"You want a rock show? We'll give you a rock show." At least this is what I envisioned Rob saying when he took the stage. I've been to a number of concerts this year, but very few have come close to selling out, and none have actually done the feat, until now. The crowd was massive for the small club. I am really surprised that they held it there, rather than the much larger (but less acoustically sound) civic center, just two blocks away. I'm not complaining though, this club pretty much guarantees that wherever you are, you get a good view of the stage without feeling like you're a mile away.
I got to the venue about 10 minutes after the doors opened, and the line was wrapped around the block, so I was stuck way at the back of the line. Yeah, I know, I should gotten there earlier, I should have known better, but that's besides the point. A friend of mine had gotten there earlier and was already inside, ready to grab an ideal perch from which to rock. I eventually got inside, and made my way to the viewing location. By know the place was a little but cramped, but it is well worth it. I was amped, I could not wait for the show to begin. It was getting more cramped by the minute, the temperature was starting to rise, as the air conditioning was not up to the challenge of a full house putting off so much heat.
The time arrived, Mastodon slowly filed onto the stage. I had heard of these guys, but have never heard them, but I have heard many good things. They started, and the sound that emanated from the speaker stacks struck me like a ton of bricks, I was floored. I was reminded of when I first heard Killswitch Engage, no the music is not nearly the same, but the effect of hearing some great music was the same. Mastodon owned the stage, lead harmonies, heavy riffs, thunderous drums. It was insane. They sort of sounded like a heavy metal jam band, filled with extended instrumental sections with each guitarist taking some breaks, coming together into harmonious leads, drums keeping time. The crowd caught up in the rhythm. It was an impressive sight. The only thing that slightly detracted was the growling vocals, they weren't that bad, and the sound was varied as three of the members had lead singing duties, but I am growing a bit tired of this type of singing. Not to end on a down note, their 45 minute set was definitely intense, they have gained a new fan in me. See them, listen to them, if you haven't already.
Now it was just about time, time for the moment we were all waiting for, waiting to expend every last ounce of energy we had. I have been a fan of Rob's since I first heard "Thunderkiss '65" back in the early 1990's. I had seen him live once before, back in 1998, when he was touring in support of Hellbilly Deluxe. That was a great show, very theatrical, the whole stage was done up with movie screens and stairs, this time it was a more stripped down version, some banners adorned with the images of the women from the remix album, Supersexy Swinging Sounds. On to the show!
The time was 9:15, the stage goes dark, there is a collective gasp, followed immediately by an explosive sonic wave as everyone started to cheer at once. The opening recording started and the band hit the stage starting right into "Demon Speeding" followed with "Dead Girl Superstar." Two songs in and we were thirsting, begging for more. Rob was onstage sporting a new blonde hair color, egging us on. He was talking about why sit in a hotel room on a day off from Ozz-fest when he can come out and entertain another crowd? He was even asking for songs to play, to which people in the pit were asking for Duran Duran and other such nonsense. Losing faith in the crowd, the band chose the songs. What followed was a steady mix of White Zombie and solo album cuts. We got "Demonoid Phenomenon," "Super Charger Heaven," "More Human Than Human," "Living Dead Girl," "Great American Nightmare," "Dragula," he was throwing everything at us. Making us promise to go out and see The Devil's Rejects this weekend (I will be). The band featuring a new lineup, featuring Blasko, who was in the first Rob Zombie lineup, and newcomer John Five (formerly of Marilyn Manson) on guitar, and I failed to catch the drummer's name, but he looked familiar.
The set was incredible, they were tight. A solid metallic unit delivering a sonic assault worthy of any true metal fan. I would say the biggest issue of the night were the close quarters we were all crammed into, Everyone trying to move to the music in their own way leads to some unwanted results! But in the end we were all there to have Rob Zombie own us.
After about an hour long set, they left the stage. We chanted "ZOM-BIE" until they came back, bearing black beach balls emblazoned with "The Devil's Rejects." The only problem was, the fans were not batting them around, rather they were deflating and pocketing them, spoil sports. Anyway, they jumped into a bit of "Sweet Home Alabama" which segued into "Thunderkiss 65." This went back into "Sweet Home Alabama," then they left the stage again. We didn't give up, cheering resumed. They came back out again and surprised us with a second encore, playing "Blood, Milk, and Sky" from Astro-Creep 2000. I never expected to hear that one!
Man, it was SOO hot, but SOOO worth it. Not many people put on a show like Rob, he make you feel like you are really a part of the show, not just watching it. Besides the fact that the music is great. After they left, we hung out inside while the crowd thinned, then made our way to the merch table, where I picked up a ZOMBIE 1985-2005 tour shirt showing the various looks Rob has had over the years, very cool. We soon found our waiting to be a mistake as Rob and Blasko were out in the alley by their truck signing autographs, which ended as soon as I go there. Hopefully there will be another time.
If you get the chance to partake in a Zombiethon, do it. You will not regret it.
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