Not Metal

Pussy! Weed! Vikings!

Dress Code: Black and buzzed.

Where: The Gothic Theatre, Denver CO.

I came in at the beginning of Lazarus A.D.’s last song and while I’ve never listened to their records, I dug on the fun thrashy vibe that the band put out for the 4 or so minutes that I got to witness. I’ll check the records out when I have a chance.

The ATM was busted. Fuck. No merch for this trip and Amon Amarth have a flag with the cover of the new album and its pretty sweet. Skeletonwitch have a new shirt that looks like a King Diamond cover that is also pretty rad. Goatwhore’s merch looks well… eh. Not enough colors for me.

Skeletonwitch came out and ruled like always. If you know the records you know what to expect. It’s just awesome because everybody around you is drunk and having a blast.

Best witty banter from a band comes from these guys:

“This is a song about SATAN!” ….. song starts

“Weed! You like weed? We love weed!”… song starts

“Pussy!”….. song starts

“This is another song about Satan”….song starts.

All this done in death screech that sounds cool.

Goatwhore is a band with a great name and shitty stage presence. Their lead singer is really tall as well. I don’t remember a lot of their set standing out and decided to drink to make it sound better. Three beers later I hadn’t noticed a whole hell of a lot of difference.

Those three beers did make Amon Amarth’s set a lot better though. Amon Amarth came out and made if fun with three simple rules:

1. Play the good stuff. They play the great songs off their albums. No filler or weaker songs just because its on the new record. Play what slays. (this is also the same approach that Metallica and Slayer take to live shows, and we all know there is some truth to this approach.)
2. Be funny and polite. When coaching the crowd in a complicated sing along, Big John (the lead singer, that’s his name right?) reminded the more sober in the crowd “Hey if you don’t know the words, still sing along. Its Death Metal…. No one will know if you are wrong anyway”. It should also be noted that as the band is European they are also polite and thanked the crowd multiple times for coming out. That’s not brutal, but it is good manners.
3. Drink beer out of a fucking horn.

I can’t wait to see these guys again.

Best comment from a drunk guy in the crowd:
“Have you seen my cousin? He’s an awkward looking guy in a black t-shirt?
…..Aww I’m just joking man, that’s all of us”

~ Chili Bowl Soul Vortex