Surprisingly, the Metropolis was rather slow to fill up this past Tuesday, as Sweden’s In Flames and American super group, Hellyeah, rolled into town. Perhaps because the opening bands left quite a lot to be desired.
Not to say that either band were bad, more that neither fit the bill in any way – and the reaction of the crowd was proof to that. Chatter could be heard from the back of the room and many a cigarette was sucked to death on the sidewalk in front of the venue as the pair of bands played on. In short, Source would be more at home opening for one of Maynard Keenan’s projects and From Ashes To New, who sound like equal parts Linkin Park and Backstreet Boys would probably do better on a tour with somebody along the lines of Hollywood Undead. Tour packages are a strange animal; some are unbelievably good and others leave quite a few question marks.
Hellyeah, the super group containing former members of Mushroomhead, Nothingface and Pantera sprung to action and woke everybody up, and suddenly a crowd formed and the atmosphere of the night completely changed – thankfully. Thunderously beaten were the skins of the legendary Vinne Paul, as Chad Grey’s furious vocals seared ear drums like a well cooked steak.
Chad Grey’s face was caked in blood (hopefully fake!) somewhere between tracks “Demons In The Dirt” and “Sangre Por Sangre” (which, would probably make sense, wouldn’t you say?), some of which could be seen dripping off of his face or sent airborne as he bellowed lyrics into his microphone.
Next came “Moth”, one of the groups better known tracks, but the highlight for me, was their rendition of Phil Collins‘ “I Don’t Care Anymore”. Some songs you just don’t expect to hear covered by bands of a certain genre, and I often find it amusing when this contrast of sound emerges and the music world is brought together in a monster collision of stylist difference that suddenly occupy the same airwaves. Take Disturbed‘s recent version of “The Sound Of Silence”, for example. Utter brilliance.
Following the set, Vinnie Paul stepped down from his drum throne to toss a few sticks to the many outstretched grabbing mits in front of him. One of the lucky recipients and his friend seemed quite visibly moved by his newly acquired piece of rock memorabilia, as his buddy patted him on the bunch as if he had just won some sort of trophy. Such is the power of music. And it brought me back, through floods of nostalgia. In this very building, twenty years earlier, I met Vinnie Paul and the Pantera boys for the first time, and my reaction was probably along similar lines. From generation to generation, the more things change, they remain the same.
Few bands can claim to be as pivotal in creation of a sub-genre as In Flames, and fewer still gain as much attention for turning their backs on their own creation the way these Swedes have. Reroute to remain, as they claim. Admittedly, I have never really gotten passed this sudden change of direction, yet it must be said, that no matter what the band has recorded over the years, it has always been of utmost quality and musicianship.
Kicking off with “Bullet Ride” from the groups “Clayman” record, but sadly as far back as the band would travel back in time – again, ignoring the records that made them the band they are. I suppose I should be used to that now, but I still yearn to hear those older tunes again. Perhaps one day, but not on this tour. Equally as surprising, was that only two tracks from the new album made the onstage cut, too. I suppose modern day fans desire to hear songs they recognize and relate too.
Rowdy fists pumped along to the beat as the crowd seemed fully engaged and ready for action, and lets be honest here, In Flames put on a high energy show filled with groovy riff work. Through glorious beards, the members smiled and appeared to be enjoying the evening as much as those thrashing about wildly into one another in front of the stage where.
With a setlist that included the likes of “Leeches”, “Only For The Weak”, “Cloud Connected” and “Deliver Us”, before concluding with “Take This Life”, the night was of quality entertainment. Equal parts a youth movement as it was a gathering of greying beards and balding heads, and this is an interesting sight to behold. Generations might have much to separate them – yet playing witness to the things that bind us together is more refreshing today than I ever thought it could be. In Flames, and Hellyeah for that matter, never disappoint.
