HardRockChick

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

World Eater: Bolt Thrower, Autopsy, Benediction @ The Glass House, 5/25/13

dev@hard
May 28, 2013
3
0

It was perhaps the most anticipated show of the year for many people I know.

I ended up eating my ticket to see Opeth and Katatonia up north for this show; I would be exaggerating if I said I was anywhere near the level of a Bolt Thrower fan as the majority of the people at this show were, but I do know when to take an opportunity to see a band.

It was a cute (awwww) role reversal to see people in bands that are heavily influenced by Bolt Thrower waiting anxiously in line by the time I rolled up. It was also strange to see a Ben & Jerry’s truck parked out front giving free samples. Kinda brings a new meaning to screaming for ice cream!

IMG_3368The entire bill was seemingly a death metal fan’s wet dream. Benediction worked it out on stage that this was their first West Coast show ever. Unfortunately, as they launched into their set, I noticed several members shaking their heads, as even I could tell that timing was off between the drums and the guitars. The Glass House is notorious for sound issues, and even for an “unclean” sound such as death metal, it put a hitch in the set. They ended up working it out. The band had a unique presence on stage, the only way I could describe it is they seemed to play very independently together somehow. Every time the vocalist would speak, I couldn’t help but think of a younger, more decipherable Ozzy (both are from Birmingham). Guitarist Darren Brookes was fun to watch; he was definitely feeling the crowd’s excitement.

IMG_3378Finally I would be seeing Autopsy after interviewing founder Chris Reifert years ago. I decided to try standing up in the balcony instead of in the pit, and it did help the sound a bit. I think it also somewhat helped my disconnect from watching a band where the drummer is the vocalist; if I stood closer and couldn’t see the drummer, it makes my brain think that the vocals being piped in. Anyway, Autopsy’s crunchy, hollow sound seemed otherworldly in comparison to the other two bands, which is ironic since they are practically local by comparison. They played a set almost as long as Bolt Thrower’s would be.

IMG_3391As the lights dimmed for Bolt Thrower, you could cut the anticipation in the air with, well, a Power Sword. It was immediately apparent that this band is on another level. From the beginning notes of “The IVth Crusade” to “Powder Burns”, I worked on wrapping my head around the fact that I was experiencing one of the heaviest and perhaps nerdiest sets of my life. Their sound was full-bodied, the groove and grind cut the sometimes overbearing straight death metal in a way that made it more digestible. Gazing down upon the crowd, while some were in an almost trance, others were in a full on battle. The most memorable crowd moments would have to be the girl in some Warhammer-inspired costume who would crowdsurf repeatedly. But, for me, the whole set was about bassist Jo Bench. She’s just one of the guys up there, and that was refreshing to see. Also of note was the fact that Bolt Thrower shirts were $10 or $15…causing a line along the balcony and down to the main floor for most of the beginning of the night.

After the show, I somehow found myself watching the Eagles of Death Metal at 3:30am at some afterhours club, which I found to be an extremely humorous end to an evening of serious death metal.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

Horror Business: The Original Misfits, Iggy Pop, Social Distortion, Bad Religion, Sublime, The Damned @ No Values, Pomona Fairgrounds, 6/8/24

“Too much horror businessDriving late at nightPsycho 78My bathroom is newYou, you don’t go in the bathroom with mePsycho 7812…

July 3, 2024
9
0

A New Level: Metallica, Pantera, and Mammoth VH @ SoFi Stadium Los Angeles, 8/25/23

“Now a new look in my eyes my spirit riseForget the pastPresent tense works and lastsGot shit on, pissed on,…

September 4, 2023
9
0

Gimme Danger: Iggy Pop & The Losers with Grace McKagan @ The Pearl Las Vegas, 4/29/23

“Gimme danger, little strangerAnd I feel with you at easeGimme danger, little strangerAnd I’ll feel your disease There’s nothing in…

May 29, 2023
8
64

Kill or Become: Cannibal Corpse, Dark Funeral, Immolation, Black Anvil at House of Blues Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay 11/25/22

“Living out the days and nights in absolute fearNever knowing when and where thethreat of the undead draws nearThoughts of…

December 3, 2022
8
5

Looks That Kill: Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison, & Joan Jett & The Blackhearts @ Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, 9/9/22

“Now, listen up She’s a razor sharp If she don’t get her way She’ll slice you apart Now she’s a…

September 19, 2022
10
6

A Dangerous Meeting: Mercyful Fate, High on Fire, Paradise Lost, Fugitive, Suicidal Tendencies, Bone Thugs -n- Harmony, Frozen Soul, Emperor, Mayhem, Carcass, and Wolves in the Throne Room @ Psycho Las Vegas @ Resort World, 8/19-21/22

“Oh, they should have knownNot to play with the powers of HellSome people have lost their waySome people have lost…

August 30, 2022
12
9

Among the Living: Anthrax 40th Anniversary Tour with Black Label Society @ Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, 7/28/22

“I’m the walking dudeI can see all the worldTwist your minds with fearI’m the man with the powerAmong the living,…

August 19, 2022
6
12

Mad World: Tears for Fears, Garbage @ Kia Forum in Los Angeles, 6/4/22

“And I find it kind of funny I find it kind of sad The dreams in which I’m dying Are…

June 12, 2022
8
10

She Sells Sanctuary: The Cult, Des Roc @ House of Blues Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay 5/8/22

“The sparkle in your eyes Keeps me alive And the sparkle in your eyes Keeps me alive, keeps me alive…

May 27, 2022
5
8

Rock You Like A Hurricane: Scorpions, Skid Row @ Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas 4/3/22

“It’s early morning, the sun comes out Last night was shaking and pretty loud My cat is purring, it scratches…

April 15, 2022
5
7