Heavy Music is Here to Stay By Jamie Griffin

8/03/06
Sounds of the Underground
DTE Energy Music Theater -- Detroit, MI

Metals masses descended upon the parking lot at DTE Energy Music Theater on August 3rd to convey a message. Heavy Music is here to stay. The 2006 Sounds of the Underground tour paved the way for some of “extreme music’s” heavyweights to show the world (in this case Detroit) just what they are made of. Featuring the best in underground Metal and Hard Core, SOTU brought exposure to acts that either haven’t had much national exposure or are still considered underground.

Starting the day off was Through the Eyes of the Dead. Bringing the embodiment of Hard Core to the stage these guys exemplified the heavy riffs but not so understandable vocals that one has come to expect from this particular genre. While they were good at what they did there was nothing extraordinary about their show. All of the exemplary stuff was yet to come.

Evergreen Terrace took the stage next. Their singer looked almost like he belonged in a Gap Ad. Then he started to sing. Any pre-conceived notions about him were wrong. He might be a blond haired all- American looking boy but this boy was pissed off. Once again another act that was very good at what they did, Evergreen Terrace brought energy to stage that the crowd seemed to enjoy. There was something about this band that just drew you in. This was a great band to pave the way for The Chariot.

Branching out from his former group Norma Jean, The Chariot singer Josh Scogin had the hard core vocals and self-inflicting pain attitude to go with it. Ramming his head into P.A. speakers and juggling mike stands The Chariot front man made an impression on the 5000 strong crowd. They were one of the more enjoyable Hard Core acts of the day.

From the depths of Hard Core we travel into the world of Metal. Poland’s Behemoth started the metal section of the show. With typical European metal face paint, Behemoth tore the stage up with riff-laden metal and the synchronized head banging to go with it. Supporting their current album Demigod Behemoth made the crowd aware that there is a metal scene outside of the U.S. and it is in fact good.

Speaking of Good American Metal, Tampa Florida natives Cannibal Corpse brought a new kind of brutality to the pits at Sounds of the Underground. Performing in the pouring rain Cannibal Corpse delivered a show to many diehards. Cannibal Corpse proved that they are one of Death Metals finest and after 20 years in existence they showed the crowd exactly why. Between the strong growl of George Cannibal Corpse grinder Fishers vocals was a metal machine that seemed finely tuned and ready to produce side splitting, heart pounding Death Metal the likes of which would never been seen on a main stage at Ozzfest. This is what makes SOTU a tour worth seeing.

After Cannibal Corpse came everyone’s favorite Antarctica, GWAR. GWAR has long been linked to underground music. With a stage show right out of a comic book they provide one of the most legendary stage shows one can imagine. Between the many characters like Gor- Gor the dinosaur and the Nazi-Pope, master of Ceremonies Oederous Urungus and crew provide an entertaining and sometimes amusing look into the life of American ideals. Beheading a statue of George W, Bush on stage and killing a Police Pig via stabbing GWAR showed that anything is possible in today’s world. They even threw in a cover of Alice Coopers School’s Out. Much to the enjoyment of the now blood and bile soaked Detroit crowd.

After GWAR destroyed the stage it was up to Matthew Heafy and company in Trivium to follow up what could have been the most entertaining live spectacle one could ever witness. Trivium came out to wind up the crowd and get back to the basics of a good old-fashioned metal show. Playing songs like A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation off of 2005’s Ascendancy; Trivium showed why they are one of the hottest new metal acts out. Between Heafy and guitarist Corey Beaulieu’s insane skills, Trivium, proved that they are the future of metal. With a new album coming out in October, Trivium played older songs that seemed to suit Heafy’s decision to no longer scream and instead sing. Just one highlight was the crowd singing along to the title track off of 2003’s Ember to Inferno.

If there was ever an act that could follow Trivium’s youthful exuberance it was Machine Head. This was the moment I had been waiting for all day. The chance to see the act that has in so many ways defined the genre. Robert Flynn brought out the troops and highlighted the show with a great tribute to everyone’s favorite metal casualty Dimebag Darrell Abbott (R.I.P.). Playing the new song Aesthetics of Hate the crowd was heard shouting obscenities to a web site creator who defamed the life and works of one of metals Icons. Only on the tour for a few select dated Machine Head seemed to be a big crowd favorite. Until In Flames took to the stage.

Swedish Metal Act In Flames provided a sick, light laden show for the fans. The only problem was that it was still daylight when they played. Providing insight into their newest album Come Clarity, In Flames provided a show that should have made them the headliner. Performing songs like Leeches In Flames Showed exactly what all the rage is about in the Gothenburg scene in Sweden. Playing the main-stage at last years Ozzfest In Flames was one of the more known acts of the day. Their show was probably the highlight of the entire day for many. Singer Anders Friden’ had command over the crowd for the whole set, while guitarists Bjorn Gelotte and Jesper Stromblad were masters of their domain playing heavy yet melodic riffs in front of numerous discotheque light boxes. The crowd went wild during this set, the only disappointment was that the sets were very short (approx 30-45 min).

After In Flames put on a lesson in metal, headliners As I Lay Dying graced the stage. This is one younger act that has the total package. Performing on many package tours over the last few years As I Lay Dying proved why they were the nights headliner. Singer Tim Lambesis had the crowd singing along to songs like 94 hours off of 2003’s Frail Worlds Collapse. As I Lay Dying put on a solid show to end a perfect day of metal. The rain even ended before their set so that the crowd could focus on the music again.

All in all SOTU was a great tour. It had both metal legends and new acts to be reckoned with. One thing is for sure, all of the acts on this tour command respect. Whether they ever grace the stage at a big festival or continue on in the underground; all of the acts on SOTU proved that there is still a market for Metal and Hard Core. Judging by the success of the SOTU tour I think Underground may have become the new mainstream.