The show last night was incredible. I never saw Darkane, Strapping Young Lad and Soilwork before but let's just say I can't imagine any other opening bands for this show. You know sometimes you go to a show and the bands don't mix? Not the case last night. They all fit together and I can't imagine anyone else opening for them.
After seeing Anthrax at Sayerville and being all the way in the back, I had made up my mind that from now on, I'm going to be as close to the stage as I can get. I hate being so far back. You get one or two really tall dudes in front of you and then you can't see the show. So the plan between me and the Mister was that we go to the show together but he does his thing and I do mine. If that means he is at one place and I'm another, so be it. Needless to stay, that happened last night. He was about 2 people behind and to the right. I was in the second row of people from the stage. It was awesome except for the kid next to me who didn't bang his head but more like rotated it. I can't tell you how many times I had his hair in my eye. Grrrrr.
Darkane was first. They had energy and their music was good. Next was SYL. Devon Townsend is UGLY and all he talks about on stage is sex. But he was funny and they were really good too. Only complaint - they don't move on stage. Next was Soilwork. I have only heard one song and that is the video on HBB. That song doesn't do them justice. They were excellent and the crowd really went nuts for them. The lead singer worked the crowd really well, huge pits and those guys had a lot of energy, too. One thing to note - they lost power in the beginning of the set. Devon's microphone also lost power for a song during his set. I thought I should point that out since this is the same place where Anthrax's concert was recorded. Maybe Starland just really doesn't have the most tip top sound? I don't know. Thought it was worth mentioning though.
Then came Fear Factory. Yes, yes, I would love to see Buron under my tree for Christmas this year but it doesn't mean I don't appreciate the band. I love his voice (pick up Iconoclast from Ascension of the Watchers if you like Burton's voice) and the guys are just really good musicians (in my opinion of course). Burton came over to where I was and I swear he looked me in the eyes and sang part of Martyr to me (which if you listen to them, you know that is the most romantic song every lol!). They were phenominal. You HAVE to check them out if you can. The only drawback, again, is that Byron and Christian didn't move from their spots. Burton did though. FF is the only band that comes even close to Anthrax on my list.
Few concert things -
Gary and I were, I swear, like twice as old as 90% of the crowd. I felt sooooo old. Where I was standing I was surrounded by teenagers and because I was going to make damn sure I stayed at the stage, I felt like the big bully on the playground.
There were a lot of chicks there last night. Aside from Motley Crue, I don't remember seeing that many chicks at any other show this year. Even Burton commented on it and dedicated Scumgrief to the ladies in the pit.
Lastly, guess who was NOT on the will call list even though she had an email in hand saying that she had purchased tickets. I couldnt' believe it was the second list I was supposed to be on that wasn't and the second time bringing the confirmation email saved my ass. I'm starting to think I just don't have luck with these lists.
This is pretty damn long but I had such I good time, I had to share.
