Kreator Crushes At First Ave
Little bit windy and a chill in the air, May in Minnesota always keeping ya guessing. Thankfully I had some toasty riffs to warm my body in First Avenue. Time for a metal show!
Cold Steel opened up the night with gusto. Hailing from Florida, they brought classic southern heat to the stage. Their tone was easy to fall in love with, and presence of all members felt engaging. Some tops were popped throughout the performance, revealing glistening sweaty bodies in the stage limelight. Making the most of their position, opening up for two infamous metal bands, they proved their ability to hold it down like seasoned pros. Another band I will be adding to my playlists, no question.
Even though their set was short, it was very impactful. JanPierre Mojica who was on bass has such great expressions, and along with his playing abilities, amplifies his presence on stage. Though he didn’t take his shirt fully off like his fellow bandmate, he did flash a nip to the crowd. To top it off, he came by later in the night on his way to move gear to greet us and thank us for coming and photographing the show. Int4roducing himself as “JP” with a friendly strong handshake, was a nice moment and shows that solid character we all hope bands retain even after performing in one of the most famous clubs in the United States.
The crowd was nice and riled up for Carcass, the floor swelling with people as they tried to squeeze as close as they could to the rail. Love seeing the sea of faces waiting for the band to kick off. Right away getting it going, opened up with “Unfit For Human Consumption.” Another few of my favorites, “Death Certificate” and “Exhume To Consumne” were played with much delight. Cherry-picking from an illustrious catalog, songs from seven of their albums were played. Love when a band has so much to choose from and actually utilizes their hoard of tunes. These Liverpool lads are amazing at what they do, starting back in 1985, time has only bolstered their craft. Feeling fresh and energetic must be a challenge from city to city, no wiff or note of fatigue was sniffed at First Ave. Bill Steer, one of the founding and original members, luscious locks and fast fingers were phenomenal to see in the flesh. Smiles are lovely to see from the audience, but even better when the band is beaming. Every member was grinning and laughing with each other throughout the set, fantastic to see.
A baker’s dozen of songs kept the audience wanting more but still satisfied. I could listen to lead vocalist Jeff Walker belt all night. Bands like Carcass are a special kind of act. Full of passion and precision after decades of finessing their style. Craving excellence is a thread woven into every metalhead’s critical ear, and these guys are examples of that and much more. Their dedicated fanbase is proof of it. Such an amazing set.
Time for the Germans.
Hailing from Essen, formed in 1982, Kreator is one of the best and influencial thrash bands of all time. Boys wanna be them, girls wanna be them. We all want to be them. Love a cheeky reveal, in front of the stage was a giant KREATOR curtain shrouding the dark stage. The small portions of the floor previously unoccupied suddenly had every crevasse filled with anticipating fans. As the band was revealed with a flash of light, the immense namesake emblazoned facade fell away, revealing the band and opening up the show with “Seven Serpents.” Their sound is like a weighted blanket you need to be smothered by live.
Right after their opener, “Hail To The Hoards” launched everyone into the stratosphere. Mille Petrozza is a spitfire. His masterful ability to control the crowd is what everyone wishes they could add to their talent accolades. Not only does he have the look, long locks of raven hair framing his face, but his voice is of another world. Loud, coherent, gritty, wild. It is an immediate transportation to an era I wasn’t able to go to a concert in, my initiation came during the early 2000s so was a bit too young/not alive to witness all the intensity shows in the 1980s had to offer. Leaping into the past with ease, Kreator is the definition of epic. And no, I won’t be taking any critique on that. Undebatable legends in their own genre and easily one of the best bands to see live period. They had all the pageantry with not of the lame that can accompany it. Billowing fog, blood red light, sick riffs.
Had plenty in me for more after 15 songs, Kreator is one of those bands you can melt into and wear your neck out without noticing. Another 11/10 night.
