old-style etchings. They play music that reminds me of something I heard in "Pulp Fiction" or some David Lynch movie that uses psychobilly-esque/50s rockabilly/surf punk music. At times, the interludes get slow, but not without some clever moments that tends to toy with the crowds reaction. Still, the good Rev (who looks like a post-rehab James Hetfield) and company do an admirable job in keeping the Southern Comfort vibe going. Set Grade: B
MOTÖRHEAD - And off we go, exactly where we left off nearly a year ago, with a packed crowd of people waiting to see the Road Crew bring down the Roseland in true road-dog style. This time, however, things got a little bit louder, as I had read on some concert-goer's T-shirt that evening which read: "Motörhead... Everything Louder Than Anything Out There!" or something to that effect. It wasn't enough that I could hear the songs being played, but the band were in danger of killing every eardrum that wasn't protected or covered. Lemmy, like a great crumbling statue, remained in his position belting out the usual classics like.... oh, you know the ones.... do I really have to name them? The crowd seemed satisfied to throw themselves literally on top of each other and into the waiting arms of security more for themselves than for Lemmy. I mean, seriously, can anyone name one Motörhead song that they can mosh to? Matt Sorum covers Mikkey Dee's fat ass well on the drums and even goes so far as to mimic Dee's "tossing-of-the-sticks-everywhere" routine. And Phil just wears a damn cool-looking fedora hat. The night did belong to them naturally, but without really being able to hear the songs and singing along, it really made me lose focus. Maybe next year, in September at the Roseland again, will be a different story. Set Grade: B+
Overall Show Grade: B
Monday, July 20, 2009
Summer Slaughter @ The Fillmore - 7/19/09
For some reason, I felt compelled to see this year's Summer Slaughter tour, despite the fact that last year's show was a bust and this year was charged at $30-35 a ticket. But, being the masochist that I am, as well as a somewhat wealthy young man, I took a chance and came out. Imagine my surprise when I found out that they had split the bill of twelve bands in half, but including Ensiferum, Suffocation and Necrophagist on both dates, and only seven would play tonight and the remaining five would play the following evening, a move that robs myself and the few hundreds in attendance our money's worth. In any event, the bill had it's few ups and many downs, but I would gather that tonight couldn't possibly any worse than tomorrow's show, which unfortunately, I will not be able to see. But to be quite honest, I'm not the least bit saddened. Read on!
BLACKGUARD - Once you get past the stench of sweaty balls and dirty water, this opener band was pretty rockin'. I would venture to take a guess that they've probably ripped off several pages from the ol' heavy metal rulebook and committing to several of its familiar cliches, like placing a domineering foot on the monitors, or uniformly swaying and bobbing their long manes of hair in choreographed unison. Still, at the early in the day and being the first band up, they got the entire house rockin'. And while they seem to be a bit cliched, their good-time attitude is what saved their set. Set Grade: B
DECREPIT BIRTH - Hats off to the singer of this band for providing the single most entertaining moment of the evening, having jumped into a crowd of docile metalheads and losing a shoe in the process. What followed was painfully hilarious as the singer wouldn't focus on his stage duties and simply ask the crowd where his missing shoe was. It's sad, really, when that is what is most remembered from your set. Music was typical and average, but that missing shoe - priceless. Set Grade: C+ (B- for the missing shoe)
ORIGIN - The girl to the right of me said that this band was good... well, she lied! Not my cup of tea, really. The band substitutes lyrical clarity and brutal riffs for monster faces and spanking the mic like a misbehaved child (don't ask!). The singer is a fat, drunken douchebag, and the band would be wise to dump him fast! Set Grade: D+
DARKEST HOUR - The perfect example of having the right kind of energy with thrashy riffs and vibe, but having zero chemistry with the crowd - one fan told the singer to "fuck off" - and even less stage charisma. For a notable band such as this, I expected way more. Set Grade: C+
ENSIFERUM - I'm not a big fan of singing along to the main riff or chanting along with the crowd of sweaty morons behind me that is common with folk-metal, but this wasn't a totally awful set. I just wish the male players hadn't exposed their hairy, sweaty beer gut while the one female in the group remained covered up. At least these guy crafted much better than the bands before them, and how sad that it takes foreigners to outdo Americans like that. Set Grade: B-
SUFFOCATION - As brutal as they want to be! That is their credo, at least when their singer can't shut the fuck up for two seconds and let the band actually play. The band just released their latest album, Blood Oath, and after 20 years as an influential death metal band, their age doesn't necessarily show. An while there are far better bands in their genre, tonight definitely belongs to them. Necrophagist better be on their game! Set Grade: B
NECROPHAGIST - As I write this, the band is playing. That should tell you just how lackluster the energy is if I can blog this while a metal band is playing! No flying bodies, no crowdsurfers... just really loud douchebags and even louder music. How the fuck can these guys be the headliners? After all, this is an American tour, yet the main act is a bunch of Krauts! A major comedown from the sheer brutality and speed of Suffocation. Technical death metal my ass! Set Grade (before the set is even finished): C+
NO SHOW BANDS/PART II's REMAINING BANDS - After the Burial, Beneath the Massacre, Born of Osiris, Dying Fetus, and Winds of Plague (my misbegotten foes).
Overall Show Grade: B-
BLACKGUARD - Once you get past the stench of sweaty balls and dirty water, this opener band was pretty rockin'. I would venture to take a guess that they've probably ripped off several pages from the ol' heavy metal rulebook and committing to several of its familiar cliches, like placing a domineering foot on the monitors, or uniformly swaying and bobbing their long manes of hair in choreographed unison. Still, at the early in the day and being the first band up, they got the entire house rockin'. And while they seem to be a bit cliched, their good-time attitude is what saved their set. Set Grade: B
DECREPIT BIRTH - Hats off to the singer of this band for providing the single most entertaining moment of the evening, having jumped into a crowd of docile metalheads and losing a shoe in the process. What followed was painfully hilarious as the singer wouldn't focus on his stage duties and simply ask the crowd where his missing shoe was. It's sad, really, when that is what is most remembered from your set. Music was typical and average, but that missing shoe - priceless. Set Grade: C+ (B- for the missing shoe)
ORIGIN - The girl to the right of me said that this band was good... well, she lied! Not my cup of tea, really. The band substitutes lyrical clarity and brutal riffs for monster faces and spanking the mic like a misbehaved child (don't ask!). The singer is a fat, drunken douchebag, and the band would be wise to dump him fast! Set Grade: D+
DARKEST HOUR - The perfect example of having the right kind of energy with thrashy riffs and vibe, but having zero chemistry with the crowd - one fan told the singer to "fuck off" - and even less stage charisma. For a notable band such as this, I expected way more. Set Grade: C+
ENSIFERUM - I'm not a big fan of singing along to the main riff or chanting along with the crowd of sweaty morons behind me that is common with folk-metal, but this wasn't a totally awful set. I just wish the male players hadn't exposed their hairy, sweaty beer gut while the one female in the group remained covered up. At least these guy crafted much better than the bands before them, and how sad that it takes foreigners to outdo Americans like that. Set Grade: B-
SUFFOCATION - As brutal as they want to be! That is their credo, at least when their singer can't shut the fuck up for two seconds and let the band actually play. The band just released their latest album, Blood Oath, and after 20 years as an influential death metal band, their age doesn't necessarily show. An while there are far better bands in their genre, tonight definitely belongs to them. Necrophagist better be on their game! Set Grade: B
NECROPHAGIST - As I write this, the band is playing. That should tell you just how lackluster the energy is if I can blog this while a metal band is playing! No flying bodies, no crowdsurfers... just really loud douchebags and even louder music. How the fuck can these guys be the headliners? After all, this is an American tour, yet the main act is a bunch of Krauts! A major comedown from the sheer brutality and speed of Suffocation. Technical death metal my ass! Set Grade (before the set is even finished): C+
NO SHOW BANDS/PART II's REMAINING BANDS - After the Burial, Beneath the Massacre, Born of Osiris, Dying Fetus, and Winds of Plague (my misbegotten foes).
Overall Show Grade: B-
Deicide and Vital Remains @ BB King - 7/5/09
Back in October 21 of 2006, which happened to be my birthday, Deicide had come to New York to promote their latest album at the time, The Stench of Redemption, and I had the misfortune of missing the show. Since then, I had always wondered what a Deicide show was like and what would I expect. Three years later that time finally came and I was going to see Glen Benton up close and personal!
REGAIN THE HEART CONDEMNED - The first band up was a strange combination of dudes. Taking their cue from legendary Norwegian black metal band Mayhem, the five-piece band had four of its members looking and dressing like normal dudes, more like rejects from a deathcore band, and the singer dressed in corpse paint and Jesus Christ regalia. Much to my surprise, the crowd seemed to enjoy the dark theatrics as the singer pours cornsyrup, designed to look like fake blood, from a plastic skull all over himself and grumbles incoherently into the mic. I wasn't impressed, plain and simple. Better bands can pull it off without seeming cartoonish or the least bit ridiculous. Bands need to rely on their music and lyrics to reach people, not kindergarten-style Halloween costumes and fake blood. Set Grade: C
MARTYRD - In every bill there is always one band that sticks out. Sometimes it's because they're better than the other bands, and they bring a certain kind of finesse and skill than the others don't have. In this case, it's playing the wrong style of music! This is supposed to be a night Satanic death metal, and a band like Martyrd brings to the stage an 80s pop thrash/NWOBHM-influenced style more suitable for throwbacks trying to regain their former glory. (In fact, their next big show will be with 80s thrashers Metal Church.) And since I've seen these guys many times before, playing the same songs in the same way, there isn't much else to say. At least they moved up from show openers to second billing. Set Grade: C
VITAL REMAINS - Perhaps one of the nicest group of guys ever to front a death metal band, there's the massive bodily frame of guitarist Tony Lazaro, who towers over anyone, and renowned drummer of extreme metal Tim Yeung, who, upon having a casual conversation with, is a lot more brighter and humble than he looks. Sonically, the band is brutal and the crowd is definitely feeling the vibe of danger. Pits are getting crazier behind me as bodies are falling onto the stage. At one point, VR frontman Scott Wily attempts to pull me onstage so that I can jump back into the crowd and take some people out. On another night, I may have done so, but I was not going to lose out on havin the evil Mr. Benton perform before me. Still, Vital Remains do a good job is rustling up some fire from the crowd of angry spics around me and leaves ample room for Deicide to lay waste to all in attendance. Set Grade: B
DEICIDE - I often wondered what the evil monster that was Deicide was like in the 90s when the genre was still new. After all the news reports that Deicide were responsible for an Italian boy's death and bomb scares in Europe, as well as Benton's antipathy toward his fans' safety, I was actually a little scared. This dude actually branded his fucking forehead with an inverted crucifix in devotion to his Satanic beliefs! This guy is the real deal! Instead of having THAT guy come out onstage, we got an older, fatter, and visibly tired Glen Benton putting on a show. Aided by former Cannibal Corpse guitarist Jack Owen, weasely-faced drummer Steve Asheim, and a fill-in for guitarist Ralph Santolla, who has touring commitments with Obituary, Benton put on a good, but otherwise typical, death metal show that you can find at cheap dive bars in Brooklyn. So unmoved was I by the lack of evilness that I heckled Benton with: "I heard you were evil!" which prompted the perturbed Benton to threaten me by kicking my teeth just to see how evil he can be. And while I was smiling and laughing at this old man's "threat", I couldn't help but think that he was probably very serious! It was one of the most scary/awesome moments I've ever gotten from a band member at a show. Despite the visible age in their music and playing, Deicide made my night and the three year wait was worth it. Set Grade: B+
AFTER THE SHOW
I quickly snatched the slit of cardbox (a reference to Christ, perhaps?) that Deicide's setlist was written on and quickly stuffed it in my pants right when the final note had finished. I even shook Benton's sweaty hand, who seemed to have forgotten my earlier heckling. The setlist: Deicide/Dead by Dawn/Once Upon the Cross/Scars of the Crucifix Death to Jesus Desecration When Satan Rules His World Serpents of the Light Bastards of Christ They Are the Children of the Underworld Holy Deception Oblivious to Evil Homage for Satan Kill the Christian Sacrificial Suicide Surprisingly, there were no songs off the new album Till Death Do Us Part. Outside the venue, I spoke with and met with each band that performed, finding it very easy to talk to Tim Yeung, Tony Lazaro, and Jack Owen. Steve Asheim was also accomodating, even if he did look a little hurried. When Benton came out, however, he beat a hasty exit without any smiles or stopping to take pictures or sign autographs with the fans outside. Fortunately for me, I got to take a pic with Benton before the show! He's much shorter and not as scary as he looks and tries to appear in public. I won't lie, but that ruins it for me now. Deicide has become a band of old and tired men!
Overall Show Grade: B
REGAIN THE HEART CONDEMNED - The first band up was a strange combination of dudes. Taking their cue from legendary Norwegian black metal band Mayhem, the five-piece band had four of its members looking and dressing like normal dudes, more like rejects from a deathcore band, and the singer dressed in corpse paint and Jesus Christ regalia. Much to my surprise, the crowd seemed to enjoy the dark theatrics as the singer pours cornsyrup, designed to look like fake blood, from a plastic skull all over himself and grumbles incoherently into the mic. I wasn't impressed, plain and simple. Better bands can pull it off without seeming cartoonish or the least bit ridiculous. Bands need to rely on their music and lyrics to reach people, not kindergarten-style Halloween costumes and fake blood. Set Grade: C
MARTYRD - In every bill there is always one band that sticks out. Sometimes it's because they're better than the other bands, and they bring a certain kind of finesse and skill than the others don't have. In this case, it's playing the wrong style of music! This is supposed to be a night Satanic death metal, and a band like Martyrd brings to the stage an 80s pop thrash/NWOBHM-influenced style more suitable for throwbacks trying to regain their former glory. (In fact, their next big show will be with 80s thrashers Metal Church.) And since I've seen these guys many times before, playing the same songs in the same way, there isn't much else to say. At least they moved up from show openers to second billing. Set Grade: C
VITAL REMAINS - Perhaps one of the nicest group of guys ever to front a death metal band, there's the massive bodily frame of guitarist Tony Lazaro, who towers over anyone, and renowned drummer of extreme metal Tim Yeung, who, upon having a casual conversation with, is a lot more brighter and humble than he looks. Sonically, the band is brutal and the crowd is definitely feeling the vibe of danger. Pits are getting crazier behind me as bodies are falling onto the stage. At one point, VR frontman Scott Wily attempts to pull me onstage so that I can jump back into the crowd and take some people out. On another night, I may have done so, but I was not going to lose out on havin the evil Mr. Benton perform before me. Still, Vital Remains do a good job is rustling up some fire from the crowd of angry spics around me and leaves ample room for Deicide to lay waste to all in attendance. Set Grade: B
DEICIDE - I often wondered what the evil monster that was Deicide was like in the 90s when the genre was still new. After all the news reports that Deicide were responsible for an Italian boy's death and bomb scares in Europe, as well as Benton's antipathy toward his fans' safety, I was actually a little scared. This dude actually branded his fucking forehead with an inverted crucifix in devotion to his Satanic beliefs! This guy is the real deal! Instead of having THAT guy come out onstage, we got an older, fatter, and visibly tired Glen Benton putting on a show. Aided by former Cannibal Corpse guitarist Jack Owen, weasely-faced drummer Steve Asheim, and a fill-in for guitarist Ralph Santolla, who has touring commitments with Obituary, Benton put on a good, but otherwise typical, death metal show that you can find at cheap dive bars in Brooklyn. So unmoved was I by the lack of evilness that I heckled Benton with: "I heard you were evil!" which prompted the perturbed Benton to threaten me by kicking my teeth just to see how evil he can be. And while I was smiling and laughing at this old man's "threat", I couldn't help but think that he was probably very serious! It was one of the most scary/awesome moments I've ever gotten from a band member at a show. Despite the visible age in their music and playing, Deicide made my night and the three year wait was worth it. Set Grade: B+
AFTER THE SHOW
I quickly snatched the slit of cardbox (a reference to Christ, perhaps?) that Deicide's setlist was written on and quickly stuffed it in my pants right when the final note had finished. I even shook Benton's sweaty hand, who seemed to have forgotten my earlier heckling. The setlist: Deicide/Dead by Dawn/Once Upon the Cross/Scars of the Crucifix Death to Jesus Desecration When Satan Rules His World Serpents of the Light Bastards of Christ They Are the Children of the Underworld Holy Deception Oblivious to Evil Homage for Satan Kill the Christian Sacrificial Suicide Surprisingly, there were no songs off the new album Till Death Do Us Part. Outside the venue, I spoke with and met with each band that performed, finding it very easy to talk to Tim Yeung, Tony Lazaro, and Jack Owen. Steve Asheim was also accomodating, even if he did look a little hurried. When Benton came out, however, he beat a hasty exit without any smiles or stopping to take pictures or sign autographs with the fans outside. Fortunately for me, I got to take a pic with Benton before the show! He's much shorter and not as scary as he looks and tries to appear in public. I won't lie, but that ruins it for me now. Deicide has become a band of old and tired men!
Overall Show Grade: B
Friday, May 22, 2009
Mayhem w/ Cephalic Carnage, Withered, Lair of the Minotaur @ Irving Plaza @ 5/21/09
The first show of the Blackenedfest tour kicked off last night at Irving Plaza and already there is problems with two bands not showing up: Marduk and Cattle Decapitation. Marduk, apparently, were still on the plane coming over from their piece-of-shit country while the rest of the bands were onstage performing. You would think that you'd get here a day early for the start of a tour. No doubt it probably had something to do with visas and immigration type crap, but at least Mayhem didn't run into any troubles. And what's the deal with vegan wussbags Cattle Decapitation? Simply that they are on the last date on tour with GWAR. Maybe it would help if you fuckfaces would at least plan out when and where you're going to be and coordinate a better timeframe if you're going to be on two separate tours running right after the other. That said, the night wasn't a complete loss - anchored by two really good performances by headliners, the legendary black metal masters in Mayhem, and Colorado natives and deathgrind upstarts in Cephalic Carnage. Still, I expected a lot for the $37 that I paid, and with two out of five bands not showing up, this night really wasn't as good as many had hoped. But, at least I saw Mayhem! Small victory, I guess.
LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR - Good band. Don't remember much else. Set Rating: B-
WITHERED - Good band. Still don't remember much else. Set Rating: B-
CEPHALIC CARNAGE - Cephalic Carnage's weed-tech-grind followed, along with dedications to cheetos, masturbation, and glass pipes (that they also sold at the merch table!), and props like a horse mask. It was well-executed and entertaining, but somewhat of a mild comedown following the energetic and pummeling assault of Withered. Set Rating: B
MAYHEM - Finally, the night belonged to the black metal pioneers. Mayhem took the stage a little before 10:30, playing a set that lasted until before midnight, when they retired sans encore. The core duo of Hellhammer and Necrobutcher with live members Morfeus and Silmaeth banged out rapid-fire blasts of black metal fury, spanning their entire discography. For all of their impressive technical prowess and energy, the highlight of their live set is the infinitely watchable Attila Csihar. Attila's formidable on-stage presence can only be described as dictatorial; he towers over his bandmates, gives the thumbs down as if he is deciding the fate of a man's life, punctuates lyrics with a clenched fist, and barks at his devoted minions with his thick Hungarian accent. In between a pair of impaled "heads", Attila sang from behind a "tree stump" podium which doubled as an area to hide both effects triggers and various gross-out props. Attila made sure to fondle and rub his face against those heads and an IV cart with dangling arm for further nauseating effect. Kitschy? a little. Fun/ny? Definitely. Besides being visually arresting, Attila is one of the most versatile vocalists in all of heavy music. Barks, pitch perfect viking vocals, Celtic Frost grunts, screams that last longer than it seemed humanly possible, and what I like to call "squeaking elf"... a low end screech that was part Gollum and part creaking door, were all present and impressive. What is a bit off, though it is part of the band's repertoire, is that while Csihar is doing his spooky-man routine, you look over and see bassist and original member, Necrobutcher, looking so old and plain in a black T-shirt and playing on what seems to be two separate planes of existence. Still, the music is in sync and what you hear on tape is what you hear live. The buzzsaw sound of the guitar, mixed with the dirty sludge from the bass, and drummer supreme (and very friendly) Hellhammer is masterful when providing the fast, heavy boomage with each song. My first Mayhem concert experience and a very good set, despite cancellations and a certain feeling of disappointment. Set Rating: B+
AFTER THE SHOW
I had a chance to meet Attila, who was polite enough, but seemed to be content in smoking his little Hungarian peace pipe and macking on some ugly groupies in his presence. Still, he was nice enough to comment on the announcement Varg Vikernes's release from prison after murdering fellow Mayhem band member Euronymous back in the 90s. When I asked him about how he felt, he said in his thick accent:
"I think it's good. He did his sentence."
I asked him if there was a place for him in Mayhem and he said:
"Maybe not. I don't know. We'll see."
A man of so few words! To me, especially when you look at my photograph with him, he looks a little bit like WWE wrestler Shawn Michaels, at least from his profile. Also, when I asked him about his feelings about fans who download, he said:
"I don't care really. Fortunately, Mayhem are in a place where we have fans who like are music and will come to see the shows. But for other bands just starting out, it isn't good, no."
Later on, as I waited by the nearby restaurant, Hellhammer finally showed up and was actually very friendly. Unfortunately, my goddamn cellphone's camera was acting up and I couldn't take the usually DIY shot of me and the other person and ended up having to get someone to take the pic for us. It came out well, but doesn't fit in with my other pics with band members. I mentioned that he was friendly, and certainly the very surprisingly short Jan Axel Blomberg (his real name) was very patient and gracious, until I wanted to leave and he seemed to not want to let go of my arm. At first, I thought he was going to hug me, but he grabbed my hand as if to do a "bro-hug" and grabbed my shoulder and arm while holding onto my hand. In other words, he wouldn't stop touching me! And while I think he was just being friendly and I don't think he's gay, I found it rather weird and uncomfortable. I guess that's how they roll in Norway.
Show Grade: B-
LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR - Good band. Don't remember much else. Set Rating: B-
WITHERED - Good band. Still don't remember much else. Set Rating: B-
CEPHALIC CARNAGE - Cephalic Carnage's weed-tech-grind followed, along with dedications to cheetos, masturbation, and glass pipes (that they also sold at the merch table!), and props like a horse mask. It was well-executed and entertaining, but somewhat of a mild comedown following the energetic and pummeling assault of Withered. Set Rating: B
MAYHEM - Finally, the night belonged to the black metal pioneers. Mayhem took the stage a little before 10:30, playing a set that lasted until before midnight, when they retired sans encore. The core duo of Hellhammer and Necrobutcher with live members Morfeus and Silmaeth banged out rapid-fire blasts of black metal fury, spanning their entire discography. For all of their impressive technical prowess and energy, the highlight of their live set is the infinitely watchable Attila Csihar. Attila's formidable on-stage presence can only be described as dictatorial; he towers over his bandmates, gives the thumbs down as if he is deciding the fate of a man's life, punctuates lyrics with a clenched fist, and barks at his devoted minions with his thick Hungarian accent. In between a pair of impaled "heads", Attila sang from behind a "tree stump" podium which doubled as an area to hide both effects triggers and various gross-out props. Attila made sure to fondle and rub his face against those heads and an IV cart with dangling arm for further nauseating effect. Kitschy? a little. Fun/ny? Definitely. Besides being visually arresting, Attila is one of the most versatile vocalists in all of heavy music. Barks, pitch perfect viking vocals, Celtic Frost grunts, screams that last longer than it seemed humanly possible, and what I like to call "squeaking elf"... a low end screech that was part Gollum and part creaking door, were all present and impressive. What is a bit off, though it is part of the band's repertoire, is that while Csihar is doing his spooky-man routine, you look over and see bassist and original member, Necrobutcher, looking so old and plain in a black T-shirt and playing on what seems to be two separate planes of existence. Still, the music is in sync and what you hear on tape is what you hear live. The buzzsaw sound of the guitar, mixed with the dirty sludge from the bass, and drummer supreme (and very friendly) Hellhammer is masterful when providing the fast, heavy boomage with each song. My first Mayhem concert experience and a very good set, despite cancellations and a certain feeling of disappointment. Set Rating: B+
AFTER THE SHOW
I had a chance to meet Attila, who was polite enough, but seemed to be content in smoking his little Hungarian peace pipe and macking on some ugly groupies in his presence. Still, he was nice enough to comment on the announcement Varg Vikernes's release from prison after murdering fellow Mayhem band member Euronymous back in the 90s. When I asked him about how he felt, he said in his thick accent:
"I think it's good. He did his sentence."
I asked him if there was a place for him in Mayhem and he said:
"Maybe not. I don't know. We'll see."
A man of so few words! To me, especially when you look at my photograph with him, he looks a little bit like WWE wrestler Shawn Michaels, at least from his profile. Also, when I asked him about his feelings about fans who download, he said:
"I don't care really. Fortunately, Mayhem are in a place where we have fans who like are music and will come to see the shows. But for other bands just starting out, it isn't good, no."
Later on, as I waited by the nearby restaurant, Hellhammer finally showed up and was actually very friendly. Unfortunately, my goddamn cellphone's camera was acting up and I couldn't take the usually DIY shot of me and the other person and ended up having to get someone to take the pic for us. It came out well, but doesn't fit in with my other pics with band members. I mentioned that he was friendly, and certainly the very surprisingly short Jan Axel Blomberg (his real name) was very patient and gracious, until I wanted to leave and he seemed to not want to let go of my arm. At first, I thought he was going to hug me, but he grabbed my hand as if to do a "bro-hug" and grabbed my shoulder and arm while holding onto my hand. In other words, he wouldn't stop touching me! And while I think he was just being friendly and I don't think he's gay, I found it rather weird and uncomfortable. I guess that's how they roll in Norway.
Show Grade: B-
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Metal and Rock Greatest Fights and Feuds
Here are the biggest rock and metal feuds in living memory that I have compiled. Hope you enjoy the squabbles and bitch fights as I do!
Mark Morton vs Randy Blythe
2004: To celebrate their sold-out show in Glasgow, Scotland, the Lamb of God bandmates drink 12-year-old scotch and get very drunk and violent with each other. Morton and Blythe fight like two bitches until Morton gets the upper-hand on the drunk, kilt-wearing Blythe and leaves him on the pavement. All this can be seen on their 2005 DVD Killadelphia. See it here now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdr7B93q7vE
Robb Flynn (Machine Head) vs Kerry King (Slayer)
2001: King labeled Machine Head as “sell-outs” after the release of their 2001 album ‘Supercharger’, saying “They’re responsible for rap-metal”.
2002: Robert Flynn says Kerry King looks like a member of Right Said Fred…
2002: Kerry King: “I don’t remember us having bad blood… If somebody asks me if I like their last record, I say, ‘No, I don’t like the record.’ But that’s not slamming anybody. It’s my opinion. If he’s so fragile that that was painful, sorry dude, you’re in the wrong business.”
2004: Comment on MetalUnderground.com: “If Rob and Kerry King can just put their shit behind them and do another rousing rendition of Venom’s ‘Witching Hour’, life would be grand.”
2005: Flynn: “I am issuing an apology to Kerry for the role I’ve played in our ongoing ‘feud.’ I can’t even remember why it started. With every barb we trade, I feel like I’m losing a part of my youth, and with it, a part of who I used to be, before Machine Head came into existence.”
2007: The guys bury the hatchet at Metal Hammer’s own Golden Gods. Asked ‘What do you really think of Kerry King, Robb?’ Mr Flynn replied: “He’s alright man, we’re cool again. The beef is squashed. It got out of hand but we’re all good now.” 2009: So, about that Venom cover…
Tommy Cummings vs Dino Cazares
2008: At an April 26th performance in Poughkeepsie, Cummings cites major technical problems in order to end the show. He and Cazares get into a tussle, causing the latter to trip and fall. Cummings is fired that evening. Months later, the two men get into another fight at the Rockstar Engery Drink Mayhem Festival, but this time Dino's wife, Jennifer, gets dragged into the fracas and leaves her battered and bruised.
Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) vs James Hetfield & Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
1983: Dave Mustaine is kicked out of Metallica for ‘alcohol and substance abuse’. At some point in the next 20 years Lars says – amongst other things – that Dave Mustaine keeps up the Metallica-hating to promote his own band.
2004: ‘Metallica: Some Kind of Monster’ comes out. Mustaine berates Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich for kicking him out of the band instead of trying to help him deal with his addiction.
2004: Mustaine hates them for making him look like a crybaby.
2007: Mustaine says to Canadian Press: “After the documentary I hated them, but it took some time for this whole thing to kind of reveal itself. There are certain things that I miss in James, certain things that I’m glad are gone with Lars and just there’s no more sour grapes.” But does add: “I was the only guitar player and James just sang.” 2008: Ulrich told musicradar.com: “I don’t have a problem with him as much as I think he has a problem with me. I’ve always quite liked the guy. It has a tendency to depend on which mood he’s in. “If he’s in happy-go-lucky mood, then it’s ‘Lars is OK, ha ha, the little Danish guy, we used to dig holes in the earth and smoke bongs’ or whatever, and if he’s in a particular type of mood then it’s, ‘Lars is a fuckin’ asshole.’ I can’t control that. “I keep coming back to the statistics, which are interesting: he’s never played on a Metallica record, he was in the band for 10 months, 25 years ago! That’s an amazing statistic when you think about it, and still Metallica is such a prominent part of his existence. That’s just mind-blowing, because he has made some of the best heavy metal records of all time. It blows my mind.”
Dave Mustaine vs Kirk Hammett
Mustaine's replacement within Metallica by Kirk Hammett resulted in bad feelings towards Hammett on Mustaine's part. Even though he has stated he "[doesn't] care Kirk took my job," he also noted that "at least I got to bang his girlfriend before he took my job — how do I taste, Kirk?". He has also claimed that he wrote many of the solos on Kill 'Em All, which were then emulated note for note by Hammett. In "The Art of Kirk Hammett," Kirk states that he was told to use Mustaine's existing solos as a guideline. In the Megadeth edition of Behind the Music, Mustaine stated that "now he sees how [Hammett] tries really hard" and "thinks he makes really good use of what talent he has" after stating earlier in that interview "I hear how much time James and Lars allowed him to solo, and said to myself 'God, he's horrible...'" He has also stated "I don't really mind [Kirk] too bad these days. Like if he was drowning, I'd save him. But I'd wait a bit first." This feud has dropped off considerably in recent years.
Dave Mustaine vs David Ellefson
Mustaine's decision to break up Megadeth in 2002 left all band members miffed and holding grudges, especially David Ellefson, who hinted during an interview with Metal Sludge magazine that Mustaine faked the injury as an excuse to disband Megadeth. Ellefson had been, after Mustaine, the longest-serving member of Megadeth. Subsequently, the rift between them exploded, with the two camps exchanging lawsuits. Ellefson's suit alleged that co-founding guitarist Mustaine breached their long-running partnership agreement. He claimed Mustaine wrongfully took the lion's share of the band's income (estimated at more than $200 million since 1984) for himself and cut Ellefson out of the band's music publishing and merchandise revenues. Ellefson also said that Mustaine libeled him in an online posting, and he sought at least $18.5 million in damages. Mustaine's counterclaim alleged that Ellefson executed a settlement agreement in which he gave up his 20% interest in Megadeth. Mustaine maintains that the settlement — which Ellefson alleges was signed under pressure and ultimately withdrawn — released Mustaine from all claims. Ellefson eventually lost the case.
On Blabbermouth.net, Mustaine claims to have had dinner with Ellefson at Christmas in 2005 to talk things through; they are on good terms today as Mustaine states they have spoken on the phone numerous times. It should also be noted that as of late, Ellefson has stated (also on Blabbermouth.net) that if Mustaine were to call him tomorrow and ask him to rejoin the band, he would say yes.
Dave Mustaine vs Chris Poland
Former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland, featured on the albums Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! and Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? had been the target of sour comments from Mustaine concerning Poland's former habit of pawning band gear to purchase heroin. After Poland was dismissed from the band and replaced with Jeff Young in 1987, Mustaine's bitterness towards Poland was the subject of the track 'Liar' on Megadeth's 1988 album So Far, So Good... So What! In a 1992 interview, Mustaine was quoted as saying: "Chris Poland - you know what? - he could die tomorrow and it wouldn't affect me... Chris has never made amends to me for stealing all my gear. I had a collector's item Echoplex, which just disappeared, all sorts of guitars, which were all stolen to cash in for heroin. I'm willing to forgive and forget, but until he comes and makes amends with me then I'm not willing to give in."
The amends seemed to have been made by 2004 when Mustaine hired Poland to perform guitar solos on a number of tracks for The System Has Failed (he also recorded solos for Rust In Peace preproduction demos), after Poland had appeared to tell this side of the Megadeth story for the Behind the Music episode. Unfortunately, soon after the album's release, Mustaine was contacted by Poland's lawyers, who claimed Poland was due royalties beyond that of his session fees. In late 2006, Poland began posting on the official Megadeth message board, apparently having resolved his problems with Mustaine.
Dave Mustaine vs Kerry King (Slayer)
Mustaine has a long-standing feud with Slayer guitarist Kerry King. King had previously been a temporary member of Megadeth in 1984. Even though Mustaine tried to convince him to focus on Megadeth rather than the "lame spikes" and "eyeliner" with the "posers" in Slayer, Kerry refused to quit his main band. After a falling out during the 1991 "Clash of the Titans" tour, Kerry and Mustaine made public jabs at one another throughout the 1990s. Mustaine cited Slayer's poor record sales compared to Megadeth, and Kerry mentioned Mustaine's inability to get along with band members and tour with major acts. Mustaine tried to reach out to Kerry after the murder of Dimebag Darrell. King has said that he thinks Mustaine is a "cocksucker", has said that "everybody hates him", and that he is a "dictator". He also called David Ellefson a "great dude" and voiced his support for Ellefson's attempt to sue Mustaine in 2002, stating that he and Ellefson had "been friends for years." Mustaine, for his part, has stated that, in his opinion, "Kerry has a problem, because he hates everybody." In a recent 2007 interview in Metalhammer magazine, Mustaine states that he doesn't care anymore and wants to end his arguments, mainly with Metallica and Slayer. King stated in a 2007 issue of Revolver magazine that he is a "Mustaine fan", but that he doesn't "really care for the guy." Recently in GuitarWorld.com's Dear Guitar Hero, King stated that he "admires [Mustaine] to this day" as a guitarist, even though he considers Mustaine a "hypocrite" and an "asshole". Kerry King was the guest for episode 31 in Marty Friedman's Rock Fujiyama Show on Japanese TV, After playing The main riff of Jump In The Fire from Metallica, He made some compliments for Dave Mustaine. Megadeth and Slayer will be co-headlining a small Canadian tour together, which may mean that this feud has been resolved.
Dave Mustaine vs Tom Araya (Slayer)
Mustaine's feuds with King have sparked animosities between fans of Slayer and Megadeth, but the only other member of Slayer who seems to be involved in the feud with Mustaine is bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Like the feud with King (although much smaller-scale), this feud mostly began at the "Clash of the Titans" tour when Mustaine told him that he liked it when Araya "sucked his dick." Araya proceeded to call him a "homo" onstage. Megadeth and Slayer will be co-headlining a small Canadian tour together, which may mean that this feud has been resolved.
Dave Mustaine vs Pantera
Mustaine at one time had a continuing feud with the band Pantera, who opened for Megadeth's 1992 'Countdown to Extinction' tour. Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo was known for saying "Fuck Megadeth" and "Fuck Dave" through the PA during Pantera's set minutes before Megadeth took the stage. In 1994, in an interview on MTV, Mustaine told an interviewer that he felt his music had been ripped off. He continued, "I'm not gonna name anybody 'cause I'm not gonna promote them. OK, we'll say 'panther' in Spanish. You're welcome guys. We might as well be cooking their dinner for them or pushing their little wheelbarrow to the bank for them." After the murder of former Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell (who had once been invited to join Megadeth), Mustaine downplayed this comment on a 2004 Headbanger's Ball memorial to Dimebag as an "off-camera, off-record" event and said he felt flattered by Pantera. However, the video of the interview is available at the MTV website. However, Mustaine and the members of Pantera seem to have put these differences to rest, as Mustaine has posthumously expressed his admiration for "Dimebag. In 2007, Mustaine toured with Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown's band Down, further indicating that he has apparently made peace with the former members of Pantera.
Dave Mustaine vs Mike Muir (Suicidal Tendencies)
Yet another brief feud that was sparked on the "Clash of the Titans" tour was between Mustaine and Suicidal Tendencies frontman Mike Muir. Muir was upset that Mustaine apparently tried to throw his band off the bill and responded by attacking Mustaine's alcohol addictions and joking that he "lived at the Betty Ford Clinic." The feud nearly became violent on the Clash of the Titans tour when he challenged Mustaine to an onstage fist-fight. Muir claimed that "There are a lot of people who would like to see Dave get his butt kicked, and the Lord knows Mike Muir ain't goin' down. I'll fuck him up... I'd dazzle him, left'n'right. I wanna see a little blood, y'know what I'm sayin'?" Mustaine responded to Muir verbally, claiming that Muir was stupid for trying to intimidate him (Mustaine holds black belts in Karate and Tae Kwon Do according to megadeth.com's FAQ section), and claiming to be a Suicidal fan as well. This feud did not carry on past the end of the tour. Suicidal even opened for Megadeth on their 1992 Countdown to Extinction tour (and ex-Suicidal drummer Jimmy DeGrasso worked in Megadeth as well as MD.45 earlier). Muir and Mustaine are now on good terms, with Mustaine claiming that he and Muir are "good friends today."
Terrorvision vs Queens of the Stone Age
1999: From Terrorvision’s MySpace: “Terrovision headlined a stage at the ‘Big Day Out’ at the Milton Keynes Bowl, and got into a dressing room brawl with Queens Of The Stone Age.” NME.com mention in a QOTSA review, that: “Nick Oliveri was in Seattle’s evil porno punks the Dwarves until he got thrown out for bad behaviour and was arrested at last year’s Big Day Out for attacking Terrorvision.”
Axl vs the world (GNR members, Motley Crue, Nirvana, Tommy Hilfiger) 1987: Axl announces onstage that “Bon Jovi can suck my dick”. In 2006 Jon Bon Jovi said: “You know what pisses me off? …a story about Axl Rose and the $13m Guns N’ Roses record that was never made. That motherfucker hasn’t made a record in 13 years and he gets all that attention. You know what I’ve done in 13 years? A lot. But they have continued to write about the freak show aspect of him.” Poor old Jon, suffering, un-appreciated in the shadows.
1989: Vince Neil punched Izzy Stradlin over a girl. Axl wades in.
1992: Phew, real car crash this one. Kirk says Guns N’ Roses are “so obviously pathetic and untalented”. It all rolls along for years until now apparently the (ex)-GN’R crew are now pals again.
2006: Axl’s lawyers release some statement about stuff Slash told him. It’s all denied. Axl hates Velvet Revolver. Simple.
2006: Tommy Hilfiger swings at Axl for moving a drink or something. Wikipedia states that “Hilfiger - wearing a GN’R shirt – and Axl were seen “hugging” and “burying the hatchet” backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards” later.
2006: Rose refers to opening act the Eagles of Death Metal as the “Pigeons of Shit Metal. I’m sorry to say that this will be their last night with us.” And it was.
Murderdolls vs Dani Filth
2003: Cradle Of Filth’s Dani Filth keeps walking into the Murderdolls area at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards. He was ejected from the area, and then the party and only left when security punched him on the sternum, knocking him over. (Dani Filth famously trashed a rock magazines offices after a bad review).
Fred Durst vs Dino Cazares
2002: Limp Bizkit attempted to offer former Fear Factory guitarist, Dino Cazares, for an audition to fill the band’s vacant guitarist role following last year’s departure of Wes Borland. Dino immediately turned down the offer saying joining Limp Bizkit would be “career suicide.” Ta.
Iron Maiden vs Sharon Osbourne Here’s what ‘apparently’ happened at the 2005 Ozzfest: Bruce cussed Ozzy, something about being an old duffer. Sharon calls him a prick and on the last day instigates an onstage egging of Maiden during their set and fucks with their sound. In the aftermath Sharon shoots her mouth off dissing Maiden further, Maiden stay sctum. Ish. If you really want to know, there are about ten million ‘eye witness accounts.
Dillinger Escape Plan vs Disturbed
2008: Dillinger guitarist Ben Weinman told Australian magazine Beat that he saw the guys choreographing every one of their moves during a soundcheck, saying “[they were] practicing where they were going to walk and when they were going to put their leg up on the monitor and pose… That was weird for us. There are times [during live shows] where I don’t even know where I am.” Disturbed frontman David Draiman responded: “Let me give you a little bit of education: This is what the big boys do who play stadium shows”.
Brent Hinds (Mastodon) vs Shavo Odadjian (System Of A Down) and others
2007: An inebriated Hinds left the Mandalay Bay after the MTV VMAs around 3am and met Shavo and musician William Hudson at the hotel’s west valet area. Hinds took his shirt off and hit Shavo with it before hitting Hudson in both the face and then chest. The police report says both Shavo and Hudson punched Hinds in the face, knocking him to the ground.
2008: There was an alleged altercation between garage rocker King Khan and Hinds: “He said ‘Do you know who I am? I am the greatest guitar player around,’ and punched me in the face.” There are also reports that the band got into a fight while on tour in the northern UK.
Vivian Campbell vs Ronnie James Dio
2003: Vivian Campbell: “[Playing in Dio] never mattered to me — and still doesn’t… He’s an incredible talent, but he’s an awful businessman and way more importantly, one of the vilest people in the industry.”
2007: Ronnie James Dio says: “I hope he fucking dies. He’s a fucking asshole. He’s got two fucking chances. He’s a piece of shit. He called me the most despicable human being that ever lived. I went, ‘I thought I gave you a chance and made you somebody. And now you’re playing with who? Def fucking who?’ There’s a fucking rock band for you to fucking have diarrhoea with.” He later said: “OK, I get the point — you really don’t like me at all! Well, tell me what the problem is, Vivian. Tell everybody what the problem is, because at the moment everyone is kind of scratching their heads over this one.”
David Coverdale vs The Quireboys
2004: www.chroniclelive.co.uk reported: Spike: “We were 45 seconds late going on stage one night and a minute-and-a-half late coming off another night.” “On both occasions we were given a dressing-down - one for getting the crowd out of their seats! I asked whether this was a rock’n’roll tour or a bingo night?” Then Spike discovered The Quireboys’ merchandise had gone missing. Then the final blow: “They told us we were off the tour but it was hardly a surprise.” So the ‘Boys didn’t get to play their hometown gig in Newcastle: “It was going to be a very special night for everyone,” admitted Spike. “And we want to stress that we haven’t pulled out. We were told we weren’t wanted and that’s that.”
James Gill vs Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy)
2005: Gill quotes Angela as saying: “People think that because you bought a ticket to the show that they own you. No, you see the show and go home, I don’t owe you anything.” Angela says she’s been misquoted.
2006: Angela says in a MH Spanish Inquisition: “If I ever see that little cunt Gill again I am going to kick his teeth so far down his throat that he can never do another interview ever again.” Gill shits himself.
2006: Angela confronts Gill at the MH Golden God Awards. Angela opens up and they agree to do another interview to straighten things out.
2007: They do. She admitted that: “I thought I’ve got to meet that cunt again and knock the shit out of him.”
Gaahl (Gorgoroth) and King ov Hell vs Infernus (Gorgoroth)
2008: Who has the rights to the name Gorgoroth? The legal battle continues. Probably in a forest near Oslo.
David Lee Roth vs Sammy Hagar vs Eddie Van Halen
The two Van Halen singers have been at it since 1985.
Sammy Hagar: All he cares about is going out there with his Jack Daniels bottle. Nothing has changed. That’s kind of sad. If David was doing better than he used to be, then that would be different. But it was a joke and he made it that way.
DLR: I left and I said “I really want to make music and I’ll take a cut if that’s necessary to be an artist”. But listen to this. The last album sold a million and a half, theirs sold a little more than that, but I don’t break it up five ways.
Sammy Hagar: Dave was great in Van Halen. No question about it. He was one of the best at being Mr. Rock Star. But it’s sickening to see a guy still trying to be that with a wig on 20 years later. everything that comes out of his mouth is word-barf. It’s the lowest common denominator. It’s meant for children. Jimi Hendrix never made music for children. Children may have loved it, but he never made music like “Hey, the 14-year-olds will love this”. The guys in Led Zeppelin and the Beatles never said “I’m gonna aim this at the 12-year-olds”.
Sammy Hagar: Everything that Eddie has said about me is the total opposite of what really happened. Eddie says I wanted to be a solo artist. No, Eddie wanted to be a solo artist.
DLR: [Sammy’s] my bitch, and when he says my name we just sell that many more records.
Sammy Hagar: If I would go up on a high note, Eddie would want a low one. That’s how petty the situation had become.
DLR: Sammy is a mindless little bridge-troll drone.
Sammy Hagar: It’s a good thing I don’t read everything Eddie says, or I’d be up in arms and not enjoying my life.
DLR: he was a complete failure till he got with the Van Halen bunch.
Sammy Hagar: It’s hard to say this about a guy like Eddie Van Halen, one of the greatest guitar players who ever lived, but he’s really limited to a style and they’re locked into it.
DLR: You’ve got someone who’s enfeebled himself with dope and alcohol who’s gonna go along with the situation.
Sammy Hagar: Overall, we had about 50 meetings where the brothers would say that I couldn’t do any solo records, I couldn’t write for other people, I couldn’t do this and I couldn’t do that. These guys were trying to nail my feet to the ground.
DLR: Sammy would sell the property rights to his butthole to get fame.
Sammy Hagar: When they brought Roth back into the picture, obviously I didn’t go along with that too well.
DLR: Sammy Hagar, who at best is a mediocre talent…
Sammy Hagar: When we were on the road, I found out that my greatest hits album went Gold. They freaked out. Things really came to a head when we started arguing about a Van Halen greatest hits package.
DLR: I left and I said “I really want to make music and I’ll take a cut if that’s necessary to be an artist”. But listen to this. The last album sold a million and a half, theirs sold a little more than that, but I don’t break it up five ways.
Lynyrd Skynyrd vs Neil Young
Neil Young’s ‘Southern Man’ is a biting rant about Confederate racism that drew the ire of proud rednecks Lynyrd Skynyrd and prompted their musical response in the track ‘Sweet Home Alabama “Well I hope Neil Young will remember/ A southern man don’t need him around anyhow”
Marilyn Manson vs My Chemical Romance
2007: Manson wrote ‘Mutilation Is The Most Sincere Form Of about Gerard Way’s outfit, and features the lyrics, “Fuck you, fuck you”. He said: “I’m embarrassed to be me because these people are doing a really sad, pitiful, shallow version of what I’ve done.” My Chemical Romance’s Frank Ieror said “The funny thing is that he seems to have lashed out at us about the make-up. That’s weird to me, because I had heard of Alice Cooper before I heard of Marilyn Manson. I don’t know how he could be mad at us. We never came out and said we were going to call ourselves by a girl’s name and then a serial killer’s name. I’m really sorry if he feels we ripped him off. Maybe he’s doing it for the press.” Gerard Way added: “If Elvis Costello said we sucked we would think about it a bit… We still haven’t found someone that has knocked us down that we need to take seriously.”
Euronymous (Mayhem) vs Varg Vikernes (Burzum)
E: “I invented black metal.” VV: “You’ve gone soft.” [stab stab stab] “See?” The end.
Red Hot Chili Peppers vs Mr. Bungle
Spinner.com reported that Mr. Bungle’s Trevor Dunn said Chilis were: “That stupid white band that do horrible cover versions of black musicians.” RHCP’s Anthony Kiedis took exception to Mike Patton’s stage presence in Faith No More, which he thought ripped off his own. When Patton later fronted Mr. Bungle, the bands were set to release albums (’California’ and ‘Californication’) on the same day and label. Bungle’s was pushed back. Kiedis insisted that they be removed from Chilis-headlined festivals. A miffed Patton said, “We are not even a speck of dust on this guy’s ass!” Bungle later put on a Peppers parody, mocking several songs.
Kid Rock vs Tommy Lee
2007: Ok, so they’re all at the VMAs (fave fight venue) Tommy Lee says something to/about Kid Rock as he walks towards P Diddy. Kid Rock then slaps the drummer. Tommy tries to fight back but before he can twat him, Rock chins him. Kid Rock was heard saying the following triple negative clusterfuck: “I never hit nobody for nothing before.” Sooo… he did or he didn’t?
Glenn Danzig vs Northside Kings
Glenn Danzig gets in an argument with North Side Kings singer and frequent Soulfly collaborator Danny Marianinho after a Danzig show. Danny said: “He threw me pretty hard and I reacted like anyone on this site would have. The guy is out of control. The video shows it all — and it was very uncalled for on his end. He caught me off guard when he attacked me — but I caught him with a good jab. That’s it in a nutshell. To this day he has not tried to contact me to apologize for being a mental case…” I wouldn’t hold your breath, mate.
Avenged Sevenfold vs Atreyu
2005: A7X’s M Shadows: “Atreyu are leading the scene that we want to get out of. I wouldn’t say we are fucking friends.” He adds that they ripped off a song intro too. Atreyu’s Alex Varkatzas said: “I guess if you’re not down with Atreyu, you can go fuck yourself.” At the time of the feud Atreyu had sold over 410,000 albums while Avenged Sevenfold had only sold 231,421.
Marilyn Manson vs Trent Reznor vs Courtney Love vs Tori Amos
1996: Trent executive produces Manson’s amazing ‘Anti-Christ Superstar’ album. They do tons of blow. 90s (at some point): Trent dates Courtney Love.
1996: Tori Amos allegedly writes ‘Professional Widow’ about Love.
1997-ish: Tori and Trent are allegedly dating.
1998-ish: Trent later said of his falling out with Manson: “. He and I are two strong personalities that could coexist for a while, but things changed. I think fame and power distort people’s personalities.” And Manson later said: “If I were the kind of person to be insulted by petty things, I would be insulted by the way Trent Reznor has acted since I moved from Nothing Records [Reznor's label] on to Interscope.”
1999: Trent allegedly writes ‘Starfuckers Inc’ about Love and Manson.
1999: Trent and Manson make friends. 00s: Courtney still blogs about Trent.
Mark Morton vs Randy Blythe
2004: To celebrate their sold-out show in Glasgow, Scotland, the Lamb of God bandmates drink 12-year-old scotch and get very drunk and violent with each other. Morton and Blythe fight like two bitches until Morton gets the upper-hand on the drunk, kilt-wearing Blythe and leaves him on the pavement. All this can be seen on their 2005 DVD Killadelphia. See it here now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdr7B93q7vE
Robb Flynn (Machine Head) vs Kerry King (Slayer)
2001: King labeled Machine Head as “sell-outs” after the release of their 2001 album ‘Supercharger’, saying “They’re responsible for rap-metal”.
2002: Robert Flynn says Kerry King looks like a member of Right Said Fred…
2002: Kerry King: “I don’t remember us having bad blood… If somebody asks me if I like their last record, I say, ‘No, I don’t like the record.’ But that’s not slamming anybody. It’s my opinion. If he’s so fragile that that was painful, sorry dude, you’re in the wrong business.”
2004: Comment on MetalUnderground.com: “If Rob and Kerry King can just put their shit behind them and do another rousing rendition of Venom’s ‘Witching Hour’, life would be grand.”
2005: Flynn: “I am issuing an apology to Kerry for the role I’ve played in our ongoing ‘feud.’ I can’t even remember why it started. With every barb we trade, I feel like I’m losing a part of my youth, and with it, a part of who I used to be, before Machine Head came into existence.”
2007: The guys bury the hatchet at Metal Hammer’s own Golden Gods. Asked ‘What do you really think of Kerry King, Robb?’ Mr Flynn replied: “He’s alright man, we’re cool again. The beef is squashed. It got out of hand but we’re all good now.” 2009: So, about that Venom cover…
Tommy Cummings vs Dino Cazares
2008: At an April 26th performance in Poughkeepsie, Cummings cites major technical problems in order to end the show. He and Cazares get into a tussle, causing the latter to trip and fall. Cummings is fired that evening. Months later, the two men get into another fight at the Rockstar Engery Drink Mayhem Festival, but this time Dino's wife, Jennifer, gets dragged into the fracas and leaves her battered and bruised.
Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) vs James Hetfield & Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
1983: Dave Mustaine is kicked out of Metallica for ‘alcohol and substance abuse’. At some point in the next 20 years Lars says – amongst other things – that Dave Mustaine keeps up the Metallica-hating to promote his own band.
2004: ‘Metallica: Some Kind of Monster’ comes out. Mustaine berates Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich for kicking him out of the band instead of trying to help him deal with his addiction.
2004: Mustaine hates them for making him look like a crybaby.
2007: Mustaine says to Canadian Press: “After the documentary I hated them, but it took some time for this whole thing to kind of reveal itself. There are certain things that I miss in James, certain things that I’m glad are gone with Lars and just there’s no more sour grapes.” But does add: “I was the only guitar player and James just sang.” 2008: Ulrich told musicradar.com: “I don’t have a problem with him as much as I think he has a problem with me. I’ve always quite liked the guy. It has a tendency to depend on which mood he’s in. “If he’s in happy-go-lucky mood, then it’s ‘Lars is OK, ha ha, the little Danish guy, we used to dig holes in the earth and smoke bongs’ or whatever, and if he’s in a particular type of mood then it’s, ‘Lars is a fuckin’ asshole.’ I can’t control that. “I keep coming back to the statistics, which are interesting: he’s never played on a Metallica record, he was in the band for 10 months, 25 years ago! That’s an amazing statistic when you think about it, and still Metallica is such a prominent part of his existence. That’s just mind-blowing, because he has made some of the best heavy metal records of all time. It blows my mind.”
Dave Mustaine vs Kirk Hammett
Mustaine's replacement within Metallica by Kirk Hammett resulted in bad feelings towards Hammett on Mustaine's part. Even though he has stated he "[doesn't] care Kirk took my job," he also noted that "at least I got to bang his girlfriend before he took my job — how do I taste, Kirk?". He has also claimed that he wrote many of the solos on Kill 'Em All, which were then emulated note for note by Hammett. In "The Art of Kirk Hammett," Kirk states that he was told to use Mustaine's existing solos as a guideline. In the Megadeth edition of Behind the Music, Mustaine stated that "now he sees how [Hammett] tries really hard" and "thinks he makes really good use of what talent he has" after stating earlier in that interview "I hear how much time James and Lars allowed him to solo, and said to myself 'God, he's horrible...'" He has also stated "I don't really mind [Kirk] too bad these days. Like if he was drowning, I'd save him. But I'd wait a bit first." This feud has dropped off considerably in recent years.
Dave Mustaine vs David Ellefson
Mustaine's decision to break up Megadeth in 2002 left all band members miffed and holding grudges, especially David Ellefson, who hinted during an interview with Metal Sludge magazine that Mustaine faked the injury as an excuse to disband Megadeth. Ellefson had been, after Mustaine, the longest-serving member of Megadeth. Subsequently, the rift between them exploded, with the two camps exchanging lawsuits. Ellefson's suit alleged that co-founding guitarist Mustaine breached their long-running partnership agreement. He claimed Mustaine wrongfully took the lion's share of the band's income (estimated at more than $200 million since 1984) for himself and cut Ellefson out of the band's music publishing and merchandise revenues. Ellefson also said that Mustaine libeled him in an online posting, and he sought at least $18.5 million in damages. Mustaine's counterclaim alleged that Ellefson executed a settlement agreement in which he gave up his 20% interest in Megadeth. Mustaine maintains that the settlement — which Ellefson alleges was signed under pressure and ultimately withdrawn — released Mustaine from all claims. Ellefson eventually lost the case.
On Blabbermouth.net, Mustaine claims to have had dinner with Ellefson at Christmas in 2005 to talk things through; they are on good terms today as Mustaine states they have spoken on the phone numerous times. It should also be noted that as of late, Ellefson has stated (also on Blabbermouth.net) that if Mustaine were to call him tomorrow and ask him to rejoin the band, he would say yes.
Dave Mustaine vs Chris Poland
Former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland, featured on the albums Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! and Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? had been the target of sour comments from Mustaine concerning Poland's former habit of pawning band gear to purchase heroin. After Poland was dismissed from the band and replaced with Jeff Young in 1987, Mustaine's bitterness towards Poland was the subject of the track 'Liar' on Megadeth's 1988 album So Far, So Good... So What! In a 1992 interview, Mustaine was quoted as saying: "Chris Poland - you know what? - he could die tomorrow and it wouldn't affect me... Chris has never made amends to me for stealing all my gear. I had a collector's item Echoplex, which just disappeared, all sorts of guitars, which were all stolen to cash in for heroin. I'm willing to forgive and forget, but until he comes and makes amends with me then I'm not willing to give in."
The amends seemed to have been made by 2004 when Mustaine hired Poland to perform guitar solos on a number of tracks for The System Has Failed (he also recorded solos for Rust In Peace preproduction demos), after Poland had appeared to tell this side of the Megadeth story for the Behind the Music episode. Unfortunately, soon after the album's release, Mustaine was contacted by Poland's lawyers, who claimed Poland was due royalties beyond that of his session fees. In late 2006, Poland began posting on the official Megadeth message board, apparently having resolved his problems with Mustaine.
Dave Mustaine vs Kerry King (Slayer)
Mustaine has a long-standing feud with Slayer guitarist Kerry King. King had previously been a temporary member of Megadeth in 1984. Even though Mustaine tried to convince him to focus on Megadeth rather than the "lame spikes" and "eyeliner" with the "posers" in Slayer, Kerry refused to quit his main band. After a falling out during the 1991 "Clash of the Titans" tour, Kerry and Mustaine made public jabs at one another throughout the 1990s. Mustaine cited Slayer's poor record sales compared to Megadeth, and Kerry mentioned Mustaine's inability to get along with band members and tour with major acts. Mustaine tried to reach out to Kerry after the murder of Dimebag Darrell. King has said that he thinks Mustaine is a "cocksucker", has said that "everybody hates him", and that he is a "dictator". He also called David Ellefson a "great dude" and voiced his support for Ellefson's attempt to sue Mustaine in 2002, stating that he and Ellefson had "been friends for years." Mustaine, for his part, has stated that, in his opinion, "Kerry has a problem, because he hates everybody." In a recent 2007 interview in Metalhammer magazine, Mustaine states that he doesn't care anymore and wants to end his arguments, mainly with Metallica and Slayer. King stated in a 2007 issue of Revolver magazine that he is a "Mustaine fan", but that he doesn't "really care for the guy." Recently in GuitarWorld.com's Dear Guitar Hero, King stated that he "admires [Mustaine] to this day" as a guitarist, even though he considers Mustaine a "hypocrite" and an "asshole". Kerry King was the guest for episode 31 in Marty Friedman's Rock Fujiyama Show on Japanese TV, After playing The main riff of Jump In The Fire from Metallica, He made some compliments for Dave Mustaine. Megadeth and Slayer will be co-headlining a small Canadian tour together, which may mean that this feud has been resolved.
Dave Mustaine vs Tom Araya (Slayer)
Mustaine's feuds with King have sparked animosities between fans of Slayer and Megadeth, but the only other member of Slayer who seems to be involved in the feud with Mustaine is bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Like the feud with King (although much smaller-scale), this feud mostly began at the "Clash of the Titans" tour when Mustaine told him that he liked it when Araya "sucked his dick." Araya proceeded to call him a "homo" onstage. Megadeth and Slayer will be co-headlining a small Canadian tour together, which may mean that this feud has been resolved.
Dave Mustaine vs Pantera
Mustaine at one time had a continuing feud with the band Pantera, who opened for Megadeth's 1992 'Countdown to Extinction' tour. Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo was known for saying "Fuck Megadeth" and "Fuck Dave" through the PA during Pantera's set minutes before Megadeth took the stage. In 1994, in an interview on MTV, Mustaine told an interviewer that he felt his music had been ripped off. He continued, "I'm not gonna name anybody 'cause I'm not gonna promote them. OK, we'll say 'panther' in Spanish. You're welcome guys. We might as well be cooking their dinner for them or pushing their little wheelbarrow to the bank for them." After the murder of former Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell (who had once been invited to join Megadeth), Mustaine downplayed this comment on a 2004 Headbanger's Ball memorial to Dimebag as an "off-camera, off-record" event and said he felt flattered by Pantera. However, the video of the interview is available at the MTV website. However, Mustaine and the members of Pantera seem to have put these differences to rest, as Mustaine has posthumously expressed his admiration for "Dimebag. In 2007, Mustaine toured with Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown's band Down, further indicating that he has apparently made peace with the former members of Pantera.
Dave Mustaine vs Mike Muir (Suicidal Tendencies)
Yet another brief feud that was sparked on the "Clash of the Titans" tour was between Mustaine and Suicidal Tendencies frontman Mike Muir. Muir was upset that Mustaine apparently tried to throw his band off the bill and responded by attacking Mustaine's alcohol addictions and joking that he "lived at the Betty Ford Clinic." The feud nearly became violent on the Clash of the Titans tour when he challenged Mustaine to an onstage fist-fight. Muir claimed that "There are a lot of people who would like to see Dave get his butt kicked, and the Lord knows Mike Muir ain't goin' down. I'll fuck him up... I'd dazzle him, left'n'right. I wanna see a little blood, y'know what I'm sayin'?" Mustaine responded to Muir verbally, claiming that Muir was stupid for trying to intimidate him (Mustaine holds black belts in Karate and Tae Kwon Do according to megadeth.com's FAQ section), and claiming to be a Suicidal fan as well. This feud did not carry on past the end of the tour. Suicidal even opened for Megadeth on their 1992 Countdown to Extinction tour (and ex-Suicidal drummer Jimmy DeGrasso worked in Megadeth as well as MD.45 earlier). Muir and Mustaine are now on good terms, with Mustaine claiming that he and Muir are "good friends today."
Terrorvision vs Queens of the Stone Age
1999: From Terrorvision’s MySpace: “Terrovision headlined a stage at the ‘Big Day Out’ at the Milton Keynes Bowl, and got into a dressing room brawl with Queens Of The Stone Age.” NME.com mention in a QOTSA review, that: “Nick Oliveri was in Seattle’s evil porno punks the Dwarves until he got thrown out for bad behaviour and was arrested at last year’s Big Day Out for attacking Terrorvision.”
Axl vs the world (GNR members, Motley Crue, Nirvana, Tommy Hilfiger) 1987: Axl announces onstage that “Bon Jovi can suck my dick”. In 2006 Jon Bon Jovi said: “You know what pisses me off? …a story about Axl Rose and the $13m Guns N’ Roses record that was never made. That motherfucker hasn’t made a record in 13 years and he gets all that attention. You know what I’ve done in 13 years? A lot. But they have continued to write about the freak show aspect of him.” Poor old Jon, suffering, un-appreciated in the shadows.
1989: Vince Neil punched Izzy Stradlin over a girl. Axl wades in.
1992: Phew, real car crash this one. Kirk says Guns N’ Roses are “so obviously pathetic and untalented”. It all rolls along for years until now apparently the (ex)-GN’R crew are now pals again.
2006: Axl’s lawyers release some statement about stuff Slash told him. It’s all denied. Axl hates Velvet Revolver. Simple.
2006: Tommy Hilfiger swings at Axl for moving a drink or something. Wikipedia states that “Hilfiger - wearing a GN’R shirt – and Axl were seen “hugging” and “burying the hatchet” backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards” later.
2006: Rose refers to opening act the Eagles of Death Metal as the “Pigeons of Shit Metal. I’m sorry to say that this will be their last night with us.” And it was.
Murderdolls vs Dani Filth
2003: Cradle Of Filth’s Dani Filth keeps walking into the Murderdolls area at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards. He was ejected from the area, and then the party and only left when security punched him on the sternum, knocking him over. (Dani Filth famously trashed a rock magazines offices after a bad review).
Fred Durst vs Dino Cazares
2002: Limp Bizkit attempted to offer former Fear Factory guitarist, Dino Cazares, for an audition to fill the band’s vacant guitarist role following last year’s departure of Wes Borland. Dino immediately turned down the offer saying joining Limp Bizkit would be “career suicide.” Ta.
Iron Maiden vs Sharon Osbourne Here’s what ‘apparently’ happened at the 2005 Ozzfest: Bruce cussed Ozzy, something about being an old duffer. Sharon calls him a prick and on the last day instigates an onstage egging of Maiden during their set and fucks with their sound. In the aftermath Sharon shoots her mouth off dissing Maiden further, Maiden stay sctum. Ish. If you really want to know, there are about ten million ‘eye witness accounts.
Dillinger Escape Plan vs Disturbed
2008: Dillinger guitarist Ben Weinman told Australian magazine Beat that he saw the guys choreographing every one of their moves during a soundcheck, saying “[they were] practicing where they were going to walk and when they were going to put their leg up on the monitor and pose… That was weird for us. There are times [during live shows] where I don’t even know where I am.” Disturbed frontman David Draiman responded: “Let me give you a little bit of education: This is what the big boys do who play stadium shows”.
Brent Hinds (Mastodon) vs Shavo Odadjian (System Of A Down) and others
2007: An inebriated Hinds left the Mandalay Bay after the MTV VMAs around 3am and met Shavo and musician William Hudson at the hotel’s west valet area. Hinds took his shirt off and hit Shavo with it before hitting Hudson in both the face and then chest. The police report says both Shavo and Hudson punched Hinds in the face, knocking him to the ground.
2008: There was an alleged altercation between garage rocker King Khan and Hinds: “He said ‘Do you know who I am? I am the greatest guitar player around,’ and punched me in the face.” There are also reports that the band got into a fight while on tour in the northern UK.
Vivian Campbell vs Ronnie James Dio
2003: Vivian Campbell: “[Playing in Dio] never mattered to me — and still doesn’t… He’s an incredible talent, but he’s an awful businessman and way more importantly, one of the vilest people in the industry.”
2007: Ronnie James Dio says: “I hope he fucking dies. He’s a fucking asshole. He’s got two fucking chances. He’s a piece of shit. He called me the most despicable human being that ever lived. I went, ‘I thought I gave you a chance and made you somebody. And now you’re playing with who? Def fucking who?’ There’s a fucking rock band for you to fucking have diarrhoea with.” He later said: “OK, I get the point — you really don’t like me at all! Well, tell me what the problem is, Vivian. Tell everybody what the problem is, because at the moment everyone is kind of scratching their heads over this one.”
David Coverdale vs The Quireboys
2004: www.chroniclelive.co.uk reported: Spike: “We were 45 seconds late going on stage one night and a minute-and-a-half late coming off another night.” “On both occasions we were given a dressing-down - one for getting the crowd out of their seats! I asked whether this was a rock’n’roll tour or a bingo night?” Then Spike discovered The Quireboys’ merchandise had gone missing. Then the final blow: “They told us we were off the tour but it was hardly a surprise.” So the ‘Boys didn’t get to play their hometown gig in Newcastle: “It was going to be a very special night for everyone,” admitted Spike. “And we want to stress that we haven’t pulled out. We were told we weren’t wanted and that’s that.”
James Gill vs Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy)
2005: Gill quotes Angela as saying: “People think that because you bought a ticket to the show that they own you. No, you see the show and go home, I don’t owe you anything.” Angela says she’s been misquoted.
2006: Angela says in a MH Spanish Inquisition: “If I ever see that little cunt Gill again I am going to kick his teeth so far down his throat that he can never do another interview ever again.” Gill shits himself.
2006: Angela confronts Gill at the MH Golden God Awards. Angela opens up and they agree to do another interview to straighten things out.
2007: They do. She admitted that: “I thought I’ve got to meet that cunt again and knock the shit out of him.”
Gaahl (Gorgoroth) and King ov Hell vs Infernus (Gorgoroth)
2008: Who has the rights to the name Gorgoroth? The legal battle continues. Probably in a forest near Oslo.
David Lee Roth vs Sammy Hagar vs Eddie Van Halen
The two Van Halen singers have been at it since 1985.
Sammy Hagar: All he cares about is going out there with his Jack Daniels bottle. Nothing has changed. That’s kind of sad. If David was doing better than he used to be, then that would be different. But it was a joke and he made it that way.
DLR: I left and I said “I really want to make music and I’ll take a cut if that’s necessary to be an artist”. But listen to this. The last album sold a million and a half, theirs sold a little more than that, but I don’t break it up five ways.
Sammy Hagar: Dave was great in Van Halen. No question about it. He was one of the best at being Mr. Rock Star. But it’s sickening to see a guy still trying to be that with a wig on 20 years later. everything that comes out of his mouth is word-barf. It’s the lowest common denominator. It’s meant for children. Jimi Hendrix never made music for children. Children may have loved it, but he never made music like “Hey, the 14-year-olds will love this”. The guys in Led Zeppelin and the Beatles never said “I’m gonna aim this at the 12-year-olds”.
Sammy Hagar: Everything that Eddie has said about me is the total opposite of what really happened. Eddie says I wanted to be a solo artist. No, Eddie wanted to be a solo artist.
DLR: [Sammy’s] my bitch, and when he says my name we just sell that many more records.
Sammy Hagar: If I would go up on a high note, Eddie would want a low one. That’s how petty the situation had become.
DLR: Sammy is a mindless little bridge-troll drone.
Sammy Hagar: It’s a good thing I don’t read everything Eddie says, or I’d be up in arms and not enjoying my life.
DLR: he was a complete failure till he got with the Van Halen bunch.
Sammy Hagar: It’s hard to say this about a guy like Eddie Van Halen, one of the greatest guitar players who ever lived, but he’s really limited to a style and they’re locked into it.
DLR: You’ve got someone who’s enfeebled himself with dope and alcohol who’s gonna go along with the situation.
Sammy Hagar: Overall, we had about 50 meetings where the brothers would say that I couldn’t do any solo records, I couldn’t write for other people, I couldn’t do this and I couldn’t do that. These guys were trying to nail my feet to the ground.
DLR: Sammy would sell the property rights to his butthole to get fame.
Sammy Hagar: When they brought Roth back into the picture, obviously I didn’t go along with that too well.
DLR: Sammy Hagar, who at best is a mediocre talent…
Sammy Hagar: When we were on the road, I found out that my greatest hits album went Gold. They freaked out. Things really came to a head when we started arguing about a Van Halen greatest hits package.
DLR: I left and I said “I really want to make music and I’ll take a cut if that’s necessary to be an artist”. But listen to this. The last album sold a million and a half, theirs sold a little more than that, but I don’t break it up five ways.
Lynyrd Skynyrd vs Neil Young
Neil Young’s ‘Southern Man’ is a biting rant about Confederate racism that drew the ire of proud rednecks Lynyrd Skynyrd and prompted their musical response in the track ‘Sweet Home Alabama “Well I hope Neil Young will remember/ A southern man don’t need him around anyhow”
Marilyn Manson vs My Chemical Romance
2007: Manson wrote ‘Mutilation Is The Most Sincere Form Of about Gerard Way’s outfit, and features the lyrics, “Fuck you, fuck you”. He said: “I’m embarrassed to be me because these people are doing a really sad, pitiful, shallow version of what I’ve done.” My Chemical Romance’s Frank Ieror said “The funny thing is that he seems to have lashed out at us about the make-up. That’s weird to me, because I had heard of Alice Cooper before I heard of Marilyn Manson. I don’t know how he could be mad at us. We never came out and said we were going to call ourselves by a girl’s name and then a serial killer’s name. I’m really sorry if he feels we ripped him off. Maybe he’s doing it for the press.” Gerard Way added: “If Elvis Costello said we sucked we would think about it a bit… We still haven’t found someone that has knocked us down that we need to take seriously.”
Euronymous (Mayhem) vs Varg Vikernes (Burzum)
E: “I invented black metal.” VV: “You’ve gone soft.” [stab stab stab] “See?” The end.
Red Hot Chili Peppers vs Mr. Bungle
Spinner.com reported that Mr. Bungle’s Trevor Dunn said Chilis were: “That stupid white band that do horrible cover versions of black musicians.” RHCP’s Anthony Kiedis took exception to Mike Patton’s stage presence in Faith No More, which he thought ripped off his own. When Patton later fronted Mr. Bungle, the bands were set to release albums (’California’ and ‘Californication’) on the same day and label. Bungle’s was pushed back. Kiedis insisted that they be removed from Chilis-headlined festivals. A miffed Patton said, “We are not even a speck of dust on this guy’s ass!” Bungle later put on a Peppers parody, mocking several songs.
Kid Rock vs Tommy Lee
2007: Ok, so they’re all at the VMAs (fave fight venue) Tommy Lee says something to/about Kid Rock as he walks towards P Diddy. Kid Rock then slaps the drummer. Tommy tries to fight back but before he can twat him, Rock chins him. Kid Rock was heard saying the following triple negative clusterfuck: “I never hit nobody for nothing before.” Sooo… he did or he didn’t?
Glenn Danzig vs Northside Kings
Glenn Danzig gets in an argument with North Side Kings singer and frequent Soulfly collaborator Danny Marianinho after a Danzig show. Danny said: “He threw me pretty hard and I reacted like anyone on this site would have. The guy is out of control. The video shows it all — and it was very uncalled for on his end. He caught me off guard when he attacked me — but I caught him with a good jab. That’s it in a nutshell. To this day he has not tried to contact me to apologize for being a mental case…” I wouldn’t hold your breath, mate.
Avenged Sevenfold vs Atreyu
2005: A7X’s M Shadows: “Atreyu are leading the scene that we want to get out of. I wouldn’t say we are fucking friends.” He adds that they ripped off a song intro too. Atreyu’s Alex Varkatzas said: “I guess if you’re not down with Atreyu, you can go fuck yourself.” At the time of the feud Atreyu had sold over 410,000 albums while Avenged Sevenfold had only sold 231,421.
Marilyn Manson vs Trent Reznor vs Courtney Love vs Tori Amos
1996: Trent executive produces Manson’s amazing ‘Anti-Christ Superstar’ album. They do tons of blow. 90s (at some point): Trent dates Courtney Love.
1996: Tori Amos allegedly writes ‘Professional Widow’ about Love.
1997-ish: Tori and Trent are allegedly dating.
1998-ish: Trent later said of his falling out with Manson: “. He and I are two strong personalities that could coexist for a while, but things changed. I think fame and power distort people’s personalities.” And Manson later said: “If I were the kind of person to be insulted by petty things, I would be insulted by the way Trent Reznor has acted since I moved from Nothing Records [Reznor's label] on to Interscope.”
1999: Trent allegedly writes ‘Starfuckers Inc’ about Love and Manson.
1999: Trent and Manson make friends. 00s: Courtney still blogs about Trent.
Lamb of God, As I Lay Dying, Children of Bodom, God Forbid, Municipal Waste @ Roseland - 5/8/09
I've been to Roseland Ballroom three times in my life, the first being the September 20, 2008 show with Motorhead and the second was on October 15, 2008 with Danzig and Dimmu Borgir as part of the Blackest of Black tour, and while these two nights were filled with legends and rock gods who gave fine, top-form performances, they pale in comparison to the May 8 show filled with some of the best performances, and one of the best metal tour packages, that I've seen in a long time. If Roseland is the place where legends are born and eventually come to congregate and perform for the 3500 strong in attendance, then the bands involved will no doubt feel right at home in a few years.
There was laughter, there were tears, there were titties being shown, fights breaking out inside (and outside) the venue, weed being smoked, and some really good technical metal on display. From the retro-thrash/party animal vibe of Virginia natives Municipal Waste, to the gritty New Jersey groove metalcore of God Forbid, to the regrettably (thankfully!) shortened set of Finlanders Children of Bodom, to Californian stableboys As I Lay Dying, to the heir-apparent of the metal band throne Lamb of God, there was not one corner of the metal world not covered tonight, save for corpse-painted black metal. As the night progressed and angsty teenagers and 30-somethings thrashed and bashed their way to catch a souvenir, so did the intensity and all-out fun to be had at metal concert. And for this one night, at least during Lamb of God's set, I returned to what I had once been before I became a jerk-off, sell-out suit in a Ralph Lauren jacket.... I was a true MetalBro4Life again.
MUNICIPAL WASTE - Give it up to these guys for starting the show up in an unexpected way as performing a little comedy act involving frontman Tony Foresta and guitarist Ryan Waste as they elicited and incited much laughter from the attendees as they jabbed and made cracks about everyone from George W. Bush to Disturbed, and the usual pseudo-homoerotic jokes of signing butts and dicks, as well as tits. As they entered the stage with the entrance music to Yellow's "Oh, Yeah!" (you remember those old 80s commercials for Twix.... if you don't know it, look it up on YouTube!), they quickly leveled the place with tracks from their latest release, 2007's The Art of Partying, before switching off into their comedy schtick. It would be wise to leave them as the opening act, if just for their comedy routine alone, it would serve as a good start for whatever bumps lay ahead. And while they seemed more intent on being funny rather than be serious musicians and encouraging many to drink and smoke weeds - a good way to get on the crowd's good side and exploit their vices - they didn't disappoint in entertaining and brutally beating, though lightheartedly, everyone into a frenzy. Set Rating: A-
GOD FORBID - When I saw these guys play with Death Angel last year at BB King, I was pretty much convinced that these guys were the real deal. Fast forward to today and imagine my surprise when I am faced with a pretty lackluster set. Instead, we have Kris Norris, formerly of Darkest Hour, substituting guitar duties for Dallas Coyle and zero connection from frontman Byron Davis, who does his occasional chest-thumping to the masses. Playing some songs off their new album Earthsblood, which I have yet to listen to (should I even bother?), as well as past faves, and you're stuck with a crowd desperately in need of something more potent. And while I can appreciated their socio-political whining sometimes, I can always turn on the news at home and hear it far more clearly than have Davis and Co. shove down my throat with indecipherable growls and pretty/tricky riffs. But without young Dallas to support and pull back brother Doc's cocky noodling, there isn't much finesse or approach to give this band a second glance. Set Rating: B-
CHILDREN OF BODOM - So apparently, Alexi Laiho fell out of his bunk on the bus and injured his shoulder badly, which means he can't really sing or play well, and after playing only two songs, the band gave up and quit. I could feel sorry for the kid and accept that, but I find it difficult to accept that if he was in so much pain, why couldn't they get someone to fill in guitar duties for him. God Forbid was smart enough to find a replacement for Dallas Coyle, why couldn't the same be done for Laiho. (James Hetfield did it when he nearly burned himself to death back in '92 when Metallica recruited John Marshall of Metal Church.) I chalk it up to some kind of arrogance on the part of Bodom's frontman, who seems intent on playing every riff and note as only he can because that is the Bodom way.... to Alexi, he is Bodom! So I guess when the vicodin ran out, he just quit like a typical Eurotrash pussy. It got worse for me as I watched their 14-year-old muppet of a keyboardist stand away from the keyboards and watched as Laiho writhed in pain. The writing was on the wall, they were done for the evening and they weren't coming back out. Sure enough, after their second song - Hellhoundz of such-and-such from their latest effort Bloodrunk - Alexi and the band went backstage and didn't come back out. I can just imagine Alexi crying in the back, with mascara smear dripping down his cheek and taking a swig of some unpronouncable Finnish liquor beverage. I think it was lame and totally unbecoming of a band to get us all riled up and then bailing on us like that. Set Rating: B-
AS I LAY DYING - The momentum was quickly failing, and not even radio host Jose Mangin, who chimed in between each set, could lift the crowd's quickly-dampened spirits. On occasion, he would be guests including Richard Christy and Kevin Kraft from Howard Stern's show (big fucking deal!), fellow radio DJs Scotty "the Body" and Zeena (seriously, who fucking cares!), and, right before Lamb of God's set, the presidents of LoG's fan club (shoot me now already!!!!) before bringing on the next act. Up next was As I Lay Dying, a so-called Christian band (*groan*) from California. Was this night really going to suck until Lamb of God shows up? Surprisingly, NO! Despite being tagged "Christian" there was no preaching, or Bible-throwing, or any preconceived notion usually identified with Christianity. Instead, there were bodies being tossed and choral chants from the crowd who seemed genuinely thrilled by these kids. I don't know any of their songs - I haven't added them to my "download music for free" list yet - but they picked up the slack that was lost on God Forbid and Bodom. And while I could probably kicked the crap out of each member of AILD, they made me a believer that they belonged on this bill than on some gay-ass, faggoty tour like the Vans Warp Tour or Projekt Revolution show. Set Rating: B+
LAMB OF GOD - With all the unpleasantries now behind us, I was now up front watching the old mountain men of Virginia kick some ass. Playing the first four songs from their new release, Wrath, the boys of LoG unleashed a fury - or wrath, if you will - so brutal that for the next hour-and-a-half, bodies were flying everywhere and the mosh-pits kept getting bigger and worse with each new song. Throughout the set, I made eye contact with guitarist Willie Adler and bassist John Campbell, who occasionally pointed at me as I sang off the chorus parts to certain songs, like "Redneck" or "Now You've Got Something to Die For." I hadn't felt this alive and more in sync with the band and crowd since Metallica's show back in January at Nassau, or even when I was drunk and backstage with Anthrax, or perhaps getting onstage with Suicidal Tendencies last year. Lamb of God, who are one of a few who are poised to take over the metal throne (others include Machine Head, Mastodon, and Killswitch Engage), pulled no punches and exacted a fitful wrath upon the LoG fans, and even some of the Bodom fans who are not too keen on LoG's more brutal approach, that everyone left Roseland happy. After first seeing them at Ozzfest 2007 (the free one) sitting all the way in the back on the lawn, I was now up front and close enough to see exactly why these guys are a love-it-or-hate-it band. It's because they do it their way and to them, it's the only way and that is enough. Set Rating: A
AFTER THE SHOW - Sadly, I did not catch any souvenirs or trinkets, but came away with some cool pictures of myself with the band. But let me just say that it wasn't easy and trying to take a picture with certain Lamb of God members is like pulling teeth!
When I asked Willie Adler to take picture, he gave me a bit of an attitude because I wanted him facing toward the light so there would be better lighting, and he says to me: "What are you a fucking photographer?" So, in my own unique way for pay back, I lay it on to him to be more appreciative of fans, especially those who shell out nearly $50 so that he can feed his family. And with that, he tells me that he wants to talk with his wife on the phone, and I tell him that his wife doesn't have to pay to see him because she gets him for free and that we are just as important as she is (based on the logic that because we pay to see their shows, he gets to feed his family). Needless to say, this rubs him the wrong way and he tells me, rather strangely: "You just fucked up, man!" For a moment, I thought he was actually going to fight me. But he ended spending almost an hour having a conversation with his wife. In either case, he's a prick! FUCK HIM! But.....
Frontman Randy Blythe was a bit weird. Smoking a cigarette and wearing these old-man glasses while his gangly, scrawnly ass was skulking outside the bus like some deranged hunchback. Sensing his wanting to be alone, even after getting my picture, I felt the need to get under his skin, and I told him that I download LoG's music for free and I asked his opinion on it. In so many words, he was not unhappy, claiming that he isn't "a rich man" and that I was "stealing my work." His work? What about the fucking band, you piece of shit! My prediction is that within five years, this band will implode and it will all be Randy's fault because it's obviously he thinks the world of Lamb of God revolves around him. What a douche!
Drummer Chris Adler, after waiting close to an hour for him to stop entertaining Paul Booth on the bus, was far more gracious about it and said that as long as people came to the show he was fine with it. I told him that he seemed to be the more intelligent one in the band, to which he admitted that he handles the financial and more important areas and decisions within the band. I even ribbed him a little by saying that if he cut the beard, which he said he has grown since '93 (though in a Revolver Magazine interview he said that around '96 he started growing it out), he would look much younger. His reply: only mild laughter.
John Campbell, much like Chris, was friendly and corgial despite wanting to talk to his wife, too. I asked him how within a two-year time span since Sacrament and Wrath, and the fact that he's in his late 30s, he has gotten so gray and old.... seriously, the dude looks like he's in his 60s! His response: "Up yours!" To which I said back: "Same to you." But that was in fun, as John told me he had seen me in the audience and liked the way I had mocked Alexi's shoulder condition after Randy had asked the crowd earlier to cheer him for playing in such pain. I earned John's respect because I "acted like a smart-ass," he said with laughter.
And Mark Morton... sheesh! If you thought Willie and Randy were douchebags, Mark might be the biggest one! I jokingly asked him who would win in a fight: Randy or a drunk chicken (their two of the same thing!) and he said, under muted laughter: "Randy," though I think the joke fell on him. And there was some drunk whore all over him and getting in between us. Mark seemed equally by her as he was with me. And like Willie before him, seemed to not appreciate fans for waiting to see his stupid ass. The dude, simply put, is a humorless prick. FUCK HIM!
I have a nice chat with Jose Mangin, who is apparently going to be the new host of Headbangers Ball, about the recent shalacking and hack-job done to the first ever Revolver Golden God Awards. As usual, Jose is pleasant to me, giving me a friendly bro-hug, and goes on to tell me that it was this person's fault or that person's fault for the way the awards show went and that he too was disappointed by its outcome until eventually Scotty (What body?) comes up, hammered and inebriated beyond belief, to pull Mangin away. Then Richard Christy and Kevin Kraft, both drunk and incoherent as I always see them, come around and hang outside the bus. Eventually I get to talking to Kraft about eating a cockroach for $7 on Howard's show and make amends to Christy, who was the cause of my getting kicked out of Duff's back in December last year. Kraft is getting fat and Christy is very fat and going deaf! I, meanwhile, greet Booth, who is polite and accepts my hand in friendly court and eventually, growing bored by the inane banter between John, Jose, Scotty, and other people, I bid farewell and exchange handshakes with everyone before leaving.
MOST POIGNANT MOMENT OF THE EVENING
I spy on Willie, standing with the bus door open, on the steps telling his wife on the phone that he loves her. But he says it quietly, so I have to read his lips. There is a look of sadness in that chubby, feline face of his. What gets me is that he repeats it again: "I love you" before he says good-bye. He gives me a look, as he sees that I have been watching him, and goes outside to meet with friends. And, of course, I take photos of this (two pictures are uploaded in the "Lamb of God and Friends @ Roseland" album).
SADDEST MOMENT OF THE EVENING
A muscular, drunk dude gets into a fight with one of the security guards and eventually two or three other guards attack the drunk dude. The punches sound sickening and I am reminded of an incident four years ago in Orlando, especially when the one guard stomps on the muscular drunk dude's face and spits on him! FUCKING SPITS ON THE DUDE THAT IS DOWN! Goddamn white-trash New York scumbag. I was in so much shock that I didn't know what was happening. Even As I Lay Dying's Nick Hipa, a sweet kid, by the way, also witnessed this and we were both in jaw-dropped awe at what was happening. I could help but feel bad for the drunk dude, even if he was causing the ruckus and threw the first punch. At one point, after getting up off the pavement sidewalk, he stood staring at everyone with a hunge bruise to the face and a cut lip, confused and disoriented..... I know that feeling! Wherever he is, I hope he is well.
THE "WHAT THE FUCK?" MOMENT OF THE EVENING
I see Randy on 50th St. at a bar. What's the big deal? He claims to be on the wagon and has said that after the troubles of making Sacrament and getting into that fight with Morton on Killadelphia, he hasn't touched a drink since. Well, not one to cast any stones, I call out to him and simply give the horns, to which he returns back to me. In hindsight, I should said something.... something to the effect of his sobriety in order to get something out of him. But I relented and went home.
CONCLUSION
Despite several missteps and accidents and a chance to hang out and schmooze with the great American metal band, in all honesty, it was rather disappointing to find that Lamb of God, at least a couple members, are douchebags and don't respect or appreciate their fans. But despite offstage issues, onstage - the show fuckin' rocked!
Show Rating: A-
There was laughter, there were tears, there were titties being shown, fights breaking out inside (and outside) the venue, weed being smoked, and some really good technical metal on display. From the retro-thrash/party animal vibe of Virginia natives Municipal Waste, to the gritty New Jersey groove metalcore of God Forbid, to the regrettably (thankfully!) shortened set of Finlanders Children of Bodom, to Californian stableboys As I Lay Dying, to the heir-apparent of the metal band throne Lamb of God, there was not one corner of the metal world not covered tonight, save for corpse-painted black metal. As the night progressed and angsty teenagers and 30-somethings thrashed and bashed their way to catch a souvenir, so did the intensity and all-out fun to be had at metal concert. And for this one night, at least during Lamb of God's set, I returned to what I had once been before I became a jerk-off, sell-out suit in a Ralph Lauren jacket.... I was a true MetalBro4Life again.
MUNICIPAL WASTE - Give it up to these guys for starting the show up in an unexpected way as performing a little comedy act involving frontman Tony Foresta and guitarist Ryan Waste as they elicited and incited much laughter from the attendees as they jabbed and made cracks about everyone from George W. Bush to Disturbed, and the usual pseudo-homoerotic jokes of signing butts and dicks, as well as tits. As they entered the stage with the entrance music to Yellow's "Oh, Yeah!" (you remember those old 80s commercials for Twix.... if you don't know it, look it up on YouTube!), they quickly leveled the place with tracks from their latest release, 2007's The Art of Partying, before switching off into their comedy schtick. It would be wise to leave them as the opening act, if just for their comedy routine alone, it would serve as a good start for whatever bumps lay ahead. And while they seemed more intent on being funny rather than be serious musicians and encouraging many to drink and smoke weeds - a good way to get on the crowd's good side and exploit their vices - they didn't disappoint in entertaining and brutally beating, though lightheartedly, everyone into a frenzy. Set Rating: A-
GOD FORBID - When I saw these guys play with Death Angel last year at BB King, I was pretty much convinced that these guys were the real deal. Fast forward to today and imagine my surprise when I am faced with a pretty lackluster set. Instead, we have Kris Norris, formerly of Darkest Hour, substituting guitar duties for Dallas Coyle and zero connection from frontman Byron Davis, who does his occasional chest-thumping to the masses. Playing some songs off their new album Earthsblood, which I have yet to listen to (should I even bother?), as well as past faves, and you're stuck with a crowd desperately in need of something more potent. And while I can appreciated their socio-political whining sometimes, I can always turn on the news at home and hear it far more clearly than have Davis and Co. shove down my throat with indecipherable growls and pretty/tricky riffs. But without young Dallas to support and pull back brother Doc's cocky noodling, there isn't much finesse or approach to give this band a second glance. Set Rating: B-
CHILDREN OF BODOM - So apparently, Alexi Laiho fell out of his bunk on the bus and injured his shoulder badly, which means he can't really sing or play well, and after playing only two songs, the band gave up and quit. I could feel sorry for the kid and accept that, but I find it difficult to accept that if he was in so much pain, why couldn't they get someone to fill in guitar duties for him. God Forbid was smart enough to find a replacement for Dallas Coyle, why couldn't the same be done for Laiho. (James Hetfield did it when he nearly burned himself to death back in '92 when Metallica recruited John Marshall of Metal Church.) I chalk it up to some kind of arrogance on the part of Bodom's frontman, who seems intent on playing every riff and note as only he can because that is the Bodom way.... to Alexi, he is Bodom! So I guess when the vicodin ran out, he just quit like a typical Eurotrash pussy. It got worse for me as I watched their 14-year-old muppet of a keyboardist stand away from the keyboards and watched as Laiho writhed in pain. The writing was on the wall, they were done for the evening and they weren't coming back out. Sure enough, after their second song - Hellhoundz of such-and-such from their latest effort Bloodrunk - Alexi and the band went backstage and didn't come back out. I can just imagine Alexi crying in the back, with mascara smear dripping down his cheek and taking a swig of some unpronouncable Finnish liquor beverage. I think it was lame and totally unbecoming of a band to get us all riled up and then bailing on us like that. Set Rating: B-
AS I LAY DYING - The momentum was quickly failing, and not even radio host Jose Mangin, who chimed in between each set, could lift the crowd's quickly-dampened spirits. On occasion, he would be guests including Richard Christy and Kevin Kraft from Howard Stern's show (big fucking deal!), fellow radio DJs Scotty "the Body" and Zeena (seriously, who fucking cares!), and, right before Lamb of God's set, the presidents of LoG's fan club (shoot me now already!!!!) before bringing on the next act. Up next was As I Lay Dying, a so-called Christian band (*groan*) from California. Was this night really going to suck until Lamb of God shows up? Surprisingly, NO! Despite being tagged "Christian" there was no preaching, or Bible-throwing, or any preconceived notion usually identified with Christianity. Instead, there were bodies being tossed and choral chants from the crowd who seemed genuinely thrilled by these kids. I don't know any of their songs - I haven't added them to my "download music for free" list yet - but they picked up the slack that was lost on God Forbid and Bodom. And while I could probably kicked the crap out of each member of AILD, they made me a believer that they belonged on this bill than on some gay-ass, faggoty tour like the Vans Warp Tour or Projekt Revolution show. Set Rating: B+
LAMB OF GOD - With all the unpleasantries now behind us, I was now up front watching the old mountain men of Virginia kick some ass. Playing the first four songs from their new release, Wrath, the boys of LoG unleashed a fury - or wrath, if you will - so brutal that for the next hour-and-a-half, bodies were flying everywhere and the mosh-pits kept getting bigger and worse with each new song. Throughout the set, I made eye contact with guitarist Willie Adler and bassist John Campbell, who occasionally pointed at me as I sang off the chorus parts to certain songs, like "Redneck" or "Now You've Got Something to Die For." I hadn't felt this alive and more in sync with the band and crowd since Metallica's show back in January at Nassau, or even when I was drunk and backstage with Anthrax, or perhaps getting onstage with Suicidal Tendencies last year. Lamb of God, who are one of a few who are poised to take over the metal throne (others include Machine Head, Mastodon, and Killswitch Engage), pulled no punches and exacted a fitful wrath upon the LoG fans, and even some of the Bodom fans who are not too keen on LoG's more brutal approach, that everyone left Roseland happy. After first seeing them at Ozzfest 2007 (the free one) sitting all the way in the back on the lawn, I was now up front and close enough to see exactly why these guys are a love-it-or-hate-it band. It's because they do it their way and to them, it's the only way and that is enough. Set Rating: A
AFTER THE SHOW - Sadly, I did not catch any souvenirs or trinkets, but came away with some cool pictures of myself with the band. But let me just say that it wasn't easy and trying to take a picture with certain Lamb of God members is like pulling teeth!
When I asked Willie Adler to take picture, he gave me a bit of an attitude because I wanted him facing toward the light so there would be better lighting, and he says to me: "What are you a fucking photographer?" So, in my own unique way for pay back, I lay it on to him to be more appreciative of fans, especially those who shell out nearly $50 so that he can feed his family. And with that, he tells me that he wants to talk with his wife on the phone, and I tell him that his wife doesn't have to pay to see him because she gets him for free and that we are just as important as she is (based on the logic that because we pay to see their shows, he gets to feed his family). Needless to say, this rubs him the wrong way and he tells me, rather strangely: "You just fucked up, man!" For a moment, I thought he was actually going to fight me. But he ended spending almost an hour having a conversation with his wife. In either case, he's a prick! FUCK HIM! But.....
Frontman Randy Blythe was a bit weird. Smoking a cigarette and wearing these old-man glasses while his gangly, scrawnly ass was skulking outside the bus like some deranged hunchback. Sensing his wanting to be alone, even after getting my picture, I felt the need to get under his skin, and I told him that I download LoG's music for free and I asked his opinion on it. In so many words, he was not unhappy, claiming that he isn't "a rich man" and that I was "stealing my work." His work? What about the fucking band, you piece of shit! My prediction is that within five years, this band will implode and it will all be Randy's fault because it's obviously he thinks the world of Lamb of God revolves around him. What a douche!
Drummer Chris Adler, after waiting close to an hour for him to stop entertaining Paul Booth on the bus, was far more gracious about it and said that as long as people came to the show he was fine with it. I told him that he seemed to be the more intelligent one in the band, to which he admitted that he handles the financial and more important areas and decisions within the band. I even ribbed him a little by saying that if he cut the beard, which he said he has grown since '93 (though in a Revolver Magazine interview he said that around '96 he started growing it out), he would look much younger. His reply: only mild laughter.
John Campbell, much like Chris, was friendly and corgial despite wanting to talk to his wife, too. I asked him how within a two-year time span since Sacrament and Wrath, and the fact that he's in his late 30s, he has gotten so gray and old.... seriously, the dude looks like he's in his 60s! His response: "Up yours!" To which I said back: "Same to you." But that was in fun, as John told me he had seen me in the audience and liked the way I had mocked Alexi's shoulder condition after Randy had asked the crowd earlier to cheer him for playing in such pain. I earned John's respect because I "acted like a smart-ass," he said with laughter.
And Mark Morton... sheesh! If you thought Willie and Randy were douchebags, Mark might be the biggest one! I jokingly asked him who would win in a fight: Randy or a drunk chicken (their two of the same thing!) and he said, under muted laughter: "Randy," though I think the joke fell on him. And there was some drunk whore all over him and getting in between us. Mark seemed equally by her as he was with me. And like Willie before him, seemed to not appreciate fans for waiting to see his stupid ass. The dude, simply put, is a humorless prick. FUCK HIM!
I have a nice chat with Jose Mangin, who is apparently going to be the new host of Headbangers Ball, about the recent shalacking and hack-job done to the first ever Revolver Golden God Awards. As usual, Jose is pleasant to me, giving me a friendly bro-hug, and goes on to tell me that it was this person's fault or that person's fault for the way the awards show went and that he too was disappointed by its outcome until eventually Scotty (What body?) comes up, hammered and inebriated beyond belief, to pull Mangin away. Then Richard Christy and Kevin Kraft, both drunk and incoherent as I always see them, come around and hang outside the bus. Eventually I get to talking to Kraft about eating a cockroach for $7 on Howard's show and make amends to Christy, who was the cause of my getting kicked out of Duff's back in December last year. Kraft is getting fat and Christy is very fat and going deaf! I, meanwhile, greet Booth, who is polite and accepts my hand in friendly court and eventually, growing bored by the inane banter between John, Jose, Scotty, and other people, I bid farewell and exchange handshakes with everyone before leaving.
MOST POIGNANT MOMENT OF THE EVENING
I spy on Willie, standing with the bus door open, on the steps telling his wife on the phone that he loves her. But he says it quietly, so I have to read his lips. There is a look of sadness in that chubby, feline face of his. What gets me is that he repeats it again: "I love you" before he says good-bye. He gives me a look, as he sees that I have been watching him, and goes outside to meet with friends. And, of course, I take photos of this (two pictures are uploaded in the "Lamb of God and Friends @ Roseland" album).
SADDEST MOMENT OF THE EVENING
A muscular, drunk dude gets into a fight with one of the security guards and eventually two or three other guards attack the drunk dude. The punches sound sickening and I am reminded of an incident four years ago in Orlando, especially when the one guard stomps on the muscular drunk dude's face and spits on him! FUCKING SPITS ON THE DUDE THAT IS DOWN! Goddamn white-trash New York scumbag. I was in so much shock that I didn't know what was happening. Even As I Lay Dying's Nick Hipa, a sweet kid, by the way, also witnessed this and we were both in jaw-dropped awe at what was happening. I could help but feel bad for the drunk dude, even if he was causing the ruckus and threw the first punch. At one point, after getting up off the pavement sidewalk, he stood staring at everyone with a hunge bruise to the face and a cut lip, confused and disoriented..... I know that feeling! Wherever he is, I hope he is well.
THE "WHAT THE FUCK?" MOMENT OF THE EVENING
I see Randy on 50th St. at a bar. What's the big deal? He claims to be on the wagon and has said that after the troubles of making Sacrament and getting into that fight with Morton on Killadelphia, he hasn't touched a drink since. Well, not one to cast any stones, I call out to him and simply give the horns, to which he returns back to me. In hindsight, I should said something.... something to the effect of his sobriety in order to get something out of him. But I relented and went home.
CONCLUSION
Despite several missteps and accidents and a chance to hang out and schmooze with the great American metal band, in all honesty, it was rather disappointing to find that Lamb of God, at least a couple members, are douchebags and don't respect or appreciate their fans. But despite offstage issues, onstage - the show fuckin' rocked!
Show Rating: A-
Best Albums of 2009, so far.....
So far, we have a few good ones coming out and we're only in the fifth month of the year. I've heard some good shit so far and want to share it with some of you metal fans out there.
1. Lamb of God (Wrath) The great white-trash hope of metal! The heir apparent to the reinvented and reembraced "Big Four of Thrash" are out with a new album that elevates itself out of the mainstream spotlight, courtesy of 2006's Sacrament, and back down into the metal underground where they - AND ALL METAL - belong. They've definitely grown up, adding some quieter moments and pieces than their usual growl and thrash of past albums. And while I'm not convinced they're the greatest metal band ever or will ever be, I applaud and commend the fact that they've had time to reflect on their next course of action and really evaluate where exactly they want to go next. And much like the aforementioned "Big Four," they may go straight to the top, but let's hope they keep it real at the same time and not sell out again.
2. Chimaira (The Infection) Definitely an improvement over 2007's Resurrection. Some melodies, some progressive riffs. Still great fodder music for uneducated meatheads and UFC enthusiast douchebags. A step in the right direction with sonic maturity and proper pacing. Even has a 14-minute instrumental! Feels like it's trying to be Metallica and Slayer combined, but doesn't quite hit the mark all the time.
3. Kreator (Hordes of Chaos) Mille is back, and he's brought a few new surprises with him and this long-standing German band that is sure to please and baffle some fans. The good news is, this is a pretty comparable followup to 2005's Enemy of God, but the bad news is that Mille and Co. take way too much risks, like too much vocal harmony, Gothenburg-style, mixed in with vicious, brutal thrash that seems to bring down the impact of many of its songs. Depending on how you view their style, the songs gallop along briskly and their choral chant of its title track is a definitely crowd pleaser.
4. Hatebreed (For the Lions) The band seems right at home with their familiar hardcore heroes (Merauder, Agnostic Front, Madball) but come off rather shaky, insecure and stylistically unoriginal for the metal masters (Metallica, Slayer, Sepultura). Many of the songs deserve, and desperately need, far more brutality than Jasta and Co. are willing to give, especially during the chorus parts, but Jasta tries to play it safe by trying to keep it close to the original versions. Big mistake... especially when covering a song! MAKE IT YOUR OWN!
5. Mastodon (Crack the Skye) Worthy successor to 2006's Blood Mountain, but nothing too spectacular and a bit overlong. For a bunch of hicks from Georgia, they at least put some effort in creating an epic concept album. A murky in many parts, but with the light/heavy bounce of "Divinations" and "Oblivion," the album isn't a total bore. Will definitely please fans and may alienate those unfamiliar with their past work. I'm somewhere in the middle.
6. Cannibal Corpse (Evisceration Plague) Nothing against Fisher, but let's face it, the Barnes albums are the best in CC's catalogue and this album is merely a sonic companion to 2006's Kill. But despite it's various shortcomings as something more "progressive" as mentioned in interviews with the band, this album is chockful of some heavy, gory goodness to appease any of their newer fans who weren't even alive during their peak years.
7. Napalm Death (Time Waits for No Slave) The usual ND grindcore of the last two albums, nothing more and nothing less than what you'd expect here. But it's comforting to know that despite all the shit that's playing out there - both metal and non-metal - these dudes keep it real and still kick ass after 20+ years and 20+ albums. And they don't disappoint here! For fans still reeling from the sonic beatdown from 2006's Smear Campaign.
8. Brutal Truth (Evolution Through Revolution) Not exactly what I'd call "best album of '09," or even "decent album," but I have to fill in space here. The boys of BT have lost their way in the 21st century, showing no signs of brilliance or much power (hard to believe) that they once possessed in the 90s. Songs come and go at the speed of light but still feel endless and dull. Definitely the St. Anger of this band's catalogue.
1. Lamb of God (Wrath) The great white-trash hope of metal! The heir apparent to the reinvented and reembraced "Big Four of Thrash" are out with a new album that elevates itself out of the mainstream spotlight, courtesy of 2006's Sacrament, and back down into the metal underground where they - AND ALL METAL - belong. They've definitely grown up, adding some quieter moments and pieces than their usual growl and thrash of past albums. And while I'm not convinced they're the greatest metal band ever or will ever be, I applaud and commend the fact that they've had time to reflect on their next course of action and really evaluate where exactly they want to go next. And much like the aforementioned "Big Four," they may go straight to the top, but let's hope they keep it real at the same time and not sell out again.
2. Chimaira (The Infection) Definitely an improvement over 2007's Resurrection. Some melodies, some progressive riffs. Still great fodder music for uneducated meatheads and UFC enthusiast douchebags. A step in the right direction with sonic maturity and proper pacing. Even has a 14-minute instrumental! Feels like it's trying to be Metallica and Slayer combined, but doesn't quite hit the mark all the time.
3. Kreator (Hordes of Chaos) Mille is back, and he's brought a few new surprises with him and this long-standing German band that is sure to please and baffle some fans. The good news is, this is a pretty comparable followup to 2005's Enemy of God, but the bad news is that Mille and Co. take way too much risks, like too much vocal harmony, Gothenburg-style, mixed in with vicious, brutal thrash that seems to bring down the impact of many of its songs. Depending on how you view their style, the songs gallop along briskly and their choral chant of its title track is a definitely crowd pleaser.
4. Hatebreed (For the Lions) The band seems right at home with their familiar hardcore heroes (Merauder, Agnostic Front, Madball) but come off rather shaky, insecure and stylistically unoriginal for the metal masters (Metallica, Slayer, Sepultura). Many of the songs deserve, and desperately need, far more brutality than Jasta and Co. are willing to give, especially during the chorus parts, but Jasta tries to play it safe by trying to keep it close to the original versions. Big mistake... especially when covering a song! MAKE IT YOUR OWN!
5. Mastodon (Crack the Skye) Worthy successor to 2006's Blood Mountain, but nothing too spectacular and a bit overlong. For a bunch of hicks from Georgia, they at least put some effort in creating an epic concept album. A murky in many parts, but with the light/heavy bounce of "Divinations" and "Oblivion," the album isn't a total bore. Will definitely please fans and may alienate those unfamiliar with their past work. I'm somewhere in the middle.
6. Cannibal Corpse (Evisceration Plague) Nothing against Fisher, but let's face it, the Barnes albums are the best in CC's catalogue and this album is merely a sonic companion to 2006's Kill. But despite it's various shortcomings as something more "progressive" as mentioned in interviews with the band, this album is chockful of some heavy, gory goodness to appease any of their newer fans who weren't even alive during their peak years.
7. Napalm Death (Time Waits for No Slave) The usual ND grindcore of the last two albums, nothing more and nothing less than what you'd expect here. But it's comforting to know that despite all the shit that's playing out there - both metal and non-metal - these dudes keep it real and still kick ass after 20+ years and 20+ albums. And they don't disappoint here! For fans still reeling from the sonic beatdown from 2006's Smear Campaign.
8. Brutal Truth (Evolution Through Revolution) Not exactly what I'd call "best album of '09," or even "decent album," but I have to fill in space here. The boys of BT have lost their way in the 21st century, showing no signs of brilliance or much power (hard to believe) that they once possessed in the 90s. Songs come and go at the speed of light but still feel endless and dull. Definitely the St. Anger of this band's catalogue.
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