Flesh for the Beast Live
One week out of every year Grand Rapids, Michigan hosts a massive festival dedicated to all the art the fair city has to offer. As unlikely as it might seem on paper, the city's heavy metal contingent is no exception and this year saw the Division Avenue Arts Cooperative (or the DAAC for short) lay host to some of the area's most vicious death metal outfits. Tucked away in the southeast part of town, the DAAC's cheap ticket prices (a mere $5) still failed to attract large crowds, owing perhaps to some four or five other concerts happening all over town. Regardless, for those that went, the evening's bill was a ferocious one and proof that there still exists a well-defended niche for classic-era brutal death metal in the world.
Seeing as my attendance was required elsewhere for another show with some buddies earlier in the evening, I entirely missed the first band on the DAAC's bill. I did, however, make it in time to see Lansing's Whore's Bath bring the pain. Though I only caught a mere three or four songs, it was apparent that the Whore's Bath blokes had brought their A-games for the evening, and the fans in attendance all seemed lost in a massive wall of sonic groove. The Bath played a suffocating set of stomach-churning death/groove alternated by spastic periods of violent shredding, their caustic self-hatred and general misanthropy bringing to mind every bit as much Eyehategod as it did Cannibal Corpse. Frontman Hondo sports a massive set of pipes capable of some truly beastly growls and howls, and the man is a verified monster onstage. As for the rest of the band (guitarist Donger, drummer Brandon, and bassist Chud), the lot of them excel at spewing bile-drenched and pummeling death metal every bit as crushing at 10 MPH as it is at 110. In summary, Whore's Bath was definitely top-notch in my opinion and I hope to hear much more from them soon.
As solid as Whore's Bath was, nothing could have prepared me for Flesh for the Beast. I've touted these guys again and again in my column, and for good reason; the Beast is wicked death metal of the highest order. The live setting is often the best place to strip a strong studio recording of its power, but such a poor showing never happened here. Flesh for the Beast lacerated listeners with an intense, entertaining, and above-all precise set, the kind that bands years ahead of them often put on in their prime. In fact, as the night wore on, I couldn't help but chuckle at how the only band I've heard sounding this airtight from the studio to the concert is France's infamous Gojira, the likes of whom shouldn't need any introduction. The irony then of a band this talented playing a show to 20-30 people was not lost on me, and I can't help but wonder how these wildly talented individuals remain unsigned. Hell, I'd argue that they are the best-kept secret in death metal today.
Though last night's set was my first time seeing them, there is no doubt in my mind that with some luck this won't be true much longer. Flesh for the Beast has nailed it all---their songs are clear and concise, their stage antics entertaining, and their between-song banter polite and honest. Decked in vintage spike-studded leather, frontman John Rios evoked images of metal's earliest biker hellions, his stage presence outright badass. Twin guitarists Jason Salmer and Ed Ryans (the latter formerly of Michigan blast-bastards Summon) played what I can best describe as murderous shredding, while bassist Mark Kinley was so overcome by the band's frightening level of claustrophobic riffing he at one point sank down to one knee and continued windmilling. Drummer Jason Kandea is perhaps the most fluid skinsman I've ever had the pleasure of meeting (after Mastodon's Brann Dailor), and he is definitely one of my favorite death percussionists right now. Playing a breakneck and brutal set, the skinsman unveiled a massive kit including two bass drums and all manner of dexterous possibilities. The man is simply a beatdown wizard, and I'd rank his insane work with the likes of Cryptopsy, Nile, and Krisiun no questions asked.
As for the songs themselves, the line-up was simply incredible. As the band will soon be releasing sophomore effort Scavengers of the Damned, we lucky fans got a taste of many of those newer cuts while still being able to revisit offerings from 2005's bloody Devouring. The band's stage show continues to be a well-crafted and major-league affair, with banners, logos, shrunken heads, perfectly timed lights, and smoke machines. If I had to describe the band's performance, I'd use the metaphor of a knife stabbing; simple, quick, brutal, and effective. The mauling that is "Kingdom of the Wicked" kicked things off with a roaring explosion, and the band next showed off a bunch of new cuts in "Death is Calling," "Scavengers of the Damned," "Dying for the Cross," and "Impaled by Thorns." "Death is Calling" eroded faces into mush, its pummeling groove and swinging riffs the aural equivalent of a steamroller massacre. The title track off the upcoming album, "Scavengers of the Damned," is easily one of the best songs Flesh for the Beast has ever written, showcasing broad dynamics and fluid arrangements. As thick as blood and every bit as liquid, the song careens from chugging monster to slamming bridge to a shredding firestorm of leads and back again. In a fun twist, the band used Slayer's classic thrash gem "Raining Blood" to lead into some of their other material. Everything was spot-on and perfectly played, doing the mighty metal legends well-deserved justice. The band next unveiled "Impaled by Thorns" for the first time ever, and I've got to say this one is a future classic. Much in the same vein as acts like Deicide and Vital Remains, Flesh for the Beast combined absurdly memorable yet frantic riffs with deep, cavernous tone. Rightfully earning the song its name were the puncture wound solos by both guitarists; each note stabbed and jabbed with the bloodletting slice of thorns. Closer and classic revenge anthem "Vengeance is Mine" remains a visceral and pounding holocaust of sound, the band's unhinged brutality always a joy to witness.
All-in-all, the intimate atmosphere and well-plotted setlist made for a memorable evening. Though the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts had plenty of great stuff to offer me over the course of the last week, this by far was my favorite event. I strongly urge anyone reading this to check out both acts, or better yet pop on over to GR and see for yourself---you won't be disappointed. Deranged and pulverizing, Whore's Bath and Flesh for the Beast both made for one sick evening indeed.
Rating:
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