APRIL 27th, 2024
METAL CRUSHES ALL TOUR
Review By: Metal Mom Rita
Photos By: Char Tupper
Gallery: http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/amon-amarth-guests/

Been a busy week for MetalTitans, and Metal Mom Rita is back.  I got the chance to watch and review the SOLD OUT show with Amon Amarth, Cannibal Corpse, Obiturary and Frozen Soul at the PNE Forum, Vancouver, BC.

Openers today are Dallas Texas's death metal act,  FROZEN SOUL. Forming in 2018 and have made a name for themselves, infact, it has been under a year since these guys last hit Vancouver. The crowd was really enjoying their set, making a huge circle pit for them, even crowd surfing. But what do you expect from an old-school death metal band. They played a good set, my only complaint is the video guy up there in between them filming, sorry it takes away from their performance, at least for me.

Up next is OBITUARY, from Florida, stepped out on the stage to a lot of cheering. They played a variety of songs. The crowd got more enthusiastic, and the crowd surfing became more active, as well of course the mosh pits became more frequent.  Looking around the audience, you knew they were doing a great job. To me , the stage was a little dark, so harder to see with fog and darker lighting standing a bit further back, but you could hear them execute their music very well.

CANNIBAL CORPSE took the stage next, and this is when I moved farther back, knowing how crazy their fans were for the mosh pits and crowd surfing, even whirlwinds of long hair, didn't need to get involved with that, like to keep my distance.  I don't have to tell you what they are capable of, we all know, they are at the forefront of shaping and defining Death Metal, and to this day still doing it.  From starting in Buffalo, New York back in 1988, now based in Florida, and seen as a huge heavy hitter for the region, they have mastered their sound and songs to fit their style. For the new metalheads, who may not know the band lineup, we have George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher (Vocals) - thee man whose neck, we respect,  Erik Rutan (Guitar), Rob Barrett (Guitar), Alex Webster (Bass), and Paul Mazurkiewicz (Drums). They played a great selection of songs, and the sound was so much better at the back of the venue, so I truly enjoyed it. Each performed as we knew they would, there is no mistaking the talent behind each of these guys. The only thing I noticed this time around was Corpsegrinder doing his headbanging, but not doing the typical whirlwind. I can't imagine doing that for every show, I know he has a strong neck, but still. It didn't effect the show at all, they gave 150% and the crowd gave back. Fantastic show.

It was the calm before the storm , then our favourite Swedish Vikings, AMON AMARTH, burst onstage with their unique form of death metal in all it's glory. The stage presence took on many stylings, including two 30' viking statues, a ship, even a giant dragon for "Twilight of the Thunder God", where Johan(vocals) comes out with Thor's hammer to fight the beast . They even had performers come out during the set as Loki, or Vikings waving flags, even an epic battle, what fun it was to watch all of this. It was a long long time ago I saw my first show with them, infact, their last show in Vancouver was 2016 at the Commodore Ballroom ! Let's just say, their smaller club days, are behind them, and all their hard work has paid off, now playing large arena shows. They also play some great songs, inlcuding their classics like "Pursuit of Vikings", "Raven's Flight", "Guardians of Asgard", and several more. The sound of fans constantly singing along with the band, makes it that much better experience for everyone, watching such excitement, got me excited to be seeing them again after all these years. Loved the drummers set up, in a giant viking helmet, and where the eyes were screens where  the scene would changed, sometimes flames or eyes. They played a lot of their favourites, or should say our favourites, so there was lots of singing and horns raised. Now of course, one of the more notable moments for crowd involvement, was during "Put Your Back into the Oar", as this is the legendary moment,  where the fans get down low, and as Johan chants "row", the audience literally rows, as if we are all rowing a giant viking ship. Literally no other metal band out there, can say they have this kind of interaction with their fans, I don't think there was anyone who wasn't rowing. I even got involved, hard not to, plus I didn't want to get "thrown off" the ship, or meet face to face with a "berserker" for going against my fellow brothers. These guys know what they are doing, forming back in 1992, they truly created a unique experience for fans, and they have grown so much since Day 1. What a fantastic , fun filled show with quite the production. A great memory to take home. Don't miss your chance to see this tour and crusade with fellow vikings.

Still lots of tour dates left, my advice is to go and see METAL CRUSHES ALL TOUR

Remaining dates:
5/03 – Steelhouse – Omaha, NE
5/04 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI
5/05 – GLC Live At 20 Monroe – Grand Rapids, MI
5/07 – Rose Music Center At The Heights – Huber Heights, OH
5/09 – The Wellmont – Montclair, NJ
5/10 – Toyota Oakdale Theater – Wallingford, CT
5/11 – Videotron Centre – Quebec City, QC (Arena Show)
5/13 – The Fillmore Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA
5/14 – The Fillmore Silver Spring – Silver Spring, MD
5/16 – ExploreAsheville.com Arena – Asheville, NC (Arena Show)
5/17 – House Of Blues – Myrtle Beach, SC
5/18 – Yuengling Center – Tampa, FL (Arena Show)
5/20 – Bayou Music Center – Houston, TX
5/21 – Boeing Center At Tech Port – San Antonio, TX
5/23 – Arizona Financial Theatre – Phoenix, AZ
5/24 – Pearl Concert Theater At Palms Casino Resort – Las Vegas, NV
5/25 – Honda Center – Anaheim, CA