I am compelled to write about my latest concert experience. It is my third concert post-Covid and one of the best overall in terms of entertainment that I have been to in years. Currently, at Starland Ballroom proof of vaccination against Covid-19 is required. Masks are encouraged, but have been worn by less than 10% of patrons the last two weekends I attended. The concert must have started right at 6PM this Saturday because I got there about quarter after and the first band, Defying Decay was already on stage. I'm glad I caught the end of their set because they really caught my ear. They were heavy, but with a lot of dynamics. The lead singer accomplishes what other bands need two or three vocalists to achieve. He can sing clean, growl, and scream well. The lyrics are all in English, while the band is from Bangkok, Thailand. According to their Facebook page they began in 2010 (formerly Defying the Decay and Defying the Fallen) but have undergone some lineup changes, and most recently added Jennie Natanich who caught my eye. First of all, she is cute. Second of all, she has 3 machines that she works with and is often playing a keyboard and a synthesizer at the same time. Her stance with arms outstretched in either direction is unique and then she headbangs and thrashes around like the rest of the guys. The rest of the band includes lead vocalist/guitarist/synthesis Jay Poom Euarchukiati, guitarists Song Chitipat and Pon Ujjin, drummer Mark Mironov, DJ/Programmer Bunn Bnn, and bassist Pleng Thongboonma. They have been called nu-metal and metalcore, but they prefer alternative metal. According to an interview I read, the founding members met at a Linkin Park concert and idolized Linkin Park and Nine Inch Nails. Defying Decay comes across as heavier than Linkin Park and screams much more than NIN. It was a pretty kick ass way to begin the night.
Next up was Saul. They formed in Iowa in 2007, but didn't break until recently with their EP Aeons (2019) and album Rise As Equals (2020). I knew of them from SiriusXM Octane playing singles Brother, Trial By Fire, and King of Misery. They had good energy on stage, but they sound much better on the radio. The crowd was digging it as there was a little mosh pit started, and people in the back were singing along. The lead singer, Blake Bedsaul, said that we were one of the most receptive crowds on the tour. He also was appreciative to play in front of a big crowd again, and talked about how we are a metal family. He is backed by actual family, his brother Zach Bedsaul on lead guitar, William McIlravy on bass, and new drummer Myles Clayborne. Myles did his own soundcheck and seems to be the most talented in the band in my opinion. Their sound was kind of average, with Brother being the standout track.
Third was Tetrarch. Immediately I noticed that they had a black female as lead guitarist. Her name is Diamond Rowe, and she's pretty damn good. The singer, Josh Fore, said they met when they were around 12 in Atlanta, Georgia and started practicing together after school as they dreamed of touring in a band. Tetrarch is rounded out by bassist Ryan Lerner and drummer Ruben Limas. They are fans of Metallica, Korn, Pantera, and Slipknot. It defintely shows in their music as I heard elements of Adema, Linkin Park, and Korn in the riffs and melodies. Their song I'm Not Right seems a lot like Korn's Freak on A Leash in places, but then there is also their own wailing guitar parts and big heavy drums. They have a really big sound for a foursome. The moshpit intensified and got much bigger during their set. They talked inbetween songs about paying their dues sleeping on couches and in a van in parking lots while playing to empty rooms. Their big break was touring with Avenged Sevenfold. They stayed true to themselves, have built a following, and are finally getting recognition. I liked them enough that I bought their latest cd, Unstable.
By now it is only 10 minutes after 8PM and I already feel like I got my money's worth. Tickets were $25 (+fees) which is more than reasonable for five bands, especially after not having toured for at least 18 months. Next up was Crown the Empire out of Dallas, Texas. The band currently consists of singer "Andy Leo" Rockhold, guitarist Brandon Hoover, bassist Hayden tree, and drummer Brent Taddie. They performed at Warped Tour 2014 and have toured with bands such as Asking Alexandria, Motionless in White, Volumes, and Ice Nine Kills. Crown the Empire's songs "What I Am" and "Blurry" get played in heavy rotation on SiriusXM Octane. Blurry is one of their best songs, but one of the most pop-oriented. A lot of their songs have more screaming. The guys seem a little scummy, but also fun. The crowd was dancing at all three bars, and down front. I was jumping and headbanging myself. Fans were also providing them shots of tequila and whiskey which they proudly indulged in. As they walked off stage Andy said "smoke weed every day!"
Finally, at about 9:40PM it was time for Atreyu. They amped up the crowd a little more by playing Bon Jovi "Livin' On A Prayer" as their introduction. It isn't just pandering, as they actually covered Bon Jovi's "You Give Love A Bad Name" for the Mr. and Mrs. Smith soundtrack. I first saw Atreyu in 2004 at one of my first shows at Starland Ballroom. I remember being close to the stage barricade and being wowed by their energy. I knew they would be successful, but I had no idea that I would be watching them 17 years later as headliner. Back then Alex Varkatzas was the lead singer and they were more emo-metal. Brandon Saller had been the drummer, but he also sang on a lot of the songs as co-lead or backing vocalist. I remember him being really good back in the day. Brandon has now stepped out in front of the kit to become the lead singer with a mostly clean style. Bassist Marc "Porter" McKnight sings unclean backing vocals. The new drummer is Kyle Rosa. They still have long time rhythm guitarist Travis Miguel and original lead guitarist Dan Jacobs. The sound is still alternative metal, but they aren't afraid to play around with different sounds, even leaning more commercial rock. They aren't as tight as they once were, but they are fun. When a fan yelled out "You're the fucking man!" to Brandon he said, "Aww, thanks, you're the fucking man." Then he said that we need to bring that positive energy into our daily lives, for instance, if we get a plate of nachos with 80% coverage of cheese and toppings we should yell "Fuck yeah, this is fucking awesome!" I was really disappointed that they didn't play new song "Catastrophe" but they did play Baptize, Broken Again, Save Us, Untouchable, and Warrior from the new album along with classics Becoming the Bull, Right Side of the Bed, Bleeding Mascara, Ex's and Oh's, and Lip Gloss and Black which was the encore song.
All in all, it was a five hour show with five awesome bands at a great value that made for the perfect Saturday night. I was pleased to see three bands representing POC, all the bands shouted out the crowd and the other bands, the moshpit was lively but they were keeping people safe, the attendance was probably double that of Buckcherry, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. This is what it is all about, brothers and sisters in metal. Rock on!
