Death Angel @ Billboard,Melbourne (11/03/09)

Sun 15th Mar, 2009 in Gig Reviews

Melbourne metal fans were reminded of the true meaning of thrash metal on Wednesday night and whether you were a seasoned punter or fresh faced fan new to the thrash metal genre, it turned out to be the highlight of the international metal gigs that have occurred in Melbourne so far this year.

The venue was billboard and the content was thrash metal at its finest played by San Franciscan journeymen Death Angel. Few fans could have hoped for a better outcome from this show and it was unique in several ways. Death Angel were pioneers of the bay area thrash movement and are able to boast contempories that include Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer and other gods of the global metal scene. Throughout the band’s history circumstances have conspired against them preventing any touring in Australia. However that all changed on Wednesday night when the relatively small crowd at Billboard witnessed a flawless display of musicianship and class that is often lacking in today’s popular music.

Melbourne based jazz metal outfit Alarum kicked things off in emphatic style and showed why they have earned respect worldwide for their musical ability and technical proficiency. Fresh from writing tracks for a new studio album Natural Causes, the lads from Alarum treated fans to a couple of new songs and a few older classics in their relatively short time slot. The virtuosic abilities of guitarist Mark Evans made all present at the show (including the other bands) take notice.

Next up were LA based metallers Armored Saint and while they were effectively sharing the bill with DA, the comparisons really ended there as their heavy stylings couldn’t really match it with the raw energy that was exuded by Death Angel later on in the night. Featuring former Anthrax vocalist John Bush, who has a very unique vocal sound, they were well received by the crowd and stand out tracks included Last Train Home and March of the Saint. My only criticism of their set was some poor song choices which slowed the tempo of the show with drawn out clean interludes and self serving guitar solos etc. Notwithstanding these issues they are still a very professional and listenable outfit that have also been playing live shows in support of the metal genre for decades.

Put simply, Death Angel’s live show was truly awesome. Amongst the flawless guitar, drums and bass sound throughout the show, Mark Oseguada’s inclusive vocals and heartfelt discussion between songs was of the highest order. It was easy to tell that every fan there felt the same way because the venue erupted into a thrash metal fan’s dream and the pit descended into a true metal mosh that I haven’t seen for years. There were no breakdowns, karate kicks or windmills to be seen here, just pure thrash at its best from a band that had wanted to tour our shores for decades. Stage diving was encouraged and the bouncers were congratulated by the band for helping fans get back into the mosh rather than get thrown out. Heads were banging constantly and knees and elbows were thrown recklessly. Nothing was overdone; every member contributed what was required for a perfect show.

I was in awe of the ability of founding member and lead guitarist Rob Cavestany. His guitar sound had a brutality and sublime touch that is seldom heard in Melbourne. These guys were consummate professionals and were feeding off the energy of the crowd. While all of tracks that they played were a delight, the stand outs would have to be Seemingly Endless Time and Thrown to the Wolves played back to back; and the mighty Kill As One.

Mark Oseguada’s continual comments about their happiness to be playing in Melbourne made every punter feel special and they all knew that they were witnessing a possibly once in a life time show. Following the completion of the show, the band followed up on their words and came out to the standing room area in the venue to have photos taken with adoring fans. Following this the lads put in a solid session at Cherry Bar to the wee hours of the morning.

If you are a metal fan and didn’t make it to this show or haven’t heard of Death Angel, do yourself a favour and listen to their entire back catalogue and hope for another Australian tour to be announced.