Concert Review

Obituary
Goatwhore

Krisiun

The Berzerker

Warbringer

Obituary, Goatwhore, Krisiun, The Berzerker, and Warbringer

Saturday September 12, 2009 El Corazon Seattle, WA

What a show this was!! The almighty Obituary brought its legendary brand of death metal to Seattle and completely slayed the audience. They are on tour to support their 8th album, Darkest Day, and have not dulled their sound one bit. Coming along on this tour are some of the most brutal and heavy acts in metal. Up first were young thrash upstarts Warbringer. They bring their retro thrash metal sound to this death metal heavy lineup. Opening the set was "Total War," the opening track from their album full length debut album War Without End. It was a perfect song to begin their set because just about everyone in the place knew the words and screamed out "TOTAL WAR!!!" along with lead singer John Kevill. They busted through their best songs from both of their albums and ended the set with "Combat Shock" which is always a crowd pleaser. All in all Warbringer are one of the most energetic bands to watch live and we can all expect more from this seemingly limitless band.

Up next was the less know grind band from Australia The Berzerker. I don't think that the crowd knew what to expect from this intense groups of Aussies. They played with an incredibly high amount of energy that did not seem to be limited by the lack of energy from the crowd. Throughout their set there were a couple of pits, however they could not be sustained for much longer than 10 seconds. It wasn't until the last couple songs of the set that the crowd started to get into them. I really enjoyed just watching the band play, especially the lead singer as he appeared like he could explode into a fury of destruction at any moment. Hopefully they come through again soon as I believe they will have a better showing next time.

Tech death masters Krisiun stormed the stage next. These Brazilian behemoths came out and completely destroyed the audience. The pit did not seem to stop throughout the set except to chant "Krisiun! Krisiun!" The sound was completely brutal and did not stop throughout the entire set. From beginning to end, they completely owned the stage and destroyed the crowd. I will definitely see them anytime they come back to town.

Blackened death destroyers Goatwhore catapulted to the stage and put on one of the most energetic shows I have seen in a long time. Ben Falgoust is one of the most aggressive lead singers around. He was bouncing from side to side, engaging each and every one of the members of the crowd that surrounded the stage, and did not miss a beat. Every one of the songs they played sounded exactly like the album. They played songs from both A Haunting Curse and Carving Out the Eyes of God which are both simply amazing records. Bottom line, they put on a great show that was completly enjoyed by everyone in the venue.

Finally, out came the main act, the death metal legends, Obituary. They came out with very little talking a completely dominated. The pit was overwhelmingly brutal. Bodies were flying all over the floor as the riffs from Ralph Santolla blugeoned the crowds' ear drums. The Tardy brothers controlled the atmosphere with Donald's brutal beats and John's hellacious vocals that could raise the dead. The show kept rising and rising as each song blasted on. The band stayed offstage while Donald Tardy began the encore with an incredible drum solo that electrified the crowd. It all climaxed with "Slowly We Rot," the song that the majority of Obituary fans believe to be their greatest song. From beginning to end this has to be one of the best shows to come through Seattle in a long time. I don't understand why this show wasn't completely sold out and packed but nevertheless, it was an amazing night.

Album Review

Behemoth - Evangelion

The latest effort from Polish blackened death masters Behemoth is one that has garnered a great deal of attention. Behemoth is one of those bands that have risen from the depths of the black metal underground and have risen to death metal mainstream popularity. Their previous two records have ushered them into the lime light and provided them the opportunity to play countless shows all over the world. However, for as many fans they have gained, many of their original fans have strayed as Behemoth's sound has evolved. This may be the album to get their core audience back. Their sound on the previous two albums, Demigod and The Apostasy, while extremely aggressive and dense, did become stagnant through repeated listens. The speed and combative was impressive but became less interesting as all songs were similar. On this album Behemoth vary that sound. On "He Who Breeds Pestilience," the song travels from that signature song to slower tempos that allow the listener to catch their breath. The song ends with the drums being completely in the forefront and brings the listener down from the wild ride they just experienced. "Ov Fire and the Void" is the lead single and has an almost doom-like quality while still containing the blackened death assault. While still assaulting the listener with unrelenting brutality Evangelion has the ability to take the audience to new levels. This album is one that will bring the old fans and the new ones together. Make sure you see them when they come through and destroy your town.