Date: Saturday, March 20th, 2004
Location: Bourbon Street Bar & Grill in Concord, California
Opening Bands:

        Borderwars and

OK...we are going to talk about Exodus first since they were the only metal band that played this night and was the only band we went to see.

Exodus:  When they came on at 11:15 pm there was about 80 people in the small place with no air circulation, so it was pretty hot.  Exodus destroyed all that were present.  For two solid hours they suffocated us with songs from their new album "Tempo Of The Damned", and also from other albums especially "Bonded By Blood".  After the third song Tom Hunting (the drummer) ran of the stage to get cooled down by water, I told you it was hot.  It was survival of the fittest and both Patrick and I were not about to go anywhere.  The drummer returned a few minutes later and the music assault continued.  Once they started playing their world renowned "Bonded By Blood" song, the crowd was fully aware of the lyrics and sang along with the band, it was intense.  The last song of the night was "Strike Of The Beast".  The pit went ballistic and so did anyone else that was still in the place (us included).  We both recommend that you pick-up the new album ASAP.

The opening bands were the worst bands we have ever seen at a metal show!  We don't think Exodus checked them out first or if they did, then they did it this way so that they were the most anticipated band to play that night, but they didn't have to do that since Exodus is one of the true fathers of metal.  At first we were not going to write anything about the opening bands, but then we figured we better warn you about them.

Mad at Sam = sucked unless you like bands trying to mix metal with rap.  They had an Clockwork Orange theme going but that didn't make any difference, they still sucked.  At the end of their set they had two girls (I think they were girlfriends of band members) dancing on the stage...what the fuck!!!  Oh...they were the first band on the stage and the first band to announce that the headliner is "in the house".  Waste of our time!

Imagika = sucked unless you like 80's power metal (Judas Priest and Iron Maiden rip-off's), we don't!  The only interesting thing about this band was that they had a girl on bass.  Looking at some of the people in the crowd this was what they liked, but this was no normal metal crowd.  This is the only band that did not announce that Exodus "is in the house", but they still sucked.  Another waste of our time!

Borderwars = sucked and it seems as if the bands are getting worse the closer you get to the headliner.  Hey it is supposed to be the other way around.  First band on usually gives it it's best and then the following bands get better and better, obviously not this time.  Three member band who bought their own fans on a bus to the show.  I think they were the only ones enjoying themselves while this band played (I think they were all drunk).  They also announced that the headliner is "in the house".  Still wasting our time waiting for Exodus.

Pain Factor = sucked.  They were the worst band of the night.  Another band mixing metal with rap.  Don't they get it...it doesn't work!  Yes another band that announced that the headliner as being "in the house".

If you are true metal head, like we are and I am sure you are or you would not be reading this, then DO NOT waste your time or money on any of the bands that opened for Exodus.  We did not list where the bands are from because we do not care!

Written by:  Steven Ansell and Patrick O'Connor