Down, Orange Goblin and Warbeast – Roundhouse, London
October 21st 2012
Words and photos by Antony Roberts
First up at the Roundhouse were Texans Warbeast, a band signed to Phil Anselmo’s label Housecore Records back in 2010. With a new album due out in February the band were keen to air some of the newer tracks and so the set was split between songs from the forthcoming album and their debut. I’d only heard a track or 2 before tonight and, whilst Phil obviously rates them that highly he signed them, I found them to be fairly dull. Don’t get me wrong, the pedigree and history of the band members is steeped in metal and they are all very accomplished as musicians. The guitarists were shredding solos, and the drummer’s fills and rolls were tight; however it just seemed a little too thrash by numbers. Nothing I heard really grabbed me or made me want to go out and buy an album.
Talking of albums, Orange Goblin’s 2012 release “A Eulogy For The Damned” has been on repeat on my stereo. They’ve always been a good band putting out great albums, but I felt they have never taken it up that extra notch you always suspected they were capable of. The new album has grown and grown with each listen and now, 8 months down the line, the songs feel like old classics I’ve known for years. They open with 2 tracks from said new album, the first track (incidentally first track on the album) “Red Tide Rising” followed by “The Filthy and the Few”. And whilst their performance at this years Bloodstock was good, tonight’s performance blew me away for a band i didn’t think could surprise me anymore. Having witnessed them more times than I can count on 2 hands, they’ve grown into an amazing live band. Tonight’s performance was the tightest I’ve ever seen the band. Despite all the years and hard work, the band’s enthusiasm doesn’t look to have waned one bit. Man-behemoth and vocalist Ben Ward looks as happy to be on the stage as the youngest members of the audience, who were busy losing themselves down the front witnessing Goblin at full force. This band just keep getting better and better. An amazing set.
Setlist:
Red Tide Rising
The Filthy and the few
The ballad of Solomon Eagle
The Fog
Some you win, some you lose
Acid Trial
The Come Back (Harvest of Skulls)
Quincy The Pigboy
Scorpionica
Jimmy Bower is the first member of Down to take the stage. And as he grabs his sticks, forms a cross and starts to point at the huge band logo backdrop, he’s met with enthusiastic cheers and raised glasses from the crowd. The rest of the band join Jimmy on stage and crack straight into “Eyes Of the South”. Newer songs like “Witchtripper” and “Open Coffins” receive subdued lukewarm receptions; perhaps lack of familiarity with the recent EP on the audiences part. However, the sound for Down is disappointing. I’ve not been to the Roundhouse before so I’m unsure if the venue isn’t great for heavy music or the engineer was having an off night, but Orange Goblin seemed to fare much better. At times it reminded me of low quality stream internet radio, with the high end all muddled together. But despite this, it didn’t matter. Yes, I would have really liked to see Down playing loud, heavy and mixed great, but the band put so much into the performance, you can’t help but get caught up in the moment.
If you’ve seen Phil live in any of his previous or current bands you’ll know he likes to talk between songs and tonight was no different. Despite some murmurings and heckles from the crowd, it’s to be expected. This is Phil and it’s what he does, take it or leave it. As the set goes on, both band and audience seem to grow more and more alive, even if Phil’s voice starts to fail. By “Temptations Wings” Phil is powering around the stage. And as I looked around the venue, it seemed the entire balcony audience was up on their feet, heads down, fists up, hair flailing. However, the main moments come though at the encore. After a (very) short break they go into a Robin Trower cover, and then finish with 3 (green smelling) stinking classics from the NOLA album. “Hail The Leaf” is followed by “Stone the Crow”, and then the guys form Warbeast and Orange Goblin join them for an almighty messy version of “Bury Me In Smoke” that turns into one giant party. By the end of it, Phil’s voice (that had been having issues all night) is completely done in. But as the houselights go on, the band and fans all leave psyched after a night of good friends, beer and probably a lot of sore necks. The power of the riff compels me, indeed.
Setlist:
Eyes Of The South
Witchtripper
Open Coffins
Lysergik Funeral Procession
Pillars Of Eternity
Lifer
Losing All
Ghosts Along The Mississippi
New Orleans Is A Dying Whore
Temptation’s Wings
Swan Song
Encore:
Bridge Of Sighs (Robin Trower cover)
Hail The Leaf
Stone The Crow
Bury Me In Smoke
Orange Goblin have recently announced a headlining UK tour for Jan/Feb 2013, check their page here for full listings (click individual dates on the right hand side for more details/ticket links).
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