The time is now, rise up from destitution...
Last night was most certainly one of my more frantic arrivals to a gig, but it all not only worked out, but was well worth it for the mighty performance of 80s Thrash Metal legends, Testament.
Luckily for me, the Short Works performance last night started two hours early, which gave me just enough time, by my reckoning, to get to Billboard for Testament. We had an excellent run last night, too - lots of energy, and a good audience. I think the chemistry between Leigh and I gets better every night, and we already had people thinking we were a genuine couple on opening night. Jesse, Shane and Greg came along for the performance last night, and seemed to have a really good time. Closing night tonight, and Charlotte, along with both our parents, and also hopefully Erin, will be there. Good times!
But anyway, had to scoot very quickly from the show last night, and made it to Billboard in reasonably good time. The support band, Dreadnaught, were still playing when I got there. A little disappointed that I missed the first half of their set, as I do quite like them, and I'd never seen them live before. Sort of like a slightly more melodic version of Slayer. Still, enjoyed what I saw, and actually managed to get myself and my beer into the third row from the barrier.
Talked to a few people about Metal in general between sets, most especially the recently announced Soundwave line-up, which includes the mighty Iron Maiden, Slayer, Rob Zombie, DevilDriver and Avenged Sevenfold. Normally I wouldn't care about A7X, but since the death of their drummer, the Rev, Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater has been filling in, and I will take any opportunity to see a Dream Theater member play. Even with A7X.
Random little thing, Billboard have apparently installed a black curtain they bring down between sets now. Also, the sound quality was much better than some of my other Billboard engagements this year. Clean, crisp, and a very good volume. Most pleased with that.
Testament hit the stage to much acclaim, and of course opened with For the Glory of..., the opening track from the latest album, The Formation of Damnation. Awesome times, and it didn't slow down for a moment from there. I was in front of Alex Skolnick, the guitarist, which was a good place to be. He often came forward and held out his guitar to us as he played, even letting a few people strum it. Great guy. Chuck Billy was also in fine vocal form, and sang Australia's praises, so to speak, as well. Like so many Metal and Industrial artists, he has said in international interviews - not just here - that if he and the band were to relocate anywhere in the world, it would be to Australia. Leaves' Eyes and Atrocity said much the same thing on the DVD that I just watched. We just rock like that.
I'm not terribly familiar with a lot of Testament's material, but I loved hearing Into the Pit, and Practice what you Preach similarly went off. Great moshing fun. I managed to get into the second row by about halfway through the gig, which was awesome :D Other stand-out tracks included The Persecuted Won't Forget and of course, The Formation of Damnation.
One disappointing thing was that there was no encore, but I did run into my friend Maria after the show, and we went and hunted down the band out the back. Low and behold, I managed to get my copy of The Formation of Damnation signed by Chuck Billy, guitarist Eric Peterson, and bassist Greg Christian. I also got a couple of photos...
Lewi and Chuck Billy!
Lewi and Greg Christian!
Being pumped from the gig, despite having frozen my arse off waiting for autographs, I attempted to head over to Heresy. Unfortunately however, the place was closed when I got there... at 1:15! Must have been a terribly slow night, as I was under the impression that End: The DJ was supposed to be playing, so for them to be closed at that time... well, it lends credence to the joking statement that has been made to the effect that our posse is the Goth scene. Then I turn up to a club we weren't at, and lo and behold...
Come on, I'm a writer, an actor, and a Goth. It's like an official license for egotism.
And now we have the final night of Short Works tonight, and on the gig front, next Saturday brings us Christian Death...
Luckily for me, the Short Works performance last night started two hours early, which gave me just enough time, by my reckoning, to get to Billboard for Testament. We had an excellent run last night, too - lots of energy, and a good audience. I think the chemistry between Leigh and I gets better every night, and we already had people thinking we were a genuine couple on opening night. Jesse, Shane and Greg came along for the performance last night, and seemed to have a really good time. Closing night tonight, and Charlotte, along with both our parents, and also hopefully Erin, will be there. Good times!
But anyway, had to scoot very quickly from the show last night, and made it to Billboard in reasonably good time. The support band, Dreadnaught, were still playing when I got there. A little disappointed that I missed the first half of their set, as I do quite like them, and I'd never seen them live before. Sort of like a slightly more melodic version of Slayer. Still, enjoyed what I saw, and actually managed to get myself and my beer into the third row from the barrier.
Talked to a few people about Metal in general between sets, most especially the recently announced Soundwave line-up, which includes the mighty Iron Maiden, Slayer, Rob Zombie, DevilDriver and Avenged Sevenfold. Normally I wouldn't care about A7X, but since the death of their drummer, the Rev, Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater has been filling in, and I will take any opportunity to see a Dream Theater member play. Even with A7X.
Random little thing, Billboard have apparently installed a black curtain they bring down between sets now. Also, the sound quality was much better than some of my other Billboard engagements this year. Clean, crisp, and a very good volume. Most pleased with that.
Testament hit the stage to much acclaim, and of course opened with For the Glory of..., the opening track from the latest album, The Formation of Damnation. Awesome times, and it didn't slow down for a moment from there. I was in front of Alex Skolnick, the guitarist, which was a good place to be. He often came forward and held out his guitar to us as he played, even letting a few people strum it. Great guy. Chuck Billy was also in fine vocal form, and sang Australia's praises, so to speak, as well. Like so many Metal and Industrial artists, he has said in international interviews - not just here - that if he and the band were to relocate anywhere in the world, it would be to Australia. Leaves' Eyes and Atrocity said much the same thing on the DVD that I just watched. We just rock like that.
I'm not terribly familiar with a lot of Testament's material, but I loved hearing Into the Pit, and Practice what you Preach similarly went off. Great moshing fun. I managed to get into the second row by about halfway through the gig, which was awesome :D Other stand-out tracks included The Persecuted Won't Forget and of course, The Formation of Damnation.
One disappointing thing was that there was no encore, but I did run into my friend Maria after the show, and we went and hunted down the band out the back. Low and behold, I managed to get my copy of The Formation of Damnation signed by Chuck Billy, guitarist Eric Peterson, and bassist Greg Christian. I also got a couple of photos...
Lewi and Chuck Billy!
Lewi and Greg Christian!
Being pumped from the gig, despite having frozen my arse off waiting for autographs, I attempted to head over to Heresy. Unfortunately however, the place was closed when I got there... at 1:15! Must have been a terribly slow night, as I was under the impression that End: The DJ was supposed to be playing, so for them to be closed at that time... well, it lends credence to the joking statement that has been made to the effect that our posse is the Goth scene. Then I turn up to a club we weren't at, and lo and behold...
Come on, I'm a writer, an actor, and a Goth. It's like an official license for egotism.
And now we have the final night of Short Works tonight, and on the gig front, next Saturday brings us Christian Death...