Crowd surfing sucks! I hate it so dearly. If you’re a fan of it, stop and think about it from this perspective in case you haven’t: I didn’t pay <insert exorbitant=”" price=”" here=”"> to have to touch your nasty ass, possibly getting kicked in the back of the head, and moving you from one spot to another. I paid to watch the show. The only benefit I can see from this act is the possibility of watching a dumbass crack their skull open. What I find worse than this? When said dumbass decides to start thrashing around while a couple large guys, some scrawny meth looking freaks, and a handful of girls are kind enough to take their attention away from what they’re there for to transport you, hence making said stupid activity that much more dangerous. And no, I don’t feel this way because I’m old. I’ve always hated crowd surfing, and is one of the myriad of reasons why I tend not to go up front for to many shows. But, as usual, I’m getting ahead of myself.</insert>

The Metal Alliance tour is one of those package deals where there are seemingly a gazillion bands on the bill and maybe three I actually want to see. Such was the case here, but the three bands made it well worth the trip. And in fact, most of the other bands were pretty good as well. I was supposed to be going with a couple other folks, but they both had to back out at the last moment due to childcare issues. Huzzah for no children for me! Not really having to wait on anyone else, I took my time getting to the venue. It’s been a while since I had been to Amos’ Southend in Charlotte, but it’s a club I have been to countless times over the years. I made a stop at McDonald’s so I could finally try one of those Shamrock shakes, plus it made sense so I could just drive and eat. I deplore eating alone. I also ran by the bank to get out some cash for the show. As I got there I was shocked to see a pretty long line winding around the building waiting for the doors to open. I was even close to an hour early too.

I’m not much of a social butterfly. I will speak to folks when spoken to, and on a rare occasion if I happen to overhear some news that strikes me as requiring further inquiry I will talk to strangers, but typically I’m pretty quiet. One of the things I have always enjoyed about going to shows is checking out the crowd. As the years go on I’ve noticed a drastic change in the type of folks that attend metal shows. Or maybe I’m just getting old. The first thing I noticed was the wealth of young people there. Sure, most of the bands on the bill weren’t necessarily bands from back in the day. Most are fairly new to the scene by comparison to most bands I see live typically. I knew right away that due to the drastic difference in age, I would be hard pressed finding people that I would really share a common connection with. Most of the stuff I overheard was local musicians pointing each other out, basic high school gossip, and sporadic conversations about music in general. This is why I prefer going with my friends because I know people I can shoot the shit with.

Something else that chaps my ass at shows, club shows in particular, is that it doesn’t seem to matter where I stand it always seems that where I’m standing is precisely where everyone else wants to walk by. I’ve never understood this phenomenon. I moved to five different sections and still found that the majority of the folks seemed to need to walk by me as if I was in the way. I realize I’m a fat bastard, but seriously? I’m always having to side step so much I feel like I’m inventing my own line dance. It wouldn’t be so bad, but most folks don’t bother to apologize, especially when they bump you. It doesn’t require but a second, but I guess in this day and age it’s simply asking too much.

During my travels through the club finding a bump free zone, I checked out the shirts and whatnot, made my purchases, taking them back to the car so as to not have to hold them enabling me up to rock out freely, and got to my spot. The first band up was a local band not part of the actual Metal Alliance package called Annabell Leigh. They weren’t bad though they’re part of the Deathcore scene I’m not overly fond of. I’ve definitely heard far worse. The crowd didn’t seem to be that into them either to be frank. I did find it funny that the singer said, “We’ve got one more song,” then the background music started and the crew came out to start breaking down the equipment. He then replied, “Or not.” Them’s the breaks I suppose!

Next up was Spine Extraction. Again, another band not part of the tour, but a local band that won a contest to open up for the show. Ironically enough, the guitarist of the band’s Mom is the person who worked for me in order for me to be at the show. I really enjoyed their performance. I’d heard a track or two before and really liked what they did musically, just didn’t feel the vocals. I still pretty much felt the same way. Musically they’re very heavy, yet have some cool riffs and a groove, but the singing is too monotone for my taste. Still to this day, the vocals are still tough for me to deal with in extreme metal, with a few exceptions here and there. I enjoyed what they played and they definitely had a strong connection with the crowd.

A band called Wretched took the stage after, and come to find out they were a North Carolina band as well. I rather enjoyed them. Great songs, good connection with the crowd, and capable musicians made for an excellent show. Wretched play an excellent combination of death and thrash metal that satisfies both sides of that metal spectrum. I’m not sure I would go out of my way to see them unto themselves, but if they were on another bill of bands I’d likely want to see them again.

Impending Doom was about the take the stage when I got a text from Mike of Final Curse telling me he had finally arrived. I wasn’t familiar with their music, and what little I did hear didn’t strike me as my thing so I didn’t mind hanging out with my friend. Also along was Brooke. It was nice talking with some people I actually knew. I’ve made it fairly clear that I have a lot of admiration for Mike and Brooke is a blast to hang out with too. Sadly, Mike was only interested in seeing the headliner, but I wanted to see the next few bands. We hung briefly outside, then parted ways agreeing to meet before Devildriver and keep in contact via text.

Next up was 3 Inches of Blood. This was the first of the three bands I was interested in seeing. I saw these guys back in 2007 on the Ozzfest tour and was thoroughly impressed, but their set was dreadfully short. They were outstanding! It seems that instead of the two vocalist set-up they had the last time, vocal duties relied primarily on Cam Pipes, who I refer to as the guy who can actually sing. He certainly lives up to his name as he does indeed have a set of pipes on him. He could rival even Rob Halford I think. Harsh vocals were handled by guitarist Justin Hagberg. I was pleased by this set up as I always thought their songs were better suited for the soaring screams of Pipes than the more aggressive style. I wish they had played longer, but they really rocked it out. There were two new tracks included and they were awesome.

I had initially thought Dying Fetus was next on the bill, and had planned on getting up front for them. I got my spot, but much to my dismay after the crowd had already started surrounding me I found out that Job for A Cowboy was next. I was only slightly informed on these guys. I’d heard a couple songs, none of which really impressed me much, however just the day before I was informed via Jason of the site Get Ready To Rock that I would be interviewing these guys soon so I thought I’d see what they do live and have a little bit more background on them so I could ask informed questions. I knew they were pretty heavy and aggressive, but I had no idea what I was in store for. The first thing I noticed, which is something I’ve not really seen much of at past shows featuring extreme bands, was the fairly large amount of young and fairly good looking girls in the pit area. Now I don’t want to sound sexist or anything, but this is just something I simply haven’t seen before at shows like this. My first clue that I was going to be in for an interesting experience was when one of said girls uttered the statement, “If you don’t mosh to Job For A Cowboy, you’re a pussy!” Then the band took the stage and the pit went insane! Musically the band is actually quite proficient. I didn’t recall from my brief experimentation with them that the guitar work was so impressive. The thing that caught me, however, was the vocals. I’m a huge fan of Cannibal Corpse and Goatwhore, but the vocals for JFAC are way more extreme than either of those bands. It’s like a guttural belch from the very pits of hell. I couldn’t tell you one word that was uttered during the songs. And though typically I’m not a fan of this style (and maybe this is just from a tiny amount of fear I had at the moment) I actually really enjoyed their show. They played a few songs from their upcoming CD which showed some promise that I might actually have to check them out again. The pit was brutal, and is the inspiration for my previous comments about crowd surfing.

Once JFAC was done I debated whether I wanted to vacate the area after all, but I figured if I survived that then Dying Fetus would be fairly tame so I stayed put. I’m damn glad I did. Being up front to watch this trio work was incredible. Watching guitarist/vocalist John Gallagher and bassist/vocalist Sean Beasley trading not only vocal parts, but matching riffs note for note, is mind boggling. I’m talking very fast, very complex riffs. Beasley has got to be one of the most incredible bassists out there today. Their setllist was spot on perfect, with a couple new tracks added. They also slipped in and ended the show with “Kill Your Mother, Rape Your Dog,” which definitely made the crowd very happy. Dying Fetus is a band I will do whatever it takes to never miss when they’re in this area.

Next up was The Faceless. For whatever reason this band has a tremendous fan base. I saw them a few years ago with Cannibal Corpse and Goatwhore and wasn’t impressed with them one bit. I had no intentions of standing through their set, so I made my way outside hoping to hook back up with Mike and Brooke. I bumped into Brooke outside, and she informed me that Mike was at the bar next door hanging out with members of Devildriver (guitarist Mike Spreitzer mixed Final Curse’s new CD available VERY soon,) and she showed me she managed to acquire a backstage pass and assured me she would get me on the bus as well. As we made our way to collect Mike, as well as Brendan of Final Curse, they just happened to be exiting the bar. We made our way back into the venue, staking out the area we wanted. Brooke stayed side stage for the rest of the show. Brendan and Mike disappeared briefly, then Mike returned with Joanna, who is someone I had met the first time I saw Final Curse live and I don’t think I had seen her since.

Devildriver hit the stage and proceeded to destroy Amos’. It was definitely clear why they were the headlining band. And the crowd was most definitely there to see them. Just like 3 Inches of Blood, Devildriver was another band that I last saw in 2007 at Ozzfest. They were a surprise addition to the bill. We didn’t know they were playing until we got to the show. It was the largest circle pit I have ever seen in my life, and I was curious to see if it would be replicated at Amos’. Sadly, it was not, but it was still a good one. They put on a helluva show, though sadly only played for an hour. But truth be told, after the long day of music, I was kind of ready for a break.

We regrouped together with Brooke, bidding Joanna a farewell, and headed over to the bar next to Amos’ for hot dogs and beer (no beer for me of course.) This is the part of the story that will be the coolest for me, and will be left mostly out of the review. Mike and John Boecklin of Devildriver joined us (as well as a trio of fans that were super nice folks.) All I will say about this is that both guys were super cool and a joy to hang out with. Especially Mike as John didn’t stick around all that long. I mean, I’m sitting here with a man that has toured with some pretty incredible bands over the years, chatting about knowing people that I’ve only read about in magazines, and he’s just like the rest of us: a fan of heavy metal music. Needless to say this will be a memory I will hold on to forever. Once the food was eaten and drinks emptied, they group were going to make their way to the bus to hang out a little longer. I opted to go ahead and hit the road. I was tired and just didn’t want to impose.

Overall it was a fantastic night of great music and great people. Though I didn’t have my friends with me during the show, it was great socializing afterwards. This tour is just getting started so if it hits your area, go check it out and support the scene! Until next time my peeps always remember: I’m fit to be tied, I’ve got you dead to rights. It’s like a suicide living alongside you.

By Chris Martin

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)