High On Fire, Sentient, Razor Death Squad & Inverted Nines

This being kind of an oddball line-up I was very excited to se what happened, would it be a huge show? Would anyone show up? Does anyone care? Should you be wasting your time reading this? It turned out to be a great night and aside from excessive cigarette bumming out front, I have no complaints at all.
First up were the Inverted Nines, always a great band, but a member or two are true-life assholes, I've always thought that, but I still like the band. They played an energetic set; everyone in attendance was thoroughly entertained. My favorite part was when the bass player almost fell down when a cable caught him up underfoot, or the cover of "Drink, Fight, and Fuck." This being the first time in awhile I've ventured off of my couch to go to a show, I was glad to see the Nines again, I should leave the house more often.
Up next was the first non-living room performance of the Razor Death Squad, I've seen the last two living room shows and they just get better every time. Their mix of horror films, dance music and metal is intriguing to say the least. Right now they are a fun band to see, but in a year they'll be a great band. They still have a few rough spots, which should be smoothed by time; the singer needs to feel a little more comfortable onstage, but that comes in time. They had a few technical difficulties, which is to be expected with a new group, as soon as they work out the bugs in "Hoe Down" the set will improve greatly. And the kids will have new metal gods to worship.
I've never seen Sentient before, and I was fucking impressed. Musically it's not really my thing, but the amount of talent there is undeniable. I'm not sure if they call themselves emo-core or not, but as a laymen that is the closest comparison I can give. The songs tend to start slow, with outstanding guitar interplay and build to a furious crescendo, leaving the audience tired and emotionally drained by the end of each song. I don't know if I would buy the album and listen to them at home, but I will definitely go and see them again, I'll bring some tissue for the tears and my boots for stomping.
What's ugly, tattooed, hairy and smells like Otto's jacket? Why it's none other than High On Fire, as they took the stage I could smell dirt-weed and then I saw the flying V bass and I knew it was on. They put on the best metal set I've seen forever, when they were done I just wanted to go home take bong hits and play my guitar really fuckin' loud. I was shocked at how much noise they make for being a three piece, the bass was played finger style à la Cliff Burton, and the Les Paul made some of the most God-awful squealing I've ever enjoyed, I wish I could play that hard and fast - I would drive my roommates absolutely insane. Next time High On Fire is in town you should go and see if you've got what it takes to endure a set, unless your so lame that you can't appreciate bong hits and loud guitars.
- Jim Preston
- photos by Thug E. Fresh

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