I've been to several shows throughout chi-town and I must say, I will try to never go to the HOB again. I saw AA at the Vic last year and it was infinately better!
Anyway, I knew we would have to get there early. We arrived around 5:30. After having the valet parking, I knew I wouldn't want to wear my coat throughout the entire show.
We waited in the wind on that bridge freezing our asses off. After being an hour early, we still missed the first song of AA's set. Luckily, we had plenty of time to pick up our AA merch and catch the rest of the set. Amazing song list! This was my younger brother's first metal show. I let him borrow my AA CDs when I told him I was going to the show and he readily agreed to join me. After the concert, all the way home back to Indiana, it was "Amon Amarth blah blah blah! Blah blah blah blah Amon Amarth!" We both enjoyed the opportunity to see my favorite band live and AA picked up a young fan in the process.
Did anyone else notice the crowd? While I have nothing against young metal heads, it was a sea of 12 year old Goths wearing Kitty shirts. When I saw COB last year, the crowd was quite a bit different. I guess it's amazing what a year and 1 really really bad album can do for your fan base. I imagine the crowd was exactly what one would expect to see at a Korn show.
And while I expect to get pushed around a bit at a standing room only metal show, everyone in attendance were just complete dicks. No shred of mutual respect at all. 90% of the shows I've seen, everyone is there to have a good time and there is that mutual respect that accidents will happen and just have a good time. At this show, I can't count the number of fights that almost broke out from the teeny boppers just being complete asses.
I'm sorry many of my fellow AA fans missed AA. However, I'm kind of glad the crowd was a bit thin. I was able to get right up there and rock out before all the pricks invaded.
And who the hell is Trivium kidding? Man, they completely blew. And some Kenny Loggins looking fucker up there(I guess he was their singer) trying to get everyone to form a pit. I thought a bit about jumping in the pit to take out my frustrations, but I figured that I'd just be encouraging the band.
Between the shitty venue and the crowed that is still in diapers, I was quite disappointed with the show. I hope when AA comes back into town, they play at the Vic or Metro.
