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Band:Arch Enemy Album:Doomsday Machine Record Company:Century Media Records Writer: Eric Johnson MP3: Nemesis Click Album Cover To Buy Now

Arch Enemy/Chaimara/Nevermore/Hate Eternal Portland, OR, Roseland Theater, April 11, 2006

What an interesting evening this one turned out to be. First, I went to Will Call and found out that my name was not on Arch Enemy's guest list like it was supposed to be. Who fucked up? I don't know, and I really don't care anymore, as long as it does not happen again. Thankfully, my friend, who was supposed to be my "plus 1," paid for tickets. In addition to that stupidity, the person who checked ID's at the bar gave me the fucking third-degree, and even went as fas as asking me what my address was. So what if I have a goatee and my hair is drastically longer than it was a year ago when my driver's liscence picture was taken. Last, but not least, I was not able to get into the media section, and as a result I could not get close enough to take pictures without getting trampled on by moshers. As a result, this is a text-only review. Oh yeah, and thanks to the guest list fuck-up (yes, I just had to mention it one more time, sue me) I missed Hate Eternal.

Now that I am done bitching, I will get to the phenomenal sets played by Nevermore, Chimaira, and Arch Enemy.

Looking back at Gigantour last year, my friend and I (the same one who attented this show with me) had one hell of a time finding the Clark County Ampitheater. As a result, we missed Nevermore's set and only got to see Fear Factory, Anthrax, and Megadeth. Anyway, I spent the time before Nevermore took the stage wondering just how great of a show I missed that night, and how much I had fucked up by not getting around to giving them a chance. I immediately realized that the answer was immensely! While Nevermore only played six songs, they were all of the longer variety, and were executed perfectly. The second track from newest album This Godless Endeavor, "Final Product" served as the band's opener and was greeted with thunderous applause. "I, Voyager" from Enemies of Reality (2004) followed, and once it fully kicked in I realized that everything I had heard about guitarist Jeff Loomis (who once auditioned for Megadeth and did not get the gig simply because he was 16 at the time) was a complete understatement. Upon "I, Voyager's" conclusion, vocalist Warrel Dane announced "we are going to play a song that we have ignored on tour for many tours, "Poison Godmachine" from Dreaming Neon Black [1999]." Needless to say the crowd erupted and swayed along with all of the song's slashing grooves. "Engines of Hate" from the album Dead Heart in a Dead World (2000) came next, and with it, Loomis pulled off a solo which I thought at the time was next to impossible, but ended up being nothing compared to the one he unleashed two songs later. Nevermore stayed with DHIADW for their next selection, "Believe in Nothing," which displayed yet another sinister chorus. For their finale, Dane asked "is everyone ready to go faster?" He was of course answered with huge applause and the band delivered "Born," (This Godless Endeavor) the most pummeling song played during an entirely brutal set. Regarding Nevermore, they are yet another entry into my file of "it took you long enough to give that band a chance, jackass!" While everyone in the band gave it their all and played a tremendous set, Dane's soaring wails and Loomis' shred fests stole the show. Oh yeah, Loomis' solo during "Born" proves beyond all doubt that he belongs on any "best of..." guitarists list.

Up next came Chimaira. Unfortunately, I did not know much about this band before they took the stage. Even though the same was true for Nevermore, Warrel Dane's clear delivery enabled me to understand his lyrics, therefore I could figure out what song was played when. Such was not the case for Chaimara since vocalist Mark Hunter's razor-edged scream proved to be indistinguisable for a first-time listener. Despite the fact that I did not know which song was which, other than a couple that Hunter mentioned which I will get to later, I know that Chimaira played eleven songs which were nothing short of crushing! Throughout their set, I was reminded of Fear Factory, Pantera, and Machine Head due to their endless supply of brain-bashing riffs and almost danceable grooves. While they reminded of those three bands quite a bit, Chimaira also demonstrated that they have their own sound. Such a characteristic is a good one for an extreme metal band to have, if Chimaira can be called that. By default, I will say that my favorite songs Chimaira played were "Seven" and "Powertrip," even though I loved every damn track they played. With all of that said, I highly recommend that any metal fan who is introduced to Chimaira via a show from this tour because he/she went to see Arch Enemy or Nevermore give them a chance, enjoy their show, and pick up their CD's. I for one know that I dug their set and eventually will buy their albums. Oh shit, I almost forget that funniest quote of the night honor went to Mark Hunter. As Chimaira's fourth song came to a close, Hunter said to the security guys "until someone fixes this fucking barricade, we're gonna play Nelly covers all God-damn night, and people are going to get pissed!" Needless to say, the barricade was fixed immediately.

While I immensely enjoyed the sets played by Nevermore and Chimaira, I was more excited than ever when Arch Enemy took the stage. They opened with "Nemesis" from Doomsday Machine (2005) and immediately made it clear that they would not be shown up by Nevermore and Chimaira's awe-inspiring sets. Burning thrasher "Leader of the Rats" (from 2003's Anthems of Rebellion) followed suit and let the audience know that Satan had taken the form of throat-slitting, eye-popping vocalist Angela Gossow for the evening. For their next selection, Arch Enemy went back to 1999 and unleased a plethora of slithering grooves from "The Immortal" (Burning Bridges). "My Apocalypse" marked a return to the Doomsday Machine era, while the galloping "Burning Angel" (2001's Wages of Sin) trampled all in its path next. Doomsday Machine was once again re-visited, and this time back to back, in the form of the blistering "I am Legend/Out for Blood" and the serpentine grooves of "Skeleton Dance." Even though Gossow announced the next song, I did not catch the title. I did, however, understand that she said "this one is from Black Earth [1996]." While I know Wages of Sin, Anthems of Rebellion, and Doomsday Machine front to back, this song was the first I had ever heard from Arch Enemy's debut, Black Earth. Even though I will maintain my position and note that the band has evolved from Black Earth, and that Michael Amott has stayed true to initial vision overall during the Gossow-era, I will also acknowledge that anyone who says that "Arch Enemy were more intense and more creative when [former vocalist] Johan Liiva was in the band" is right. Arch Enemy then elected to go back to Wages of Sin with full-throttle cut "Ravenous," and closed their set with "We Will Rise" from Anthems of Rebellion. Despite the fact that they only got to play eleven songs, Arch Enemy did a good job of representing nearly all of their albums as only 1998's Stigmata was left out. While I was beyond psyched to watch Michael Amott play, and he did execute every riff and melodic solo/harmony flawlessly, it was new guitarist Frederik Akesson who soared above the rest as he handled the lion's share of AE's shred solos. Last, but not least, I just can't leave out Angela Gossow, what stage presence she has...

When all was said and done last night, the initial stupidity became nothing more than a joke, and what really mattered were the amazing performances by three of metal's finest bands: Nevermore, Chimaira, and Arch Enemy.

Band:Arch Enemy Album:Doomsday Machine Record Company:Century Media Records Writer: Eric Johnson Click Album Cover To Buy Now

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