So,
Mastadon and
Slayer live @ The Riverstage is the next show up for review. I was there in the most part to see Mastodon (who were supporting Slayer) but I was also keen to check Slayer out, as they're a seminal act, and who knows if they'll ever return.
I wont go in to too many specifics about the music. I mean, to me it was totally awesome, but I'm aware enough to ackowledge a lot people hate it (or dont understand it) so I'm not about to start trying to convert anyone. If you want to see some of the awesomeness that is Mastodon live, you can
check out some video here (not from the show I saw but they did play this song).
For my money, the thing that is so totally awesome about a metal show is the punters. Parking the car and walking into the venue (the Riverstage is fast becoming one of my favourites) I spotted more and more black jeans and t-shirts the closer I got to the gates.
There's a real sense of, dare I say, brotherhood at shows like this, and the reason is simple - a metal crowd is a crowd who's sole purpose is the music. There's absolutely no scenesters there, and for my money, it's the scenesters who are runing the music industry, on ALL levels. No one is there to be seen, or see who else is there, or get laid, and whilst there is the unspoken black uniform (which I have to admit, I was looking forward to wearing almost as much as seeing the bands), no one there gives a genuine shit what everyone else is wearing. And I feel safer in a crowd full of metal fans than I do in any city pub or valley nightclub. There was a palpable sense of comradory in the air and I had a smile on my face from ear to ear.
Adding to my sense of well being was the fact that all the drinkers were fenced off in an area up the back of the hill. I actually thought it was the under 18 section when I first arrived. It was great having those who are so fucking stupidly moronic they can't go for
2 hours without ingesting alcohol (which is available to them
24 hours a day) fenced off and as far away from me as possible.
I had my camera at this one, and was in prime position to take many stellar pics, but my camera battery went flat almost as soon as I turned it on. Sometimes you just have to learn lessons the hard way.
So, in summation, the night was brilliant. You have to respect Slayer for their trailblazing metal,
Dave Lombardo was beyond amazing and they played all the songs I wanted them to.
But it was Mastodon who truly shone on the night for me.
metal up your ass.
Up next - Silverchair live @ The Tivoli
