CONCERT REVIEW
by Jared Curtis
High On Fire, Converge, Mastodon and Dethklok
Val Air Ballroom, Oct. 14
Heavy metal rockers, hot chicks, cartoon fans and shut-ins who rarely venture out of their parents’ basements all conjured together on a weeknight to hear metal music. Oddly, fans also got a chance to play the new “Guitar Hero”-esque “Brutal Legend” video game. (Video games at a metal show?) High on Fire started the show off with a bang. The trio is grimy but tight, and their songs rock. Converge came out and turned the show into a total buzzkill. They have been around awhile and still sound terrible live. Their sound is heavy, but singer Jacob Bannon’s continually barking vocals were awful. Co-headliner Mastodon took the stage next and blasted through their entire album, “Crack the Skye.” Concept albums are great, but this felt like the band played for hours. Mastodon is a technically-talented band, but they try to be too epic, and it just doesn’t work. You know you’re losing the crowd when the majority are standing by the door, ready for the in-between-set smoke break. Dethklok then took the stage to a rousing ovation. From the opening riffs, to the show’s theme (“Do Anything For Dethklok”), to the “Duncan Hills Coffee Jingle,” to ravaging furiousness of “Mermaider” and “Go Into The Water,” the band thrashed through songs any fan would have loved. The giant video screen was amazing and added to an already rocking show. It was one of the most unique concert going experiences and left me with one thing to say: “Let the ‘Metalocalypse’ begin!” CV — Jared Curtis
 Dethklok at Val Air Ballroom Photo by Darren Tromblay |
 Soulfly at People’s Court Photo by Darren Tromblay |
 Mastodon at Val Air Ballroom Photo by Darren Tromblay |  Prong at People’s Court Photo by Darren Tromblay |
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