NOVEMBER 23rd, 2023
SKINNY PUPPY: FINAL TOUR
Review by Metallic Barbie
Photos by Peter Ruttan

http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/skinny-puppy/

The epic end of an era will come tonight, November 24, as Skinny Puppy takes the stage for their final Vancouver show in honour of their 40th anniversary.  If you’re going tonight, heads up – I have spoilers from the November 23rd show.

Lead Into Gold kicked off the night in an opener position such influential artists as Nine Inch Nails have previously occupied.  The eruption as founder cEvin KEY (aka Kevin Crompton, synthesizers and all sound machines), Matthew Setzer (guitar), and Justin Bennet (drums) took the stage to kick off almost 2 hours of noise spanning from 1984’s Remission to 2013’s Weapon, was evidence of the monumental impact Skinny Puppy have made.

Largely credited as pioneers in industrial rock and electro-industrial genres, Skinny Puppy have influenced juggernauts of the genre such as Al Jourgensen of Ministry, Jonathan Davis of Korn, Trent Reznor of NIN, Marilyn Manson, Death Grips, and 3Teeth just to tickle the tip of the girthy list.

Opening with a maniacal shadow-puppet show of violence and politics, the deconstructionists of sound used their signature mixture of multi-layered loops and distortion to envelop the crowd in their stream of musical noise consciousness.  Moving from “Rodent” to “Deep Down Trauma Hounds” to “The Choke” and closer “Dig It”, incorporated not only hooded creatures and curious aliens, but physical beatings, slicings, and brain removal - all while an alien foetus vibrated on a hook by Key’s impressive rig.

Nivek Ogre (aka ohGr, vocals) made his appearance in various costumes, from a shrouded creature eventually revealed as an alien being, performing iconic tracks while moving, bending, and interacting with a shadow self.  From curious to explorative, to pointed and macabre, Ogre transitioned from full form to pieces of himself as the group closed the regular set.

So as to properly massacre and rightly bury Skinny Puppy, Bennett, Setzer, Key, and eventually Ogre, now in a hat and sweater having ditched the crystal-eyed alien, encored “Smothered Hope” and “Assimilate” to the rabid crowd, forcing feet off the floor in the final minutes.

Skinny Puppy delivered a simultaneous stimulation of the eyes, ears, and ego through a demonstration of pain in song and ambiance accented by engaging grotesque visuals.  The sculpturing of psychedelic, brap, and gothic synth-pop into a visual question of pressing social issues is what had Key and Ogre break the mold back in the 80s, and what continues to demonstrate them as relevant creatures 40 years later.  Old and new bodies alike crave the in-your-face-no-apologies methodology Skinny Puppy instigated and incited since their inception, and back-to-back nights of foaming-mouthed crowds are a direct testament to this. Devilspeed to you all the next forty and many mutilations in the future!