Live Show Review

Live Review: Killswitch Engage @ Fox Theater

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There are certain bands that I have an affinity for and have made it a personal mission to go see them live. I’ve been a Killswitch Engage fan for many years. I’ve seen them a handful of times, but never with Jesse Leach. So after the release of their new album Incarnate, I knew I had to go see them. Jesse’s lyrics and voice are powerful and inspiring. So this night was full of great expectations, and I was full of excitement.

Kicking the night off was the band Toothgrinder. Their blend of prog and metal created a sense that this night was going to be heavy. Their short set was decent and full of energy. Enough to get the crowd pouring in to the venue into a frenzy in the pit.

Next up was 36 Crazyfists. These guys have been at it a long time and still deliver. Their first two albums especially A Snow Capped Romance, were in heavy rotation with my way back when. So this was very cool to see them playing with Killswitch. When the band got to the point in the set which they played songs off Snow Capped, the crowd erupted and got into it. You could tell who knew them from that era.

The direct support slot of the night went to relative newcomers Memphis May Fire. These guys are definitely not my cup of tea, but there sure were a lot of youngsters that were really digging them. Thankfully I had seats upstairs, so it was nice to take a break from standing while watching their energetic set. While they had great crowd interaction, I couldn’t help but be bored by their generic music. Plus I just wanted Killswitch to be on.

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Finally the time arrived for Killswitch Engage, the main event of the evening. And they didn’t disappoint. The set began with “Strength Of The Mind,” and went straight into “A Bid Farewell,” and “Numbered Days,” signaling this was going to be one of those heavy nights. Getting to hear Jesse live was tremendous. Even with him being sick, he put his all into the show and delivered with his heart on his sleeve. The crowd participation was astounding, singing along to every song, helping out Jesse throughout the night. The rest of the set was a nice mix of hit songs, and deep cuts. Jesse brings a new sense of belief and urgency to the songs that former singer Howard Jones wrote. The new songs that were played “Alone I Stand,” “Hate By Design,” and one of my favorites “Embrace The Journey…Upraised” all were top notch. Closing out the set was the majors, “The End Of Heartache,” “My Curse,” and “In Due Time.”

At the end of the night my voice was nearly lost and my neck was hurting from head banging. Getting to watch and hear someone I’ve been inspired by for his words and voice give it his all was worth it for me. I’ve always believed that Killswitch with Jesse is the way it should be. Not to take away from what Howard did with the band, Jesse just has a certain personality that fits with the band. This was the best Killswitch show I’ve seen in a long time. I can’t wait for the next tour!

 

Killswitch Engage Set List:

Strength Of The Mind
A Bid Farewell
Numbered Days
No End In Sight
Beyond The Flames
Alone I Stand
This Fire Burns
Vide Infra
Always
Breathe Life
Hate By Design
Rose Of Sharyn
Embrace The Journey…Upraised
My Last Serenade
The End Of Heartache
My Curse
In Due Time

 

By: Brian Lacy

Photos: Alisa Lacy

Live Review: Failure At The Ventura Theater

11150382_10153336132807904_3639161145926426919_nSince announcing their return in 2014 I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Failure a bunch of times. Each time I’ve seen them my level of excitement grows, and I’m continuously left in awe and with the feeling of inspiration. May 1st at the Ventura Theater left me with that feeling and then some. The bands 90 minutes set was roaring, filled with all the songs that I love, and to top it off they played three new songs from their upcoming album The Heart Is A Monster. The first of the new songs “Hot Traveler” was the first song of the set, and it really got things going. The song itself seems like it picks up right where Fantastic Planet left off. Of the two other new songs “Mulholland Drive,” was a really sweet and pleasant song that evoked the sensibility of say “The Nurse Who Loved Me.” The other new song “Counterfeit Sky” was a classic Failure song that had all that you’ve come to love about the band. The crowd was really into the set as well. Seeing them in Ventura as opposed to Los Angeles, presented a different vibe that was seemingly in a more relaxed setting that allowed the band to be a bit more free in what they chose to play and how they interacted with the crowd.

Ken Andrews voice is pristine and really conveys the lyrics in such a way that it leaves chills up your spine (in a total good way). Greg Edwards ability to create the most simple guitar leads yet make them so intricate and vital is astonishing. Kellii Scott is one of the most underrated drummers I’ve ever heard. He plays with such passion and intensity.

The only bad part of the night was the opening band. First off there should have been no opening band. Just give Failure 2 hours to play and let them do what they do. This opening band called Hy Brazil, was terrible. These guys have no clue what they want their music to be. The only intriguing thing about them was that they had a harp player in the band. The singer was embarrassing, humping the microphone stand like he was Steven Tyler in the 80’s, and trying to sing like he had pipes. Enough about that band, they didn’t deserve the chance to open for Failure.

Failure delivered exactly what you would expect them to do and then some as always. Thank you Ken, Greg and Kellii for another great night of music and inspiration and on my birthday weekend is a major plus!

Failure Setlist:
1. Segue 4 (new segue)
2. Hot Traveler (new song)
3. Frogs
4. Another Space Song
5. Counterfeit Sky (new song)
6. Saturday Savior
7. Segue 3
8. Dirty Blue Balloons
9. Pillowhead
10. Undone
11. Stuck On You
12. Macaque
13. Mulholland Drive (new song)
14. Heliotropic

Encore:
15. The Nurse Who Loved Me
16. Smoking Umbrellas
17. Daylight

By: Brian Lacy

Live Review: Brand New @ Shrine Expo Hall

20150415_215749When you go to a show to see a band that has really influenced you or has left a mark on your life it really has a special place amongst all the other shows. Brand New is one of those bands that has a special place for me. Their album The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me is one of my favorite albums of all time and is in constant rotation amongst all the music I listen to. So, when the opportunity came to procure tickets to this show, it was a no brainier. Kicking off their set was a brand new song called “Mene.” This was a great high energy song that set the tone for the night. The crowd was in full force once “Millstone” was played. While looking around the crowd during that song, there wasn’t one person who wasn’t singing along. Hell, throughout the entire night there really wasn’t one person that wasn’t singing along to the songs. Other highlights from the set were “You Won’t Know,” “Sic Transit Gloria…Gloria Fades,” “The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows,” “Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don’t,” “Degausser,” “Sowing Season” and “Jesus.” Actually the entire setlist was wonderful. The band had so much energy and you could tell they were really enjoying being on stage playing for the sold out crowd. Singer/Guitarist Jesse Lacey, is one hell of a songwriter, as is the rest of the band. His performance of these songs was astonishing, and his vocal delivery live is just wow.

There were two other bands that played the evening. Built To Spill and Desaparecidos were the openers. Both bands were just eh. I would have expected more from Built To Spill. They are talented musicians, but I was expecting a more upbeat performance, not something that was so laid back.

There are a couple things worth mentioning about the venue. The Shrine Expo Hall is a horrible place for a show. There is no acoustic treatment in the place, so the sheer magnitude of volume is just bouncing off the walls. Also it’s right by USC so it’s in the middle of South Central Los Angeles, which isn’t fun at all.

Brand New made it all worth while. I can’t wait for their new album to come out, whenever that might be. They really know how to put on a show and pack one hell of a punch live.

Brand New Setlist:

1. Mene
2. Sink
3. Gasoline
4. Millstone
5. You Won’t Know
6. Sic Transit Gloria…Glory Fades
7. I Will Play My Game Beneath The Spin Light
8. The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows
9. Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don’t
10. Mix Tape
11. Untitled 04 (Missing You)
12. At The Bottom
13.You Stole
14. Brothers
15. Sowing Season
16. Luca
17. Degausser
18. Jesus

Encore:

19. Sealed To Me

By: Brian Lacy

Photo By: Alisa Diaz

Live Show Review: Down at The Wiltern

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It’s always exciting when a band in your all time top ten comes to town.  The sheer enjoyment and anticipation is beyond any normal show. With that in mind, I bring you a report from the Wiltern after seeing the mighty Down.

First band up for the night was Australia’s King Parrot. Their on stage antics were more memorable than their actual music. The singer kept enjoying mooning the crowd. Granted this was sort of funny, it was a real distraction. Their 30 minute set seemed like it would never end, especially when all their songs all sound the same. Though there were a couple highlights from their part of the show. The singer got in the crowd to mosh around with people in the pit, causing a bit of a frenzy and the last song of their set featured a very brief cameo from Phil Anselmo who was watching on the side of the stage.

Next up was the newly reunited Bl’ast. Playing their first gig of this tour, Bl’ast put forth a solid performance but it lacked a lot of energy. I saw them late last year open for Neurosis and they came out firing on all cylinders and actually left me wanting more. Joining the band for touring was, Nick Oliveri on bass and Joey Castillo on drums, both former members of Queens Of The Stone Age.  Perhaps it was just an off night for the band, but it sure didn’t resonate with the crowd very well. They seem better suited in playing smaller places with a more intimate vibe,

The last opener for the evening was London, England’s Orange Goblin. Their blend of Black Sabbath and Motorhead influence really shined this evening. The bands 40 minute set was entertaining and fitting, knowing that Down was next. I’ve only ever heard a couple of songs by Orange Goblin before tonight, and when they were done I made a note to go out and pick up their albums.

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Finally after 3 opening bands, Down took the stage to a thunderous roar. I’ve seen Down quite a few times over the years and they never disappoint. Their set though only 14 songs stretched to just over 2 hours. Material from their first 2 albums was the majority of the set along with a few newer tracks from their most recent EP releases. Sadly though nothing from their third album was played. Phil Anselmo was on his game this evening too. His banter in between songs came across as funny and charming. The band themselves were top-notch as well. New additions to the band Pat Bruders and Bobby Landgraf are perfect fits to take the place of Rex Brown and Kirk Windstein. Jimmy Bower and Pepper Keenan are still masters of their instruments. As usual when “Lifer” was played, Phil dedicated it to his fallen brother Dimebag Darrell. Other songs that really stood out, as they are favorites of mine were “Losing All,” “Ghosts Along The Mississippi,” “Temptations Wings,” and the new song “Conjure.” One other funny note from the show, the guys in  Down jokingly broke into snippets of David Essex’ ‘Rock On’ on two occasions, and sang it surprisingly well. For the encore “Stone The Crow” and “Bury Me In Smoke” were played. And as usual during “Bury Me In Smoke,” random friends of the band made their way on stage to help out. One friend that really caught my attention was Danny Lohner (formerly of Nine Inch Nails). Pepper gave him his guitar and the rest was history.

 

The evening as a whole was very interesting and spanned many different genres of heavy music. The main highlight though was Down. They really are the real deal. It is definitely a different beast seeing them live. There is just such passion amongst all the guys in the band and their chemistry really shines. This is one of the best Down shows I’ve seen yet.

 

Down Setlist:

01. Lysergik Funeral Procession
02. Lifer
03. Hail The Leaf
04. Witchtripper
05. We Knew Him Well
06. There’s Something On My Side
07. Ghost Of Mississippi
08. Losing All
09. Pillars Of Eternity
10. Temptation’s Wings
11. Conjure
12. Eyes Of The South

Encore:
13. Stone The Crow
14. Bury Me In Smoke (with members of King Parrot, Orange Goblin, and Danny Lohner)

 

Photos by: Levan TK (http://instagram.com/levan_t_k)