So, The reason I personally went to a show with Mudvayne, American Head Charge, and Bloodsimple on the bill was to catch one of my favourite bands, Life Of Agony. I'm not going to get into a history lesson here, but LOA have been around for awhile, broke up, got back together, and this is part of their come-back tour, with a new CD, "Broken Valley" set to drop June 14. They play an oddly emotional variant of New York Hardcore mixed with Metal. The other bands on the bill are basically extreme Nu-Metal, or "Metalcore" bands. Whatever you want to call them, the point is, is that the styles are incredibly different.

Now, in the past, this sort of mismatch of styles on a bill was never that big a problem. I've seen many shows in my day where the opening act and the headliner were on totally different wavelengths, but it never seemed to bother the crowd. In particular, I remember Type-O-Negative opening for The Exploited. Not exactly the bands you'd expect to see together, but I never heard one negative comment from either fan base in regards to the other band. The worst people did was go to the bar and get a beer while the band they weren't crazy about was on. Hell, I saw Voivod with Rush, Metallica with Queensryche, Sisters Of Mercy with Warrior Soul and Public freakin' Enemy, and no one ever complained or booed. Not to mention tons of gigs that would pair Death-Metal bands with Thrash or Doom bands. We just didn't seem to care back in the day. As long as it was heavy, underground, or had some merit, it was accepted, or at least given a chance.

So, that was then, this is now. For some reason, the masterminds at Epic (LOA's current label) decided to put LOA on the same tour as label mates Mudvayne. I have to ask... what the bloody hell were they thinking? This is not LOA's crowd. LOA fans were 20 years old when the band broke in '93, so guess how old we are now. Mudvayne's fan base is basically 18 and under, and for the most part, they could give a flying f*ck about LOA. Oh sure, there are the few exceptions, but you know what I mean. I guess at Epic, if you're classified as "hard music" by the suits, you're all in the same boat, and there is no further distinction. Now granted, Epic might have actually had a game plan, they might have been thinking they could break LOA into Mudvayne's fan base. Well, let's just say, that ain't gonna happen any time soon. Your average Mudvayne fan is gonna have as much interest in the new LOA disc as they do in the new Judas Priest disc, zero. Basically, I don't think Epic has the slightest clue as how to market LOA, and I hope the band doesn't suffer for their lack of knowledge.

On the ol' Internet I had read a lot about how LOA was getting booed and having stuff thrown at them at some of these gigs, so I was pretty much ready for a rumble ala "Gangs Of New York", or "West Side Story"... well, without the dancing and sappy music that is. Chicago was apparently pretty nasty. So anyway, I get to the venue, I missed Bloodsimple, so I can't comment. Now, I must state, if I had paid for a ticket, I would have seen every second of every band, as I hate not getting my money's worth, but I was on "the list", so I wasn't as concerned about such things. So after I buy a couple reasonably priced shirts (yes, shock of shocks, they were only $25.00 each) and getting the new LOA promo single, I enter the venue proper. First up was American Head Charge. I knew of these guys, but I didn't know their stuff. Pretty heavy Metalcore, with lots of live Nu-Metal posing ala Korn or Limp Biscuit. The singer was cool, jumping into the crowd etc. Not my preferred cup o' metallic tea, but hey, it was heavy, and had some good moments here and there, and I found my head nodding in agreement. The crowd of 16 year olds loved it, and as many as five separate pits were swirling simultaneously. I have to say, this was a weird crowd. There were some old Metal / Punk bastards like me there for LOA, and then there were three separate groups of young 'uns. There were the Gothy lookin' kids, the Punks with their Mohawks and spiked hair, and then there were hundreds of clean-cut boys and girls that looked like they just stepped off the set of the "O.C." or an "American Pie" sequel. It must have been the first heavy show for a lot of these kids. Anyway, even if the band ain't my favourite, they performed well, and had the crowd going, so I'm gonna say... GRADE B+

So, 30 minutes later, the lights dim for LOA's entrance, and I'm expecting the worst. However, there are actually cheers coming from the crowd, and hands raised in the air, so I relax a little. The band comes out and breaks into one of their heavier numbers, and fan favourite, "River Runs Red". The crowd, for the most part does nothing, and I start to fear the worst again. 90% of the people here have never heard LOA before, and don't know what to make of their slower, groove-oriented material, which is in stark contrast to the choppy, full speed ahead brand of sonic mayhem that the headliners are known for. After the first song, the band slid directly into one of their new tunes (not sure which one) that had a quicker pace. Not heavier mind you, just faster, and low and behold, the pit area just exploded in a sea of swirling bodies and sweat! I was relieved, and was glad to see this wasn't gonna be a repeat of Chicago. I did hear a few wise cracks from some dudes behind me. There were a couple of taunts like "just play some damn music", when Keith was thanking the other bands, and "he better not f*ckin' cry man", when Keith was rendering a particularly emotional part of a song. But that's pretty normal, every opener is gonna have a few taunts thrown at them. The band played for about 40 – 45 minutes, and along with the before mentioned opener played in no particular order; This Time, Through and Through, Underground, plus four new songs; Don't Bother, Love to Let You Down, Junk Sick, and The Calm That Disturbs You. The last song they played was Underground, and near the end Mudvayne's vocalist "sPaG" (Matthew McDonough) came out twice to sing the chorus with the band. I think this shocked the hell outta the Mudvanye crowd, that their leader would be demonstrating such unity with a band outside their claustrophobic sub genre. GRADE A+

So, even though LOA ended up getting a decent response from the crowd, the feeling in the air was just different. When I used to see heavy-ass shows on a weekly basis (sigh), we the fans, were like a brotherhood. It didn't matter who your favorite band was, or what style you preferred. We all would show up at the Thrash gig, then the Hardcore Punk gig, and then the Death-Metal gig the week after that. Hell, we might all be at the next Glam show as well! (just don't tell anyone) You could talk music with anyone, and it was always friendly. The band might be singing about ripping out a zombie's entrails, or hanging a certain leader of a certain religion, but the fans were always friendly and in a jubilant mood. What I'm saying is, is that we stuck together. This was certainly not the feeling and vibe I caught last night. Everyone looked like they were just itchin' for a fight, and some of the conversations I overheard were downright laughable, if in hindsight they weren't also so downright depressing. It was just a constant barrage of "that band sucks", "all that music sucks", "anyone who likes (insert band) is a fag", etc. The vibe I picked up was one of seething hatred and animosity, hatred for everything and everyone. It's a whole different attitude in the young hard music scene, and frankly, I think it sucks. Creating your little narrow-minded factions, and drawing lines in the sand will only end up hurting the bigger scene as a whole. I mean, why do you think these bands can't break out of playing clubs? Not that I really want them to, as club shows are way better than stadium shows, but you get the point.

Ass for Mudvayne, I would have stayed, but hell, I saw what I came for, and again, I didn't pay, so no perceived loss on my part. Now, some might find that hypocritical that I didn't hang out for Mudvayne after pleading a case for unity in the scene. However, I didn't say you had to watch a band you don't care for, I just said you shouldn't sit there bad mouthing them, booing, or declaring that all of their fans are homosexual in nature. You don't have to like everything, it's more about respect. Nu-Metal and Metalcore might not be my thing, but I can see if I was 16 right now, it just might be, so I can respect the fact that these kids love this stuff. Hey, at least it's heavy, and not Hip-Hop! Why am I bothering to go on and on about this you ask? Because I've been knee deep in the live scene for almost 20 years, and I just hate the thought of it turning into something that I don't want to be a part of. Ok, I've rambled on long enough, take it as you will.

Wow, I can't believe it's been almost five years since I saw the muscle-man in black perform, but it's true. Danzig has always been a love him or hate him type of performer. (I love him) There aren't too many people who are on the fence when it comes to the man and his music. Tonight he was playing the Guvernment, which is a smaller venue attached to another larger club called "The Kool Haus". The Kool Haus had Goldfinger playing on the same night, and the difference in the appearance of each band's crowd was huge. The Goldfinger crowd was all these baggy pant wearing, pop-punk children, The Danzig crowd was freakin' scary looking. Lots of old-school punks from back in the day, who would rather die than go to a Goldfinger show, and underground Metal freaks the likes of which I hadn't seen in years. There were no casual observers or poseurs here tonight, this crowd was here for an audience with their long time lord and master. Anyway, I got to the venue at around 9:20 or so. I don't know if the show was sold out, but the place was packed to the proverbial titties. I missed the first two bands, Trivium, and Eyes Of Fire. Not because I don't like opening acts, on the contrary, I like to see every minute if metal I can, but because I'm a family man now. So, instead of knockin' back a few shots of rye whiskey before a show, and getting in line early, like in the old days, I now prep for a gig by tucking my kids into bed, and doing such "metal" things as reading "Goodnight Moon" and "Caillou Says No". So, these days I end up getting to gigs a little late, but fortunately I got there in time to catch my countrymen Kataklysm do their thing.

For those that don't know, Kataklysm is a devastating, long-running (since 1991) Death-Metal / Grind band from Quebec Canada. Their style has come to be known as the "Northern Hyperblast". I'm not a huge fan of the band, but holy Christ were they ever tight! As you all know, it does not take much to muddle the sound of a Death-Metal band in a live setting, but everything was sharp and clear, and the crowd, surprisingly, ate it up. A big-ass pit was flying for the full set, and a unanimous devil-horn salute was offered at the end of each song. Man, there's nothing like blistering Death-Metal to wipe away your daily troubles and clear your mind. It's like a devastating sonic sorbet. Anyway, their set was impressive, and they get extra marks for doing a lot of those twirling their hair, head spin things that are just so f*cking metal. GRADE B

About 30 minutes after Kataklysm cleared the stage, a pre-recorded version of "Wotans Procession" let us now that things were about to start. I should note that performing with Danzig on this tour are guitarist Tommy Victor (Prong) and drummer John Kelly (Type-O-Negative)! The crowd went ape-shit, and after our hero saluted us with a few devil-horn gestures, the band launched into "Skincarver" off of the latest album. After a few more new ones, the band kicked into some old-school stuff from the first four discs, which, as you can guess, went down well with the crowd. Thankfully, we heard nothing from the disastrous "Blackacidevil", but every other disc was represented. I know I'm missing a couple songs, but among those also played were; Twist Of Cain, Mother, Long Way Back From Hell, Snakes Of Christ, Her Black Wings, How The Gods Kill, It's Coming Down, Until You Call On The Dark, Bringer Of Death, Satan's Child, Unspeakable, I Luciferi, Black Mass, Circle Of Snakes, 1000 Devils Reign, and Black Angel, White Angel. Tommy and our main man were all over the stage, and everyone looked like they were having a good time. The man's voice was in top form, and sounded great, which brings me to the only problem with the show. The drum and bass sounds, especially on the lower end, suck-dittaly-ucked! Luckily, that was only a minor inconvenience. Ok, I lied, I have one other issue, not a single Misfits tune was played. He often drags out one or two, and considering on a few shows of this tour, he is being joined by Doyle for a 30 set of old 'fits tunes, it would have been nice if he threw us a bone. Still, it was great fun, and it's nice to see that at the age of 49, he still has it. Sure his hair is getting thinner, and his belly isn't as tight as it was 15 years ago, but hell, if I look half as good when I'm that age, I'll be lucky. GRADE A-

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Judas Priest w/Slayer
@ The Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto, Aug. 18th 2004

Well, what can I say? Last night was a long-ass time coming. The newly reunited Metal Gods known as Judas Priest, with Rob Halford back on the mic, finally had their triumphant returned to Toronto Canada. In fact, for those that don't know, it was after an ill-fated Toronto gig (with co headliner Alice Cooper) back on Aug. 19, 1991 that was to be the last show Halford performed with Priest before the big split. During that gig, Halford fell off his motorcycle during his big entrance, and the first song, "Hell Bent For Leather", ended up being performed with no vocals. So, it must be a feather in their (leather) caps to comeback after almost 13 years to the day, and bring the house down.

First, the venue. I generally hate outdoor venues, who wants to see a metal show in the sun? Not me, I'll take a dark dingy club any day. It's all about atmosphere man. But anyway, as these things go, the Amphitheatre isn't too bad. The only problem being that the lawn seats are not covered, and a lot of people got wet when the skies opened up during Slayer's set. Not me though, I was in 10th row! I also have to mention what a rip off it is going to a big stadium show these days; $15.00 to park, $40.00 for a T-shirt, and $11.50 for a 28 oz. Beer. That is just plain robbery my friends. Needless to say, I was sober, and did not acquire any new items for my metal wardrobe. I did however get ass-f*cked for the parking.

Now, lets talk about the opening band, Thrash-Metal legends Slayer. I've been a fan since '84, and was actually lucky enough to see them early on for both their "Reign In Blood" and "South Of Heaven" tours. Since then, I've caught them an additional five times including this gig. I don't know what it is, and I'm sure I'll get a bunch of hate mail for this, but they seem to be loosing a bit of their punch as the years go on. Don't get me wrong, I still love these guys, and their earlier stuff is still worshipped in my house, but something's different these days. A set from Slayer used to blow my mind, I would almost pass out from a Metal induced fever. The last couple times I've seen them however has left me a little cold. Sure, the classics are still fun to hear, and they're still freakin' heavy as hell, but I find much of their material after "Seasons" to be lacking something, and I think that has bleed over into the live show as well. Plus, it didn't help them tonight that the sound during their set was crap. The bass drums were cranked so ridiculously high, that each time Mr. Lombardo hit one of those things, I almost tossed my lunch from the vibrations. Anyway, they played for about 50 or 55 min, and I still enjoyed the set, just not as much as I wanted to, or as much as I have in the past. Some of the songs they played (I might be missing a couple) were; God Hates Us All, Stain Of Mind, War Ensemble, Hallowed Point, Dead Skin Mask, South Of Heaven, Mandatory Suicide, Postmortem, Raining Blood, and of course, they closed with Angel Of Death. GRADE B

Now, back to Priest. This is my fifth time since 1986 seeing the band live, (including once with Ripper) and I have to say, they haven't lost a thing. I swear, it was like I was 17 again! Now, a lot of people hated Ripper Owens, I however thought he was (and is) a tremendous vocalist, and when I saw him with Priest, he did a damn fine job of filling some of the largest boots in Metal history. But, as they say, there can be only one true God, and it is Mr. Halford. Rob's voice is simply amazing, and he received additional cheers from the crowd every time he did one of his trademark ultra-high, prolonged screams. I however did notice his voice seemed a little strained during the song "Painkiller", which is one of the most high-pitch intensive tunes in the Priest catalogue. Mr. Halford started the show standing behind a mesh backdrop, that had him in the center of the eye from their new Electric Eye DVD cover. Then, he comes out wearing more metal, leather, and spikes than you think one man possibly could (or should). But that's exactly what we want to see him wearing. During the show he switched to about 4 other jackets, each one cooler than the last. He hammed it up with both the audience and the band as he's always done. Having us repeat his chants, and getting us to sing along to the "hits". One thing is for sure, Rob knows his crowd, and how to work 'em. The track list for the night, which I'm pretty sure is correct was; Hellion / Electric Eye, Metal Gods, Heading Out to the Highway, The Ripper, Touch of Evil, The Sentinel, Turbo Lover, Victim of Changes, Diamonds and Rust, Breaking the Law, Beyond the Realms of Death, The Green Manalishi (With the Two Pronged Crown), and Painkiller. Then the encore, complete with Halford's signature chrome motorcycle, was Hell Bent For Leather, Living After Midnight, United, and You Got Another Thing Coming. All total, the band was on for about 100 min. or so. The place went nuts during the encores, and not a single attendee was left wanting. There is a reason Rob is known as the Metal God, and tonight with the rest of Priest, he showed us that reason. GRADE A+

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