Originally published in ‘zine issue #10, 1994
Shadowed Veil Resist the Punisher
Heavy social, political, animal rights words accompanied by music in the forms of raw industrial-like noise to punkish, acoustic-style folk jams. Samples galore and a really annoying outro … aarrgh! But overall, worthy of three dead presidents.
(by Vaughn Currier) ■
Black Sabbath, Motörhead, and Morbid Angel
Ritchie Coliseum, College Park, MD
by King Fowley
Wow! That was my first thought when I heard that the legendary Black Sabbath would be actually touring (it seems that anytime they do a record that isn’t with a legendary singer, they don’t end up touring much), and I was even more amazed when I found out it was general admission. Now, being an absolute huge fan of newer Tony Martin-era Sabs, I was ready to witness this event.
Well, expectantly, Morbid started off the show with a very short and uninspired set. They played all the expected stuff like “Chapel of Ghouls” and “Rapture” (their current MTV video) and sounded and played like shit. The Morbid fans screamed and yelled, but coming from an old supporter of their music, trust me, they blew.
Next up was the once mighty Motörhead! Now, I’ve been badmouthing these guys since ‘86/‘87 for their lame attempts at “accessible” material and I was sure their set would be a couple classics (“Ace of Spades” and “Stay Clean”) and some utter garbage (“Liar” and “Born to Raise Hell”), and that was what I got. Sure, they were real professional and Lemmy was in top form, but it just wasn’t the same magic as when I saw them way back in ‘84 with Mercyful Fate and Exciter. Also, I must add that “hairspray” poser Mikey “Hollywood” Dee was out of place up there glamming it up for the crowd. Bring back “Filthy” Phil, I plead!
After what seemed eternity, all the old-time Sab heads and younger fans piled up front to witness what was to be the best (yes, mark that right, after seeing 6 shows in 13 years, this was their night for me) Sabbath show I’ve ever seen! They played so much stuff that wasn’t expected: “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,” “The Wizard,” including harmonica playing by vocal god Tony Martin, “Into the Void” (trust me, the place was in heavy shock for this number), and “Symptom of the Universe.” I was so amazed at their godlike playing. Geezer was playing bass as if he was possessed by demons. Iommi proved once and for all who was and is the heaviest guitar player alive or dead. Of course, the newer stuff didn’t go down the greatest with the old Ozzy-era Sab heads, but I was eating it all up. “Cross of Thorns,” “I Witness,” and “Psycho Phobia” were some newer cuts played. But don’t forget “Time Machine,” “Children of the Sea,” “Mob Rules,” and “Neon Knights” too. A very fucking heavy metal show from the masters. Ending the set, I was in heaven and hell when I caught Iommi’s guitar pick, the one he was playing “Headless Cross” with. I left Ritchie Coliseum in absolute hysteria! Fuck Pantera! Fuck Helmet!! Fuck White Zombie!!! Sabbath!!!
P.S.: To all those who didn’t go and are too old for this shit, stick your finger up your ass at the next Lollapolloza or however ya spell it! ■
Earth Crisis, Snapcase, and Strife
Black Cat, Washington, D.C.
by Vaughn Currier
Strife went on first and was everything I wanted them to be live after hearing their recorded stuff. A West Coast act, punchy and fast, hardcore to the hilt. Snapcase: great people, great band. They capture the essence of slowness with their Helmet-esque approach to hardcore. Earth Crisis are always a crowd pleaser. They’ve reinvented the crossover sound. The place was berserk.
The highlight of the show had to be when the bouncers kept trying to keep kids from stagediving during Strife’s set, and their bass player got into a pushing match with one of the bouncers. Decent turnout for a weeknight and, as at any D.C. hardcore show, a good girl turnout. ■
