{"id":16018,"date":"2017-05-23T19:13:30","date_gmt":"2017-05-24T02:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/?p=16018"},"modified":"2017-05-23T19:13:45","modified_gmt":"2017-05-24T02:13:45","slug":"amon-amarth-goatwhore-louisville-ky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/2017\/05\/23\/amon-amarth-goatwhore-louisville-ky\/","title":{"rendered":"All-Destroying Metal: Amon Amarth & Goatwhore bring US Tour to Louisville KY"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Rosie Walker<\/strong>
\n(photos by Brian Wyner)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Johan Hegg – Amon Amarth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

May 20th 2017, Mercury Ballroom, Louisville KY: <\/strong>It might surprise you how many treasures there are in the historic business district of Louisville, Kentucky. It\u2019s on 4th street where you\u2019ll find the magnetizing Mercury Ballroom. The seasoned building is a bright light for Louisville\u2019s downtown with its key role in the South\u2019s story. Built in 1928 for a Bourbon distribution company, you can really feel the history when you walk through its doors. This Kentucky gem now hosts some of the best heavy metal tours in the US. It was vacant for many years till Live Nation snatched up and reopened it as a venue in 2014. This piece of the past and its now first-class stage, is an ideal place to host the almighty Amon Amarth.<\/p>\n

The hot, rainy weather did not deter the loyal metalheads from forming a line that wrapped around the building. Eager and gung-ho to get their spots inside, cheers were heard when the doors finally opened. They didn\u2019t have to wait too since the show promptly started at 8 PM. As the soft, blue lights of the venue dimmed to black, the opening act, Goatwhore, took the stage. This sold out show had the excited crowd snuggled in close when they took the band venue by storm. These extreme, groove metal veterans from New Orleans unleashed a dramatic fury that instantly sparked a fire of fierce ferocity.<\/p>\n

Playing their first three songs without pausing, Goatwhore<\/a><\/strong> gripped and surprised the audience and caused intrigue. Their uninhibited energy was contagious and had everyone floating off to clouds full of brutality and metal. Frontman Ben Falgoust firmly presented his art with animation and deliberation. The band made full use of the stage and banged their heads to match the chaos and severity of their sound. Goatwhore has been around for 20 years and awarded the crowd with a variety from their catalog. A highlight was their deliverance of \u2018Vengeful Ascension\u2019, the title song of their new album coming out June 23rd via Metal Blade. Ben asked the crowd how many hadn\u2019t heard of them before and most of the audience raised their hands. It was a special thing to witness a band make so many new fans in one night. Goatwhore had the audience raising their horns and enchanted them with their assortment of sounds. Decked in studs and leather, this group clearly loves what they do. With their slightly old-school vibe joining their extreme, fast-paced groove sound makes them worthy of being equivalent to the modern-day Slayer. They had no backing tracks and guitarist Sammy Duet plays from an old, beat up Randall amp. When you hear his uniquely aggressive tone, it makes sense. Their dedication to their craft is admirable and inspiring. They triumphantly ended their 45-minute set with \u2018Apocalyptic Havoc\u2019, giving the audience something to really chew on. With their consistent, exclusive, unbridled sound, Goatwhore is a band that leaves a lasting impression.<\/p>\n

Goatwhore photos:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Ben Falgoust – Goatwhore<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n