One of those terrible days when I need to make choices. Where to go? Cryptopsy are playing in a place just 100 meters from here, and they are also sold out. Tough, cause I really want to see Cryptopsy. The choice is in favour of Sentrum Scene, because of the sound and lights. I fear that the sound of that other venue where Cryptopsy are playing tonight might ruin my experience.. Hopeful for the next time! 

A deathcore/deathgrind night it is.
 
How the time tests.. in unimaginable ways. Suicide Silence were on top of the world, when the vocalist Mitch Lucker decided it is a good idea to drive drunk on a motorcycle, - and died. The highest selling debut of Century Media records… the stuff they had released with him was so influential, it gave birth to a generation of bands, and this is a lot due to his vocals.. that are simply impossible to replace. The recordings with Hernan Hermida from All Shall Perish were pale because of the vocals. 

Speaking about which, the one time I saw All Shall Perish live, their bassist had to do vocals because Herman did not get the visa sorted (I assume it was Mike Tiner who had to take the mic), - and Mike’s vocals were so much better than Hermidas.. Just because they were a better fit with the music. I really like “Hate . Malice . Revenge” record, and that’s where there is another vocalist who is a much better fit.  This unwillful change of the vocalist was the beginning of the bands downfall, so today Suicide Silence is the opening act!. Let’s see how it goes today, these are just my thoughts before the concert even started. 

Suicide Silence have a Bohemian Rhapsody as an intro. Good yet unusual choice. They kick off with Unanswered… daaaaamn, shivers! And Hermida is great! Forget all of my reservations above. Damn, what a setlist!! Yes, it is short, but it is sweet! Wake up, Fuck Everything, Love me to Death, Disengage, You Only Live Once, No Pity For a Coward. Mark Heylmun does all the solos (and yes, they are not easy ones) and in general the sound is fabulous. Fantastic show and I want to have more.  

Dying Fetus do know how to surprise as well. It starts with the Village People - Y.M.C.A. intro :))) No, really, copy-paste it on Youtube if you do not know what it is! 
John Gallagher’s vocals!!! OMFG, how good they are! Gallagher trades vocals with Sean Beasley (bass) and this works very well! Despite Dying Fetus have just one guitar, it sounds really powerful. Dying Fetus show they are a unit that is a Wrong one to Fuck With, and, of course there is a mandatory childhood soundtrack Kill your Mother, Rape Your Dog. 

Awesome mixing work, all is audible. The band is not aging at all. Both Suicide Silence and Slaughter to Prevail later would name them as one of the influences. 

Slaughter to Prevail have unusual stage installations, but no bear that I saw on the previous dates of the tour. How will it go? Half of the stuff is in Russian, and these times it is not the most popular language for obvious reasons. I personally think the band did impossible - not only rising to high, but also doing so these times, and somehow sitting on two chairs…
 
Cherniy Voron (“Black raven” in Russian) is the intro. Alex is counting in Russian. One check box ticked - the crowd screams in Russian. Here in Oslo. 

I recognize quotes from cartoons and movies (Adventures of Captain Wrongel and Song about Bears from Kidnapping, Caucasian Style). Who of the locals is able to understand this? No one, of course. How do you explain the titles like Babayka, Bratva, Baba Yaga, Koschei? But it works - I do not remember Sentrum Scene screaming so loud - the audience goes completely nuts. 

Slaughter to Prevail is maybe not that much about the music, but it is definitely the show that makes people want to see them. It is the lights that are very intelligent and never the same, fitting the music perfectly. Harmonics are tasty, and the drummer is a complete beast! There is a drum solo piece and I enjoy how audible the splashes and the bell are (tiiiing!!!)! Breakdowns, but not boring. 

Slaughter to Prevail are very inspiring, yet humble, and you need to see them.