Somnus/Myth/Scar Culture/Diabolic/Macabre/Electric Wizard/Enslaved
@ Peabody's Downunder in Cleveland. OH
Peabody's Downunder moved locations now it's located and attached directly to, Rascal House-which includes a video arcade/food court. It's really kool to be able to be able to have something to do when you get bored, like eat, or play video games. The venue incorporates brushed metal vs. lightly painted red walls, the stage is nice sized and the pa system is killer. Peabody's Downunder is most definitely the 'in' spot for Cleveland metalheads. First off, was local Somnus, which is atmospheric death metal. Somnus is a very good live, weaving medieval elements with their costumes and lyrics. I missed most of the next band, Myth due to my lack of interest in seeing another keyboard based band. Up next, is Century Media's new artists', Scar Culture, bombarding the audience with their head-on death/hard-core mix. Playing tunez, such as; 'Servant', 'Branded', & 'Color Returns', good show, sound was right on. Diabolic touring in support of their latest on Olympic Records, 'Vengeance Ascending'. Appearing on stage in full metal regale, taking a powerful stance, and unleashing wrath upon their instruments, playing such soon to be classics as; 'Majestic Satanic' & 'Darken the Imagination'. Sound was a bit off, but still a blood drenching set. Macabre, one of the most followed bands on the East coast, of course touring to support their most recent 'Dahmer'. The crowd just loves Macabre and their sinister sense of humor involving serial killers, excellent show for Macabre. Electric Wizard is a band I have never even heard before, drudging their way from England to play some badly rehashed Black Sabbath licks, stoner rock. Electric Wizard was really boring-YAWN! I can't understand why they were playing after Macabre and before the headlining act-I think they ran off half the crowd that would have stayed to check out Enslaved. Electric Wizard is the second to worst band I have ever seen live. Finally the headliners, Enslaved presence Norwegian masters touring to support their latest, 'Monumension' on Osmose. Excellent stage presence. Sound was really good. An added note, Momma Dee was their tour manager and she was kool as shit.
Elusive Travel/Fog/Scar Culture/Diabolic/Macabre/Electric Wizard/Enslaved
@ Sudsy Malone's in Cincinnati, OH
Since this is basically the same line-up as above I'm only going to review the first two bands Elusive Travel & Fog. First up, local Elusive Travel, I believe this was their last time playing out with this line-up: Wendy-Bass, Chris-Drums, & Chris D.-Guitars. Since Sudsy Malone's is a laundry mat/bar the opening bands, Elusive Travel & Fog set-up in front of the stage and shared the same drumset (Fog's). Elusive Travel blends a variety of musical styles together--you can hear alternative, lite touches of death metal, and doom metal, their very heavy live. In my opinion Fog was one of three bands that played that nite that had the best sound. Fog is a straight on black metal from Indiana. Fog has their debut out currently on WWIII Records. They attack the crowd with a sound and velocity all their own. Excellent show, although they were missing the fog machine for that extra touch.
Fog/Diabolic/Amon Amarth/Marduk
@ The Emerson Theater in Indianapolis, IN
The Emerson Theater is just as described in it's name an actual movie theater converted to a concert hall, all the seats have been removed, the walls are painted black-for atmosphere, and the stage is actually a very nice size. The most disappointing fact of the nite was that Marduk was not there-something to due with their passports. But the show must go on...opening was once again Fog, this time they had their fog machine to enhance their stage performance. Awesome sound, it does take a little too long for the rack for the drums to get set-up, although it's worth it in the end. Diabolic has now switched tourmates, which must be somewhat refreshing to them since they have so much touring to do on this lp. Sound was a bit off, bass was overbearing and vocals could have been louder, overall I think Diabolic needs their own soundman familiar to their music to give them the best sound possible. Amon Amarth is touring in support of their release on Metal Blade Records-'The Crusher'. Complete musicians, nice sound, great stage show, and overall good show. It's just too sad that only about 75-100 people were their in support of such good bands.
Death Warmed Over, Primordium, Dominus Obscurum, & Internal Suffering
@ Never On Sunday's in Silverton (Suburb of Cincinnati), OH
First to play on this bill, was local Death Warmed Over, thrashing out first was one of Cincinnati's most
prominent up & coming thrash/death acts. Incorporating some technical riffing with a thrash based beat and
death metal vocals. Death Warmed Over puts on a good show, the crowd seemed to enjoy their set
very much. Chek out their site for upcoming show dates & info. --http://deathwarmedover.tripod.com
Next up, was Primordium. Cincinnati's answer to Cannibal Corpse. The singer has great
stage presence, enhancing their moshable beats with his potent vocals. Very good sound & great rhythms.
Primordium are to be recording some material very soon & will be concentrating on their first release-
be on the look-out for it. Dominus Obscurum bringing us into the realm of lunacy-bringing the crowd to
a froth, literally, this is when a fight broke out and the police had to be called in to break up the shit. A little
disturbed by the fact they had strippers or girlfriends or just plain drunk ass girls dancing around on stage
to their music-it didn't really fit....in my opinion. Their music is extreme and very intense death metal.
Dominus Obscurumwill be playing out again Tuesday May 14th with Kryoburn, Death Warmed
Over, & Single Bullet Theory @ Never On Sunday's 9pm. Lastly, our brothers in death from Colombia--
South America,Internal Suffering. Playing their first American gig @ Never On Sunday's before heading
up to the Ohio Deathfest to tear it up in Lorain, OH. Internal Suffering is the definition of BRUTALITY.
Andres Garcia-bassist also plays in Torture Chamber & Goretrade truly dedicated to the art of death metal.
Leandro-guitarist, fuckin shreds your face off with his fast as fuck leads-its a wonder his fingers weren't bleeding
after their set. Fabio's vox are voracious. Needless to say Edwin's drumming was beyond belief, intense is the only
word to explain it. One technical error with the bass was the only throwback to their performance. Internal Suffeirng
will be playing the Ohio Deathfest in Lorain April 26th & Chicago's deathfest June 14th & 15th. There has been a
lot of good shows lately here in Cincinnati, one problem that keeps happening is people can't control their drink, I'm
all for having a good time, and partying, everyone should respect each other at these shows, it's hard to get the venues
to let us use their clubs for shows as it is we don't need to make it worse. If you want the scene to keep growing here in
Cincinnati, people you need to control your red-neck attitudes.
