Date: Wednesday July 20th, 2005
Location: Pound in San Francisco, California
Other Bands:
Well it's a metal show in the middle of the week so it's tough to get a lot of people out to see the bands, but for those that did attend it was another great night at the Pound. The original line-up changed due to the fact that Divine Empire split-up during the tour. I just checked their website and it looks like they have new members already and plan on hitting the road soon and that's good because Divine Empire is a true death metal band worth seeing. So now on this tour is Malevolent Creation, Origin and Animosity. Carnivorous opened and that was definitely a treat. During the night I got a chance to meet Phil from Malevolent Creation. Phil has been in the band since the beginning. I had with me a copy of a flyer from the last show I saw them at which was in Cambridge, England in 1991. I showed Phil the flyer and he was amazed to to see it and meet someone at the show, now in San Francisco 2005, that had seen them play 14 years ago in England. He kept the copy of the flyer for his collection. I also spoke to other members of the band and showed them the same flier, and they were amazed with it as well.
Carnivorous took the stage first. I had seen this band before at the Brutality By The Bay show back in April. These guys are very good. Not a lot of people at the show had heard of them because they are relatively new and currently unsigned with a demo and 3-way split as their only releases. They hail from San Francisco and play brutal death metal. But after a few songs the crowd got more and more into it. Friends with Animosity as they also hail from San Francisco. I hope this band stays brutal with death metal and succeeds at it and not adjust their music to something I do not like (i.e. metalcore).
Animosity on stage next. Yep this band plays metalcore (hardcore with a mix of death metal). Since I do not like hardcore, then I do not like metalcore. Metalcore bands have great technical death metal sound but vocals are of in the vain of hardcore. Although I didn't like this band they definitely had a lot of fans, but then they are from San Francisco and this is their home stop on the tour. The pit was definitely going and furious just like at a hardcore show (so I have been told).
Origin on stage. Yes this is the band to see it you get a chance to. A mix of death metal and grind, they are brutal throughout in their delivery of music. Hailing from Topeka, Kansas, this is not there first time in San Francisco and they informed us that they are never disappointed when they are in town. A lot more people at the show now and all having a great time. Playing for quite a while they did songs from all of their albums but specifically their latest release 'Echoes Of Decimation'. All members of the band added their bit with the vocals (except for the drummer), and this added to the presentation. The guitarist (bass included) were amazing. Absolutely amazing set and I am glad I got to see them.
Malevolent Creation, amazing, why did I wait 14 years to see these guys play again? Well, for one thing, they haven't been out to the west coast in a while. Malevolent Creation formed in the late 80's but did not make their presence felt until the early 90's. It was 1991 when I saw them last and that was in England, this was when they started their rampage of death metal through Europe. Although the line-up has changed over the years, Malevolent Creation is still the same; brutal, technical, and definitely DEATH METAL! Phil has not slowed down on the guitar. His skill is obvious and wow's the fans with amazement. The other members are definitely part of the Malevolent Creation family, know matter how short or long they have been with the band. The crowd, young and old, was in tune with the band, singing along to the new and old songs. The pit was not much at all, but who cares. They finished the set with 'The Will To Kill'. Afterwards I thanked Phil for the great show and told him I don't want it to be another 14 years to see them again.
So the past few shows I have had a chance to see bands that started the death metal scene and some promising up and coming bands. Malevolent Creation is one of those original death metal bands, and any fan of death metal has heard of them and should take advantage of seeing them live. It's shows like this that also puts together the best bands to put on a great show. And it is up to us, the dedicated fans, to attend the shows to support them. Overall another great night of death. Thank you to all of the bands.
Written by: Steven Ansell