Because I have friends on this tour and it was my sweeties birthday, I was out with them having dinner and drinks while the opening bands were playing. Those bands would be Converge and High On Fire. I have heard from several others that both bands are great and I personally have seen Converge live a few times and they do have amazing energy on stage but I am not able to comment on their performance from this evening.
When we got inside the venue and were perched up high in the side VIP area watching as Mastodon took the stage. In true Masto-form, they came out hard and loud. I did not have the best view of the entire stage however I could see Troy on vocals & Bass looking as crazed as ever. I then looked over to see Bill and his new do' with giant sideburns (chops) and thought it was quite cartoony looking (not in a bad way). The music sounded great and the energy from the stage was incredible. Something that added just that extra bit of intensity to their show ws the giant LED screen behind the band that would flash really disturbing, yet amazing images while they were playing. Anyone in the packed house who happened to be enjoying something stronger than a beer or alcoholic beverage was sure in for a treat! ;)
Later on in the set we had the great honor of standing side stage and for me it was a magical moment! (oh but it could have been the shots of Jager I enjoyed while there?!??) The band played for at least an hour and their set list consisted of the following ;
Oblivion
Divinations
Quintessence
The Czar
Ghost of Karellia
Crack The Skye
The Last Baron
Circle
Aqua Dementia
Behemoth
Mother Puncher
So as you can see, they played the ENTIRE Crack the Skye album - which I think lead a few people to make comments that it was too long of a set or maybe a bit more mellow than they were used to.
I did not find this to be, I felt that they had an amazingly strong set from start to finish. Of course my favorites were towards the end of the set as they reminded me of the days I watched Mastodon playing the Second Stage on Ozzfest.
Thanks to the Mastodon guys for putting together another truly wonderful musical experience for me.
Now... on to the Dethklok portion!
Brendon Small is a genius. It has been proven again and again not only with the tv show Metalocalypse but with his unbelievable guitar playing but his ability to put together the "dream team" of musicians for his live show. He has Gene Hoglan on drums, Mike Keneally on Guitar and Bryan Beller on bass. What an amazing combination of talents!
The set list for this show consisted of the following :
Deththeme
Bloodlines
Burn the Earth
Hatredcopter
Black Fire Upon us
Birthday Dethday
Duncan Hills Coffee Jingle
Dethsupport
Awaken
The Gears
Murmaider
Thunderhorse
Go Into The Water
Fansong
Bloodlines
Burn the Earth
Hatredcopter
Black Fire Upon us
Birthday Dethday
Duncan Hills Coffee Jingle
Dethsupport
Awaken
The Gears
Murmaider
Thunderhorse
Go Into The Water
Fansong
That may not be the EXACT list of how they were played, however I know that everything listed was performed. I was SOOO excited that they played a few tracks off of the new album - Dethalbum II.
I could probably go on for DAYS about how incredible this show was with the videos the music and the talent that was oozing off the stage, but I digress. Just do yourself a favor and get your ass out to see this tour when it hits your city. To assist in getting you there - here is a list of the rest of the dates for the tour:
Oct 25 2009 6:30P
Washington Avenue Armory Albany, New York
Oct 27 2009 6:30P
House of Blues Boston, Massachusetts
Oct 28 2009 6:30P
House of Blues Boston, Massachusetts
Oct 29 2009 6:30P
Hammerstein Ballroom New York, New York
Oct 30 2009 6:30P
Hammerstein Ballroom New York, New York
Oct 31 2009 6:30P
Patriot Center Fairfax, Virginia
Nov 1 2009 6:30P
Electric Factory Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nov 3 2009 6:30P
The Norva Norfolk, Virginia
Nov 4 2009 6:30P
The Fillmore Charlotte, North Carolina
Nov 5 2009 6:30P
Tabernacle Atlanta, Georgia
Nov 6 2009 6:30P
House of Blues N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Nov 7 2009 6:30P
Hard Rock Live Orlando, Florida
Nov 8 2009 6:30P
Pompano Beach Amph Pompano Beach, Florida
Nov 11 2009 6:30P
House of Blues Dallas, Texas
Nov 12 2009 6:30P
Verizon Wireless Theater Houston, Texas
Nov 13 2009 6:30P
Austin Music Hall Austin, Texas
Nov 14 2009 6:30P
Brady Theater Tulsa, Oklahoma
Nov 16 2009 6:30P
NMSU/Pan Am Center Las Cruces, New Mexico
Nov 17 2009 5:30P
Mesa Amphitheatre Mesa, Arizona
Nov 18 2009 5:30P
House of Blues Las Vegas, Nevada
Nov 19 2009 6:30P
Hollywood Palladium Los Angeles, California
Nov 20 2009 6:30P
Hollywood Palladium Los Angeles, California
Nov 21 2009 6:30P
San Jose Events Center San Jose, California
For more tour information - go here: Mastodon/Dethklok Tour 2009
