Here's my review of the Chicago show:
I got to the Vic at about 6:30 expecting to see Goatwhore setting up. However, they started the concert early, and Goatwhore was done and Amon Amarth was about to go on. Im not a huge Goatwhore fan, so I wasnt very disappointed. Anyway, Amon Amarth opened up with Death In Fire, my favorite song of theirs, and played an excellent set. The sound was very balanced, and the lead guitar cut through very well. Excellent opening band, I really hope to see these guys more in the future.
Next up was Vader. There apparently some very hardcore Polish Vader fans in the crowd. Who started a Vader chant, and had a Vader flag and everything. Im not a huge fan of Vader and things were getting kind of rowdy so I went and bought a Nile shirt and watched the rest of their set from the back. I noticed the sound was a lot better in the back. Towards the end I went back to the floor and caught their final song, a cover of Raining Blood. The pit went insane at this point. Awesome cover. Their set didnt make me a Vader fan, but it was a decent set.
Next up was Kreator. Obviously Kreator was very good. However, there were a few minor flaws. The first was, Milles guitar was ridiculously low in the mix. All I could hear was the lead guitar. It wasnt a problem except for the times when only Mille was playing. My second issue was the fact that their set and song introductions were almost exactly the same as on the DVD. They didnt play any surprise songs, just the typical songs, with the same old introductions. Highlights were: Terrible Certainty, Tormentor, and Extreme Aggression. Kreator needs to play Coma of Souls!!!! Kreator certainly met the high expectations I had for them, but didnt surpass them.
Speaking of surpassing expectations, Nile fucking ruled! I wasnt really that big of a Nile fan before the show, Im not the biggest death metal fan, but I thought they were an interesting band prior to the show, nothing more nothing less. Anyway, I headed up to the balcony because I really wanted to try and enjoy Nile without any idiots running into me. and the sound was much better up there. They opened up with Barra Edinazzu, my favorite Nile song (other than Unas), and their entire set completely amazing. Its really cool how they have all three bassist and guitarists trading off on the growls. The mix was perfect, the bass wasnt overpowering like it often is at concerts. Nile was simply on. Nile just might be my new favorite band. All those little interludes that seemed tedious when listening to the album were great live, and built anticipation.
This is an amazing tour. Best Ive seen so far this year. Definitely check it out if you have the chance.
NILE:
Barra Edinazzu
Sarcophagus
The Blessed Dead
Unas Slayer of Gods
The Howling of the Jinn
Black Seeds of Vengeance
And one or two others
KREATOR:
The Patriarch
Violent Revolution
Reconquering the Throne
Extreme Aggression
People of the Lie
Phobia
Renewal
Betrayer
All of the Same Blood
Pleasure to Kill
Terrible Certainty
Flag of Hate/Tormentor
I might be missing a song.
AMON AMARTH
Death in Fire
The Last with Pagan Blood
For the Stabwounds in our Backs
Masters of War
Where Silent Gods Stand Guard
Versus the World
). Then he tells me go towards the lake. That helped a lot too. Anywho, I find the place buy one CD and embark on search for motel. No vacancies, I'm told, perhaps due to my apperance. Well, time for plan B. B=no plan, I'm screwed I want my mama. I didn't let that get to my head (I figured I'll cross that bridge when I get to it, or something rather) and just took the subway train back to downtown to do some sight seeing. Chicago downtown looks pretty impressive with interesting urban architecture, clean streets and only few beggers. One, smelly one (worse than my socks next day) was talking to me while on the subway but me not being native of this country I did not understand his ebonic dialect. I just got up and changed the wagon as he kept on talking to me (I think) non-stop. If you're still reading this you got too much time on your hand. I tried to check out the view from the Sears Tower buy one hour waiting time made me do otherwise.
