Y'all want to read a show review? Here, let me lay it all the way on you.
A couple weeks ago Nicola and I, through miracles (i.e. magnets and shit), got on the guest list for a pretty good death metal show at a venue here in Lexington called Buster's. All right, so the miracle is just that the guys from opening band Devourment came to work out at the gym Nicola works at. After talking to them for a little bit, they told her they were in town on a tour that featured Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, and Vital Remains. A little bit of discussion and: voila! Guest list for ridiculous death metal show.
Before we go any further, I need to explain something. If you, kind reader, have a picture in your head of who the Cannibal Corpse show-goer is, please ignore it. That is not us. I like death metal, yes, but I am neither seven feet tall, nor three hundred pounds. I love death metal for its completely over-the-top aesthetic, and its technicality.
On with the show!
There's a venue in every city like Buster's. It's sort of the House of Blues Chicago style big open room, with a stage in the front, and a bar in the back. The kind of venue that bands who are too big to play bars, but too small to play arenas frequent.
Devourment took the stage in front of a small crowd. A lot of people were outside smoking cigarettes, or at the bar, getting drunk. They still played very well. Their brand of straight up technical death metal went over pretty well with the crowd. The openers shredded through a six song set flawlessly, drums blazing through at a billion beats per minute. The mix was a little rough, so I couldn't hear the guitar very well, but I'm sure there were solos and squealies aplenty.
Vital Remains were next, and I cannot express in words how far these guys take the whole death metal thing. It was a spectacle if nothing else. The vocalists forearms were covered in huge spiked gauntlets, the bass player's facial expressions conjured a cheetah stalking the plains for prey, and there was much headbanging to be viewed. Musically, they were pretty all right. A little too wound up in theatrics, but technically good, and obviously well seasoned. Maybe just ditch the braided goatees, huh guys?
Then came Dying Fetus, who were the band I was most excited to see. These guys were definitely unparalleled talent-wise, and the crowd was getting more and more responsive. Circle pits and all that. This three piece absolutely killed it. It sounded just like listening to one of their albums. The mix was perfect, the musicianship was spot god damned on, and the vocals were great. This band's drummer is phenomenal, and he did not disappoint live. Constant double-bass, blast-beats, and crazy fills. I was a couple tall boys deep by this point in the night, so I kept nudging Nicola on the shoulder and making her watch him. Sorry, Nicola.
Lastly, Cannibal Corpse. Ssshhhh, don't tell anybody, but I don't care much for Cannibal Corpse. Still, I wanted to stay for a couple songs just to see how riled up a death metal band that's been around for twenty years gets. The answer? Pretty riled up. The crowd loved it. Violence all around. From what we saw, these guys played very well. I have to respect them for sticking with it so long, and for garnering such a fan base. Good job, guys.
Here are some links, if you feel like checking any of these bands out:
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