Cannibal Corpse - Mayhem Fest 2014

From the Dallas, Texas stop of Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival 2014, the bummer performance review to write. 

I was very excited to see Cannibal Corpse for the first time. Some would argue, they are the godfathers of modern and current HorrorCore. There have been death metal and black metal bands with a few gaining world wide success. Yes, there is a decent list of bands that are remarkable and (in)famous for what they do, but in my opinion there are only 2 bands world wide that evoke a physical reaction from people when you talk about them. Here is one before you [the other I won't name, but will say this R.I.P. - J.H 05/02/13].

Cannibal Corpse (http://www.metalblade.com/cannibalcorpse/) was the final band to perform on the side stages I saw, before the event moved inside to the amphitheater. There was absolutely no doubt the crowd was ready for this as well. With very little fanfare, just the crunch of a guitar, IT WAS ON!

I was happy to be inside the barricade shooting photos, because the crush of fans looked pretty damn intense. The weird thing is that they were all just kinda ...there...I watched. They were just there. Up against the barricade. Some with their hands up. A few with heads thrashing. But it was weird, they were all just standing there. Like a bunch of fuckin zombies. Beyond the crush against the barricade a pit started, proof that some fans of metal were still alive and kicking it. I enjoyed myself, I snapped the shit outta photos. I listened, and I took it in.

For one of the most notorious frontmen of one of the most notorious bands, George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher is frightening in all of his methodic and deliberate actions onstage. I was impressed by the music and the audience seemed dead to the music. Maybe it was appropriate for who was on stage - get it? dead crowd - Cannibal Corpse - eh  eh   ehh?

I have no doubt and no question that you put the right band in front of the right crowd at the right venue and things can be drastically different. I think this was the case here. Hours baking in the sun on the hot ass asphalt, drains even the most hard core fan. Mix in alcohol...fuck it, you're done!

I know that I will be in line, or down in front, or back stage, or wherever the fuck I have to be when Cannibal Corpse hits Austin, Texas. And I know it will be a fierce event in whatever venue has the balls and the size to make it happen (Emo's). And it will be a beautiful death metal sight to behold.

Wretched - Mayhem Fest 2014

When I arrived at the Gexa Energy Pavillion (http://www.gexaenergypavilion.net/) in Dallas, Texas for the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, (http://rockstarmayhemfest.com/) I had a ridiculous schedule. Between interviews with members of different bands on one side of the amphitheater and the shows happening on the exact opposite side...I only had to worry about the 105 degree heat. Fuck it! I live in Texas.

Without question I know, and have determined, that shooting the live shows and doing reviews of the bands performances is where my heart and mind is. I had a great time interviewing the members of 5 different bands (including Joel - guitar player from Wretched), but on these touring festivals, I would much rather shoot the first three songs and review the performance. Unless, of course, some band wants me to be their personal rep to document all of the crazy shit on any one stop or on a whole tour!

Wretched (https://www.facebook.com/wretchednc) was the first band I got to see perform AND THEN meet with a member for an interview. It is a world of difference talking to someone with the enthusiasm of the just watched performance coursing through your veins, than a sit down and chat...just because. Here are the photos from their kick ass performance. I swear that the lead singer looked like he was gonna pop. I don't know if it was from the heat or the power of the performance and it doesn't matter, because it was relentless. Just gut pounding, in your head with the vocals and guitars, worth every damn penny you spent to see the bigger bands! Follow them on FB and then follow them, see them in your town.

Enjoy the photos and here is the link to my audio interview with Joel!

 (https://soundcloud.com/livemusicinaustin/joel-wretched)

Down in the pit

More Spring Break '14 adventures with music filling the air and people every where.

Symphony Square located at the corner of 11th and Red River. along the banks of the mighty and beautiful Waller Creek. This lovely Amphitheater is small and unexpected, lying in the heart of beautiful downtown Austin, Texas. Just steps for the Capital building, and with you back to Serranos restaurant, there is always something good to eat or drink while you enjoy a show.

Supporting live local music and hosting events during SXSW is always a great place to start your daily adventures downtown.

This particular night we started out the night with some good Mexican beer and music from local superstars The Dirty Wormz (https://www.facebook.com/DirtyWormz). If you have read my blog before you know that I am a huge fan and am not shy about following them. This night had some WormHeadz gathered down on Waller Creek, just across from the stage. Though there was not a tremendous crowd for the performance, as it was early, all in attendance where in for a treat. I, myself, was completely blown away by what happened next.

I have, what the Dirty Wormz call "The Viruz". The fever that you get, the shakes, the rapid heartbeat, and the ringing in the ears when you see and experience a full performance of the Dirty Wormz. I have been to SEVERAL head line shows of theirs. I have seen the lead singer, Smackola, do his solo set. This evening, it was just a little bit different and a lot more powerful.

Only having approximately 30 minutes on stage to do their thing, I was concerned about how much fun it would/could be. After bragging to my girlfriends brother Ivan about the prowess and power of the Wormz, I was a afraid of the let down. What a dumb ass am I! Once again, I was impressed, pleased, surprised, and had hella fun during this small 'Outbreak' of 'The Viruz'...and so did Ivan.

The Wormz did the unexpected and tore through their full set list in 30 minutes. With all the passion and fury they are known for, they did not fail. It was exciting seeing that they did shortened versions of their songs, the chorus lines, and still put in some musical filler to excite the small crowd in attendance.

Once again I tip my hat and use my digital pen to give proper respect to a great performance.


Our next stop was at The Dirty Dog (https://dirtydogbar.com) for the Relapse Records Showcase. and I must say GODDAMN it feels good to be treated like a rock star. Thanks to Ben and the rest of the staff to the Dirty Dog, has been and will remain one of the 2 venues at the top of my list to just show up at and always have a good time with GREAT music. Check the web page and make it a point to stop in if you see something happening you like.

The thing to comment on is a Showcase crowd is a totally different animal than the normal crowd you would expect or see at a Death Metal show! The crowd was well dressed and polite....W E I R D!  Not knowing if Mariza or Ivan would appreciate the music, I told them I wanted to stay and check out this one band before we moved on.

Obliteration (https://www.facebook.com/obliterationofficial) was the lucky band up and we were they lucky ones to experience it. Sharp, deep and clean, cutting through your soul. Obliteration was intense and had the crowds attention and everybody looking at the stage. It wasn't until 2 songs in that the lead singer introduced the band and where they were from. I then became really excited, experiencing a Black Metal band all the way from the shores of Norway. This, to me, was and is EPIC! The true brutality and dark dimensions of their music crossed over all of those borders. Obliteration not only impressed my country music loving girlfriend, but also her jazz loving brother. Damn fine stuff!

Oh Yeah! and then there was this dude. DJ'ing in the parking lot across from Mug Shots. This taken about an hour before the car accident.

Laters

Abiotic is not like a needle in your ass

'Twas a very metal night before Christmas, when down on Sixth street
All the metal heads were stirring, they were all ready to meet
The bands W.o.B, Bury the Rod, and Abiotic
Damn straight, things were about to get hella Chaotic!

Okay, that has got to be some of the funniest shit I have written to date. But I like it.

Lucky me, Metal Blade records was hosting a show at my favorite bar ON 6th St. That's right. The Dirty Dog (https://dirtydogbar.com/). It's nice to know if there is a place you go to watch a show or get a beer, the staff there believes in and supports what their place of employment is about. What I am trying to say is this, I was at another metal show at a different venue earlier in the week (http://livemusicinaustin.blogspot.com/2013/12/old-metal-heads-dont-die.html) and saw several of the bar staff from The Dirty Dog. So they don't just work at an Extreme sports bar with an attitude, they believe it.

Beyond the staff being pretty damn awesome (and if they give you attitude, look around at where you're at. If you have a problem with that, go to some martini bar and have a drink with your pinky finger up. I am sure the staff will give you the middle finger up as you leave) the venue is bigger than you think.

A large seating area street side, a pole for those brave souls who want to entertain, and the start of a very large "U" shaped bar. The bar wraps around to the stage side of the venue. The bathrooms are located behind the stage and there is a second bar stage left.

Bury the Rod (http://site.burytherod.com/) was on stage when I walked in. Surprisingly decent crowd for a Sunday night down town and Bury the Rod was making the most out of it. It wasn't til 3 songs in and I realized there was no drummer. WTF? It could be from the activity in the crowd, swirling in the pit to the bands blistering sound, or the bassist and guitarist thrashing on stage, but when I snapped to, it did crack me up a little bit. Just seemed out of sorts for a post hardcore, death metal band to do their thing sans a drummer. Don't matter. It worked and the crowd ate it up. You know it is a balls out crowd, ready for an ear bleeding evening when the most active person in the pit is wearing a cute panda ear muff hat. Very dangerous and no one fucked with him. I wouldn't have....you? Check out Bury the Rod on FB.

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Whore of Bethlehem (https://www.facebook.com/wobethlehem) mounted the stage next. Unleashing their style of metal on the crowd was a pretty crazy thing to bear witness to. The lead singer was in every ones face down in front and they loved it. Seeming to scream out the lyrics as if he was calling you to hell with him, it was pretty damn intense! With the dual vocals, it is easy to see why these guys kept the crowd right where they wanted. Down in front and in the circle pit. The crowd picked up on this and started to throw their voices up to match the band. Louder and faster is how the Whore of Bethlehem moaned tonight.

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Abiotic (https://www.facebook.com/Abioticfl) thanks to me over hearing a conversation one of their guitarist had with a fan after the gig, BAM, there is the name of this blog post. Hailing from Miami, FL and leaving a trail of deafened fans across the U.S.A We were proud that Abiotic made Austin their Halfway point. At first I thought it was interesting that the bar was starting to fill up with LOTS of women. my thought was 'Great! A band with pretty guys that aren't worth a shit.' Listen to me, I was stunned, mouth dropped wide open, and pulse racing when I heard these guys start to warm up.

It was as stunning as it was awe inspiring. My initial reaction is the two guitarists and the bassist have had training and are well schooled as Progressive Jazz musicians. W R O N G !!!! All three of these guys are just technically and insanely a trio of phenoms! Some guys have flashy guitars and amazing rigs that make you say wow and then aren't worth a shit to hear. These three fellas have gear that they know how to use beyond what your ears thought possible and what your eyes can't believe.












Oh yeah....and then they started playing! Yeah. Take that amazing Progressive Jazz musician, throw him into a blender, add some meth to whip it into a frenzy, and then pour it onto a red hot cast iron skillet. Yup! It was tough to be down in front shooting pictures. It was loud, the band was super intense, and the crowd was pushing, shoving and non forgiving. It was everything that crowd had been waiting on all night, unleashed into a searing metal ice pick...right through your ears. This is the type of metal that is so technically flawless and the type of performance that has so much going on, it would induce blindness. Happily and numbly I interviewed one of the guitarist (audio interview to follow) and went home this Sunday night in my car quietly, with me ears ringing and grinning....ear to bleeding ear.

Special thanks to Carine from Metal Blade Records and from Anthony with Come and Take It Productions!


















Laters