Carnival of Death Concert Review

with Kataklysm, Suffocation, Jungle Rot, Pyrexia, Internal Bleeding

October 27th, 2014

Starlite Room

Due to other commitments, I missed Internal Bleeding and Pyrexia. I would have liked to check out both bands but it wasn’t in the cards for this particular night.

Arriving to find Wisconsin band Jungle Rot already on stage, I was impressed. Holding the audience mostly captive, they played a set of formulaic death metal. Formulaic not being a derogatory term in this case, as the set was well-executed and enabled the audience to come along for the ride. 

American death metal legends Suffocation proved to be the biggest draw of the evening. The venue was packed from stage to merch table for their set with many fans obviously familiar with the material and enthusiastically enjoying it. It was not unusual for this energy to translate into large circle pits, which is not something that every band can accomplish. Suffocation’s years of experience were apparent and the technical elements employed in their song structure certainly worked well, although they are not typical of every death metal band. Suffocation played a mixture of both new and old material, pulling several tracks off their latest release ‘Pinnacle of Bedlam’. Overall, it was a great set and one worthy of the reputation Suffocation has of being a killer live band. 

Kataklysm arrived on stage to find a dwindling audience. Whether it was due to the fact that it was a Monday night, or whether that many people truly weren’t interested in seeing the Canadian masters of death metal, it was strange. Usually Kataklysm draws a decent sized crowd in this particular city. One thing is certain: the fans who did stay were certainly appreciative, headbanging and attempting circle pits on several occasions. ‘The Awakener’ threw some really old material into the mix, with another old one to be found in ‘Stormland’. Much of the material played came from the last Kataklysm release, “Waiting For The End To Come”. From start to end, the set was energetic, if not quite as memorable as some of other Kataklysm sets I’ve witnessed. 

Machine Head Tour Cancellation Part 2: The True Colours Emerge

I haven’t had time to follow the fan response to the cancellation of the Machine Head/Children of Bodom tour. I have no doubt there are whiney fans, and probably plenty of fans who have done their fair share of “shit-talking”. It is the internet, after all and where else can people hide behind a screen and express their opinions? 

Regardless of what fans have expressed, or what those with nothing better to do than to antagonize a moot point have expressed, Rob Flynn’s response has been much less than commendable. Reading the latest update on this today, I’m actually a little bit irritated over it. Most musicians at least attempt to act like professionals, or decent human beings, but like the rest of the population, there are obviously a few out there who prove themselves to be less. Case in point here. 

Comments like:

“Most people usually need the motivation to act like fools and Alexi’s little bitch-ass response certainly got the ‘Hate Crew’ fired up.”

“Hate Crew?”...pfffft!...more like ‘Alexi-ain’t-that-Great-Crew!’, more like ‘bought-a-ticket-too-Late-Crew!’, more like ‘It’s-not-my-fault-you’re-a-virgin-and-can’t-get-a-Date-Crew’!!”

Publicly expressing something in such an immature fashion is somewhat astounding. Other than it seems to happen on a semi-regular basis in the music industry, it’s a little bit surprising. Personally, I did not see anything that would make Alexi’s comments (to which Robb Flynn is referring) as “bitch-ass”. Sure, the original comments expressed disappointment, but they did not contain personal attacks geared towards either Machine Head or their fans. While a musician has very little control over what fans say online, the actions and comments that they choose do have influence on those who are a bit more discerning. 

I tend to agree that Bodom is better than Machine Head, and I would have preferred to have seen Bodom headline a tour over Machine Head. While I think this, I recognize that this is my opinion due to my personal taste in music. There is no denying that there are some talented musicians in Children of Bodom (and probably Machine Head too). Both bands evidently have idiotic fans. That comes with the territory of being on the more popular spectrum of metal bands. Fans aside, one band evidently has a more unprofessional frontman. I was never a Machine Head fan, and after this moronic and unnecessary display by Robb Flynn, I never will be. 

See the original posts here:

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/machine-heads-robb-flynn-slams-children-of-bodom-fans-frontman-over-response-to-canceled-tour/

https://www.facebook.com/MachineHead/posts/10152511666718823

More from Bloodbath

An interview with new Bloodbath vocalist Nick Holmes:

http://www.steelforbrains.com/post/100239869552/nick-holmes


This interview very briefly touches on some interesting points. The conversation regarding the internet and the proliferation of metal through this medium is a topic that comes up quite often in interviews. Rightfully so, since it is undeniably something that has changed the dynamic of how people perceive music, discover new music and stay informed about favourite artists. Personally, this is something I find interesting and that I have several (sometimes conflicting) opinions on. But that discussion is for a different day. In the meantime, take a quick look at the interview if you're interested in the upcoming Bloodbath release and some insight from Nick Holmes.

Bloodbath has also released another track from 'Grand Morbid Funeral', titled "Famine of God's Word". I'm still getting used to Nick Holmes' vocals with this band and thus haven't yet formed an opinion of whether I really like them, or whether they're just okay. That being said, the rest of the track is definitely heavy and to my liking. I'm still looking forward to this album, and forming a better impression once I give the entire thing a few listens.

Listen to "Famine of God's Word" here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtIA0IF9hK0

Vampire Graves

While not explicitly related to metal, this is something that I find intrinsically interesting and thus worthy of sharing. It seems that many metal heads are quite open to what the general public might consider morbid, and I suppose this verges on slightly morbid for most. Perhaps this is my motivation for choosing to share these articles here.

Although this is not the first time a 'vampire grave' has been discovered, this is the most recent. This particular site is in Bulgaria, which seems to be a common theme in the unearthing of 'vampire graves'.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/bulgaria/11153923/Vampire-grave-found-in-Bulgaria.html

Having some background in anthropology (and a small amount of archaeology), as well as osteology, I'm always intrigued each time I hear of one of these sites being discovered. I'm hoping to find the time to look into any existing academic research on the subject.

Academic interest aside, these 'vampire graves' are quite an interesting occurrence. Especially when one considers how vampire mythology has permeated culture outside of eastern Europe.

This is another interesting article providing a little bit more information and background on the 'vampire graves' :

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2155602/Vampire-skeletons-impaled-iron-stakes-say-arent-just-film-fantasy.html

Comments on Amon Amarth/Sabaton/Skeletonwitch

I had full intentions of reviewing the Amon Amarth/Sabaton/Skeletonwitch show, but after attending I realized I couldn't write a decent review. This was due to some issues with the venue that subsequently ruined my enjoyment of the show.

I spent half of Skeletonwitch's set trying to find somewhere that I could get a decent view of the stage. Which proved to be difficult in this particular venue. The spot that was finally settled upon was off to the far side of the stage, basically behind the sound booth. While it was really the only area at that point that offered a clear view of the stage, it served to completely remove the atmosphere of actually being at the show.

Most of Sabaton was spent wandering around and drinking beer. I had intended to actually pay attention to their set as I've never really listened to them and wanted to see why so many people love Sabaton. From the vantage point I was at, I couldn't clearly hear anything, so that was a lost cause.

Amon Amarth played mostly newer material, from the previous three albums. Which was fine, as they haven't released a weak album yet. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the set that Amon Amarth played. In fact, they put on the kind of energetic, solid performance that I've come to expect from seeing them multiple times. I just found my enjoyment of the show marred by other circumstances.  This was quite disappointing as I was highly anticipating seeing one of my favourite live bands again.

I'm in the process of discussing my concerns with the venue management, and thus far am pleasantly surprised by the willingness they have show in communicating with me. Hopefully the next experience at this venue will be significantly better, as the first experience I had with the venue was okay.