The night began like so many I’ve done. Standing in line, talking with fans, explaining why I have my camera bag, and realizing that the music, and bands I love are still loved by so many others. It was cold as we stood in line talking about memories of our favorite shows, and the memorabilia we have collected over the years.
My credentials arrived, and I was ready to enter the venue and upon entry the vibe was pure electric. So many friends in the business were there and it was great catching up with everyone as we waited for the show to begin.
Up first was ARMORED SAINT. Emerging onto the Los Angeles Heavy Metal scene in 1982 and have released 8 studio records, and two live records. The band has had the same lineup since 1990. That is nearly unheard of today in the music business.
John Bush and crew took the stage, and the crowd instantly ate it up. The band was tight and strong! Their energy was contagious. Fans were on their feet with horns held high. I must admit, I hadn’t seen the band in decades, and I don’t like to view videos before I shoot a band. They performed as if it was their last set ever. Later in the show, Bush took to the crowd. In the upper balcony, he handed out fist bumps to eager fans waiting to just get close to the charismatic singer. He then mingled among the lower deck crowd giving the same love to those fans that had stood by them for decades. The band ended their night with the same thunderous energy as they opened with. If you have any doubts about seeing the band, rest easy my metal friends, Armored Saint can hang with the very best. I left the setlist out for a reason, GO SEE this well-oiled machine, you will not be disappointed!
Next up was W.A.S.P. They came this time to perform their 1984 debut record in its entirety. Another band that emerged onto the Los Angeles Heavy Metal scene in 1982. They immediately gained notoriety for their shock image and blues infused straight forward rock n roll based Heavy Metal. With songs like I Wanna Be Somebody, School Daze, Sleeping in the Fire, and L.O.V.E. Machine, the band solidified their spot among the very best Los Angeles had to offer.
This night was like stepping back in time. One only had to close their eyes to be transported back to those days when the world was filled with electricity and heavy metal riffs. The V.I.P. fans were in the crowd clutching their prized signed items from meeting Blackie before the show. Blackie sounds amazing and it was so good to see him on his feet and lively. He did not disappoint. With his signature mic stand Elvis, being an extension at times of the formidable frontman. He, along with his brothers in W.A.S.P. delivered a set that mirrored those of the 80’s. It has been said that heavy Metal is dead, all I can tell you is to get your tickets and see for yourself. It is very much alive and well and this show will have you ‘On your Knees’ begging to go back to those ‘School Daze’! W.A.S.P. is bringing their A game, proving to all that W.A.S.P.’s ‘Torture never Stops’.
Thank you to: W.A.S.P.: Blackie Lawless, Doug Blair, Mike Duda, and Aquiles Priester ARMORED SAINT: John Bush, Joey Vera, Jeff Duncan, Phil Sandoval, and Gonzo Sandoval
Live report by Christian Tallone – Photos by Christian Tallone + Marco Pili
Saturday, July 6, 2024, a date I eagerly and curiously awaited since the event was announced, and honestly, with a bit of anxiety due to the fact that summer had been very late to arrive this year, and the risk of everything being ruined by bad weather was looming. Fortunately, however, a beautiful sunny day shines on Genoa’s old port, and already in the early afternoon, you can see black t-shirts emerging, from those of veterans like Testament, Slayer, Venom, etc., to many new recruits, lots of teens, and little metalheads accompanied by wise dads.
At 5:00 PM sharp, as scheduled, the gates of the sea arena open, and the rush to the barricades begins, giving those without a ticket half an hour to get one because the dances start at 6:00 PM.
SLUG GORE – 6 PM
Setlist – see the photo
At precisely 6:00 PM, SLUG GORE begins, but unfortunately, many of the attendees, myself included, miss the first few songs because we are still stuck at the ticket/accreditation office. However, I manage to catch the final part of their set, which ultimately lasts only 20 minutes. The guys from Ravenna warm our ears with some powerful death metal, with frontman Poldo and company hammering away splendidly. I’m happy to see Danny Metal in action on the drums, a YouTuber I’ve been following for a while. Old B-movie monster films serve as a backdrop. They finish with a cover of Gluch’s “Grounded by Slugs.” Unfortunately, due to the early hour and their brief time slot, there aren’t many people yet, but for the little I saw and heard, I liked them, and I hope to see them live again soon.
NECROART – 6:30 PM
After a quick stage change, it’s time for another local band, NECROART, active since 1999 with a long career and tours with giants like Rotting Christ, whom I personally adore. They bring a breath of melodic death metal to Genoa’s sea, sometimes symphonic but also very dark and decadent. Their atmospheres remind me a lot of Moonspell. Charismatic Max knows how to engage the audience, starting with “Withered”, a fresh new piece, followed by “An Invocation for the Horned”, “Son of Worms” and closing with “Lamma Sabactani”. Their set, unfortunately, is also brief, just half an hour, but they masterfully use it to leave a mark, theatrical, violent, dark, and melodic. In such a short time, they show all their nuances, a high-level band that I’ll gladly delve into more.
Setlist:
Withered (new single via Nadir)
An Invocation for the Horned
Son of Worms
Lamma Sabactani
NODE – 7:05 PM
Setlist – see the photo
A slightly longer stage change, used to grab a beer, and then back under the stage to wait for NODE, an Italian excellence active since 1994, celebrating their 30th anniversary today. Despite this, it’s my first time seeing them, so far. They open with the powerful “The Sacred Theater of Nothingness”, but for the first 30 seconds, there’s no sound due to a technical issue that is promptly resolved, giving them a notch more volume than the previous bands. The four priests are in great form, guitarist Gabriele and drummer Pietro are impeccable, while Dave and the historic member Gary are the true leaders, loving what they do and transmitting it to an audience that has visibly grown an hour after opening. Unfortunately, their time is also short, with only five songs on the setlist, but they don’t let up for a second, their style shifting from thrash to death, perhaps due to the multiple lineup changes over the years. They end with the final blow, “Life on Display”, and it’s a shame it’s over already… but my neck thanks them. Great NODE!
FULCI – 7:40 PM
At 7:40 PM, it’s FULCI’s turn, another Italian band named after the famous director Lucio Fulci (hence the tribute with the song “Zombi 2”, which they can’t play despite being on the setlist, perhaps due to time constraints). In recent years, they’ve made their way violently with their death/grind in the national scene. I didn’t know them well, but I started researching them as soon as I saw them on the program, and my curiosity grew noticing they have a strong following. Many were there for them, and I understood why as soon as they took the stage. Like SLUG GORE, they delight our eyes with horror and splatter footage, blood, and autopsies perfectly blending with their fast and brutal music. Here the situation gets more serious, with 12 pieces on the setlist, starting with “Glass”, then “Rotten Apple”. Edo’s drumming is a real bone-crushing blender, the bass and guitars deep and dark, and Fiore’s voice is truly talented, a growl that seems to come from the depths of the earth. They conclude after about 40 minutes of brutality with “Eye Full of Maggots”.
Setlist:
Glass
Rotten Apple
Apocalypse Zombie
Lonely Hearts
Splatter Fatality
Voodoo Gore Ritual
Tropical Sun
Among the Walking Dead
Matul Tribal Cult
Legion of the Resurrected
Nightmare
Eye Full of Maggots
Zombi 2
SADIST – 8:40 – PM
Setlist – see the photo
At 8:40 PM, it’s SADIST… eight years to see one of the most anticipated bands of this festival on stage again, not only Italian but Genoese, led by Trevor, who is also part of the event’s organization. He put his heart into it, dedicating part of their show to thanking everyone. They open with “One Thousand Memories”, the SADIST logo fixed on the screen, the excellent drumming of new entry Giorgio Piva meshes for this special tribal show with the percussion rhythms of the historic Oinos. Nine tracks that retrace the band’s career, “Season in Silence”, “Perversion Lust Orgasm”, well-blended sounds, perhaps only the guitar a bit low at the beginning, but then everything seems to balance out, maybe also depending on my position. Trevor is an exceptional frontman and entertainer, their show flows smoothly and quickly, and the audience goes wild under the heavy notes of “Escogido” from 1996, passing through the new “Accabadora”. I’ve been waiting a long time to see SADIST live again, and they did not disappoint anyone’s expectations. They say goodbye to the Genoese audience with “Tribe”, as great as always… now we await Infected Rain.
INFECTED RAIN – 9:45 PM
At 9:45 PM, directly from Moldova, it’s time for Infected Rain, the first non-Italian band to take this stage, although to my great surprise, I discover they speak our language very well. The guys are having enormous success and are bouncing from corner to corner of the planet. A group that intrigued me for a long time, I couldn’t quite pin them down, so I devoured many live videos (thank you, YouTube… we used to wait for something to be shown on TV, and it was practically science fiction) to prepare myself for what I would see. They are the first and only band of the day that can be said to be “for everyone”… very groovy, solid and powerful yet very melodic… they stray far from the style of all the other bands of the day. It’s undeniable that the presence of Lena and Alice is noticeable… they make an impression. Eugene’s drumming is very precise, each hit resonates in your stomach, Vidik on guitar never stays still for a second, almost impossible to photograph him, Alice makes the whole stage vibrate with headbanging, and Lena switches from a fierce growl to clean and melodic singing with great naturalness. She speaks Italian to the audience, thanks them for their support, and engages them, something I personally liked a lot. She didn’t put a wall up with the fans by acting like a superstar; on the contrary, she showed great humility, earning a lot of points from me. “A Second or a Thousand Years” starts the dances, then moving on to “The Realm of Chaos” and “Pandemonium”. By now, night has fallen, and the atmosphere has started to change, the arena is almost full, and many are there for them. Even the passengers on departing ships could enjoy a moment of their performance, with the stage set about 20 meters from the water. It was nice to see people waving from the decks and dancing to Infected Rain. “The Answer is You”, “Paura”, “Orphan Soul”, ending after about an hour with the beautiful “Sweet, Sweet Lies”. In conclusion, their sound impact is devastating, their scenic impact remarkable, a live show I’d gladly see again! Greatly approved!
Setlist:
A Second or a Thousand Years
The Realm of Chaos
Pandemonium
Vivarium
The Answer is You
Dying Light
Never to Return
Because I Let You
Enmity
Sweet, Sweet Lies
CARCASS – 10:45 PM
Setlist not available
At around 10:45 PM, CARCASS takes the stage. Introducing the English quartet is almost unnecessary; we are in the presence of true giants. This is the fourth time I’ve seen them live, but the first as headliners. Despite this, they are not a band known for elaborate stage setups; the classic lights and screen that play their iconic and unmistakable backgrounds, familiar to all Carcass fans, are sufficient. Nothing else is needed. They are enough, imposing. Jeff Walker looks like a devil on the edge of hell; his voice is pure ferocity. Drummer Daniel Wilding is frighteningly precise and fast. Bill Steer, with his distinctive bell-bottom pants, plays with the natural ease of someone born to do it, and his partner on strings, Nippy Blakford, is no less impressive.
I couldn’t retrieve the setlist, but many songs are so ingrained in our heads that, in the end, do we really need it? They open powerfully and malevolently with “Buried Dreams,” followed by “Keep on Rotting,” “Arbeit Macht Fleisch,” and “Heartwork.” They give us about an hour and 20 minutes of music, totaling at least 15 songs that practically everyone sings along with them to catch their breath from the mosh pits, or maybe they mosh to catch their breath from singing… who knows.
What’s certain is that CARCASS is a guarantee. Everyone was waiting for them, everyone wanted them, and everyone got exactly what they expected: a show worthy of their name. They deserve a book, not just a few lines of a live report. Honestly, more than praises, I wouldn’t know what else to say. CARCASS must be experienced, not read about… and if any of you haven’t done so yet… well, stay alert and don’t miss the next opportunity. A few minutes before midnight, they bid us farewell with a video of “drive-in” style dancers that made me laugh out loud. IMMENSE, PERIOD!
CONCLUSION: I’d like to say a few words about this event. It had been years since I had seen a metal concert of this scale in Genoa, and as a Ligurian, I can say I was truly astonished. The location is large but not immense, impeccable services, excellent beer, friendly staff, and, above all, a fantastic stage! Congratulations to Trevor and all the organizers! In the beautiful setting of the old port, which is already wonderful to experience pre- and post-concert, there is no shortage of parking, and there are bars and restaurants nearby for all tastes… everything was perfect, I’d say.
A festival that was a true success, and so I can be sure that the next edition of the Genoa Summer Festival will be one of the key events for us genre lovers! Congratulations again to everyone… from the bands to the staff! See you next year!
Finnish goth rockers, The 69 Eyes, brought their show to Nashville Tennessee for the second time in history on 3/31/24. Although Nashville is dubbed the Music City, one would not expect to find the Finnish rockers here. Nonetheless, they were, and the fans loved it.
The band was born out of the love for goth, punk, and glam music back in 1989. Lead vocalist Jyrki once said that the band name itself was symbolic of “A strange and dark union between Elvis and Elvira”. A mixture of vampires and rock ‘n roll, The 69 Eyes have been rocking fans for 35 years, and there is no sign of slowing down in sight.
Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel began to play through the speakers and the anticipation of the band coming out was evident on the crowds’ faces. The band emerged onto the stage to immediate applause, and their first song of the night, Devils, was served to the masses as the first dose of goth infused rock n roll. A staple in their set, Feel Berlin, followed up and set the tone for the night as fans danced with horns held high.
Songs such as Blach Orchid, Death and Darkness, Never Say Die, and Wasting the Dawn kept the crowd smiling and hungry for even more as the euphoria of The 69 Eyes music permeated the venue. I love the Darkness in You was playing and Alice Cooper/Beasto Blanco bassist, Chuck Garric was seen in the crowd with intense concentration as the song played. It is known that Garric is a fan of The 69 Eyes.
The night ended as most do with the band, their anthem Lost Boys, gave a hard rocking farewell until next time to Nashville. The band is still on tour and set to play on till April 13, 2024, when the tour ends in Clifton New Jersey.
As always, keep your nose clean, your circle lean, and horns held high! -Erik
Jasmine Cain arrived in Nashville via Sturgis, South Dakota in 2003. Raised in a country lifestyle amidst bike culture, she remains true to her roots, playing the bike circuit. She delivers her vision doused in Rock n Roll! She and her band blend hard and heavy rock with metal, and pop elements, creating a sound all her own. She has won more than 30 music awards and recently released her 8 th studio record titled Attitude is Everything.
On March 16th, I went to Jasmine Cain’s album release party just outside of Nashville, at a little bar called Shooters. In true Jasmine Cain fashion, bikers and regular patrons alike were present to show support for their hometown heroine.
As soon as Jasmine took the stage, she honored her fallen friends by having the crowd toast in their honor, showing that not only is she a badass onstage, but also within her soul, the crowd obliged.
She incorporated many songs from her discography, including Nightingale, Highway Prophet, and Be Brave. Every song was getting the same reaction from the crowd, they wanted MORE!
Jasmine and her band also performed the entire new album and from front to back, it was nothing less than spectacular! The title track from her newest record, Attitude is Everything, was a personal favorite of mine for the night. Jasmine’s music is so multi layered that it’s impossible to put her into any sub-genre, simply meaning that when you go to her show, be ready for kick ass Rock n Roll from someone who has earned her place among the very best out there.
Head Bitch in Charge, also off her new record had the crowd screaming for more and then, in pure Jasmine Cain style, she pulls out a Pantera cover of Cowboys from Hell! It isn’t easy to pull that off, and sound great, but then, everybody isn’t jasmine Cain! I let her know after the show that her version rivals that of Pantera’s, her reply…Nobody is as good as Pantera!
The show was amazing, the band was amazing, and the house was full for Jasmine’s home show. A true testimony that her style and sound has reached the hearts of so many. Catch Jasmine on tour this year. For dates, merch, and news, go to http://www.jasminecain.com
Remember, keep your nose clean, and your circle lean, Erik
(Group photo above L-to-R: Taylor McKee-guitar, Jasmine Cain-bass and vocals, and Phillip Kelly-drums)
The story of PANTERA goes all the way back to the 1980’s. A time when even Phillip Anselmo wasn’t in the band. Through hard work and determination, Pantera rose through the metal ranks and became one of the best-selling Metal bands in history. It wouldn’t last, and tragedy would take the Abbott brothers away from us. The world was void of Pantera for over two decades. There would be rumors that a Pantera “reunion” was going to happen, but it never did…until it did.
Fast forward to this month and Pantera is back with a new lineup that consists of Phil Anselmo, Rex Brown, Zakk Wylde, and Charlie Benante. The band has embarked on the second leg of their Legacy tour and stopped in Nashville to put to rest all the rumors that they didn’t have what it takes anymore, did they ever prove the haters wrong!
As we photographers were being escorted to the photo pit we were in awe of the crowd. The sound was deafening! It was glorious and amazing that after 24 years, Pantera was back in Nashville and the crowd was hungry for them. The Arena was packed.
Hanging above the stage and down to the floor was a huge black banner with one word written in big letters PANTERA. It was joined on each side by screens showing the brothers in various antics through the years and people were shouting DIMEBAG, DIMEBAG, DIMEBAG, and VINNIE, VINNIE, VINNIE. It was evident that the love still hangs on for those beloved brothers that everyone remembers so well. There were so many young people there, that had never seen the original lineup and they were chanting right along with the veteran fans.
The intro began and the curtain dropped, and there stood Phil, Rex, Zakk, and behind the drums, Charlie. They opened with A New Level, and it was insanity! The crowd was jumping up and down to the groove, and hands were in the air, horns held high. The band sounded amazing, and they all looked very healthy and, well, younger! The energy, the tightness of the band as they played was unmatched, for all rights and purposes, Pantera was back!
Any doubts of Pantera not being on par with their past were crushed under the weight of songs like Becoming, I’m Broken, 5 Minutes Alone, This Love, and Walk! The Floods tribute was as amazing as it was sad. Zakk did an honorable honor to Dime as he held his fist high during a sustained high note.
The show closers were first Cowboys from Hell and final, Fucking Hostile. The crowd never stopped chanting the brothers’ names after the final note. It was more than a concert; it was a homecoming. Most are calling this a tribute, and for most intents and purposes, it is. But Phil said see you next time and the seed is planted that asks the question, will there be a new Pantera record? We can only hope.
When CROWBAR first hit the metal scene in 1991 with their debut, Obedience thru Suffering, the metal world was going through significant change. The arrival of grunge had been eating away like a cancer in genres both Metal and the L.A. scene dubbed “Hair Band”. It seemed that all things Metal would disappear. Fast forward 32 years and CROWBAR are still touring in both Europe and America, and the grunge scene that had nearly wiped out all things Metal, has all but disappeared.
I caught their October 4 show in East Nashville, Tennessee, at The COBRA.
When CROWBAR is on, they are always hitting on all 8 cylinders. This show was no different. The band took the stage and instantly demanded respect with their signature sludge filled riffs and hard-hitting bass and drums, supporting the onslaught. The house was sold out, and even with a limited capacity, the crowd was worked into a frenzy from the energy emitting from the stage.
Opening with the energy of Conquering, you just knew that CROWBAR was going to kick everyone’s ass! Following it up with High rate Extinction, the crowd brought their own energy during the entire set. A highlight is always Planets Collide which brings even the dead back to life with that signature riff that only Kirk can conjure. The night was filled with riffs, madness, and horns in the air, and it is like that each and every show CROWBAR puts on. One would never know that it was the night before the tour would end. The energy was high! Kirk rallied the crowd, Shane brought that mean muggin’ bass playing that is all his own, Tommy was on point with his drumming and Matt, as always, brought heavy, solid guitars.
Kirk was kind enough to talk with me a bit about future plans. His project with former CROWBAR bassist and friend, Todd Strange and former Type O Negative members Johnny Kelly and Kenny Hickey called EYE AM, will be releasing a new song soon, DOWN will be entering the studio, and more greatness from CROWBAR is to come. 2024 looks to be shaping up very nicely for “Nawlins” metal!
Kirk and company are due for some much-needed rest after 4 European runs and tons of American dates this year.
Keep your horns held high, and always follow your dreams!
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 