Photo: Janice French
Times are more than tough in Tucson, it’s reverted back into a lawless Wild West mentality where guns, drug wars, kidnappings and corruption rule the day. Here, civil rights are gone and have been replaced by a culture of fear, brutality and repression. Any bands traveling these roads are subjected to searches by dogs and heavily armed men without probable cause, rhyme or reason. Into this war zone ventures the Heavy Metal Decimation Of A Nation Tour.
On a dark stage, a sliver of light illuminates a lone man who pounds the drums like a smithy tempering steel. The Black Thrash of Toxic Holocaust digs down deep and buries us with “Gravelord.” They are very good and certainly not boring infusing just enough punk, variety and attitude to hold Gigwise’s interest throughout their entire set.
Unfortunately the croaking Mr. Toad vs. Screaming Banshee vocals of Dying Fetus quickly becomes repetitive. They barely encourage the mosh pit and it fizzles out. Winds of Plague do not hold our attention either. Their formulaic overuse of the double-drum pedal to the metal scenario leaves little else to consider. We see their fingers move on the guitars we just can’t hear them, nor the vocalist or our own thoughts. Whilst this method may work for one song, when all of them sound the same it becomes torture.
We’re saved from sleepwalking home by Chimaira. Their metal masterpiece “Resurrection” sets us back on track as the crowd gets down to the business of head banging, hair flying and beer spilling. Its lyrics are about rising from the ashes of oppression; its instrumentals are about metal perfection. Then the Rialto turns a bloody red, the mosh rises and the walls shake as “The Disappearing Sun” sends the audience into a jumping frenzy. This song’s intelligent heavy beat is wickedly delightful live. Chimaira’s last song winds-up with a roar as smoke shoots skyward and it’s instantly recognized by the mob who join in raising the battle cry “I Hate Everyone” to a new jaw straining, eye popping level. Metalhead alert: Chimaira will start a World Tour in September with a stop at the Electric Ballroom in London this October.
Over the years Hatebreed has gathered a fierce loyal following. It’s a Wednesday night in a depressed economy and still they pack the house. Lead singer, Jamey Jasta asks the mosh to form a figure eight, the crowd gleefully complies and then lets it fly. “Never Let It Die” brings out a jumping mad solid sea of horns. They fire off “Proven” and “Destroy Everything” as Jamey stirs up the sweaty pandemonium of the pit with his finger in the air. This personal responsibility band produces some of the best lyrics in metal as “Kill An Addict” reminds us “you brought it on yourself.” It’s one happy crowd in a metal sort of way as they shout out “I Will Be Heard” and head bang in unison. The night draws to a close and we leave the Rialto with our ears ringing and a bit sore but smile all the way home.
The show in photos:
.jpg)
