Better basement and brief concert write-up.
My parents finally have a sump pump installed in their basement, replacing the old gravity drain that was the source of so much trouble. I haven't been over there to look but apparently the plumber crews (who have been over there for days on end,) had to jackhammer up a bunch of the concrete. Hopefully the pump will help my folks rest easier and avoid any future floods until they can finally get out of there.
Last night I went with megiloth and thanis_bloodsto to see Anthrax, Testament, and Death Angel at the Midland theatre. These are three of the royalty of thrash metal and believe it or not, I had never seen any of them live until tonight. They each did a hell of a job. I was expecting Anthrax to be fun but just okay since they had one album a absolutely loved and several that were just alright to me, and I haven't really gotten into their newer stuff. To my surprise they really put on an amazing show! This was in spite of their guitarist Scott Ian being out due to a sudden illness. Fortunately, all the guitarists from the other two bands took turns filling his spot, each one playing about 3 songs each. Joey Belladonna (Anthrax's singer) kept apologizing for the situation but it really created a fun atmosphere with all the bands helping out.
Of the three acts Testament was definitely the LOUDEST. They are one act where you know for sure you have just seen a METAL band. They were the one I most wanted to see and they did not disappoint.
Working backwards, that brings me to Death Angel. They are an extremely hard-working band, touring constantly, and been around just as long as the other two, yet they've never managed to work their way up to main event status. I cannot figure out why because they deliver tight, intricate songs that are as brutal as they are beautiful. They've been through KC several times this year and missed them each time until now and I am really regretting it.
The disappointing aspect of the concert for me was that each band had at least two songs I really wanted to hear live and NONE of them played ANY of them! They all somehow managed to play every other big song the had except the ones I most wanted. I expect that from a band every now and then. But three in a row? Come on.
Good show overall and also it was at the Midland Theatre which as I always love to point out was built at the end of the 19th century and as a result is filled with statues and gold paint and motherfucking carved gods and angels and shit. Perfect place to hold a metal show. Every metal show needs to be in a place like that.
Next concert will be Children of Bodom/Eluviete a week from Monday and it will be at the much more austere setting of the Granada in Lawrence KS. Not as pretty as the Midland but I'll manage.
Last night I went with megiloth and thanis_bloodsto to see Anthrax, Testament, and Death Angel at the Midland theatre. These are three of the royalty of thrash metal and believe it or not, I had never seen any of them live until tonight. They each did a hell of a job. I was expecting Anthrax to be fun but just okay since they had one album a absolutely loved and several that were just alright to me, and I haven't really gotten into their newer stuff. To my surprise they really put on an amazing show! This was in spite of their guitarist Scott Ian being out due to a sudden illness. Fortunately, all the guitarists from the other two bands took turns filling his spot, each one playing about 3 songs each. Joey Belladonna (Anthrax's singer) kept apologizing for the situation but it really created a fun atmosphere with all the bands helping out.
Of the three acts Testament was definitely the LOUDEST. They are one act where you know for sure you have just seen a METAL band. They were the one I most wanted to see and they did not disappoint.
Working backwards, that brings me to Death Angel. They are an extremely hard-working band, touring constantly, and been around just as long as the other two, yet they've never managed to work their way up to main event status. I cannot figure out why because they deliver tight, intricate songs that are as brutal as they are beautiful. They've been through KC several times this year and missed them each time until now and I am really regretting it.
The disappointing aspect of the concert for me was that each band had at least two songs I really wanted to hear live and NONE of them played ANY of them! They all somehow managed to play every other big song the had except the ones I most wanted. I expect that from a band every now and then. But three in a row? Come on.
Good show overall and also it was at the Midland Theatre which as I always love to point out was built at the end of the 19th century and as a result is filled with statues and gold paint and motherfucking carved gods and angels and shit. Perfect place to hold a metal show. Every metal show needs to be in a place like that.
Next concert will be Children of Bodom/Eluviete a week from Monday and it will be at the much more austere setting of the Granada in Lawrence KS. Not as pretty as the Midland but I'll manage.