The sun hasn’t even set over Commonwealth Avenue and there is already a line of haggard metal dudes in black T-shirts and patchy jean vests snaked out the door of the Paradise. It’s an amusing spectacle as college girls jogging by dressed head to toe in bright neon shoot us odd, almost discerning looks.
It’s been nearly 6 years since the reanimated Carcass have exhumed to consume New England. Not only that but this show is in Boston at the Paradise, not the Palladium in Worcester. The Black Dahlia Murder’s Trevor Strnad said it best, “We’ve only been to Boston 3 times in our career! Usually when we come here we go to Worcester!”
Furthermore, I can’t ever remember actually going to a serious death metal show at the Dise. Sure, the past few years the venue has hosted Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, and Lamb of God, but this is music that is rotten to the gore. Pure death! It doesn’t get gnarlier than this line up. Decibel really out did themselves on the third annual tour. As the tour’s slogan says, ‘Third times the harm.’
Noisem hit the stage earlier than advertised and there is some mild guff exchanged amongst patrons. Hailing from Baltimore, no doubt disciples of Maryland Deathfest, Noisem are a band that metal heads need to watch out for. The band is barely in their 20s but there sounds combines the intensity and speed of Repulsion and the chaotic shredding power of Slayer thrash. Noisem’s singer Tyler Carnes is in the trenches in between the stage and the barricade. Young Carnes is full of energy, all over the stage giving 100%.
Gorguts are up next. The talk obviously has revolved around Carcass reforming and coming out with new material, but after a brief hiatus the technical death metal masters Gorguts’ comeback has been almost eclipsed. They too just came out with a critically acclaimed new record in 2013 with ‘Colored Sands.’
When the Black Dahlia Murder take the stage I’m in the middle of the mosh pit and my glasses are knocked right off my face. I’m lucky enough to catch them and the damage is reversible. The set list sits a oddly with me. Obviously they played a lot off the new ‘Everblack’ album, but they omit playing anything off ‘Unhallowed’ and briefly touch ‘Nocturnal’ and ‘Miasma’ with ‘What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse’ and ‘Statutory Ape’ respectively. They close with ‘I Will Return’ and I’m still jonesin’ for more!
The Black Dahlia Murder
Finally, Carcass goes on as the all guitar epic intro ‘1984’ is blaring over the sound system. They open with ‘Buried Dreams’ from 1993’s Heartwork. It’s a headbangers marathon and I’m drooling over the set list. Jeff Walker’s banter is classic. To get the crowd more amped he threatens that they’ll only play songs from ‘Swansong.’ He playfully picks on the crowd all night singling out patrons all night. They close with ‘Heartwork’ into ‘Carneous Cacoffiny’ with no pause in between. As I’m leaving the venue they’re outside taking pictures with fans. It’s admirable. Most bands would be nestled on their tour bus by now.
- Reanimated Carcass
