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

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

...on November 9^th, 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!"

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

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

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

“Classic Performance Not Soon To Be Forgotten”

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.

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Here for more photos of the band

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!"

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.

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Here for more photos of the band during their headlining tour

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