Date: Sunday July 24th, 2005
Location: The Gaslighter Theartre in Campbell, California
Other Bands:
Finally a night with some Black Metal bands playing. Although Engorge was not the headliner, they were one of the bands that I really wanted to see this night (Sumeria being the other), and neither disappointed me, so that is why I have these bands listed first. Another band I was looking forward to seeing cancelled the west coast tour and that was Typhus. My first time to The Gaslighter Theartre in Campbell (a good 1.5 hour drive from home). Not a big place and yes it has seats, hence the reason for it called a theartre. But there was a large enough area in front for people to stand close to the stage and also have a small pit. The bands started later than planned due to delays in some of them arriving in time for their pre-determined start. Sound was good. A small bar with the necessary refreshments. Show was arranged by K.E.P. Productions and NCMU.com. Probably about 70 people attended. Not sure why more did not attend, but for those of us that did we were treated to a good night of music. I had my camera again and took some photo's, so please check them out by using the link below.
Here is the link to the Photo's:
Here is a link to the Flyer:
Ilvestgrol took the stage first. Relatively new band from the bay area with a unique sound and vocals. They call their music 'Wasteland Metal' which they break down to being a combination of Black and Thrash metal. I know the guitarist from this band and so I wanted to see them perform after hearing they were playing. They had a few technical issues but overall a good performance by them. A few more hours in the studio and on stage will help them out. Too bad not many people in the crowd got into them, maybe next time.
Cryptic on stage next. Again a new band hailing from the bay area (mainly San Jose). They play a mix of Death/Thrash/Grind, so I guess you could call them Metalcore, but they do not have a lot of hardcore in their sound, just the vocals give it that. Good technical musicians with a great Death Metal sound. It's the vocals that didn't do it for me. The vocals are definitely metalcore with a combination of deep death metal sound parts but with a lot of the hardcore screaming. A lot of support for them because they local to the area and there was a pit going. Overall not bad and I do see them continuing on since metalcore seems to be big in the bay area right now.
Sumeria. Yes and Yes again. Black Metal with rawness to it as well. I saw this band last year with Nokturne and Demon Sword (R.I.P.). Just like that show they did an excellent job. Sumeria hail from Southern California and has a good following all over the state of California. So a lot of the audience now was up front watching the band play. I got a chance to thank Daishe (vocalist and bass guitar) for the show. Daishe was also in Demon Sword, but he informed me that they are no more. That's a shame as they were good. Sumeria is a band to see as they put on a great show wearing corpse paint and having a great stage presence. When they come back to town again, I will be going.
Engorge. Absolutely amazing band!!! It may have started out rough, due to problems with the microphone setup, but once that was corrected, lets just say that Engorge will crush you and anyone in it's way. Engorge hail from New Jersey and it is a real treat to see them live. I do have one of their albums 'Dead...Fuck...Blackness' and it is fantastic (hard to find too)! K.E.P. provides the Lungs of Blasphemy and bestows upon you the never ending onslaught of pain through his vocals, while the others continually surround your mind with illusions that you are in HELL!!! I spoke to K.E.P. before and after the show, chit-chatting about the band and tour (thanks for taking the time to talk to me K.E.P.). I also bought a tour shirt with the Engorge logo on the front, I will wear it with pride wherever I go. Unfortunately I do not think that others in the crowd knew who these guys were, but after a few songs it was obvious that they will not forget them! If this band ever comes around again I will be there and so should you!
Necrophagia took the stage last (for they are the main attraction of the night, according to the line-up). This band has been around for years, nearly 20 I think, and hail from Ohio. They play what is called Horror Metal (aka Goremetal). I am not a big fan of Necropahgia only because they have done different things over the years. However, they put on a great show and it sounded really good. The crowd was definitely into it as well. Everyone seemed mesmerized by the band. Waves of vocals and crushing instruments picked those sitting down, up onto their feet and to the front of the stage. Everyone head-banging away until the band left the stage. So this was not one of the bands I primarily went to see this night, but I will admit, I enjoyed their show.
In closing, I wanted to thank all of the bands for stopping by in the bay area. A special thanks goes out to Engorge and Sumeria for making my night and taking the time to talk to me during set changes. I look forward to seeing both bands again hopefully in the near future. The only problem with the night was that each band played for about 20 minutes and that is not long enough especially for the touring bands. But 20 minutes is better than none. Although the night was not just Black Metal, it was still a great night. But I can't wait for another night of all Black Metal bands playing!!! Don't forget to check out my photo's.
Written by: Steven Ansell