Hearing how ticket sales weren't going so well for this show, I expected it to be not to Marduk's expectations. I think it exceeded their low ones. In a venue that was fairly packed yet dead for the opening bands, Marduk had to have been honored.
For some reason Merrimack played very early, they were the 4th band that played in the night. Merrimack's black metal reeks of groove and moments where you just have to move. Unfortunately, nobody wanted to headbang instead just bob his/her heads. The sound was superb, the earlier bands exhibited a cluttered sound but as Merrimack came on, everything was precise. The drumming was flawless, intricate fills were crystal clear, the guitars were dead on, and the vocals were very prominent. Terrorizt was definitely disappointed, sarcasm influenced his word choice, "California, you are too nice" to a meager applause.
Spiculum Iratus was the only local act that I had had a dire interest for. Their debut full-length is amazing, such a thick atmosphere and dark tone. The stage was decorated with goat skulls and chains, the set opened up with Dismantle of the Sensus Divinatus. There were a few vocal problems here and there and a major drum error at the end of the set. Despite those errors, the set was great, Orations Recited From The Mouths of the Jawless had me headbanging throughout and pounding my fist. Os Miserum moves around and gets the crowd going, still, the crowd has crossed arms.
Mantic Ritual was next and an interesting set they had indeed. Their retro thrash was surprising, the crowd was still dead. There was a little moshing and circle pitting, but for the most part their thrash, as expected, did not reach their ears. Solos were clear, drumming was precise, guitars were thick, and vocals were very clear.
Up next was Mictlantecuhtli, a local LA band that uses Aztec mythology and imagery in their Black/Thrash. Their set was ok, the drum set was knocked over, while the guitars were just sloppy. Their intricate chugging became cluttered, but towards their last few songs, it seemed to have been taken care of. The crowd went crazy for them, plenty of people were in the pit, the speakers were almost knocked over, the stage was rattling, stage presence was present indeed.
Nachtmystium was another big band on this bill. Sound problems were present during their first song. Vocals were completely out. The crowd received them well, crowd surfing, moshing, headbanging, and a strong response after every song. Surprisingly, old songs were played which pleased my ears, not that their newer material is bad.
Marduk was the band that we had all been waiting for for at least a year. After being rejected to tour the first time, it had to have made this show far better. With the crowd chanting "MARDUK MARDUK!", Marduk arrives and Mortuus sends out icy stares and evokes rowdiness. The first song's sound was horrible. Guitars were very low, bass was very high, and the vocals were very high. That problem was easily dispelled by the second song. Mortuus tends to send commands out like a leader of his Panzer Division, "ARE YOU READY FOR THIS LA?! I DON'T FUCKING THINK SO! LOUDER!" and "Are you fucking alive mother fuckers!?" he seemed pleased after the second response to those questions. 6th song in, a bible was burned in the crowd, unfortunately, I don't think Marduk had seen what had happened. The bible burner had become pepper sprayed and that seemed to have had a lot of people declare their dismissal. The crowd was indulging in Marduk. Wrath of Averse Sefira and the other roadies had to drag people outside of the venue due to excessive disruptions to the Marduk set. Marduk was definitely worth every penny and every minute of wait. Their old songs are best experienced in a live setting.
I often wonder, how do Merrimack feel to see the LA crowd so lively for other bands that don't deserve such praise?
