Hard Features |
Unholy Alliance Tour 2006With Slayer, Lamb Of God, Children Of Bodom, Mastodon, Thine Eyes Bleed by John Haseltine Well another super tour out on the road. This time it’s just five bands. But five power house acts that are teamed up nicely. No bullshit here. Five of today’s heaviest acts out on the road to do nothing but pound you into the ground with a full on thrash metal assault. The trip to the venue was as much as the same as most shows. Especially when it came to checking in. I was suppose to have an interview with Justin of Thine Eyes Bleed. Well we were walking across the parking lot at about 5:20pm when they started playing. About ten minutes early. There was no media pass or photo pass waiting for TEB. I did on the other hand have photo passes for LOG,COB & Slayer. For this show I only had to deal with four publicists for these passes. And with that, and my glorious record at the gates, I had already purchased a ticket in advanced knowing there would be a screw up at the gates. Maybe we could have fixed it if I had arrived a bit earlier and phoned Justin, but oh well. We (the group I was with) were lined up for a Lamb Of God listening party too. Well all the bands were sharing a dressing room area this particular evening so that went to the wayside as well. So we get in and cruise around for a few before landing a spot about half way back in the venue. TEB were on their third song. They were able to get five rolled off for the night. Their sound was not the greatest. This surprised me as I figured it was a tour package and the whole show would sound roughly the same. Yeah, what the hell do I know. They tore some shit up while on stage. I’d like to try and catch them again. I don’t believe I was able to give them my full attention. I am glad to see them on this tour though as they fit in very well with the line-up. If I understood correctly, three of the songs they performed were ,”Dark Light, Crystal Shit and Cold Victim.” Mastodon are next up on the bill. They have always impressed me in a live situation. This being the fourth time I’ve been able to catch them in the past couple of years, their unique brand of extreme metal can only be absorbed best in a live performance. They are always on the money and tight as hell. They got a bit more time. A few numbers played were, “March Of the Fire Ants, Where Strives The Behemoth, Circle Of The Sasquach and Blood And Thunder.” Next up the five-piece thrash masters from Finland, Children Of Bodom. I was looking forward to seeing these guys. I had caught them back in ‘04 when they opened for Iced Earth. What can one say about a COB set. Wow! That’s all. Wow! One of the most exciting live bands around today. They play just as perfect live as they do on their albums. They really got the crowd rolling too. Their set seemed a bit short for me. I guess most do when you want to see more. They churned out several tracks off each of their releases which included ,”24/7, Six Pounder, Hate Me, Living Dead Beat and Silent Night.” Next up , Lamb Of God. In all their heaviness and attitude. I’m sorry, but I never realized just how popular LOG have become. I really dig their stuff, and this is the second time seeing them. I would have never figured the crowd to react the way they did. The place literally went fuckin’ ape-shit. Bottles, shoes and many other items were flying through the air. The pits were blazing and I swear for the three songs I was in the photo pit for, half the crowd on the floor had come over the barricades. A couple of tracks from their slamming set were, “ Laid To Rest, Black Label, The Faded Line and Something To Die For.” A killer show from a band that will be at the top of their game for some time to come. And the real reason we are all here tonight.” SLAYER……SLAYER……SLAYER!!!!! The 8000 plus in attendance in the out door arena let the downtown citizens of Cleveland not in the show know exactly who was down by the river making all the noise. Slayer, the gods of thrash are back. After extensive tour for the album ‘God Hates Us All’, the boys are back for another round of touring and the new album, ‘Christ Illusion’ which should hit the stores here in the U.S. August 8th. Well a superb set as always from Slayer. Slayer are the best. And they in all the years I’ve seen them live, first show being in 1985 back at Ruthie’s in California, they have a knack to play so perfect and effortlessly they make it look like anyone could pull it off. Well we all know that’s impossible as there is only one Slayer. My only bitch this time around is the hour and ten minute set. Yes I know there are five bands on the bill, but they could have played a few more songs. Still excellent though. “South Of Heaven, Cult, War Ensemble, Jihad, God Hates Us All, Disciple, Mandatory Suicide, Chemical Warfare, Dead Skin Mask, Raining Blood, Hell Awaits, The Anti-christ and Angel Of Death” are most of the songs played. Almost seems like this could be the warm up to some more major headline tours in support of their new album. I hope so. It almost makes you feel a bit cheated. But what the hell, SLAYER FUCKING RULES!!! |
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