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If anybody deserves a award for the art of body painting, then it is definately Dez Fafara, frontman of Devil Driver. And I ask myself, if there is actually any bit on him left, not beeing tattooed, exept his upper face part. Guessing his current age ain't difficult either what's up to the two figures on his neck, which show the year of his birthdate (not his age :-))) Well, mind me, he's still 5 years younger than I am. But within my 25 years in the music biz, I managed just 2 - 2 Euro big - Tattooes so far. But okay, I'm not a musician either, exspecially one of this hard sort, like Dez Fafara is from. It has got it's reasons, why I'm referring so much on his person within this jungle of Thrash. and Deathmetal Bands. Because Dez is some individual with a huge aura. (and actually he ain't that hard and metal in real life :-))) Formerly with Coal Chambers, who I've seen live on stage in the past, he now is with Devil Driver for six years. And also this band ain't unknown to me what's up to live shows. Oh before I forget, don't get confused with the event poster on top of this page, where polish rockers Behemoth are shown as headliners. It's not, because Devil Driver are the flagship on this Neckbreaker's Ball tour. And I assume all these 800 to 900 fans in here appreciate it. Arsis from Virginia Beach, USA take the stage opening this night.
This Death Metal outfit consists mainly of James Malone (Voc/Git), who co-founded this band christmas 2000. Since then, Arsis have put out 3 albums, 1 compilationalbum and 1 EP. Malone himself gives the show a slight exotic touch because of his rather dark look. Not what's up to the music, which coincides with the common music style - Death Metal. And that's what the people like here. One thing is for sure, Arsis, is not only a word for undefined rhythm parts, but also for a rhythm group, who knows for sure how to set their cords in the right way.Unfortunately and to repeat myself, the time for opening acts are much too short. And with just 35 minutes, a band hasn't really got the chance to develop their full potential up on stage. On the other hand - most important is the fact, to be part of the whole trek, to increase the own reputation. And I think, these boys have done this with their brief stint here.
http://www.myspace.com/arsis
Well,
no Metal concert without scandinavian band. At least it seems so lately.
5 albums in 5 years - respect. This band stands and falls not only with
one, but with two singers, whereby one
goes for a clear melodic line, and the other stands for this typical
Death Metal growling. Both have come in the band for the original
shouter Christian Ălvestam.
-
http://www.scarsymmetry.com/
And at this point now, my
camera jumps up for joy. Finally we are getting something really
photogenic in front of my lense, which neccessarely doesn't mean, that
this here stands for generell beauty. Having turned from Blackmetal to
Deathmetal, like it is described in the biography, these polish prince's
of shades and darkness with their white-blue'ish make up, make the right
atmosphere just perfect.
And last but not least I
can't avoid my impression, that behind all these masks and costumes,
their are some peaceful guys hiding and not wild rockers. However it
ain't boring that's for sure. And finishing off with thier last tunes, -
we still got the feeling, that's not it yet... is it?
And this band ist most
and first of all Dez Fafara, and then there is long nothing. this little
american with italien roots, takes most space of this stage and draws
everybody's attention first. No, he ain't beautiful in the usual sense,
but he's got this special little something, which fascinates us in some
way. And he's pretty old for this genre. Don't get me wrong, not old in
age, but old for all these young kids here in the audiance, who most of
them are not older than aprox. 25 years of age. Our front tenor and
3-times daddy is indeed 43, and he looks it. But as we say so,
Rock'n'Roll doesn't know any age, does it?! We are as young as we feel
like. And that's why it works that well.
Dez leads his band very
selfconfident, but he doesn't steal the other guy's show either.
Everybody up there gets his chance to show his skills. But Mr.Fafara
can't avoid the fact, that he's the centerpoint. Well let's make the
best outta it. Dez entertains the crowd not only with the music, but
also with witty announcements inbetween the musical gourmet dinner.
Focus is of course the latest release 'Pray For Villains'. And that one
had hit the american hitlists on pos. 35. - In each case, Devil Driver
are hard and non compromising. And within shortest space of time even
the last Behemoth fan is convinced about the fact, that this band here
deserves the headliner role.
This party lasts
little more than one hour before the metal bonfire is finished. Well for
the spoiled concert audiance I have to admit, that playing a full 90
minutes or even longer set, is simply almost impossible within a 4 band
package. Otherwise we'd be standing here half of the night. But however,
Devil Driver have proved their class and they deserve their good
reputation. Or should I rather say, Dez Fafara has used all his ace's to
win a Royal Flush on us. |
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Some more
photos you find at Metalhammer.de
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