TRUE METAL AMERICA CONCERT SERIES 2006
Featuring
Special Guests
Friday, July 21, 2006 @ Dingbatz – Clifton, NJ
Before I start this review, I need to point out that due to health issues, Magus Beast had to cancel their appearances for the aforementioned shows. I wish to personally extend my condolences to “The Beast”, and wish them a speedy recovery (God speed, Bob D.!!!)
DAY ONE – Friday, July 21
I arrived at Dingbatz very early, in anticipation of each band’s arrival. I had offered to help in any way possible, and with Halloween’s HUGE stage show, I knew they would need all the help they could get. Shannon and I met up with Ray at the venue around 5:00pm. As soon as I exited Shannon’s car, the weather took a wrathful turn for the worst: it began to pour heavily!!! Leaving Ray, Shannon, and I to cower under the small overhang alongside Dingbatz, the weather only worsened. Our good company of Attacker and Elixir kept spirits high, despite the depressing rain. In conversation, Attacker’s vocalist Bob Mitchell joked around with us, saying that as soon as Halloween arrived, the storm would break & the sun would come out (can you imagine that: nice weather with flowers and chirping birds to welcome “The Heavy Metal Horror Show”!!!). To everyone’s surprise, the sun came out, and the rain seized JUST AS Halloween pulls up to the venue. Instantly, we hear fucking CHURCH BELLS ringing!!!!! I couldn’t believe this!!!!!! It was later commented that the bells were indeed “Hell’s bells”……LOL!!!!
Seeing how Halloween had an entire road crew with them, my attempts to help were futile; I was simply in the way. Rather than slow things down, I stepped aside and let them do their thing. Set up was complete, and sound check was under way. I set my stuff up behind the soundboard (as usual), and chatted with Mark (Dingbatz’s sound guy). Because Magus Beast was no longer on the show, things started off a little late. This gave the crowd time to arrive to the venue, despite the on and off weather.
The first band to play was South Jersey/Philly’s Midnight Angel. Despite the still growing crowd, Midnight Angel performed their ENTIRE set with charisma and enthusiasm. This band is heavily influenced by the 80’s era of “Hair Metal” bands, and it showed in both their music and their look. Because I am not a fan of this genre of music, I was not impressed with this band. Truth be told, I started to question why they were part of the show. I received my answer in a most surprising way: True Metal America is based on the ideas of giving it’s audience a top quality show for a GREAT price. “By The Bands, For The Fans” spells out that this is all for US……there are no middle men involved. What you get is a truly genuine thing, intended for the people who MADE the bands what they are: their fans. This is the underground’s way of giving back AND showing how things SHOULD be. Midnight Angel may have been the local, opening band; they may have played to a still growing crowd, but they lived up to what True Metal America stands for. For that, I respect them (although I didn’t like their music). THIS is what it’s all about.
The “Lords of Thunder”, Attacker, cast a spell of de-ja-vu over everyone who witnessed their onslaught of traditional Old School Metal. It was evident that this band was sharp as a knife with their performance, enrapturing all in attendance (April 29 performance comes to mind….the face of greatness appears once more). An example of this was seen in the opening notes of the band’s first song. Most of the people there were standing a little distanced from the stage. Vocalist Bob Mitchell, like a snake charmer, motioned everyone to step forward towards the stage. Amazingly, everyone did just that, in exact synchronization. Just like New York’s Devils Island, Attacker is a band that seems to get better EVERY time I see them. From the classics heard on Battle At Helms Deep, to the crowd favorites off of The Unknown, Attacker’s set was diversified with an array of metal pleasing to both older and newer fans alike. To my surprise, absolutely amazing versions of “Desecration” and “Revelations Of Evil” were heard (off the Second Coming album)!!! Being two of my favorite Attacker songs from the aforementioned album, I was overwhelmed. The entire band was in top notch condition, executing song after song with both style and ease. Guitarists Pat and Mike continued to show how they give Dave Murray and Adrian Smith a run for their money….Attacker style!!! Once again, Mike S, and Lou remained a strong backbone for the band. The crowd was very into their performance, and this was only reflected right back from Attacker. Thanks and appreciation radiated from the stage…..another part of the working cogs in True Metal America. This has been further proof that Attacker is a gracious host to both bands AND fans.
Coming in ALL THE WAY from England, NWOBHM legends Elixir graced the stage, marking a historical event as their very first performance in America. Most of , if not all, the people who witnessed history being made were not familiar with the band. After a few notes, unfamiliar faces turned into smiles of approval, seen in between pumping fists and banging heads. During their set, Elixir seemed to rush things along at a rapid pace. My first thoughts of this indicated to me that the band wished to play as many songs as possible. It was later learned that things were running a little late…..sort of (I’ll elaborate on that later) Vocalist Paul commented that they were about to do something for the FIRST time, and probably the last: a performance of their debut album, The Son of Odin…..in its entirety!! The large audience was really into Elixir, and everyone was anxious to hear this material. I must say that this band was AMAZING. Elixir was gracious and appreciative……they had a good time, and put on a most memorable performance. True Metal America’s message has once again been relayed. Elixir: A foreign band, exploring territories which they never sought out on, and conquered their audience; a band who’s members adorned constant smiles upon their faces; a band appreciative and upbeat throughout their set to a warm little bar venue. “By The Bands, For The Fans”…..that has a LOT of meaning to Elixir.
Up next was “The Heavy Metal Horror Show”, Halloween. I have to be honest here, because a LOT has to be said. I LOVE Halloween, and I’ve waited a VERY LONG TIME to see them live. Some of the events that transpired left a bitter taste in my mouth, as I shall elaborate on.
First of all, things were running VERY smoothly, AND in a timely manor. I had learned that Elixir had actually CUT their set SHORT to allow Halloween’s crew to set up. Keeping in mind this band’s elaborate stage show, one can understand something like that. The fact that this crew set up for a few hours BEFORE the club opened and NOW they’re taking even MORE time was absolutely ridiculous. Not only did Elixir’s set get cut short (and they came all the way from England), but Halloween’s set was getting cut short too. This was absolute TOTAL BULLSHIT!!!!! Don’t get me wrong: the experience of seeing this band live has etched itself into my memories, but the total disregard to Elixir, the people watching Elixir, Halloween, and the Halloween fans was stomach turning. An entire crew of AT LEAST five people couldn’t get a stage set up at sound check, and NOW they are taking MORE time…….it just doesn’t make sense. A lot of people became tired of waiting. As a result, the crowd began the thin out a bit. This kind of stuff hurts the show in the long run.
After waiting until 1am, Halloween had finally started their performance. I was pretty upset over this, seeing how set up took so damn long and I knew the set list would be cut a whole lot. I just kept thinking how it was a shame that this band came all this way to play for 30 minutes……fuck!!!! Nonetheless, the show was about to start, and I could feel my heart in my throat. I heard Donny Allan playing some guitar backstage prior to the band going on, and he was shredding like crazy!!! Donny is the type of guitarist who has a VERY distinct sound……when he plays, you KNOW it’s him. Everything I had read about this band was true; their stage show is something that HAS to be seen. Lying behind iron gates were stacks of amplifiers, dressed with cobwebs and hanging skeletons. Additional lights and a smoke machine added to the intensity of the already exhilarating display this band had to offer. All members of the band lit the stage up with their presence. People in the back of the club were gathering closer to see this spectacle on stage; before I knew it, there was a crowd of people squeezing their way to the front of the stage. Brian Thomas came out to the stage dressed in a mask and costume, taunting the crowd. His face was painted white, and he wore a cloak of some sort. His stage performance was down to a science. Guitarists Donny and Billy traded off on guitar leads. Seeing the band armed with two guitarists was really cool; after so many years of the band having one guitarist, a two guitar assault was working fine and kicked ass!!! George Neil’s bass was as brutal as I’ve heard it on the Halloween albums. The band really kept everyone’s attention, despite the little room they had on stage to move around. “Angel Of Evil” was the opening song, heard off the new EP called Evil Pieces 666. The crowd and I began our final round of head banging madness. After seeing one great band after another, I was exhausted, but the energy of Halloween kept me going. Other favorites heard were “Tales From The Crypt”, “Nobody’s Home”, “The Seer”, and “The Crush”. I could go ON and ON about all the stuff they played……..truth be told, EVERY ONE of their songs kicked serious ass. I was a little disappointed that they didn’t play “Victims Of The Night”, “Welcome” or “Children Of The Witches”. Despite cutting their set shot, Halloween managed to encore in a BIG way. After chants of “Hallow-fucking-ween!!!”, the band came back onto the darkened stage & started the opening notes of “Crawl To The Altar”. Brian comes out in a purple cloak and a mask…….he looked like an evil wizard or demon……some shit to that effect. It was fucking cool as hell.
I have to point out that having my friend Ray with me was an additional treat; Ray has been into Halloween for some time now, and sharing the experience with him was great. My fiancée Shannon also shared this memorable event with me. My only complaints were: ONE – Halloween’s crew took TOO long to set up, and TWO – Halloween’s and Elixir’s sets got cut short. Other than that, TRUE METAL AMERICA was a success.
What will the second night have in store for us???????
DAY TWO – Saturday, July 22
HOLY SHIT was I exhausted. After a late night on Friday, I had ALL DAY AND NIGHT ahead of me today. Ray and I were dropped off in front of The Hook at 5:00pm. Shannon wasn’t feeling well, so she agreed to give us a ride. Wouldn’t you know it…….Ray and I were the FIRST people there. What happens next???? IT STARTS TO FUCKING RAIN AGAIN!!!!! Ray makes a joke and bets me that as soon as Halloween arrives, the sun will come out, the rain will stop, and church bells will ring (just like o n Friday). Well, what do we see but the sun peeking out of the clouds moments later. As it comes out, the rain stops, AND a bell rings!!!!! Who then rounds the corner but HALLOWEEN and ATTACKER with ELIXIR!!!!
The bands had arrived exactly one hour later from when Ray and I arrived . We were all prepared to set up and load everything in. Unfortunately, some jerk-off side-swiped Halloween’s trailer, leaving some damage. With the bad weather behind us, we made our way into the venue, where the owner had hot dogs and beer waiting for us (band and crew). This is COMPLETELY unheard of, and it must be recognized YET AGAIN that The Hook is a KICK ASS venue, with a VERY friendly staff. Seeing how The Hook has a much larger stage than Dingbatz, I knew this show would feature more of Halloween’s trademark stage show. While mingling with everyone, I decided to grab Paul from Elixir for our interview, which went very well. Everything seemed to be in place and ready to go.
New York’s Victim Of Pain was the opening band of day two of True Metal America I. Their usual array of power and aggression warmed up the crowd nicely. From their opening notes right down to the last vocal line sung, Victim performed with class and talent. I am still not too familiar with their material (I don’t have an album of theirs), but every time I see this band, it is clear that they are a crowd favorite. Chants of “Hey, hey!!!!” led the crowd in sing-along variations. Seeing how Victim was very precise with their stage time, it must be noted that they had a LOT of consideration for the other bands playing, allowing things to run on time. Impressively, they managed to execute their entire set list AND clear off the stage without any delays. Their brand of Thrash Metal keeps me wanting to see them more and more. After their performance, the ENTIRE band stuck around to check out the other bands yet to perform……THAT is a bold statement of unity!!! Victim Of Pain was yet another band with the true understanding of what “By The Bands, For The Fans” is ALL ABOUT!!
Attacker graced the stage for the first time in Brooklyn since the early/mid 80’s!!! This was truly another defining aspect of how special True Metal America really is. In light of this historic event, it seemed that Attacker really put on one hell of a show. A TON of older material was performed, including MANY songs off the Battle At Helms Deep album AND Second Coming album. The usual duel guitar assault left Adrian Smith and Dave Murray eating dust. Imagine what an Attacker and Iron Maiden show would be like?!?!!? Standing on top of opposite ended amps and executing frequent shape throwing were part of the pleasantry that guitarists Pat and Mike contributed to their performances. Prowling the stage, clad in a black vest and armed with various vocal poses and gestures, Bob put on a show that was truly memorable. Add in a Tasmanian Devil of a drummer in the form of Mike S and a mysterious yet entertaining bass from Lou, and you’ve got one hell of a working machine! I remember how everyone was head-banging like CRAZY…..it was cool. I cannot recall all the songs Attacker played that night; I do remember that EVERYONE in attendance was going absolutely ape-shit! There’s a good reason why Attack adorns the slogan on one of their shirts that says “Classic Metal That Assaults The Mind”!! I couldn’t have thought of a better way to put it!!!!
After Seeing Elixir the previous night, I was ready to enjoy some familiar sounding songs by this NWOBHM legend. This being their first time in Brooklyn, New York AND their second show in the USA EVER, Elixir really had an impressive grasp on their crowd. Once again, the crowd was thrashing and head-banging like crazy; they were clearly very into the band. Vocalist Paul performed with both style and grace. Clearly an impressive front man, Paul led the band through their set, winning over ANOTHER unfamiliar crowd. Norm was amazing on guitar, trading off leads with *****. That distinct NWOBHM sound is evident in their playing…it really shows!!!! Bassist *** was full of energy, constantly moving around and occasionally poising in front of drummer ***, who was simply brilliant!!! Being more of a Melodic Heavy Rock band, Elixir dominated that night. Before their last song, Paul thanked all the bands who performed, and asked everyone to stick around for Halloween, because they had “…One hell of a show in store for you…”. Once the final note was played, the audience went nuts, applauding a most welcomed addition to the show. Elixir had won the crowd in a BIG way. They won the night too.
Imagine how I must have felt when I learned that Halloween was going to gate off the ENTIRE stage AND use additional items for their stage show!!! I had hinted to Brian Thomas earlier that it would be a good idea, but I never imagined he’d actually listen to me. Fuck……..a bigger tip of the iceberg. My heart was in my throat!!!!!!
This is the part of the review (again) that I HATE to write. Some bad shit went down, and it’s a damn shame. What transpired was very similar to Friday night’s events, however, THIS time there was more bitterness to the taste, as I shall elaborate on…….
I thought all the Halloween crew needed to do was gate off the stage and replace the drum kit. However, there was SO MUCH MORE. One of the crewmembers had a cobweb machine, which hooks onto an electric drill and spins out webbing. Additional lights and decorations were added too. Keeping in mind the VERY early load in the bands had, I thought Halloween’s crew set all this stuff up BEFORE the doors opened. They should have done that, and just covered everything with black sheets (minus the gates, of course). After all the setting up, I looked around and noticed a VERY thinned out crowd. However, seeing the cozy crowd in attendance, I realized how large of a crowd it really was. Most people tend not to stay at The Hook in the late hours of the evening. Noticing just how many people did stick around JUST for Halloween was a bold statement. I began to notice the late hour again. To my dismay, I began to worry if the band’s set list would be cut short again. Everything WAS running on time; NOW it was so late, who knew what would happen.
In the midst of all this chaos, I was hanging out with Ray and chatting with one of the crewmembers. This guy wold NOT STOP emphasizing how this was “….just the TIP of the iceberg”. He went on and on about the stage shows Halloween put on in the 80’s. I kept telling this guy I knew all this shit; FUCK….I’ve been a fan for a VERY long time. He proceeds to whine about how “People from Detroit can see Halloween WHENEVER they want…….this shit costs SO MUCH money. Without money, they cannot do anything”, and “People don’t realize how lucky they are. This is SO much” For fucks sake guy……..you just took the WHOLE concept of this event and shit ALL OVER IT!!!!!! Hey pal…….loose the fucking Rock Star attitude, because that shit is EVERYTHING True Metal America is against!!!!! Don’t get me wrong……I’ve got a LOT of respect for Halloween having the balls to come out here and perform, but keep your “crew” in line!!!! The only exception to the aforementioned was Brian “Luggy”, who is Halloween’s manager. He seemed to have an understanding of what True Metal America was all about.
With the added stage props and lights, Halloween’s performance this night was SO MUCH more exciting and better than Friday’s (not to take anything away from Friday’s show)!!! Seeing the band behind those gates with the flashing lights and cobwebs was breath-taking!!!! After MUCH needed rest, the band seemed refreshed and poised to dominate!!! I cannot emphasize how great Halloween was that night. EVERY song shook me; I felt as if my heart was going to EXPLODE out of my chest!!! MANY great songs were performed, including “Nobody’s Home” (WITH the spoken word intro!!), “The Seer”, “Fire Still Burns”, “Wake Up Screaming”, and more!!! Once more, I found that the Victims Of The Night album was a bit overlooked. Brian had a much larger array of masks and costumes, including a skull-head belt, a “Tales From The Crypt” head, MONSTER brand cloths and accessories, and the “Crawl To The Alter” encore which featured the purple cloak and grizzly old demon/wizard mask. At some points, Brian had a pointer/twirling stick a-la Alice Cooper. It was pretty cool. Various stage lights and effects were used, including a hand-held spotlight (manually shined on everyone), a leaf blower (to cool us off), and SHIT LOADS of flashing stage lights. Free posters and MONSTER condoms were tossed into the audience, and thanks & appreciation were noted. The performance ended with everyone wanting more.
After the night winded down, lots of chaos continued into the late hours. I was looking to take some more pictures with the band on the stage. After waiting a while, the club needed to move things along, so the stage needed to be cleared. I appreciated the fact that Halloween was willing to take some time out and do that. I'm sure it took them a while to pack up everything. Ray and I wound up outside due to the late hour & the club looking to close up. Regretfully, I never got the chance to say “Thank You” or “Goodnight”. I hope Attacker, Elixir, and Halloween know HOW MUCH I enjoyed myself, and HOW MUCH I appreciate the spectacular performances they all gave. It will NOT be forgotten.
CONCLUSION
The first TRUE METAL AMERICA was, as far as I see, a success. I was a bit disappointed with the attendance; I promoted the SHIT out of this show, and I expected a MUCH larger turn-out. Truth be told, this upset me in a BIG way. I was REALLY depressed and almost in tears Saturday night (don’t get me wrong……there was a decent crowd, just not what I hopped for). Thanks to a VERY good friend of mine, clarity and perspective were given, and I realized just how impacting this historic event was. “By The Bands, For The Fans” was the message here, and a lot of people left that night AND Friday night with that very understanding. Others, unfortunately, don’t have a fucking clue.
See you at the next TRUE METAL AMERICA show!!!!!!!
Review by: Anthony
MARTYRD, DEVILS ISLAND, PHOENIX REIGN, & VICTIM OF PAIN
This show was being advertised by some people as “The Last Metal Show at The Continental”. Indeed, the venue will no longer host live bands to perform on their stage, but this was NOT to be the last metal show. After a little research, I discovered that a few more metal bands will be performing there in future dates.
Because this was the day after my birthday AND the prior venue I was at last night didn’t have a drop of alcohol, I was ready to celebrate!!!! I have to admit: I had a REALLY GOOD time that night, AND I met a ton of cool people (hello Andy from England)!
I wasn’t expecting the opening band to impress me, but after hearing the opening notes from Thrash Metal sensation Martyrd, I was hooked. These guys wear their Thrash Metal on their sleeves, complete with an array of influence ranging from Iron Maiden and Testament to Exodus and Judas Priest. I felt this band’s vocalist could have had a lot more stage presence, seeing that he stood in one spot the throughout his performance. He was holding onto the microphone stand the entire time, as if he was nervous. Perhaps he was nervous, which is why I am taking into consideration future performances will warm him up, leaving opportunity for a better stage show. Both guitarists of the band were amazing, thrashing and head banging throughout the set. Their guitar solos shredded! I was pretty impressed to hear a cover of the song “Toxic Waltz”. Overall, Martyrd kicked ass, and I look forward to future shows from them!
Devils Island was next to play, and the usual brutal onslaught of Angry Power Metal madness was executed. Devils always rules, not due to the fact that this band is talented, but due to the fact that they always seem to enjoy themselves on stage. Constant smiles adorn each band member’s face, along with a playful yet serious vibe. Indeed, this band is entertaining to watch. Favorites of mine included “The Triangle”, “Red Sea”, and “Fire Case”. Hail Devils Island!!
This would be my second time seeing Phoenix Reign. I have to admit……the first time around, I liked them, but something was lacking. A certain punch or enthrallment was missing. After seeing them tonight, the empty void was filled. Phoenix kicked ass, in a BIG way. The guitar and bass parts were over the top, the drums were killer, and the vocal execution was playful, powerful, and full of charisma and stage presence. Phoenix Reign NAILED their performance, with favorites including their signature “Another Night Alone” and an absolutely KILLER version of Helloween’s “I Want Out”, which included the audience to sing along. This band left me wanting more!!!!!!
The final band of the night was Thrash Metal masters Victim Of Pain. Their usual array of aggressive Thrash Metal kept the audience going. Throughout the set, Victim’s vocalist enticed the audience with chants of “Hey, hey!!”. Victim Of Pain are clearly all about power and heaviness, as heard in their songs and as seen in their live performances. The guitar parts were dead on……both melodic and heavy. The bass was awesome, and played with enthusiasm and shape throwing. The drumming was right on, and the vocals maintained their aggressive and powerful characteristics. Victim Of Pain was a nice closing band for the night.
Overall, I had a GREAT time, and look forward to seeing each of these bands again.
Review by: Anthony
DEVILS ISLAND
What better way to celebrate one’s birthday than with a few friends, your fiancée, and a metal show??? Added icing to the cake (no pun intended) was the fact that New York’s Devils Island was playing tonight right here in Jersey!!! Imagine that…….the band came to me!! LOL……..
I’ve been to this venue (if that’s what you wish to call it) before, and it’s nothing to boast about. The sound sucks, the people running the door are total assholes (this is a FREE COUNTRY…..what’s wrong with standing outside in front of the venue to smoke?? We were repeatedly asked to stand further away, down the street……what the fuck is THAT all about?? Oh, and there is NO RE-ENTRY either, so if you go outside to smoke, you’re not getting back in), and the club itself is a total HOLE in the wall. There’s NO food, drink, beer…….there’s fucking NOTHING!!!!!! I’ve seen CRACK HOUSES in better condition than this place!!
Onto Devils Island…….what can I say that’s I’ve already said about this band?? EVERY time I see them, they get better. It’s like they have this secret talent juice that they drink before each show…..it fucking amazes me. Powerful, aggressive vocals along side a double bass drum machine compliment the array of guitar melodies and licks executed by the Devil Axe Men, along side the thrashing, talented bass playing. This band is a power-house of talent, musical diversity, and (as an added bonus), a sheer thrill to watch live. Songs off their demo were performed, including “Fire Case” and “a newer song, “The Triangle” which has a KILLER guitar lick!! A cover of In Flames was performed to perfection, adding that unique Devils Island stamp to it. This band never seizes to amaze me.
My only other complaint was the sound……..the bass amp kept crackling and going out, as well as one of the guitars. I know Devils has good gear that works…….it was the house speakers and the sound guy that fucked shit up. Good job sound guy!!! You suck!
Because it was my birthday, I needed to get back home and spend some time with my family, so I departed shortly after Devils Island were done. Cool show…….crappy venue.
Review by: Anthony
ICARUS WITCH & WIDOW
After seeing Icarus Witch at the Attacker Record Release Party back in April, I was hyped to see “The Witch” live again. I knew they put on a killer show, and with my new knowledge of their latest release, I was more than prepared to follow their set list. Originally, Canada’s Goat Horn was scheduled to perform this night, however they unfortunately disbanded.
I don’t remember the opening band too well……..I do remember that they sucked something terrible.
Icarus Witch was ready to take the stage, and let me tell you: they fucking ruled!!! Armed with a second guitar player, Icarus enhanced their already melodic sound. An array of songs from their EP and full length album was performed, including “Storming the Castle”, “…Forest”, and “Ice Maiden”. With a vocal range comparable to Bruce Dickenson meets Ronnie James Dio, bass playing in vein of Seve Harris meets Markus Grosskopf, heart pounding drum, and a duel guitar attack leaving you breathless, Icarus Witch displayed a variety of diversity and talent. Complete with outstanding stage presence and sing-along choruses, Icarus Witch showed they were out to conquer everything in their path……so far, they’ve done just that!!
Next was North Carolina’s Widow. Having only known of this band through MySpace, I was curious to see what they had to offer in both performance and song execution. Their duel lead guitar harmonies can be compared to that of Iron Maiden meets Thin Lizzy. Pleasing to the eye, Widow put on an entertaining show, displaying both enthusiasm and various forms of shape-throwing. Some songs performed, which I can recall, included “An American Wear Wolf in Raleigh” and various other s off their latest album. This band has a lot of talent, and brings a breeze of youth into the Old School metal sound. Watch out for Widow!!!
My friends and I left after Widow……..overall, this was a GREAT show!!! I hope to catch both bands again soon!
Review by: Anthony
BROOKLYN METALFEST I
After much anticipation and tons of promoting, the first annual Brooklyn Metalfest was about to start. Chris, Shannon, and I navigated our way to The Hook without ANY problems. Upon arriving at the venue, John Rupp from Magus Beast yelled to us “Go back to Jersey!!!”……It’s always good seeing John, and he really deserves a TON of credit for having the balls to put this show together. We slapped on our band passes and entered The Hook. Immediately, we ran into some old friends, including Dan Castro (“Kuzin Dan”), Cheryl, and our friends from Devils Island. I was very impressed with the large crowd in attendance, and the overall vibe of the show was nice. In between each band, the owner of The Hook had burgers and hot dogs cooked up, FREE!! The entire time I was there (near start to the very end…..over 12 hours), not ONE person complained!!!! The unity and brotherhood of both the crowd and the bands were something I had almost forgot existed. My doubts were dispelled immediately. Speaking of the bands………..
I instantly recognized New York thrashers Sanitarius performing on stage. Although my friends and I arrived at the tail end of their set, we found them both enjoyable and energetic. Having seen this band once, I was happy to catch them live again. Anyone into Old School Thrash Metal will really enjoy this band, as they are full of charisma, killer melodic riffs, and are an overall great band. See for yourself, and experience a GREAT up and coming New York Thrash Metal band!!
Sons Of Freedom was a nice addition to the festival. Powerful, heavy, groove metal mixed with a dash of Hardcore, Sons showed an array of versatility and talent. Their aggressive live show was testament to their heart and musicianship. Standing out from the Power and Death Metal, this band indeed captured their audience.
I wasn’t into Constricted, although their audience demanded an encore.
Sarin’s Gift was boring as hell……fuck!!!! Although they seemed talented, their music left more to be desired, incorporating repetitive keyboard and dull guitar.
I don’t remember Silent Industry.
Euphoria ALWAYS impresses me. This would be the fourth time seeing the band, and I’ve got to say that four times isn’t enough!! Some intro keyboard set the atmosphere with the dark stage lighting. The lights came on, and the band members jumped onto the stage from all sides. It was fucking awesome!!!! The bassist, Gennady, was all over the place. He performed with amazing stage presence, jumping around and playing with incredible skill. I really feel that he put a LOT of bass players to shame, and I am referring to the likes of Steve (Iron Maiden), Markus (Helloween), or even *** (Saxon). The crowd was very much into this band, and I was too. Because Euphoria has not released an album yet, all their songs seemed new to me. The only exception was an older song written with their original line up, called “Death Wish”, which was KILLER!!!! After witnessing this band live again, I must say that future performances will NOT disappoint. I look forward to seeing Euphoria again!!
Exit To Eternity was a highlight for me. Having seen this band once before, I knew what to expect: a full onslaught of Thrash Metal!! Complete with head banging, fist pumping riffs, angry Thrash vocals, and killer drum, Exit was a display if sheer raw power. They not only impressed me the second time over, but also their audience. In fact, they delivered the goods so well, the crowd DEMANDED an encore. Hats off to this band for a great show and for really winning over their audience.
Mark M.E. Edwards was ready to put on his mini-show. Complete with a small set up consisting of speakers, background drum, bass, and rhythm guitar, Mark added his signature guitar riffs for the enjoyment of the crowd. He covered an array of songs, most which he claimed had never been performed live, or performed long ago. Clearly a talented guitarist, Mark displayed a shred fest pleasing to the ears.
Devils Island was the next band, and as I say in every review: this band just gets better and better. Before going on, vocalist George asked me if I had ever seen the movie Rock Star. Upon answering yes, he proceeded to ask me if I knew Devils Island’s song lyrics. Jokingly, he told me “I have to go take a piss”. Shit…..just what all these metal heads need: George to leave the band and me to front it. Thank god he was only joking, as I would not want to be the demise of this band….LOL!!! The usual onslaught of songs was performed. All the guitar melodies and solos were tight as hell, and the drummer maintains his “Human Drum Machine” nickname. Always an enjoyable band to watch, Devils Island was clearly another highlight to the festival.
Twilight Odyssey took the stage next, performing a range of songs from their first release (the name escapes me). They were joined on stage by Zandelle’s bassist Joe. Observing the change in line-up, I began to wonder how Twilight would sound. After a few notes into their first song, it was clear that this band has much to offer, armed with Ben’s usual melodic guitar assault. Watching this band over the years, it’s nice to see how Twilight has grown as a band and continues to please their audience.
“New York’s heaviest band” Magus Beast was next. Having seen many line-up changes in the band, I must say that this is THE best formation for Magus. Hands down, they devastated (as they always do)!!! Kuzin Dan, clad in Dimebag attire, put on his usual display of thrashing madness. Ron hit every note perfectly, and John and Andy sounded perfect on guitar. Former Zandelle drummer Bob once again impressed me with is sheer heart pounding drum work. Joining The Beast on stage was Overlorde’s Mark M.E. Edwards. Together with the band, Edwards executed Manowar’s “Kill With Power” with ease and skill. Always performed to perfection, Magus nailed this song note for note. The three-guitar attack of John, Andy, and Mark was something that just needed to be seen and heard. Magus Beast is yet another example of New York’s dominating underground scene.
Finally, New Jersey’s own Skullshifter took the stage. Complete with their Thrash Metal riffs, aggressive vocals, and pounding bass & drum, this band executed their metal with both style and enthusiasm. Having seen this band once before in Jersey, I knew the kind of show I would get from them. As I expected, Skullshifter delivered their brand of head banging Thrash Metal madness, remaining upbeat into the late hours of the night. Favorites of mine included “I, Punishment”, which is a GREAT song off their EP. Later into their set, the band was joined on stage by former Manowar guitarist Ross “The Boss”!!! This left Skullshifter’s vocalist to perform without his guitar, which only showcased his terrific stage presence!!!! Together with Ross “The Boss”, Skullshifter showcased an onslaught of power and sheer enthrallment.
The final band to perform was Burn Me Down. This band had traveled from Massachusetts, and the people who remained to watch them were in for a treat! This band was a melodic, technical Death Metal band, similar to In Flames, Children of Bodom, and New York’s Invidia. They performed with sheer energy and enthusiasm. Throughout their set, both the people in attendance and myself were head banging and enjoying the sounds of Burn Me Down.
This was the first Brooklyn Metal Fest, and for the first time around, things went very well. Both myself and the people who attended observed two things: the scene in Brooklyn is strong, and the vibe from both bands and fans was positive and upbeat. Hartke and Samson Audio were sponsors of the event, along side of this webzine, Unstoppable Force. I had the honor to introduce each band prior to their performance, while keeping the crowd warmed up. I must say that being involved in this event was fun, fulfilling, and unforgettable. I look forward to the next Brooklyn Metal Fest!!!!
Review by: Anthony
Don Hill's 666 Metal Show
Arriving to Don Hills was very easy...this place is walking distance from the Christopher Street PATH Station. This would be my first visit to this venue, and I was a little put off, as I shall elaborate on later. Let's focus on the bands first....
The first band to play, ***, was a melodic Death Metal band. This power trio featured a talented guitarist handling the vocals, a pretty impressive drummer, and a female bassist who played with both enthusiasm and evident skill. As a working unit, this band was great; their music was tight and their sound was good. However, I did not really enjoy their set; everything seemed like one really long, drawn-out song. I was bored to death, saved only by my surrounding company and the few good guitar melodies, which grabbed my attention. Packed with skill, yet lacking in diversity and differentiability, **** failed to make a lasting impact.
Power Metal sensation GODS OF FIRE was next to perform. Each and every time I see this band, their performance improves. DJ Blood Sacrifice gave Janic Gers a run for his money, jumping around the stage with raw energy and unbound stage presence. Saucy Jack was clad in his usual top hat and jacket. His performance was smooth and stylish! The same can be said for bassist Evil Thunder; his performance was tightly in sync with the rest of the band. Drummer Helios just gets better and better; his drumming has gotten faster since I first witnessed his performance at The Knitting Factory in April. Vocalist Prometheus hit EVERY note to perfection. The usual hand gestures and body language were all incorporated in his performance. Added surprises included versions of "The Phoenix" and "Doom's Dark Hour" which featured Prometheus clad in a Barbarian's Helmet, wielding an axe! To my surprise, "Prometheus Unbound" was performed, seeing once again Prometheus clad in his black wings, handcuffs, and black robe. Everyone
was head banging furiously throughout the entire set! Clearly, GODS OF FIRE won their crowd over!!
My friends DEVILSS ISLAND were next to perform, and I must commend them for improving their already killer stage presence. Added delights included versions of "Fire Case", "Mercenary", and "Scars". Having seen DEVILS ISLAND several times, I can recognize how far they have come. Their new drummer (name escapes me) pounded the shit out of his set!!! He was amazing! Guitarists Dima and Alex really compliment each other's playing well. Their duel guitar leads are awesome. Bassist Serje performed with his usual thrashing madness. I heard him soloing during sound check, and he is ridiculously talented!! Vocalist George performed with a TON of energy and put on an intense show. Over all, DEVILS ISLAND crushed!!!!
Unfortunately, I had work early the next morning, and Shannon wasn't feeling too well, so we missed CIRCUS FROM HELL and FORSAKEN. Although this was a short concert for me, it still rocked, and I had a BLAST!!!
Conclusively, the 6-6-06 show was amazing, however I must elaborate on my prior comments as to why I was put off a bit by this venue. The door guy was a total asshole!!! I was helping Dima carry gear into the venue (he had a lot of it, and no help), and this door guy asshole was giving me shit, saying "BANDS ONLY!!!". I had to convince this fucker that I was HELPING, and I would wait outside when I was done. He persisted to demand that when I was done to wait outside so he could "get my ten dollars". Holy shit, was this guy a hard ass!! Well, fuck you Don Hills. I travel from Jersey JUST for these NY metal bands. I don't need this crap. I doubt I'll go there again.
Review by: Anthony
GODS OF FIRE
Getting to this show was a bitch. The weather completely sucked (it rained really bad), taxi cabs were not cooperating (no one seemed to want to give a ride), and this was on a weekday. I had to bring a change of cloths with me to work; Shannon and I left immediately after I was done working for the day. After fighting traffic, late trains, crappy weather, and difficult taxi drivers, I had finally arrived at The Continental only minutes before GODS OF FIRE were due to play. Shannon and I spent a few minutes chatting with the guys and having a few drinks. I must comment that they are all very nice people, in addition to being a terrific band. Anyone who has not had to opportunity to see this band is deprived.
On top of all the troubles I faced in arriving at the venue, it seemed GODS OF FIRE shared the same fate: their bassist was stuck in traffic, running late. This delayed the show, however, the sound guy was really cool about the whole situation. The band was forced to eventually go on without bass for a while, which only lasted for one song.
The same atmospheric opening I heard at The Knitting Factory was once again blaring from the house speakers. With the smoke machine going, GODS took the stage, and blasted into an AWESOME version of "Nectar of the Gods". Half way through the song, bassist Evil Thunder finally showed up, and picked up the pace easily. Both DJ Blood Sacrifice and Saucy Jack played guitar with enthusiasm and phenomenal stage presence. Their style and sound have improved tremendously each time I see them. Their stage show is down to a science. An example of this was the KILLER version of "The Long Walk". Right before the guitar solos, all pose in the band as if they were firing guns. At the end of the song, right at the time change, Prometheus "plays dead", as if he had been shot. It's really hard to explain everything here; it needs to be seen. Clearly, this band is impressive to watch. Drummer Helios played like a drum machine; he played both fast and loud. Both he and bassist Evil Thunder are an impressive backbone of this band. My only complaint is that Helios did not perform that drum solo he mentioned to me (while waiting for Evil Thunder to arrive before the show). That would have been cool.
Additional surprises throughout the night included a version of an older song called "My Evil Arms", which was pretty cool. This was a fun song to watch, as I'm sure it was fun to perform; the crowd was urged to participate in various gestures. This showed the fun side of the band. A great version of "Hyperion" was performed to perfection……..this song is a head banging frenzy! One other surprise was the fact that the set had to be cut short one song, leaving "Dooms Dark Hour" for another time. "The Phoenix" was still performed with talent…….it's just a fucking awesome Speed Metal song!!!!
Playing too short of a show, GODS OF FIRE once again leave me in awe, CRAVING more. Catch this band live, and see what all the buzz is about!!!!!!
The Set List
Hyperion
Review by: Anthony
Attacker's Record Release Party
After all the promoting I had done for this show, I was eager to see what kind of turn-out the club would have for this special show. God knows, the scene can use many more shows like this, and I commend Attacker for having the balls to take the initiative to actually do something about it. Pay-To-Play policies, corporate sponsors, and greedy promoters ALL went out the door. NOT ONE of the aforementioned were involved in this show, which is why it was not tainted. My closing thoughts reflect on the overall atmosphere of the night, and the noticeable change in everyone……both bands AND fans.
New York's MAGUS BEAST was the first band to hit the stage. Having seen MB several times before, I knew what to expect from them. They performed with their usual metal punch of aggression and power (maybe this is why they were formally known as Aggressor). John played his usual blistering set of metal chords and riffs right along with Andy. Dan thrashed around with awesome stage presence; he is very entertaining to watch! Bob, their drummer, played with the usual grin on his face. It was apparent that he was enjoying himself. Then, there's vocalist Ron. Simply put, he's an awesome guy!! Superior vocals, AND a crowd favorite. During the set, a fan in the audience yelled "Old School RULES!!". Ron replied, "Fuck yeah….old school metal, old school drink (while drinking is Jack Daniels), and old school crowd.". The vibe from this band was awesome. They were a most welcomed band and excellent opening band for this event. Highlights of their performance were renditions of "Magus Beast" and "Lost". The newer songs performed that night were a clear indication that this band is a force to be reckoned with. Hail MAGUS BEAST!
Up next was Pennsylvania's ICARUS WITCH. I was eager to see this band, as I had missed out on seeing them months ago in Pennsylvania, along side GOATHORN, WIDOW, and others. Needless to say, my wait was well worth it. "The Witch" performed with both power and enthusiasm. Their stage presence was top-notch, and clearly they were masters of their trade. Their vocalist Matt prowled the stage back and forth with stunning stage presence, adding the occasional Bruce Dickenson points and arm waves. His height and demeanor cast a bone-chilling advent on the stage. Their bassist, Jason, performed gracefully and with ease. His fingers walked along his bass strings like fast spider legs. Clearly, he is an awesome bassist. However, the guitarist didn't seem to move that much, but compensated this with a set of blistering guitar work. Each and every note, chord, and solo were performed to perfection. "The Witch" has themselves an outstanding guitarist here, one who easily handled ALL the guitar duties by HIMSELF!! Enough said!!!! The drummer simply pounded the shit out of his drum set; he performed very nicely, never loosing time. Highlights of the set included the opening song "Winds of Atlantis", "Dragon Rider" and an awesome version of "Curse of the Ice Maiden". Newer songs performed off the Capture The Magick album kicked ass. I was very impressed with these new songs, being this was the first time I had heard them. Overall, ICARUS WITCH kicked ass, and left everyone in attendance in awe. The magick has been captured!!
RAVENSTHORN had come all the way from Chicago, Illinois to be a part of this show. Needless to say, their trip was not in vein, as they conquered the audience. Having never heard their music before, I was curious to see what they were all about, and hear what kind of music they play. After the opening riffs, I was hooked. RAVENSTHORN offered to its crowd a dose of pure metal insanity. Imagine if Alice Cooper, King Diamond, and Iron Maiden all got together and spawned a child. Then, add in some horror movie influence. What you wind up with is a band that has a little something for everyone. The vocalist was clad in leather and a black & red cape, face make-up, and attitude. His vocals reminded me at times of King Diamond and Rob Halford. Prancing around the stage, he had the audience in the palm of his hand. The two guitarists played with sheer aggression and ferocity. They played an onslaught of metal riffs that dominated all in attendance. Seriously, their guitar playing was amazing!! Their bass player Mario is pure fucking Old School!! His style of bass playing was slick and impressive. A seasoned musician, his playing was flawless. The drummer pounded the shit out of his drums; the immense backbone of this band was both strong and impressive, compliments of the impressive bass and drum. I remember towards the end of their set, RAVENTHORN thanked all the bands and fans. Their closing song saw their vocalist with blood coming out of his mouth, showcasing their touch of horror. Highlights of their set list included versions of "The Ring", which is a song based on the movie of the same name, "Bloodlust of Dracula", and other songs in that vain. Overall, RAVENSTORN won over an unfamiliar crowd, leaving an unforgettable impact.
Atlanta, Georgia's HALLOWS EVE were the next band to perform. I know a lot of people were looking forward to seeing this band, however they left more to be desired. Their sound was absolutely HORRIBLE. This had NOTHING to do with the sound-guy; I know this because I was behind the soundboard for a lot of the show. Everything was tweaked perfectly. This all had to do with the band's equipment. Only one guitar was working, and the rest of the sound came through like absolute shit. This was a big disappointment. Needless to say, HALLOWS EVE was not very impressive; the nostalgia of their presence quickly diminished only moments into their set. Better luck next time…….
At last, the lords of thunder: ATTACKER!!! Wasting no time whatsoever, ATTACKER began their vicious metal assault with both power and skill. All of the songs were perfectly executed; each musician displayed his musical talent through his respective instrument. Guitarists Pat and Mike gave Dave Murray and Adrian Smith a run for their money, as their stage presence and timing with each other were beyond belief. Occasionally standing side by side with each other, they did a great job of throwing shapes, complimenting each others personal style. The fact that Pat was a left-handed guitarist made everything look even more surreal, particularly when the two stood side by side. Their original bassist Lou was back in the fold, sporting a black cowboy hat and sunglasses. He didn't provide a lot of stage presence, which was baffling considering that during sound check (before everyone was let into the club), he was all over the place. Now, in the live setting, we get hardly any movement. Perhaps a larger stage was needed? Original drummer Mike pounded the ever-living shit out of his drums……he makes Animal from the Muppets seem lame and laid-back!! Then, there's the vocal execution. What can be said??? LOTS!!! Bob is an extraordinary front man, and he's the original vocalist of Attacker! He prowls the stage as if it were his home, with a constant smile on his face. Professionalism and stage presence are all prevalent here, leaving NO room for mistakes. He hit EVERY note crystal clear, with both power and high range. The audience was going ape-shit, and for good reason! Later in their set, Bob mentioned to the crowd how grateful he was for everyone showing up, and he thanked the audience, say how Attacker "…would be shit without you (the fans)". Clearly, this was a heartfelt gesture from a heartfelt band. Additionally, I noticed a LOT of women in the audience…….ATTACKER must really draw all the metal chicks, because I've never seen so many of them at one show!!! Highlights of their performance included versions of "This is Power", "Call On The Attacker", and various other surprises. This was a night NOT to be forgotten.
Now, as I had mentioned earlier, the atmosphere and mood of both bands and fans was something new……something nice. There was a metalfest feel to the whole event WITHOUT the metalfest bullshit. The bands were there for the FANS, and the fans didn't have to deal with all the bullshit politics that are involved with promoters and pay to play shit……what I'm getting at here is this: THIS is what it's all about. Bands selling their merchandise, making ALL the profit, low price at the door (12 dollars for ALL this??? Come on…….you CAN'T BEAT THAT!!), and no middle man involved. THIS is what the scene was lacking, and with ATTACKER's help, this way of doing things will prevail again. Piss off, pay to play venues……YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!!!! Old-School RULES!!!!!!
Review by: Anthony DeLuca
GODS OF FIRE
This would be my first time at The Knitting Factory. Upon arrival, I was not too impressed with the venue; the bar was small, and there wasn’t a lot of room to move around. The crowd was dominated by Hardcore and Punk fans, so I began to wonder if this place had the same vibe as CBGB. This would all change soon.
Before their performance, I had the opportunity to interview each member of Gods Of Fire. Because they needed time to set up, we concluded the interview after their show. This is where my opinion of the venue changed.
The “Main Stage” was the room Gods played in, which was secluded from the bar area and the other stage around the bend. It was nicely air conditioned, and it had it’s own bar with a huge variety of beers and sprites. The stage was of decent size, being slightly larger than the one at The Continental. Overall, it was of decent size, and a nice room to play. Now, onto the performance…….
After waiting for Gods to take the stage, the time had finally arrived. The empty, dark stage has a glimpse of light illuminating it. Bombastic, atmospheric music played in the foreground……..something you would hear from a Lord Of The Rings movie. The smoke machine started going off, and that’s when each member of the band came onto the stage and equipped himself with their respective instrument. Then, Saucy Jack immediately blasted into the opening riffs of “Hyperion”. DJ Blood Sacrifice was thrashing and head banging a lot, and Evil Thunder played with a constant grin on his face. He was clearly enjoying himself. Prometheus took the stage with passion and power. He executed a display of stage presence, which blew me away. Helios, the new drummer of the band, is a very talented left-handed drummer. He was right on time and added an essential element to the already strong backbone of the band. Clearly, both Helios and Evil Thunder maintain a strong structure for the band.
The breaks and leads were switched off more this time between DJ Blood Sacrifice and Saucy Jack. Seeing those solos performed live was unforgettable……..they both kick ass, and had fun doing it. “Welcome To Hell” was the second song in their set list, and it was AWESOME. I couldn’t believe how crowded the room was; Gods Of Fire really packed this place, and that put a long lasting smile on my face!!! Other songs performed that night included a KILLER version of “The Long Walk”, which featured terrific stage presence from all members of the band, and some theatrical performance from Prometheus too. “The Phoenix” was a fucking AWESOME song, and some lighting effects were used throughout the song; Prometheus had these “flashes” come from his hand…..it was really cool. Once more, DJ Blood and Saucy were setting aflame their fret boards, playing with speed and head banging the whole time. “Doom’s Dark Hour” showcased an array of this band’s musical talent, complete with an interesting stage show of Prometheus wearing a Barbarian Helmet and casting various poses and gestures with a Battle Axe. “Digital Neon” was great, and the crowd was really clinging onto every note the band played. The set was closed with “Nectar Of The Gods”, which encouraged the audience to sing along with the chorus “Drink……from the nectar of the Gods………METAL!!…….We’ll Rule the world again!!!!”. All were head banging and singing along; it was evident that Gods Of Fire had this crowd in the palm of their hand!!!
My only complaint is that I wanted MORE!!!!! Shit, I could watch this band all day and night…….they’re THAT good and THAT entertaining! See for yourself………..I’ll see you at the next show.
SET LIST
Hyperion
After the show, Shannon and I walked around NYC with our friend George. We wound up at a dinner called “The Soup & Burger”. It was a nice night out in New York. We returned home to Jersey around 5am. ………GREAT band, GREAT friends, GREAT times!!!! Cheers!!
Review by: Anthony DeLuca
ZANDELLE, MAELSTROM, VICTIM OF PAIN, PHOENIX REIGN,
Across the pond we go……from Jersey to NYC! Every time Chris, Shannon, and I make the trip to New York, it’s for a GREAT show. We were anxious to see this show; every show we attend in New York kicks ass and is well worth the trip. Tonight’s show originally featured Magus Beast, but unfortunately they had to cancel due to a death in the family. I would like to extend my condolences to Magus Beast for their loss. Their replacement was Victim of Pain, a New York Thrash Metal band from the 80’s. Tonight was going to be a great show!
Upon entering the club, we immediately ran into Joe and George from Zandelle. It’s funny how things come full circle; the last and FIRST time I had seen Zandelle was at The Continental in 1999, when they played along side Gothic Knights and Anvil. Zandelle was a four-piece band at that time; it’s amazing how they’ve progressed and come so far. We hit the bar and had a few drinks. Up first was Circus From Hell.
Circus From Hell can be described as a melodic Hard Rock band. They’ve got some really good licks and grooves, compliments of their energetic guitarists. Vocally, they have that rough edge with power and aggression. I have to admit: at first I didn’t like this band. After giving them a chance and really listening to them, I grew to like them and appreciate their sound, which is a breath of fresh air. They put on a damn good show, and even urged the audience on to participate with chants and yells of “Hey!….Hey!….Hey!”. Regrettably, I did not take any pictures of this band, but I will be looking for them next time around, and I look forward to their heartfelt performance. Cheers Circus From Hell!!!
Up next was Devils Island. Tonight was a special show for Devils Island because they were debuting their new drummer, ******. I remember the first time I saw this band…….it was at The Hook in Brooklyn a year or two ago. Since that time, this band have grown and fine-tuned their talent magnificently. Complete with a KILLER stage show, Devils had the audience cheering and applauding loudly. As usual, Dima was head-banging furiously while playing his guitar. Serge was right along side him doing just the same while playing his bass. Alex played both melodically and with ease. George performed with his usual power and aggression, complete with some movements and choreographed poses (I think). The “new guy”, ***** seemed to fit right in with the band, however there was one occasion where his timing was a little off. None the less, he played well. I can see how Devils Island has come a long way, as this band seems to get better and better every time I see them. The new songs they played were both heavy and melodic. Basically, they KILLED!!! Mike from Invidia went up on the stage and performed a duet with the band (as expected). This is always cool to see, or sometimes silly because he gets SO drunk. Either way, it rocks!"Firecase" and "Scars" ruled, as always! . A good cover of “Aria’s…..I mean Iron Maiden’s” “The Evil That Men Do” was performed perfectly, with the added “Devils Island” touch…..it ruled!!!! I like how George stuck with the original lyrics "Don't you cry for me....beyond is where I learn", as opposed to the way Maiden has changed it over the years. Fucking awesome!
The Set-List
Scars
Phoenix Reign was the next band to play. After missing their previous performances, tonight was finally the night I was able to catch them live. I’m sure they played a majority of newer songs, as I really didn’t recognize a lot of their set-list. “Another Night Alone” was among the songs they performed with passion and power. A great version of "The Trooper" was also among the sever al songs played that night. Vocalist Theresa graced the stage as if it belonged to her. She clearly has her act down to a science. Guitarists Billy Chrissochos and Kostas Psarros played melodically and in good time with each other. During some sound problems, Kostas handled the guitar parts nicely, and bassist Chris Pollatos added some backing vocals nicely. Drummer Wayne proved just how talented he is, never missing a beat, AND playing with a grin on his face. Clearly, he was enjoying himself. I have to admit, this band sounds a lot better live than they do on their demos. I was a little skeptical about their live show, as I feel their recordings lack a certain “Umph” or power. Their live show contradicted my opinions of their demo material, and further shows me just how much potential this band has. I am curious to hear this band’s older material, from when they were called Phoenix, and I anticipate future shows from this ever-growing band.
The Set-List
Transcendent
The forth band of the night was Victim of Pain, who replaced Magus Beast (as mentioned earlier). I was excited to hear this band, as I was informed that they were an Old-School Thrash Metal band. Victim executed a display of raw power and aggression, complimented with melodic and fast guitars. Their take-no-prisoners approach goes straight for the jugular and does not let go. Vocalist Phil Reed prowled the stage like an angry panther. His stage presence could NOT be ignored. Guitarists Ivan Figueroa and Angelo Rivera played both heavy and melodically. The bass and drum were fast and tight, compliments of Andy Prezioso and Chris Ramsay respectively. My first time seeing this band will not be my last, as I look forward to catching this band again. Feel their power…..Victim of Pain!!!!
The Set-List
Open Your Eyes
Maelstrom were next, and boy did they suck!!! I gave them the chance to grow on me by sticking around for some of their set, but it wasn’t happening. They sucked. Their vocalist sounded like he had a hair-ball stuck down his throat. They sucked, and did NOT belong on this bill. Gods of Fire, Invidia, or Exit To Eternity would have been a MUCH better choice band……NOT MAELSTROM!!! God damn it, you suck Maelstrom!!!!!
The Set-List
Not Worth Mentioning. It all sounded like one really long, boring, drawn out, shitty song.
Zandelle was the final band of the night. As I have mentioned in a previous review, this is THE BEST line-up of Zandelle I have yet to see. Hands down, this is it!!!! Among the several songs they performed, I was disappointed to see that they only played ONE SONG off of Shadows Of Reality, that being “Bringer of Doom”. Still, Zandelle put on a GREAT show, and never disappoint. Drummer Jofu was VERY energetic, even singing into his dangling microphone while pounding the shit out of his drums. At times, it looked REALLY funny…..Jofu makes these crazy facial expressions while he plays his drums, and a lot of the time, it looked like he was going to bite the microphone. Hmmm…..is he related to George “The Animal” Steel??? LOL…..still, a KILLER drummer!!! Joe gets better and better as a bassist. I cannot BELIEVE how talented this guy is. To top it off, he has a TON of stage presence, and is fascinating to watch. I am very glad to see that he never really left the band; he is an important part of Zandelle and an important part of their history. His absence from the band would be a deathblow! Anthony continues his killer guitar playing excellence, and Paul has learned all the newer material with ease and performs it well. He just needs to learn all the OLDER material…..I want to see “Warrior”, “Flight of the Dragon” and “Creature of the Dark” live again!!!!!!
The Set-List
Lord of Thunder
As always, NYC delivered an amazing show of metal talent. We arrived home around 5am, and it was worth it!!!! I hope everyone who received a NIHILIST CD and Attacker flier will check them out....they rock. I look foward to the next show!
Review by: Anthony DeLuca
OVERKILL, PRONG, MAGUS BEAST, & DIRT CHURCH
Whenever I see Overkill, I enjoy myself. Simply stated: this band has NEVER disappointed me with their live performances. Tonight was a special night, not only because Overkill was playing, but because New York’s Magus Beast was performing too. The Beast had a GREAT spot: right before Prong, so I knew there would be a decent crowd to see them. I’ll get to that later.
First, I hit the bar……beer in a plastic cup. That just blows!!!! I started looking around for people I knew, and before I knew it, I ran into the guys from Devils Island!!! George, Dima, and Serge were in attendance that night, in support of their fellow NY metal brothers. This is further proof of the strong essence of unity the NY metal scene has!!!!! Many bands can learn from this!
Dirt Church were on, and they didn’t impress me at all. Their drummer, however, looked like a miniature version of John Cena (WWE Wrestler); this guy was ripped like you wouldn’t believe!!! Aside from that aspect, this band left no lasting impression on me.
The time had come for the mighty Magus Beast to perform. Of the MANY times I have seen this band, I must say that they fucking KILLED!!!! They were right on with EVERY note, and full of total energy and enthusiasm. Complete with two HUGE banners of their logo on each end of the stage, Magus Beast’s stage show was entertaining and powerful; they were clearly a winner. The crowd was going absolutely ballistic for them; when some CDs were tossed into the crowd, people were fighting for them. Clearly, everyone was into this band. The songs kept coming, one leading right into the other, as to maintain their stage time and squeeze in as many songs as possible. I particularly enjoyed the song “Magus Beast”. Every time a high note was hit, the crowd exploded! The Beast’s set was closed with “Kill With Power” by Manowar and a new song called "Rise of the Beast". A lot of head-banging and cheering was heard…….it was a triumphant moment and a well deserved one!!!
Lost
After the display of sheer power Magus Beast displayed, there was not much hope for Prong. Aside from the fact that I think they (Prong) suck, going on after The Beast was a difficult task. Most of the crowd was still hyped on Magus Beast, and Prong seemed to struggle to gain everyone’s attention at first. They never had mine…….I couldn’t wait for their set to be over.
Finally, Overkill graced the stage. It was cool attending this show with my brother Joe; he LOVES Overkill, and he and I never attend shows together. He enjoyed himself in the pit as my fiancée Shannon and I enjoyed the company of Devils Island and the sights and sounds of Overkill. Opening with “Deny The Croos”, Overkill displayed their usual raw energy and power. I have come to expect nothing less from them. They breezed through their set list like a whirlwind. Each song was introduced with a little rhyme, thanks to Bobby Blitz, which was a cool little touch. “Overkill I” was played, which was really cool, along with the usual “Wrecking Crew” and “Necroshine”. Some jerk trampled Shannon’s bad foot, so I threw people out of my way to get her off the floor and out of harm’s way (I pissed off a ton of people while doing this too…….sorry, but her well-being is more important to me than anything in the world).
I ended the night passing out Nihilist CDs to people exiting the venue; I hope people will check this band out……they fucking rule! Shannon and I wound up at the dinner with the Devils Island guys ‘till about 4 in the morning. A great time was had by all!!
Review by: Anthony DeLuca
“By The Bands, For The Fans”
HALLOWEEN, ELIXIR, ATTACKER, MAGUS BEAST
MIDNIGHT ANGEL (Friday Only)
VICTIM OF PAIN (Saturday Only)
Saturday, July 22, 2006 @ The Hook – Brooklyn, NY
Saturday, July 14, 2006 @ The Continental - New York, NY
Thursday, July 13, 2006 @ The Bloomfield Ave. Cafe - Montclair, NJ
Saturdayday, July 8, 2006 @ The Continental - New York, NY
Saturday, June 24, 2006 @ The Hook - Brooklyn, NY
Featuring
GODS OF FIRE, DEVILS ISLAND, CIRCUS FROM HELL, others
Tuesday, June 6, 2006 (06/06/06)
Thursday, June 1, 2006 @ The Continental - New York, NY
Nectar Of The Gods
The Long Walk
My Evil Arms
The Phoenix
For "The Unknown"
Featuring
ATTACKER, HALLOWS EVE, RAVENSTHORN,
ICARUS WITCH, & MAGUS BEAST
Saturday, April 29, 2006 @ Dingbatz - Clifton, NJ
Friday, April 14, 2006 @ The Knitting Factory – New York, NY
Welcome To Hell
The Phoenix
Digital Neon
The Long Walk
Doom's Dark Hour
Nectar Of The Gods
DEVILS ISLAND, & CIRCUS FROM HELL
Friday, March 24,2006 @ The Continental
New York, NY
Coma Dreams
Redline
Evil That Men Do
Firecase
Return To The Sea
Another Night Alone
Nightmare
The Trooper
Run Now
Constantinople
Black-N-Blue Collar
Resist
Pleasure In Pain
Tormented By Death
Hell On Earth
Rebirth
Queen Anne's Revenge
Bringer of Doom
Awakening / Vengeance Rising
Immortal Realms
Blood Red Shores
Saturday, March 4,2006 @ The Starland Ballroom
Sayreville, NJ
The set list:
Magus Beast
Into the Night
I Live
Should I
Kill with Power
Rise of the Beast