By Lisa Burke
September 30th 2015, Fonda Theatre, Hollywood CA: Wednesday nights in the Hollywood area metal scene are usually fairly competitive with numerous acts at various venues ranging from Lucky Strike, to Skinny’s, to Whisky A Go Go, to The Fonda, which is where I landed for a special tour entitled ‘We Sold Our Soul To Metal’ featuring Soulfly, Soilwork, Decapitated, and Shattered Sun.
Unfortunately, Decapitated dropped off at the last minute for the first few shows of the tour including this one due to visa issues coming into the country from Poland. America really doesn’t make it easy for musicians to come over here, but that really needs to change. High security is one thing, but music and culture is another, therefore America needs to grow up, and gain much more respect when it comes to the sensitive subject of music.
This show started fairly early, and was over promptly at 11 PM which would have been great had they given Shattered Sun and Soilwork more than half-hour sets to play. Shattered Sun is a newly signed band with only one studio album under their belts, and their style is heavy metal with elements of thrash, and also metalcore. Personally it was a bit generic to me, and I’d like to see some more unique elements mixed in. All aspects considered, they still carried out a successful mission.
Next up, Soilwork, a melodic death metal band from Sweden, hit the stage running. There is great talent in this band in all its six members including the keyboardist. Sometimes keyboards don’t belong in metal bands, and sometimes they do, and in the case of Soilwork it just brings in another element to mix eloquently into the brew. One great aspect of the Fonda is that you can shake the floorboards, and pulsate the amplifiers with the bass levels cranked to eleven and it still sounds clean. Both Soilwork and Soulfly brought it to these extreme levels, and made for an even more exciting show. Apparently, as the singer suggested, 2002 is now considered old school which made me remember my age for a minute before I was quickly distracted by the sounds of a great ‘old school’ Soilwork song. My only criticism with this bunch is that on a vocal standpoint I lose interest when the melodies are too clean as I feel the scream tone and just generally more forceful side of the equation works better with the music, and on the older albums I believe this is most successfully accomplished. This tour is in support of their new album ‘The Ride Majestic’ and judging by their unfortunately short set I believe I may not be too huge a fan of this one as I respond best to the first few albums. However, I recommend you check it out and form your opinion on it because ‘not as good’ Soilwork is still pretty good Soilwork. It definitely contains some gripping power solos mixed with death and fury. The mosh pit was friendly and fun, and the crowd was completely engaged. The mosh pit fashion award goes to the dude in the Goatwhore shirt that says ‘Fucked By Satan’ on the back. Not only is it a great shirt, but standing front and center of the mosh pit it created a pleasant enhancement for my eyes to focus on. You can catch Soilwork again along with Decapitated and Shattered Sun at the Whisky A Go Go on November 2nd.
At around 9:30, heavy metal band Soulfly took the stage and played a really solid 90-minute set in which towards the latter end they invited guests to join in the fun, including Todd Jones from Nails and Greg Puciato from The Dillinger Escpe Plan. As much as I loved this band created by Max Cavelera formerly of Sepultura in the late ’90s, I was not convinced I’d be into it now. It turns out I was very wrong, I am still stuck in the ’90s, and probably will never get out alive. That said though, their new album ‘Archangel’ released in August of this year is also good. There was not one weak song in the set, yet you must be able to tolerate the backing track interludes and the wildness of the newer songs which I find appropriate and compelling. They also played ‘Roots Bloody Roots’ which is a Sepultura original, and with the cranked up seizure-inducing bass it was a pretty great time. The best way I can think to describe a Soulfly show is with the use of one word, and that word is primal. The end of this set featured none other than the skull-crushing anthem that is ‘Eye For An Eye’ which boasts of some really great bass licks. Max always has such a commanding yet inviting presence, and his super fat dreadlocks, and skeleton microphone stand certainly enhanced the vibe. It was great to see these guys again, and it’s also refreshing to know that I can get away with reliving my youth from time to time with nothing but joy.
Remaining Tour Dates:
10/06 Kelowna, BC – Level Nightclub
10/07 Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room
10/08 Saskatoon, SK – O’Brian’s Event Centre
10/09 Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
10/10 Minneapolis, MN – Amsterdam
10/11 Joliet, IL – Mojoes
10/12 Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
10/13 Cleveland, OH – Agora Theater
10/14 Toronto, ON – Opera House
10/15 Montreal, QC – Corona Theater
10/18 Columbus, OH – Northland Performing Arts Center
10/19 Pontiac, MI – Crofoot Ballroom
10/20 New York, NY – Gramercy Theater
10/21 Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
10/22 Knoxville, TN – The International
10/23 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
10/24 Ft Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
10/25 St Petersburg, FL – State Theater
10/27 Houston, TX – Scout Bar
10/28 Austin, TX – Empire Control Room
10/29 Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey
10/30 Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater