Suffocation/Behemoth Black Dahlia Murder DevilInside Review

Suffocation Black Dahlia Murder Cattle Decapitation Behemoth DevilInside 2/13/05 HOB Reviewer: Sharita Lumpkin Photos: Kimisha L. Pierce

Sunday would prove to be anything but a holy day as Suffocation rolled into Chicago. The energy of the crowd was apparent and it translated to the bands as all of them gave very spirited, high octane performances; and why not considering it was a party of sorts to welcome the headliner back to the forefront of death metal. Along for the ride would be Polish metal masters Behemoth, Detroit's young and hungry Black Dahlia Murder, San Diego grind/grimcore band Cattle Decapitation, and Minneapolis newcomers DevilInside. Unfortunately, during the respective Cattle D and DevilInside set of which we were conducting interviews, however, click here for photos of DevilInside and Cattle D during the Back To The Worm Tour with Cryptopsy...but here is what we did see this evening...

Lineup: Frank Mullen - Vocals; Guy Marchais - Guitar; Terrance Hobbs - Guitar; Derek Boyer - Bass; Mike Smith - Drummer

The Return of The Kings of Death Metal is Well Received By Fans! Returning from the bowls of Brooklyn are Death Metal masters Suffocation. They've been on a hiatus the last couple of years with members going back to the grind of day jobs and family. Maybe they realized that Suffocation still had a lot to offer the world of metal. The reaction of the audience proved them right.

Lead singer, Frank Mullen made cracks about past girlfriends as well as the state of the country in between songs; the crowd was appreciative of his humor. They are touring in support of their latest effort off Relapse called Souls To Deny. With the tour and the album, they've brought the brutality back into Death Metal.

Since this was my first time seeing them, I am convinced that the musicianship of guitarists Marchais, Terrance Hobbs and Drummer, Mike Smith is what drives the band. Normally, with death metal bands, the beats are the same, the chords are annoyingly repetitive and the lyrics have no feeling. Suffocation breaks the mold and slays you with precision and power that is unmatched. Welcome back to the masters. ALL HAIL!

Click here for my interview with Mike Smith

Click pix to enlarge thumbnail

Lineup: Nergal - Vocals/Guitar; Orion - Bass; Inferno - Drums

Behemoth Stole the Show ...Without any doubt this well established band, forming in Poland in '91 Behemoth will headline a tour of their own SOON as this is Nergal's hope, frontman, and mastermind of the band. This being my first experience seeing this mammoth act in which I would admit my anticipation was heightened by Nergal’s hype during my interview with him. Did their set live up to my expectations you may ask!? It sure as hell did and surpassed it!! I was thoroughly blown away. Chicago has seen some tremendous acts as of late however I will have to say Behemoth’s performance will easily rank in the Top 5 for this year. They were definitely the best band on tonight’s bill and judging from the response of the crowd, I was not alone. Many fans were brandishing Behemoth shirts and hoodies. Polish flags were waving about the pit madly as the band's fellow countrymen were so proud to see their country being well represented in metal.

Nergal is one scrupulous artiste; he cares most above all about his music, composition, etc. He spent about 700 hours in the studio on Zos Kia Cultus.  His drive for success comes across in his live performance more than anything does; he is one hell of a frontman. The already keyed up crowd went berserk when their leader, Nergal took the stage. Their stage garb is reminiscent of Dimmu Borgir with the armbands, corpse paint, chaps, and spikes but Behemoth’s sound is much more refined than the aforementioned band. However, I think I need to ask how they managed to get those spiky shin guards and armbands into the U.S.

Speaking of their sound, you have highs, lows, ferocious growls, searing guitar riffs, crescendos, punishing cover ripping beats on the drums…it all reigns supreme. A host of songs were performed off the band’s newest and best release to date, Demigod like "Conquer All", "Slaves Shall Serve", and others off previous releases like "Satanica"…

When Nergal said he hoped I saw a bunch of guys who knew how to deal with their shit on stage…that was an understatement! What I saw was musicianship at its highest level. Luckily, the band is coming back on the King Diamond/Nile tour; you really need to catch these guys out, you too can experience Behemoth's high level of perfection... Short, plain and simple, they shred! -- Karma E. Omowale

Lineup: Trevor Strnad - Vocals; Brian Eschbach - Guitar; David Lock - Bass; John Kempainen - Guitar; Zack Gibson - Drummer

BDM Bringing It From The Motor City! Black Dahlia Murder may be young and silly but their music is serious and powerful. The Motor City might not be one of metal and hardcore's hotbed by BDM are definitely one of the brightest to come out of that market.

Unhallowed is not only an album that tells horror stories, it it shows the bands influences like Carcass and Cannibal Corpse. Lead singer, Trevor Strnad worked up a sweat onstage, howling and growling through the whole set. The crowd seemed to be into it and appreciate the young bands attempt to set stage for Polish metal masters Behemoth.

Trevor and gang would play a few songs from Unhallowed as well as a couple of new songs from their up and coming album, Miasma.

Click here to read my interview with Trevor

Suffocation/Behemoth 2005 Tour Dates
01/22 - Suffocation - Behemoth

Behemoth w/ Suffocation, Cattle Decapitation
01/23 Masquerade-Atlanta, GA
01/24 Howlin' Wolf-New Orleans, LA
01/25 Mary Jane's-Houston, TX
01/26 Sanctuary-San Antonio, TX
01/27 Trees-Dallas, TX
01/28 Bricktown Live-Oklahoma City, OK
01/29 Launch Pad-Albuquerque, NM
01/30 The Rock-Tucson, AZ
01/31 Mason Jar-Phoenix, AZ
02/01 Galaxy Theater Santa Ana, CA
02/02 Key Club-Los Angeles, CA
02/03 The Pound at Pier 96-San Francisco, CA
02/04 Meow Meow-Portland, OR
02/05 Studio Seven-Seattle, WA

w/Suffocation, Cattle Decapitation, DevilInside & Black Dahlia Murder
02/07 Lo-fi Café-Salt Lake City, UT
02/08 Bluebird Theater-Denver, CO
02/09 Ranch Bowl-Omaha, NE
02/10 Ascot Room-Minneapolis, MN
02/11 Pop's-Sauget, IL
02/12 Alvin's-Detroit, MI
02/13 House of Blues-Chicago, IL
02/14 House Of Blues-Cleveland, OH
02/15 The Trocadero-Philadelphia, PA
02/16 B.B. King's Blues Club-New York, NY
02/17 Webster Theater-Hartford, CT
02/18 Palladium-Worcester, MA
02/19 Saratoga Winners-Cohoes, NY

w/Suffocation, DevilInside, Misery Index
02/20 Les Foulbunes Elecrtiques-Montreal, QUE
02/21 Cabaret Du Capitole-Quebec City, QUE
02/22 Barrymore's Music Hall-Ottawa, ON
02/23 The Opera House–Toronto, ON

w/Suffocation
02/25 Penny Arcade-Rochester, NY
02/26 Thunderdome-Baltimore, MD