Cannibal Corpse Bleeds Excellence At First Ave
Oh toys and squirrels, it was a Sunday Funday indeed. Finally was time for the mega-metal show of September. A metal show that almost had too juicy of a lineup to believe. First Ave was the temporary sanctuary for four high-powered groups that out shined my predictions.
Trying to switch it up yet again, popped by Tom’s Watch Bar for a drink and app before the show. Have been to another location of theirs in Las Vegas, good lively sports bar. Minneapolis location was no different. Games were glittering on every television, prompt service even with a packed restaurant. Only bummer was that the chips were a touch stale. The queso was good though. Don’t sleep on the Nashville Hot chicken tenders either. Got a 22oz for a little over eleven bucks, give it a whirl if you want your typical accessible corporate spot. Prices reflected its uniformity, but sometimes that’s what you or your football fantasy team may desire.
First Ave was all the flutter when getting there around 6:15. Doors opened at 6, but the merch lines were a mile long. Four bands, so four merch areas and every single one had oodles of people waiting. Knew I would be procuring a shirt tonight, bided my time and knew there would be a better opportunity to strike. Everyone had amazing and brutal artwork. Was gonna be hard to choose. Cannibal Corpse’s table was near the vending machine and didn’t have prices listed, their merch neighbor Municipal Waste had small pieces of tape indicating amounts. Full of Hell and Fulci were on the left side, also not listing prices. I was like, great. Shirts will be a million dollars. Cool, guys. A little annoyed until later at the cash box. Spoiler alert, scored a sick shirt in between Full of Hell and Municipal Waste, and it’s a LONG SLEEVE with the tour dates on the ARM (so cool) for only $45 from Fulci. Not sure why the dollar amounts were not listed, that’s a great price for a very elaborate design plus a nice quality long-sleeve model. Fulci opened the show, and howdy, it was fire.
Named in honor of infamous Italian director Lucio Fulci, the 2013-founded Fulci channeled his international horror film cult energy to full effect. Their sound reminds me of Brendan Small fever dream, which makes sense why I fell in love so fast with this band. Thick in all the right places and with guitar to shred those pretty faces, the drummer was a scene-stealer for me. Though hidden by shadow, the dripping blue and red house lights highlighted his kit as he destroyed. Also a sucker for a double bass roll, he kept the crowd tumbling along for their short but powerful handful of songs. Finally seeing them live made me a solidified fan, and concretely understand why First Ave was almost full for the opening band. High marks all around for Fulci.
East Coast Maryland and Pennsylvania members of Full Of Hell were a freaking trip. Ready. Set. Grindcore your spine away. The lead singer Dylan Walker has more energy than a thousand suns, leaping and bounding on stage like a metal stallion. His vocals are complex and curious, using some fun electronic manipulation techniques that were artfully utilized amongst the high voltage vibes on stage. A controlled chaos, there were a few less stationary observers and more crowd surfers in the audience for these guys.
Security at First Ave rocks my socks. Always looking out for people whether it’s a photographer, a patron, or a fellow staff member. Shout-out to you strong armed fellows, my head wasn’t kicked in like a sad old pumpkin. Hooray! After the first few songs, went to snag a beer and check out the show from back of house. Taps and tallboys cost the same, so depending on your preference you can snag either for $12ish bucks pretip. Almost a full venue, the sea of black shirts and old tour garb was fun to peruse while sipping my suds.
Complacency is a word rarely minded by metalheads. When asked to give more energy, the response is never an unsure how much is too much? Municipal Waste is celebrating 25 years together as a band, and they have just as much spunk and funk as ever. Their fanbase also knows without prompting what is required. The band not only can put on a musical show, but their stage look is just plain fun. Adorning the sides and back, radioactive green illuminated barrels emblazoned with toxic warnings gave the members an eerie glow. Very Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ooze atmosphere. Thrash master and lead vocalist Tony Foresta should teach a masterclass in crowd work. Smiling and looking like he was having the time of his life. The entire club most certainly seemed like it.
Somehow a few packing boxes made it into the circle pits. Much better and less dangerous than many other things I’ve seen make their rounds in the pit. Last year at Nanowar Of Steel (also at First Ave,) during their song “Vahalleluja” an Ikea table was being used as a golden idol in the pit. Also plush chickens that night made an appearance courtesy of Dragonforce. Cardboard boxes are much nicer to be bopped on the head accidentally by than particle board. I will be running back to see Municipal Waste anytime they are in town. It really was a joyful performance. Though Cannibal Corpse was the billed tour leader and headliner, Municipal Waste almost stole the show with their mind-blowing 17 song set.
Not done yet, big scary daddy was about to come on stage. George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher, lead singer of the bloody and brutal Cannibal Corpse was about to reveal again why he has been crushing shows into dust for decades. An imposing figure comically understates his presence when performing. Lights low, anticipation high, they opened up their set with “Bloodblind” at around 9:30pm or so. The audience had plenty of fight left in them to give the band it’s justified 100% engagement. Uniquely, Cannibal Corpse doesn’t do much chit chat or intro when it comes to songs, but Sunday night at First Ave was pleasingly different. I’ve never heard Fisher say much, but he actually talked to the audience in between some jams. Minneapolis has a tendency to bring the best out of musicians and fosters hearty chords between patron and performer. It was great to just sink into the music after a few minutes of shooting. Not known for any jazzy stage pyro or lasers like many metal bands do. Love those, too, but sometimes it’s enchanting just to melt into the darkness. Feel those deep growls and eviscerating guitar take you to a different dimension for an hour or two.
“I Cum Blood” is one of those tunes ya just gotta rage to live. CC played 16 songs, and even starting mid-Sunday night, know everyone would have stayed for another dozen more. It takes a lot out of you going to metal shows, but all the bands Sunday night gave it back in earnest helpings. The four horsemen of the mighty metal night at First Ave were partnered so well together, time was flying by and sadly the show had to end. A good chunk of the crowd stayed to bid fairwell to Cannibal Corpse, Fisher came out to thank everyone and throw out some setlists to the dedicated folks still hanging out.
Fulci, Full Of Hell, Municipal Waste, Cannibal Corpse. All names that now ring loudly and proudly on an unforgettable legendary First Avenue show.
