That's a funny title: Suicidal tendencies often lead to death but that's the two concerts I attended this month.
The last time (and only time) I saw S.T. was in 1991 when they toured with Queensryche and played in Austin (What an odd combination! Hardcore thrash and prog metal? I liked both bands and their performances though. Metal fans could be quite open minded to different styles) S.T. still sounded as aggressive as ever after all these 21 years and their front man, vocalist Mike Muir, is still as angry as ever. As long as there is injustice in the system, we rockers have reasons to be pissed and revolt against The Man. I always felt the power in their music but this time I also appreciated their musicianship. The guitar and bass solo were awesome.
I am surprised that I have never been one Death concert considering I've been a fan for 20 years. I jumped on the death metal bandwagon kinda early and Death was the pioneer of the genre (along with Deicide, Obituary and Morbid Angel, the Death Metal Big 4. Ironically, I've been to concerts of all Big 4 of Thrash: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax) There were many band names that contain the word "Death" (e.g. Napalm Death, Death Angel, Christian Death) but they truly deserve that one word. Granted, their main man Chuck Schuldiner (lead vocalist/guitarist) met the real grim reaper because of brain cancer (but the real cause of death could be found here. Hint: a certain greedy industry. Man, another great death metal guitarist James Murphy, who played for both Death and Testament, was also diagnosed with brain tumor, albeit a non-cancerous one. I'd better go to one of his concert when I get a chance) in 2001 but I should have been to one of their concerts before that. (I was curious and checked their past tour schedule and found one that was near where I lived back then: the Sound of Perseverance tour stop in SF's Maritime Hall on Dec 4, 1998. I guess I was mired in relationship issues then. They also played at Madision in 1995 but I guess that happened right after I left) Fortunately, 11 years after Schuldiner's death, his former bandmates teamed up for a multi-city fund raising tour that benefits fellow musicians so I got a glimpse of what Death's live performance was like (other than Death's live in Eindhoven 1998 DVD that I had) The opener was another death metal band Gorguts. I was OK impressed. I just didn't feel much developments (twists and turns) in their music. Death to All (this is the band name the collective former Death members used) got on stage at 10:30pm. They sounded just like what I expected of Death. Gotta give some credits to the sound engineer: all instruments and vocal sounded loud, clear and balanced. I could hear the solos very clearly. So glad to see Paul Masvidal on guitar. I heard him before not just on Death's album but also his own band: Cynic, a very unique and progressive sounding death metal band. And Masvidal played a Steinberger! (Me too! Well, I played its 2nd "label," the Spirit) His seemed to be a GR4 model from the "Golden days" of Steinberger and custom painted. Another great reason to see the show was legendary bassist Steve DiGiorgio who played for some of the biggest names in metal. His 6-string custom bass by Thor was great looking and sounding (Coincidentally, S.T.'s Stephen 'Thundercat' Bruner also played a 6-string bass!) The lead vocalist/guitarist Charles Elliot successfully recreated Chuck's vocal style of Death's earlier albums. Then the band switched to another group of musicians, fronted by Matt Harvey. He sung in the style of Chuck in the later albums. He was also more notably animated than Elliot and reminded me of the late great Ronnie James Dio and Bruce Dickinson. Both frontmen of Death to All are great vocalists/guitarists. This tour certainly gave more visibility and exposure to their own bands (Abysmal Dawn/Bereft and Exhumed) I wish all of them great success.
Last but not least, Chuck Schuldiner rules! He may be with Death but his music of Death will live on forever.
