On November 28 the Depravity Tour blew through The Gramercy Theater (AKA The Blender) like a freight train.  Featuring such acts as Dying Fetus and Beneath the Massacre, it’s a testament to Gramercy Theaters solid foundation that the place is still standing.

Hailing from the depths of Tennessee, Enfold Darkness was up first, and was a solid opening band. The singer’s enthusiasm and dancing skills were noticeable and most entertaining. I particularly enjoyed how he constantly held out his hand and bounced it at the crowd.  It looked as if he was somewhere in between bouncing his low rider awkwardly, and casting a spell on your punk ass. They played some songs (check out “Exaltations Part 1”) off their new album Our Cursed Rapture (due out January 1, 2010).  If you’re into high-pitched mind searing vocals over fast harmonizing riffs with a blast beat double bass maniac, it might be a good investment.  A solid mix of death with a hint of black metal, Enfold Darkness is nothing you haven’t heard before, but they certainly do it well.  I’m eager to see how their sound cures over the next few years.

As for Suffokate, I’m still working on how they didn’t get the memo about there being a band in the same genre called Suffocation being around for the past twenty years, but whatever, they must hear that all the time. Live they are a sweet band to see, the singer has an amazing voice, a super deep dry lung that astounds.  It’s definitely metal, but it’s obviously made for breakdown riffs, very reminiscent of hardcore, and totally bringing out the hardcore kids to mosh.  Hence why they were great to see live, and it even translates rather well on their  albums.  If you like Hatebreed but tend to enjoy a darker slow grind then Suffokate will be up your alley.

December  2, 2009

Report, Photos & Drawings by: Lynora

Blender Theater at Gramercy
127 East 23rd Street
NYC, New York 10010 USA

Saturday - November 28, 2009

BANDS:
Enfold Darkness
Beneath the Massacre
Suffokate
Dying Fetus

to protect us, especially when engaging in underhanded activities in pits.   I digress. Suffokate: great live, and if you like some hardcore with your death metal, then even better!

Now I come to Beneath the Massacre, who I was told was going to blow me away.  Despite that information, I still wasn’t sold, until they started to play.  Crisp sound, complex guitars and thick juicy riffs, with splashes of these huge whomps of bass that sounded somewhere in between the mother ship coming down and power to the entire world dimming. The singer is a brawny man who I figure is so jacked from having to carry that vocal box around.  So for the record I love him-- because I’m pretty sure he could rip me asunder --and because he is a screaming beast!  Beneath the Massacre is heavy for sure, with an intelligent and solid balance of breakdown riffs and tight complex death metal.  They are like a factory that cranks out box after box of rage in sound form.  I was so pleased with their style and execution.  They fit in perfectly with Dying Fetus, though perhaps they stole the show, which against Dying Fetus is no easy feat.  I applaud their sound and will see them in a heartbeat when they return.  Well worth a listen, and if they are in town just buy the ticket and go.

As for Fetus, what can I say? I love them, I love their pits, and I love their fans. I was expecting the dredges of society, but yet there’s always one random legitimate looking body builder. I guess lifting cars over your head is easier with John Gallagher growling in your ear.  Dying Fetus remains remarkably tight, and is an experience to watch live.  But I was shocked to see that they are now a power trio; so I ask where the hell did everyone go while my eyes were closed?  Fetus is almost notorious for so many lineup changes and lack of bodies in studios, but this is getting ridiculous.  Not to knock anyone, but seriously, I want two guitarists.  Fortunately, the bassist Sean Beasley seems to have the extra vocals covered.  It’s been this way for a while apparently, but I only noticed it now because it’s the first time I’ve seen them on tour in New York since 2003.  Either way, Dying Fetus as a power trio just feels wrong.  I guess because they sound like an army of destruction I just expect more people assaulting my ears and eyes from the stage.  The anticipation of the fists flying at me during Fetus made me move back a little, which was wise. Gramercy Theater/The Blender is a small vintage-looking place, which brought out the vintage in the crowd who gave circle pits upon request.  The set started with a riotous pit and overall remained brutal through “One Shot One Kill” and until the last note of “Praise the Lord (Opium for the Masses).”  The new album plays great live, and the classics do as well. 

As the train home pulled away without me, I shrugged and instead of sulking I couldn’t help but think how much I love death metal shows. There’s nowhere else you can see so many bands in such a short time for so cheap and still feel full and satisfied at the end of the night.  I may have missed the train going home, but I certainly did not miss the train that smashed through Gramercy Saturday night.

The Planetary Depravity US Tour - 2009

© 2009 Lynora Conti

It was during Suffokate that I have a story from the pit to relay.  This girl in the pit decided it would be a great idea to go out of  her way, walk up to this kidwho was dancing by himself, and punch him square in the  back  of  the  head. Needless to say, I was pleased   that   his   girlfriend saw this tasteless maneuver and shoved her punk ass clear across the room. Yet, she looked at the girlfriend like she was the bitch.  So thus, let me clarify: No sweetheart, you are the bitch.  Being hot doesn’t mean you can be abusive.  What is interesting is that a huge guy did something strikingly similar to a short skinny  kid and six people jumped him and started throwing fists.  So I very seriously say, “Just cause you got the power that don’t mean you got the right.”  Please watch out ladies, because we can’t    always rely  on  double  standards

© 2009 Lynora Conti

Beneath the Massacre

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