Mastodon, Converge, High on Fire ....(and Dethklok)

[Etiam]

Mastodon and Converge is a completely badass pairing. Hadn't heard about this tour till today, but due to its timing, I might not be able to make it out. And Dethklok is headlining.

But still.

And Converge has a new album coming out.

http://www.myspace.com/converge

They've posted two songs. First impression: "Dude"

Tour dates:

Oct 2 2009 8:00P
Roseland Theatre Portland, Oregon
Oct 3 2009 8:00P
WaMu Theatre Seattle, Washington
Oct 4 2009 8:00P
Orpheum Theatre Vancouver, British Columbia
Oct 6 2009 8:00P
Big Four Building Calgary, Alberta
Oct 7 2009 8:00P
Shaw Conference Center Edmonton, Alberta
Oct 9 2009 8:00P
Great Saltair Salt Lake City, Utah
Oct 10 2009 8:00P
Fillmore Auditorium Denver, Colorado
Oct 12 2009 8:00P
Uptown Theatre Kansas City, Missouri
Oct 13 2009 8:00P
The Pageant St. Louis, Missouri
Oct 14 2009 8:00P
Val Air Ballroom Des Moines, Iowa
Oct 15 2009 8:00P
Nutty’s North Souix Falls, South Dakota
Oct 16 2009 5:00P
Arrow Bar - ’Axe To Fall’ Listening Party New York, New York
Oct 16 2009 8:00P
Roy Wilkins Auditorium St. Paul, Minnesota
Oct 17 2009 8:00P
Aragon Ballroom Chicago, Illinois
Oct 18 2009 8:00P
Eagle’s Auditorium Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Oct 19 2009 8:00P
Grog Shop Cleveland, Ohio
Oct 20 2009 8:00P
LC Pavilion Columbus, Ohio
Oct 21 2009 8:00P
The Fillmore Detroit, Michigan
Oct 23 2009 8:00P
Sound Academy Toronto, Ontario
Oct 24 2009 8:00P
The Fairgrounds Buffalo, New York
Oct 25 2009 8:00P
Armory Albany, New York
Oct 27 2009 8:00P
House Of Blues Boston, Massachusetts
Oct 28 2009 8:00P
House Of Blues Boston, Massachusetts
Oct 29 2009 8:00P
Hammerstein Ballroom NY, New York
Oct 30 2009 8:00P
Hammerstein Ballroom NYC, New York
Oct 31 2009 8:00P
Patriot Center Washington, Washington DC
Nov 1 2009 8:00P
Electric Factory Philly, Pennsylvania
Nov 3 2009 8:00P
The Norva Norfolk, Virginia
Nov 3 2009 8:00P
The Norva Norfolk, Virginia
Nov 4 2009 8:00P
The Fillmore Charlotte, North Carolina
Nov 5 2009 8:00P
Tabernacle Atlanta, Georgia
Nov 6 2009 8:00P
House Of Blues Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Nov 7 2009 8:00P
Hard Rock Live Orlando, Florida
Nov 8 2009 8:00P
Pompano Beach Amphit Pompano Beach, Florida
Nov 11 2009 8:00P
House Of Blues Dallas, Texas
Nov 12 2009 8:00P
Verizon Wireless Theater Houston, Texas
Nov 13 2009 8:00P
Austin City Music Hall Austin, Texas
Nov 14 2009 8:00P
Brady Theatre Tulsa, Oklahoma
Nov 16 2009 8:00P
Pan American Center Las Cruces, New Mexico
Nov 17 2009 8:00P
Mesa Ampitheater Mesa
Nov 18 2009 8:00P
House Of Blues Las Vegas
Nov 19 2009 8:00P
Palladium Los Angeles, California
Nov 20 2009 8:00P
Palladium Los Angeles, California
Nov 21 2009 8:00P
Event Center San Jose, California

[TerminalDogma]

What the fuck Dethklok headlining? Thats redunkulous. Worst part is...I'm pretty sure thats the only way I could get any of my friends to go with me.

[Etiam]

Precisely.

Converge's new album comes out the next day, too. Wonder whether they'll be selling early copies...

[AcidDreams]

I have known about this for quite some time and I'm extremely embarrassed for HoF, Mastodon and Converge.

edit* and by the state of metal fans in general.

[TerminalDogma]

yeah, that must be....god damn, a cartoon is headlining before any of those bands? Got dayum. How do they live with themselves?!

[AcidDreams]

the reason they live with themselves:

[Veritas]

Dethklok are fucking amazing live. So much fun. You guys are too fucking pretentious for your own good (no offense). I'm well past caring that it's a ridiculous commercial enterprise, the music isn't half bad and the show is hilarious. I'm pretty pissed off that I won't be seeing them on this tour.

[AcidDreams]

the music isn't half bad

you're right, it's all bad.

[Crusader]

Just a regular statler and waldorf aren't we? Fansong wasn't that bad. Sure the show's stupid, but that's adult swim for you. It's stupid, trying to be stoner humor.

[Etiam]

I've heard the music on the show, heard it just audio without visual companionship, and at shows over the PA mixed with 'actual' bands. And each time it's fallen flat. Nathan's vocals are kind of breathy, the riffing is unimaginative, and the (admittedly pretty complicated) lead stuff is rarely compelling.

But, depending on the live lineup they get, it could still be highly anthemic and kind of fun, if I put aside all preconceptions*.



















* and moral standing

[AcidDreams]

Just a regular statler and waldorf aren't we?

Glad it took you exactly 6 months to catch on. Btw, I'm the one with hair.

[Crusader]

I've heard the music on the show, heard it just audio without visual companionship, and at shows over the PA mixed with 'actual' bands. And each time it's fallen flat. Nathan's vocals are kind of breathy, the riffing is unimaginative, and the (admittedly pretty complicated) lead stuff is rarely compelling.

But, depending on the live lineup they get, it could still be highly anthemic and kind of fun, if I put aside all preconceptions*.
* and moral standing

It's a metal act based around comedy and a friggin cartoon. Give them a break. They are no different than acts like Spinal tap, Gwar, wierd al, the arrogant worms or flight of the conchords. People don't go see it for the musicianship, they go because they support the show and what these guys are trying to do. I mean shit, I wouldn't take KISS seriously as a band for a second, the only one with any talent was Ace, and he was replaced. However it would be great to see KISS for the sake of seeing them. I mean shit man, think of all the crappy local bands you have seen that have been uncompelling, boring, in metal for the scene and a waste of ten bucks to go see. Dethklok is at least there because fans of the show want to see them play the songs from the show.

[AcidDreams]

you make a good point. however, when I hear a GWAR song, it doesn't make me feel like I should be seeking out "real" death metal instead.

[Etiam]

I've talked to enough people who actually like Dethklok's music and think it's heavy death metal to be a bit jaded by this. Sorry.

Sure, it's entertainment, and sure, it's fun. But the other bands on this bill (Converge especially) have been grating out this lifestyle with their entire selves for the pure love of the music and all its depths. And now it takes Dethklok, a satirical cartoon, for them to be on a sellout bill at a major venue. Otherwise, Converge would be playing Reggie's and High On Fire would still be a random support act. That's what puts me off a bit. That Dethklok (affectionately) lampoons all these bands that have put in that whole blood, sweat, and tears thing, and within a couple years Dethklok is the name the kids know, not the 'actual' music from which it was taken.

We, with perspective on the whole thing, I think can enjoy the satire and the original product in good conscience. What bothers me is when people who have no idea about the 'real' stuff get into Dethklok and stop there.

[Crusader]

Hey, if thats what it takes, then yeah. Look if I was in a band that had been struggling to get any sort of decent bookings and promotions for a decade and a bill like this came up I would look at it as finally, I'm getting some sort of a break. If it takes playing with one act that is a fucking cartoon, one act that is a stoner metal godfather, and a third act that is Grammy nominated and steam rolling the progressive metal scene, I would jump at the chance.

How can they lose with a show like this? It's a broad tour that will get therm exposure throughout North America, and if they have been busting their asses trying to catch a break, then any exposure is good and chances are, they aren't going to lose any fans over this. Shit even if they do, there's gonna be kids on the opposite end of the country who bought their t shirt at the show. And is gonna be telling his friends "Aw man! I saw this kick ass show last night..." they're not going to say "dude, these guys actually went on tour with Dethklok, what sellouts. c'mon let's go listen to some real metal like Lacuna."

[AcidDreams]

I've talked to enough people who actually like Dethklok's music and think it's heavy death metal to be a bit jaded by this. Sorry.

Why do you talk to them?

[BKaz]

I saw this on Thursday. It was fun as hell and funny as hell. I'll do a mini-run through:

High on Fire suck, period. Music sucks, presence is shit, and I honestly can't tell the songs apart. Converge on the other hand was fucking boss and their stage presence is incredible, but the crowd was not digging it as much as I was and Converge even had to deal with asshole hecklers... Regardless, I've recently been listening to more Dillinger Escape Plan / Pig Destroyer-esque stuff so I was happy to see these guys. Mastodon was awesome - the lighting of the show was great and the imagery on the projection screen was trippy and colorful. It was sick enough to see Brann Dailor workin it too. They played a huge chunk of Crack the Skye and they revisited 1 song from all Blood Mountain, Leviathan and Remission CDs (I couldn't tell the songs that they played... I need to brush up on my Mastodon listening..). The older material clearly had more energy and zyazz than the Crack the Skye set, which made me miss their old shindigs alot. I still feel like their older style is what they do best. Overall, they played a sick show. Finally, DETHKLOK came on, and being a fan of the show it was definitely hilarious and enjoyable. They had their own "tour" episode that played throughout the set, and it cut to the dialogue every other song or so, and they had a couple Face-Bones gags that were played and it was overall hilarious. Moshing to Duncan Hills Coffee and Murmaider was all sorts of win.

In general, the ticket was not quite worth the $ i paid for, but it was still fun and I'm happy I saw those bands (except HoF...). Picked up a sweet Mastodon shirt as well. And, I agree with everything you said Fish, but at the same time I still am able to enjoy it myself and thats basically what matters. Its a shame that people do just listen to Dethklok for shits and giggles and while dethklok makes fun of metal - I see how it can be taken offensively and with a grain of salt. It's hilarious how they poke fun but knowing that there are actually "good" bands out there struggling certainly gets me pissed

[Aum Shinrikyo]

The thing is, with Converge, they're a band you're better off seeing in a small club anyways. They can own whatever stage they play, but having seen them in a large venue, with barricades and security, and a small venue without, I can safely say the show is much more enjoyable in a smaller venue. And it's closer to their ethos and more what they, and their fans, are all about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPpHttdnNt8

Wouldn't this be much more fun than seeing them in some stadium?

I guess ultimately, my point is, getting on a tour like this hurts them more than helps them. In a way.

[AcidDreams]

Aren't all shows less fun in a stadium? I always prefer an intimate live music setting.

[Etiam]

Agreed. Every mega-large show I've attended was less exciting than even mediocre ones held in smaller venues. And all this, "Well, they're awesome because of this killer light show," is codswallop. Light shows, great, fun, whatever, but that really ought to have little bearing on the quality of the band's performance itself.

Genghis Tron had some pretty absurd neon lights flashing...




and Emperor trucked out these blinding floor lights...




But in both cases the lights only accentuated what showmanship was already present.

I don't know. As is being discussed in another thread, too often music is used as a vehicle for some form of passing fanfare, which makes it harder for me to appreciate those few that do a good job of fusing art with entertainment.


/Tangent.

[Argosax]

I believe the only time I've seen Converge was with Mastodon.
I can't get into Mastodons music.
I was so bored after their 3rd song.
It just seemed to go on and on and on.

[Crusader]

Thats okay. More for the fans who like that kind of stuff.

[Aum Shinrikyo]

Aren't all shows less fun in a stadium? I always prefer an intimate live music setting.

I would hate dethklok if they played in a stadium, or in my living room. But the setting is not about what works for that band. A more fair example might be a band like AC/DC. Of course it would be a crazy fun time to see them in a small club, but whether or not they play in a large or small venue has little bearing on the show the put on. Audience participation where the singer tells everyone to "clap their hands like this", versus being piled on and having the microphone taken from you are 2 very different things, stemming from 2 very different ideas about what music is about for both the artist and the listener.

[Argosax]

I saw Curl Up and Die play at this place called J.D. and Friends.

it was the first time I saw a band set up on the floor instead of the stage.
There was only like 8 people at the show. It was one of the best shows I've ever been to.

And even though I'm not a big fan of As I Lay Dying, I saw them in a tiny coffee shop in front of maybe 15 people, and it was pretty fun. Considering they are a waste of time to see, even if it's free, it says a lot about small, 'intimate' shows, compared to a show with 200 people. give me a shit band in a basement that you're afraid to touch the walls in over a venue show any day.