KATAKLYSM SPREAD'S THE VENOM

Mar 5th, 2011
Review/Photos By: Char Tupper
Link to Photos Below: 
http://www.metaltitans.com/2011/concert-pics/spread-the-venom-tour-2011/ 

  “Our Primitive Nature” of concert excursions has commenced. It is the day after the Deicide concert, and our metal veins are craving more. This is the perfect night for those death metal fans to get their veins filled with metal venom. It is the night of the “Spread the Venom Tour 2011” featuring Kataklysm, All Shall Perish, Conducting the Grave, and Abysmal Dawn. Joining these mighty forces were the two local bands, A Lesson in Chaos, and Psychonaut Deathtrip.

The first two bands were very unique from one another. Psychonaut Deathtrip stood on the grounds of technical death metal, which, was very fitting for the bill this evening, while A Lesson in Chaos, very talented at what they do, definitely stood out like a sore thumb compared to the other bands. A Lesson in Chaos had a power metal vibe, with the voice potential of Bruce Dickinson appeal. Psychonaut Deathtrip performed well, and kept the crowd on their toes until the full metal lineup commenced.

Abysmal Dawn was “In Service of Time” for some real technical death metal for us all. These three guys from Los Angeles, California are touring in support of their 3^rd album, “Leveling the Plane of Existence” released in February. These guys have definitely proven themselves this tour, that this band is something to talk about. They have the elements of death metal, while combining thrash and black metal into their sound to create nothing other than Abysmal Dawn. Their performance this evening was very intense, very positive crowd reaction. Quoted by Charles(vocals/guitar) “This is one of the best shows we have had all tour”. Their set consisted of a lot of moshpits, head banging, horns, and none other then a wall of death. Safe to say, that Abysmal Dawn was a band who was “Programmed to Consume”

The next band to perform was Conducting from the Grave. Forming in Sacramento, CA in 2003, however, laying to rest in 2006 when 3 of the members joined the band With Passion. However, not long after, the band was reactivated when singer, Drew Winter returned to the band. Afterwards, Drew left the band once again, where current vocalist, Lou Tanuis filled his shoes. These lineup changes may seem a little confusing to some, however, the connection between this lineup and their performance on stage was well conducted. Their energy live is very present, as if they were sitting in “The Tyrants Throne”.

Sadly, due to legal reasons, Decrepit Birth could not attend this show, infact, they didn’t return to the tour until March 6^th (what a bummer, the day after!!). However, the show must go on, so the next band on the bill was All Shall Perish. The death core band formed in 2002 and has quickly risen from the scorching California heat. Discovered in 2003 by a Japanese record company, however, later on through the years, Nuclear Blast Records made them an addition to the label. The band has recently been added to the Rockstar Mayhem Festival this summer, and has been touring non stop with Kataklysm this spring. The performance of All Shall Perish was very energetic and crowd-orientated. They got involved with the fans, chanting to the crowd, making the horns rise one by one.

Kataklysm is “Taking the World By Storm” and it is their turn to take the stage. This “Northern Hyperblast” band from Montreal Quebec (Canada) formed in 1991 and hit the metal scene with a force with their first full-length album in 1995. The fans were in the “Arms of Devastation” and felt the mighty forces that is Kataklysm. Their performance was beyond all the other times I have had the pleasure to partake in a Kataklysm concert. Mosh pit’s the size of the floor, the wall of death once or twice, and the horns were held high for these fellow Canadians. Their energy was ecstatic and their bassist,Stéphane was living in the glory of the female fans in the audience on his side of the stage, until Maurizio put him back in his place, and told Stéphane to “step back, your just the bassist”. Everyone enjoyed their laughs, and continued to play. Their show was all around well executed and the band couldn’t be better. Kataklysm held “The Chains of Power” this dark, metal evening.