March 22, 2010

Report and all photos by Kesh

State Theater
687 Central Avenue
St Petersburg, FL 33701-3625
(727) 895-3045

Saturday, March 13, 2010

BANDS:
Shadows of the Statue
Shades of Twilight
Ares
First Born
From the Embrace
Ulcer
Deicide

Deicide's U.S. Tour 2010

Saturday March 13, 2010 was one in a five show mini tour across central Florida featuring death metal legends Deicide. Transpiring at the State Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida, the show was a night that filled with some of the most brutal metal bands the southern swamps have to offer. The line-up consisted of seven bands (Shadows of the Statue, Shades of Twilight, Ares, First Born, From the Embrace, Ulcer and main attraction, Deicide) varying in experience and style. Making the night interesting and somewhat unpredictable --it was also some what drawn out at times from everyone wanting Deicide to take the stage, but the supporting acts just seemed to pile on to the stage like clowns out of a car. While the music was good, and got the crowd worked up and ready for Glen and Company; it sometimes felt like a bit too much. This could have been fixed by having one or two fewer bands and would have made the show a little less tedious and less like a festival and more like a show.

Due to heavy traffic on the highways, I was late and narrowly missed the opening band, Shadows of the Statue, catching only the last song and a half of their set. The stage crew then switched over to the second band of the night, Shades of Twilight. Both of these bands have a great deal of potential for growth, but need to cut their teeth a little bit more to acquire the stage presence that the later veterans on the bill have.

When Shades of Twilight took the stage, I was a bit skeptical due to the fact that their performance seemed a bit forced and unnatural, but as they trudged through their set, they loosened up and got more into it, making it more enjoyable for both the audience and themselves.

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Next came Ares. These guys came, saw and then conquered much in the spirit of the Roman God of war from who they take their name. Covered in stage blood from the moment they set foot on stage, these guys showed the crowd their best and didn’t disappoint. This was the first in a parade of bands with guitarists that shredded the strings so fast it was absolutely maddening. These guys also did a pretty impressive cover of Mayhem’s “Freezing Moon,” which made the die-hard metal heads in the crowd go ape-shit, a moshpit breaking out as a result.

Following Ares came the power metal act, First Born. At first I was a little thrown off by the presence of these guys on the bill, especially once they started playing. To be perfectly honest, this band would have been better suited opening for bands along the lines of Judas Priest, Manowar or Iron Maiden. But after a little post show research, I discovered that the likely reason they were on the bill was the fact that Glen Benton did some guest vocals on, and produced their first album Killer Within. That explanation found, I still was a little thrown off. The band’s vibe something entirely different from every other band in the line-up, ending up being somewhat of a buzz-kill for the show when I should have been gearing up for more brutal metal - not some guy in tights he had no business wearing, playing an air guitar on stage. It was more a disruption than an addition to the show, yet it wasn’t bad music, just misplaced in the overall scheme of things

Tampa boys From the Embrace put the show back on track with a set that put the crowd in a more receptive mood for the rest of the show. They were much more energetic and came off having way more experience than all the preceding acts. The guitarists are both absolutely phenomenal and the vocalist is somewhat different than most vocalist’s out there, creating a unique experience for the audience that proves why these boys seem have a decent following here in Central Florida.

One band left, and then Deicide would take to the stage. Tamps Bay scene legends Ulcer took the stage, killing the crowd with some brutally evil sounding tunes. Lead guitarist Eric Andersch was easily the best guitarist on the stage that night, sometimes breaking out into some Slayer-esq. riffs that hypnotized all in attendance. After their performance, why these guys are not signed to a label is a mystery. Their talent is much more suited to a national touring act than just sticking to a local scene. By the end of Ulcer’s set, the crowd was chomping at the bit for Deicide.

The moment had arrived. When the band took the stage to start setting up and tune their instruments, you could feel the excitement like electricity in the air. Once the first cord of “Deicide” began, the place exploded like a spark on kerosene. There is no real way to write about the crowd’s reaction to the band’s set, each and every song played receiving a bigger and bigger response as the band played through the set. In other words, hey killed! This was worth the wait through six bands to see the most evil band in the world.

Overall, despite the few minor points I stated above, it was still an excellent show that was worth the money spent. Deicide are a first class act that shouldn’t be missed!

TO THE TOP

Ares

First Born

From the Embrace

Ulcer

Deicide

Deicide's
Glen Benton