Lamb Of God / Fear Factory
Children Of Bodom
Review

Lamb of God / Fear Factory
Children of Bodom
Throwdown

HOB
11/9/04

Reviewers: Sharita Lumpkin & Karma E. Omowale
Photos: Erika Kristen Watt

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"A Hailstorm of Metal Rained Upon the House of Blues..."

 

...on November 9th, 2004, Chicago metallers witnessed a mammoth experience as some of today's most powerful acts in metal descended upon the House of Blues: Lamb of God, Fear Factory, Children of Bodom and newcomers and show openers, Throwdown. The sold out House of Blues was jumping the entire night, from start to finish. It was refreshing to see the metalheads giving up love and respect to the hardcore opener. You could have blown me over with a leaf after it was all over and done.

 

When we arrived during the conclusion of Throwdown’s, set as they were performing “Forever”, the floor was full of moshing fans and metal lovers were filled to the rafters in the opera boxes as well. It was a welcomed sight. The first time I saw Throwdown was during Ozzfest this year. I was saddened to miss the bands set as it looked to be a successful outing. The crowd was jumpin’! Singer, Dave Peters seemed to be holding his own, as this Orange County band owned the stage for that moment in time. The band is in support of their latest effort Haymaker. Their sound is very reminiscent of their tough hardcore contemporaries, (pre-Vanity) Eighteen Visions, Bleeding Through with an injection of funk. Ironically, Peters used to sing for 18v. Another odd twist in this story is Bleeding Through’s Brandan Schieppati used to play guitar in the aforementioned band as well. I left the venue lightheaded, drained, hoarse, and happier than hell after witnessing the HOB get decimated by some of today’s best acts in metal! – Karma E. Omowale

 

 

 

Lineup: Randy Blythe - Vocals; John Campbell - Bass; Mark Morton - Guitar; Chris Adler - Drums; Willie Adler - Guitar

 

 

"Lamb Of God Was The Band Everyone Paid to See!"

 

Lamb of God (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)Randy Blythe vocalist of Lamb of God (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)Before they hit the stage, many fans were talking about Lamb Of God. Their T-shirts reigned supreme over any other band throughout the venue, including the headliner Fear Factory. The anticipation for the band formally known as Burn The Priest cannot be ignored. Every time I've seen them whether it was the Headbanger's Ball tour last November to the second stage on Ozzfest this past July, they have never failed to give their all to the fans.

In support of their latest release
Ashes of the Wake, the boys proved that their signing to major label Epic would not be a crutch.  Even though they are new to most of the masses, they are the kings of underground hardcore.  They started out as Burn The Priest and released 3 EP's on labels Legion records and Prosthetic before signing with Epic.

The crowd roared when the band from Richmond, Virginia hit the stage. Roaming like a raging commander, Randall Blythe is one of metals premier screamers and lyricists and has no problem letting everyone know his thoughts on the state of our country and the war. He excited the crowd with his leaps and headbanging. If you tried to mimic his moves you'd probably develop a severe case of whiplash. The crowd tried though, moving and fuckin' shit up every time he asked them. Willie Adler and Mark Morton display ace guitar riffs, while Chris Adler and John Campbell  hold down the backbone on drums and bass, respectively.

It's hard to go to a LOG show and not feel the rhythm they're throwin' down. Unlike many hardcore bands, LOG's lyrics come with a message, while their music is full of, dare I say it, melody. It's hard to believe the crowd still had something left for
Fear Factory after seeing LOG tear up the stage and leave you breathless. All hail to the king's of American Hardcore! --Sharita Lumpkin

Setlist: Now You've Got Something To Die For, Laid to Rest, Ruin, 11th Hour, The Faded Line, Hourglass, As The Palaces Burn, Terror & Hubris in the House of Frank Pollard, Ruin, Omerta, Burn The Priest, Subtle Arts of Murder And Persuasion



Click here for Randy's interview with Erika Kristen

&

Here for more photos of the band during Sounds of the Underground Tour

 

 Mark Morton of Lamb of God (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Mark Morton of Lamb of God (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Randy Blythe vocalist of Lamb of God (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) John Campbell of Lamb of God (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Randy Blythe of Lamb of God (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Chris Adler of Lamb of God (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Randy Blythe of Lamb of God (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) John Campbell of Lamb of God (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Mark Morton of Lamb of God (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Mark Morton of Lamb of God (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Randy Blythe of Lamb of God (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Chris Adler of Lamb of God (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)

 

 

Lineup: Burton C. Bell - vocals; Christian Olde Wolbers - guitar; Byron Stroud - bass; Raymond Herrera - drums/percussion

 

 

“Classic Performance Not Soon To Be Forgotten”

 

Burton C. Bell vocals of Fear Factory (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)

Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)Well known Los Angeles' co-headliners, Fear Factory pleased the masses as they always do; their set was explosive. You could feel the anticipation mounting all night. The chatter amongst the fans was insane. It seemed as many people were there for Fear Factory as they were for Lamb of God. When Burton C. Bell took the stage, the crowd erupted. The band immediately launched into Burton's personal favorite, "Slave Labor" and first track off the band’s latest release Archetype. Mr. Bell gave it his all; he was pumped as he belted out his heartfelt vocals! Bassist, Byron Stroud’s (Strapping Young Lad), thumping bass was prominent as well as the thrashing/brutal assault by drummer and percussionist, Raymond Herrera. The riffs were heavy, strong, and precise, just the way Christian Olde-Wolbers always plays.

 

After seeing Fear Factory perform, you can understand why they have been in the Industry for as long as they have. This band proves time after time how easily they command the respect amongst their peers and love from their fans. Listening to Bell go from screaming one minute to singing the next, it is truly amazing. You can clearly hear his cited vocal influences of Chris Cornell to old gothic favorites Andrew Eldridge (Sisters Of Mercy) and Wayne Hussey (Mission UK). Burton lives up to his last name, his vocals are a clear as a… Sorry, I could not resist.

 

The band played a good mix of songs from Archetype all the way back to their first release, Soul Of A New Machine. The appreciative crowd sang along to every word as the mesmerized crowd held on to every word and every note Bell uttered. Once this band takes stage will you find the crowd giving horns, singing, moshing, headbanging or moving their asses. The only way this is not happening is if the person’s a zombie. The die-hard fans were in a frenzy by the end of the set, disappointed that it was time for their fearless leader to depart. This is definitely a band you will need to see live, however your chances are running out due it being the end of the year and all. I hope that there will be a plethora of chances for you see this amazing band in the near future. --KEO

 

Setlist: Slave Labor, Cyberwaste, Demanufacture, Zero Signal, Shock, Edge Crusher, Martyr, Archetype, Drones, Replica



Click
here for Burton's interview with Karma E.

&

Here for more photos of the band

 

 

Burton C. Bell vocals of Fear Factory (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Byron Stroud of Fear Factory (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Burton C. Bell vocals of Fear Factory (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Burton C. Bell vocals of Fear Factory (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Byron Stroud of Fear Factory (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Fear Factory (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Christian Olde-Wolbers of Fear Factory (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Byron Stroud of Fear Factory (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Christian Olde-Wolbers of Fear Factory (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)  

 

 

Lineup: Alexi “Wildchild” Laiho – vocals / guitars, Jaska Raatikainen – drums, Janne Warman – keyboards, Roope Latvala – guitar; Henkka T. Blacksmith – bass

 

"Children of Bodom Aren't Babes Anymore!"

 

Alexi Laiho of Children of Bodom  (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)

Henkka T. Blacksmith of Children of Bodom (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)The crowd at the venue was stewing to see the young lads from Finland. Children of Bodom came on stage to not only start a fabulous concert off right, but show everyone that even though they are young, they can match any band musically. They're on tour in support of their latest CD Hate Crew Deathroll off Century Media / Spinefarm, and even though they have the look of an 80's glam band, they certainly aren't as cheesy.

Led by guitar virtuoso Alexi Laiho, the band performed “Needled 24/7”, “Sixpounder” and “Triple Corpse Hammerblow” from their latest release as well as others throughout their power packed 30 minute set. It would be the first time I would catch COB live, however the girls caught the band April in Milwaukee when they were in direct support for
Iced Earth. I must say I was very impressed by their intensity and their sound musicianship. Janne plays the keyboards beautifully, while Roope and Henkka hold their own on guitar and bass and Jaska pulls it all together on the drums.

Alexi might be very small in stature, but his voice is deeper than most. Clad in wristbands and a shirt that was in a sense-saying fuck everything, Laiho fueled the crowd with his screeches and growls, while making plenty of eye contact with the young ladies in the crowd. Whipping his blond mane around made most of these teenage girls swoon, while his lyrics incited the packed house to mosh and crowd surf, much to the chagrin of the venue.

This 30 minutes from COB was appreciated by all, and if you weren't a real Bodom fan before, you should be after tonight. "BODOM! BODOM! BODOM!"
-- SRL

Setlist: Silent Night, BBQ, Needled 24/7, Sixpounder, Everytime, HCDC, Downfall, Hate Me, Triple Corpse Hammerblow
 


Click
here for interviews with Alexi & Henkka with Karma E.

&

Here for more photos of the band during their headlining tour

 

Alexi Laiho of Children of Bodom (Photo: Sharita Lumpkin) Alexi Laiho of Children of Bodom (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Roope Latvala of Children of Bodom  (Photo: Sharita Lumpkin)

Henkka T. Blacksmith of Children of Bodom (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Alexi Laiho of Children of Bodom (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Henkka T. Blacksmith of Children of Bodom (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)

Henkka T. Blacksmith of Children of Bodom (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Alexi Laiho of Children of Bodom (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Henkka T. Blacksmith of Children of Bodom (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)

Henkka T. Blacksmith of Children of Bodom (Photo: Sharita Lumpkin) Jaska Raatikainen of Children of Bodom (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Henkka T. Blacksmith of Children of Bodom (Photo: Sharita Lumpkin)

Alexi Laiho of Children of Bodom  (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Roope Latvala of Children of Bodom (Photo: Sharita Lumpkin) Alexi Laiho of Children of Bodom  (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Janne Warmen of Children of Bodom (Photo: Sharita Lumpkin)  Alexi Laiho of Children of Bodom  (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)   

 

 

 

U.S. tour featuring FEAR FACTORY, LAMB OF GOD and CHILDREN OF BODOM 2004 Tour Dates

 

Oct. 07 - Tremont Music Hall - Charlotte, NC
Oct. 09 - Harpo's Concert Theatre - Detroit, MI
Oct. 10 - The Odeon - Cleveland, OH
Oct. 11 - Norva Theatre - Norfolk, VA
Oct. 13 - Roseland Ballroom - New York, NY
Oct. 15 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA
Oct. 19 - House Of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Oct. 21 - Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
Oct. 23 - Granada Theatre - Lawrence, KS
Oct. 24 - Ogden Theatre - Denver, CO
Oct. 27 - Showbox - Seattle, WA
Oct. 28 - Roseland Theater - Portland, OR
Nov. 06 - House of Blues - New Orleans, LA
Nov. 08 - Pop's - Sauget, IL
Nov. 09 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
Nov. 10 - The Eagles Club - Milwaukee, WI
Nov. 11 - Al Rosa Villa - Columbus, OH

Nov. 13 - Saratoga Winners Latham, NY
Nov. 14 - 9:30 Club Washington, DC


 

 

All photos Copyright © 2004. Pictures not to be used without written permission by FourteenG