Deicide Tour Review

Deicide
Immolation / Skinless
With Passion
Review

DEICIDE
Immolation
Skinless
With Passion
Joe's On Weed Street
6/5/05
Reviewers: Sharita Lumpkin & Karma E. Omowale
Photos: Karma E. Omowale

"Deicide Holds Black Mass For The Children of The Underworld On A Hot Sunday Summer Night"

A congregation of metalheads gathered on June 5^th, 2005 for the most unholy/un-sanctimonious reason known to man, to witness the enchanting nightmare otherwise known as Deicide perform on a Sunday night at Joe’s on Weed Street. Contrary to popular belief, this sports bar did not turn into a place of worship to the dark lord however; pure extreme metal played throughout the night by all bands involved, even California’s gothicly inspired With Passion threw their horns in to the mix!

In true tradition of the great Chicago curse, another band was unable to Immolation (Photo: Karma E. Omowale) perform always seems to be this way whenever a tour comes through these parts these days. Tonight’s victim was Canada’s Despised Icon. Due to undisclosed reasons, the band was a no show. There were a many of disappointed fan as news of the cancellation was supplied only after they paid their toll to the Hessian at the register. A rather shady move if you ask me, but that is just my 2¢. Regrettably, attendance was a lot lower than anticipated. Several promotion companies in town were giving away tickets in advance, and in a not so surprising move, the venue hiked the price of admission to $30+ day of the show. Guessing they had to do whatever they needed to in order to break even but damn…I am just pleased they did not stiff the artists, as if the lives of a musician is not challenging enough.

Unfortunately there will not be a review of Immolation as we missed their entire set for the exception of one song as our interview with Skinless guitarist, Noah Carpenter ran well into the band’s set. However here is one picture of the band that I managed to capture before the conclusion of their set. Tonight's performance was really good one. I'd easily give it 4 1/2 out of 5 horns! – KEO

With Passion Lineup: Mike Nordeen – Bass; Shaun Gier – Guitar/Backing Vocals; Sam McCleod – Vocals; Andy Burt – Guitar; Brandon Guadagnolo – Keyboards; Justin Tvetan– Drums

Brandon Guadagnolo of With Passion (Photo: Karma E. Omowale) The tone of the night commenced with gothic latent atmospheric metalcore from With Passion. The ominous overtones were established by keysman Brandon Guadagnolo. Tonight was the first time Chicago had seen drummer Justin Tvetan, as he fit in very well. This was my second encounter with the band; the first time we saw this sextet play they opened for Amorphis as a last minute add-in. In comparison to last time, the band did not seem too enthused, uninspired even. [You know what they say about hindsight being 20/20; some of the members left the band after this tour ended] Not say that the band did not put on a good show, because they did, it is just a shame that the venue was practically empty by the time the band took the stage at around 9:00 pm.

This band is comfortable taking a walk on the dark side as they cite bands like Cryptopsy, Kalmah, Cult of Luna, Morbid Angel, and Deicide as some of their influences. In talking to Guadagnolo later in the evening, he commented on how ecstatic the band was to be able to grace the same stages as openers for Benton. With Passion recently released In The Midst of Bloodied Soil and signed with Earache records, an exciting combination indeed. Despite their personnel changes, this band should be around for a while. Make sure to see them the next time they roll through your neck of the briar. --KEO

Setlist: Forlorn Hope, Trainwreck Orchestra, Coniferous War, The Last Scripture.

With Passion (Photo: Karma E. Omowale) Sam McCleod of With Passion (Photo: Karma E. Omowale) Mike Nordeen of With Passion (Photo: Karma E. Omowale) Brandon Guadagnolo of With Passion (Photo: Karma E. Omowale)

Lineup: Noah Carpenter – Guitar; Jason Keyser – Vocals; Bob Beaulac – Drums; Joe Keyser - Bass

With the hiatus and the departure of lead singer Sherwood Webber, Skinless could have gone down for the count but instead just as they say in all parts of show business, the show must go on. Now equipped with new singer Jason Keyser, brother of bassist Joe Keyser, the band are poised to make a comeback in a big way.

Joe Keyser of Skinless (Photo: Karma E. Omowale) Even though they have not released an album since 2003’s From Sacrifice To Survival, this legendary quartet were ready to give an amazing performance for the Deicide fans tonight. The aforementioned Jason Keyser, came out with a gas mask on as the first note was played, obviously showing the bands sense of humor. Bassist Joe and guitarist Noah Carpenter played flawlessly and complemented drummer Bob Beaulac well to deliver in my opinion the best forty minutes of the night. Included in the set, were some of the horror movie clips that is a trademark as well as the ever-present headbanging display by all the old metal heads in attendance, and for once there were more than a handful!

The crowd was very receptive to the band and warmly welcomed Jason Keyser. Many fans could be heard saying, “He’s not bad” to “Well I’m impressed” to “He’s pretty fucking good”… After this tour, Noah mentioned that the band would be heading back to the studio to work on the new album and forego playing any more shows for the rest of the year. I am sure all death metal fans new and old anxiously await their upcoming release. – SRL

Click here for interview with Noah Carpenter

Joe Keyser of Skinless (Photo: Karma E. Omowale) Noah Carpenter of Skinless (Photo: Karma E. Omowale)

Lineup: Glen Benton – Vocals/Bass; Ralph Santolla – Guitar; Steve Asheim – Drums; Jack Owen - Guitar

After the crowd went to get beer and recover from the Immolation performance, the yells and growls started to mount. Calls of Deicide rang through the air and the crowd got closer to the stage. Out came Glen Benton, Ralph Santolla, and company who put up the horns in appreciation. Santolla the shred master whom once played for Death, Control Denied, and Millennium and most recently left Iced Earth. Benton called on Santolla to fill in for the band before he departs for Europe with Sebastian Bach & Friends. Of course, there were two vacated positions created when the Hoffmann brothers left (Brian and Eric). Who knows, perhaps Santolla will become a permanent fixture; in the meantime, Jack Owen fills the other spot.

Glen Benton of Deicide (Photo: Karma E. Omowale)

Deicide has developed a reputation of being one of those bands that you don’t want to mess with especially since lead singer Benton carved an upside down crucifix in the middle of his forehead. However, they continue to have one of the biggest fan bases in metal despite the band’s marginal flirt with commercial success. Karma and I were a little leery about attending this show but we soldiered on since we were curious and wanted to see Santolla perform with Deicide, Skinless, and With Passion. Throughout their set, Benton smiled (who knew) and played crowd requests for some of their older hits and more recent ones off their CD Scars Of The Crucifix, which was released last year. Overall, this band put on a damn good show, surprising how many songs we knew. –SRL

Partial setlist (in no particular order): Scars of the Crucifix, Bastards of Christ, Children of The Underworld, Dead by Dawn, When Satan Rules His World, Blame it on God, Lunatic of God's Creation, While Demons Mosh, Behind the Light Thou Shall Rise, Dead but Dreaming, Serpents of the Light, When Heaven Burns, Sacrificial Suicide, Christ Denied, This Is Hell We're In, Once Upon the Cross.

Click here for exclusive interview with Ralph Santolla

Glen Benton of Deicide (Photo: Karma E. Omowale) Ralph Santolla of Deicide (Photo: Karma E. Omowale) Steve Asheim of Deicide (Photo: Karma E. Omowale) Jack Owen of Deicide (Photo: Karma E. Omowale)

Deicide North American 2005 Tour Dates featuring: Immolation, Skinless, Misery Index/Despised Icon, and With Passion in support.

May 26 – Mavericks - Ottawa, ON
May 27 - Penny Arcade - Rochester, NY
May 28 - Albie’s Bar - Utica, NY
May 29 - House of Rock - Baltimore, MD (Maryland Death Fest)
May 30 - BB King’s - New York, NY
May 31 – Jaxx - West Springfield, VA
Jun. 01 - Saratoga Winners - Cohoes, NY
Jun. 02 - L’Imperial - Quebec City, QUE
Jun. 03 - Club Soda - Montreal, QUE
Jun. 04 - The Opera House - Toronto, ONT
Jun. 05 - Joe’s on Weed St - Chicago, IL
Jun. 06 - Ranch Bowl - Omaha, NE
Jun. 07 - Ascot Room - Minneapolis, MN
Jun. 08 – Pyramid - Winnipeg, MB
Jun. 09 - Riddel Center - Regina, SK
Jun. 10 - Starlite Room - Edmonton, AB
Jun. 11 - MacEwan Hall Ballroom (University of Calgary) - Calgary, AB
Jun. 13 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
Jun. 14 - Studio Seven - Seattle, WA
Jun. 15 - Roseland Theater - Portland, OR
Jun. 16 - The Boardwalk - Orangevale, CA
Jun. 17 - The Pound at Pier 96 - San Francisco, CA
Jun. 18 - Galaxy Theatre - Santa Ana, CA
Jun. 19 - Key Club - West Hollywood, CA
Jun. 20 - Marquee Theater - Tempe, AZ
Jun. 21 - Sunshine Theater - Albuquerque, NM
Jun. 22 – Sanctuary - San Antonio, TX