i sauntered up to the elbo room at about half past 9, feeling accomplished (i washed AND folded a load of laundry...on a weeknight?!?! hells yeah!) and ready for some beer(s). i was stoked to be seeing one of my favorite bands (Walken...as if you had to ask) on what would otherwise be a lame ass monday night. the dude working the door commented on my Walken t shirt on my way in...not really sure if he was talking shit or simply stating the obvious, but either way beer = sandeep's top priority, so what the fuck ever. with beer in hand i grabbed a quick seat on the periphery and took in the scene. many of the usual sf metal show regulars were about as members of Hornss, Hazzard's Cure, Black Cobra, and a slew of other local metal greats came together with nerdy fans (ME!!!) and scenesters (cooler, non-socially hopeless, significantly less nerdy metal heads) for the purpose of badass-ness.
considering that i was at a Walken show, i had no doubt that i was going to enjoy myself, but i was particularly curious about Witch Mountain. i'd missed the band a couple of times in the past, but had heard nothing but badass reviews, so i was pretty stoked. Premonition 13, being one of Wino Wienrich's bands would undoubtedly be fucking sweet, so all in all, i was revved up for a killer show.
anyone who's ever read insanehinduramblings knows i fucking love Walken. i can't completely put my finger on what it is, but something about the way they put together their music makes it exactly what i want/need to hear. their combination of sludgy riffs, mathematical rhythmic accuracy, disturbingly brutal musical talent, and the desire to tear this shit out of every stage they set foot upon ensures that i will avoid missing a Walken show at all costs, while verbally berating folks who can't make it or don't want to come. Walken's set monday night surpassed even my high expectations. leading off with two newer songs, Walken set the evening's tone with blistering riffs, mournful growls, and the aggressive, meticulously well organized chaos that manifests as Zach Farwell's incredible percussion skills.
other than the newer unreleased stuff Walken's set highlighted some of the strongest tracks off of their full length from november 2009. while the set was totally badass, and i'll never get tired of hearing "Thunder Paws" performed live, i couldn't help but wish that the band might consider playing something older...maybe off the silk screened EP...? (translation: sandeep wants to hear "Bitch Wizard"...cuz it's fucking awesome!!!) in conversation with various members of Walken post set, it sounds like the band will be taking a break from shows in order to get some new songs written. yes, it will be a total bummer short term wise, but looking long term, that decision will only yield crushingly awesome results. best wishes for your performance hiatus Walken, we'll be foaming at the mouth for a show when y'all are ready!
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| Sean, Shane, and Zack in the background...3/4 of the mighty Walken!!! |
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| Shane, Max, and another failed attempt at photographing Zack...Walken!!! bow down!!! |
second to the stage was portland's Witch Mountain. as a band with a female lead vocalist, it can sometimes be tough for metal audiences to get past that fact. either we're too testosterone fueled and assume a woman can't thrown down the way a guy could, or we're totally enamored with the fact that it's a woman in a metal band and as a result just spend their set swooning. Witch Mountain crushed either reaction before they started as lead vocalist Uta Plotkin's sound check caused a hush to fall over the assembled headbangers. just to let y'all know, i've been having a hard time trying to fully articulate Witch Mountain's sound. they definitely fall into the epic sludgy doom category (with riffs that reminded me a bit of Brainoil), but those vocals take me in another direction...like say if Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler passed on John Michael "Ozzy" Osborne and instead recruited Ella Fitzgerald to sing for Black Sabbath. needless to say, i spent most of Witch Mountain's set flitting back and forth between complete awe of what i was experiencing, and rocking the fuck out. if you ever get the chance to see this band or buy their album, DO IT.
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| Witch Mountain sound checking and obliterating all other sounds at the elbo room. |
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| Witch Mountain...providing utter destruction in the best possible formats. |
closing out the show was Premonition 13, Wino's most recent full band project after his acoustic solo album. personally, i have a hard time not enjoying Wino's work. granted, drony, sludgy, gravelly voiced, skull crushing awesomeness is kinda my thing, so how could i ever not enjoy a Wino production? with Premonition 13, Wino definitely summons up that recipe for traditional Wino sauce that we all love, and then kicks it into high gear. despite the delightfully chorused guitars and tube driven fuzz, Premonition 13's riffs represent a little more Thin Lizzy or Steppenwolf influence to Wino's traditional Sabbath/Pentagram styled sounds. don't get me wrong, Premonition 13 still screams with those classic doom tones, but they're backed up with a little more attack. during the set i overheard someone shout "it's never a bad day to see Wino", which is totally true. despite the fact that monday night had turned to tuesday morning and i knew i'd need to be up in less than five hours for work, fuck it, Wino's on stage.
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| ah Wino...the definition of badass. |
as i began my short trek home, i found myself still reeling from the show...so much gut ripping awesomeness...my brain still rattling between my ears...i should have stopped at three drinks...no more Walken shows for a while, bummer...i wonder if i could do some sort of random stream of consciousness section when i blog about this...somebody's pooping on the sidewalk...keep it gloomy y'all!
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