At the Gates - Debaser Medis - 07 September 2008

At the Gates was formed back in 1990 in Gothenburg, Sweden - and effectively put this sleepy town on the map. As pioneers of the "Gothenburg Sound", At the Gates released 3 albums before coming out with the melodic, breakthrough record "Terminal Spirit Disease" in 1994, and establishing them as a serious, proficient band. Their follow-up, "Slaughter of the Soul", was released in 1995, and became even more successful and influential in the Gothenburg (and global) metal scene. Sadly, the band broke up in 1996, with three of the members going on to form The Haunted. However in 2007, after a 10+ year hiatus, At the Gates reformed for a reunion tour (and nothing more, with no studio albums planned).

Last night they arrived in Stockholm, for their 2nd sold-out show in a row, after 13 years of not having played the town.

It was a pleasure to have At the Gates play Debaser Medis - there are many alternative venues in Stockholm, with the standard "metal" venue for a band of this caliber being Klubben - which is infamous for their sub-standard sound. Debaser worked just fine - yes, it could have been better, but I (as many others were as well) happy to be able to see a legendary band like At the Gates play.

Song highlights included "Slaughter of the Soul", "Cold", "Nausea" and "Blinded by Fear", executed with enthusiasm and - dare I say it - smiles. Vocalist Tomas Lindberg looked genuinely grateful that the house was packed that night, thanking the audience "for remembering" At the Gates. Indeed we remember, and shall never forget At the Gates, and their amazing performance that night.

\m/
-p2

Exodus - Klubben - 30 August 2008

Fucking Exodus, man. These guys came together in 1980 (originally with Kirk Hammett on guitar, of now sold-out Metallica), and they've been through a lot - but are one of the few original Bay Area Thrash bands still going (and going strong). Bonded by Blood, their first studio release from 1985, is chock full of riffage, and its a wonder why this band isn't bigger than they are today.

The show at Klubben here in Stockholm was the last show of their European tour - and I wonder if it wasn't a sore fucking disappointment to them - with all of 150 people or so showing up. I asked the guy at the door if the show was sold out, and he just laughed at me. Thanks, man. You're a dick. These guys are legends. They deserve a lot more. A lot. Stockholm...wake up!

They of course played the classics, like "Bonded by Blood", "Piranha" and "The Toxic Waltz"...with Rob Dukes on vocals - I gotta say, this guy has charisma and class, boys and girls. He, no less than twice, was pointing out hot chicks in the audience. He told us to mosh, and we moshed. He demanded violence, we gave it to him. He wanted to recreate "Fight Club" on the ground floor of the venue...the man got his "Fight Club". He commanded...and we obeyed. Cheerily.

So, even though the crowd was small, the atmosphere couldn't have been bigger and more energetic - we thrash-metalheads love our legends and we're not afraid to show it. Exodus may be small in the grand scheme of (let's face it, people) fake, commercial metal - but they're larger than life in our hearts.

Love always,
-p2