For some reason, unknown to me, metalcore bands seem to have the ability to make people come to concerts. They exude
some type of magnetic force, and the people cannot resist. Thus, this makes it impossible to go to a show where metal bands
are playing, and have it really be a metal show. This is what happened at this show. I was forced to sit through two bands
that did not have much talent, nor did they have good songs, to get to the part of the show that I actually wanted to be at.
After enduring a local band, and It Dies Today, The Haunted mounted their assualt towards the crowd before them. As they
blazed through their set of aggressive metal, they stopped to ridicule the audience for their lack of participation in the
show. There was a gulf in the crowd between those in front appreciating the metal onslaught, and those that were there
for the more "core" bands, that did not know how to act while getting destroyed by true metal. There was a flurry of activity
on stage, as they released songs from all eras of their catalog, playing some of the older material side-by-side their newer
material. As I prefer the older offerings, I found myself equaling enjoying the newer songs, and it brought me to appriciate
the recorded material more.
After The Haunted were done, Black Dahlia Murder took over the destruction. This band is an interesting phenomenon. They
cater to the metalcore scene in look and behavior, but there music is death metal, with a tinge of the old and new schools
of the genre. The majority of the songs performed where from there newest album, which I have not gottten my hands on. But,
i found them to me enrapturing, and i found myself drawn in. Probably the most unique part of the performance was the tone
of the lead guitar. I cannot and could not think of a band that used that type of tone. I found that they played with precision,
and were truly enjoying the honor of being on stage.
Although I bemoan the over-abundance of the metalcore scene flowing into the realm of metaldom, reflecting back upon
the night, it was an enjoyable night. I would have prefered different openers, and a different type of crowd, but I guess
if this is what it takes to further spread the gospel of metal, I will welcome it.
My judgment is that these tours should continue. Draw in the masses with the un-sophisticated metalcore, and then introduce
them to what metal really is. The crowds need an unavoidable face-to-face introduction to what they should all aspire to.
