Originally published in ‘zine issue #11, 1994
Bolt Thrower, Benediction, and Deceased
Black Cat, Washington, D.C.
by Editor
Benediction was supposed to be a support band for Bolty on the U.S. tour, but during the week previous to this gig, Bolt Thrower decided to break up and head back to England with all of their equipment in tow. So there was Benediction, left holding the bag and little else besides their guitars. What do you think they did, give up and go home? No! They continued on with the tour!
So the death metal merchants Deceased, led by King “Fuck Pete Sandoval, I’m the fastest drummer in the world” Fowley, bashed their way through a mistake-ridden but purely enjoyable set of mostly new songs from their forthcoming LP on Relapse. Benediction came on next before a less-than-capacity crowd, but they didn’t seem like they gave a fuck and put on a killer show anyway. Benediction played songs off the EP they were supporting, The Grotesque/Ashen Epitaph, which contains two awesome new tracks and three live songs off the last three LPs. My only complaint [about the EP] is the cheap-ass tape packaging, but you can’t have everything. Printed lyrics would be nice.
True metal lives on! ■
Photos: Benediction playing that night