The “Legends of Thrash” Tour Night 2 11/24/13

November 29, 2013November 29, 2013 Derek Soto Canon, Canon 24-70, Canon 6D, Century Media Records, Kreator, Live Concert, Nuclear Blast Records, Overkill, round two, Sinestra, Sinestra Studios, Stage 48, Warbringer

New York City is home to fine venues across the five boroughs. We have Gramercy Theatre, Irving Plaza, Terminal 5, Beacon Theatre, Best Buy Theatre, The Theatre at Madison Square Garden and many others that vary in size and accommodations. As of last year, NYC introduced a new home for music. The very impressive and spacious Stage 48. I first entered this venue back in January of 2013 to shoot a Billboard private party with Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Time Flies and Neon Trees. The venue was incredible, lighting was cooperative and the overall atmosphere was just too above expectations. It was commonality to find out how this atmosphere would transfer into the heavy metal world. Lets just say, improvement is needed, but not as much as you would expect. Embarking on night #2 of The “Legends of Thrash” tour, I essentially signed up to AVOID a SOLD OUT crowd. MY only reason for doing this is that shooting in a SOLD OUT crowd with a venue that utilizes NO photo pit is just impossible. I, however, was proven wrong. As I discovered, there was an actual barricade for photographers. With ample space I managed to enjoy my show after all. It was only then that we were allowed to stay after the third song rule (three songs to shoot, no flash, then you’re escorted out the photo pit) this made me EXTREMELY happy. I successfully managed to shoot Warbringer, Kreator and Overkill with NO problems from the crowds or security.

The entire show was bumpin’. Warbringer entered the stage blasting Celine Dion’s “I am Your Lady”, a little off course considering every time I have shot Warbringer they entered with the intro song to their 2011 album “World Torn Asunder”, “Living Weapon” It was a hysterical nuance that ushered the beginning of the night. Warbringer was really good as they have always been. The lighting system cooperated with me as every band member was full of vibrant colors. Light ranged from blue/fluorescent white combos to just hideous red and then a decent light green/yellow combo. John Kevill and John Laux are photogenic… period. They keep the crowd paced and high on energy while Carlos Cruz gave me some of my best drummer photos of 2013. His facial range and enthusiasm behind the kit was infectious. I didn’t want to leave my spot knowing that the PERFECT shot would come. It did, but even then I did not want to leave. Their set-list is as follows: “Living weapon”, “Severed reality”, “Turning of the gears”, “Hunter seeker”, “Loving in a whirlwind”, “Scars remain” and “Towers of the serpent” Surprisingly, the band played up to four of their new songs off the new album “IV:Empires Collapse” I was pleased with this result even though I wanted to hear some classics. Gotta get with the times I guess. After the show I got to speak with all three of those members who as usual were welcoming and relaxed to be hanging at the merchandise booth. Below are photos with me of John Laux and Carlos Cruz (I had to tippy toe just to get a good photo, he’s taller than I thought)

Me with Mauro Gonzalez of Earache Records recording artists "Bonded By Blood" He was doing Merchandise duty for Warbringer. — Me with Mauro Gonzalez of Earache Records recording artists “Bonded By Blood” He was doing Merchandise duty for Warbringer.

Me with the uber-talented John Laux (Guitarist) of Warbringer.

Me with super tall Carlos Cruz (Drummer) for Warbringer.

Kreator… The Phantom Anti-Christ World Tour. Thats all I need to write. Their show started smokey, with heavy, thick smoke entrenching the flood lights scattered across their set. It was thrash like I never heard before, let alone have seen. Very atmospheric colors and a stage presence. Very technical, not as interactive with the photographers in a sense but VERY dramatic and full of opportunities to get the desired shots. Miland Petrozza A.K.A “Millie” is very alert of his surroundings. He notices photographers and does his best to make eye contact as the madness of the music continues to send shockwaves across the venue. He is also in a zone that is needed to be seen to believe. There is a stoic tension he brings unto the table. Always looking forward facing the fans, energizing the people and making them enjoy the full experience of what the band stands for. His bandmates Christian and Sami consistently give photo ops where they would stand side by side in two next to each other. I did not once see an entire band moment which left me perplexed as to “why not?” but I digressed. Catching Jurgen, their drummer, was almost impossible. Thick smoke and improper lighting opportunities barely gave me anything. If I managed to get one, it was very smokey or overexposed. Not posting those. Kreator played for one hour and 20 minutes, leaving myself and the band worn out. My back began bothering me from standing up and shooting photos. I’m not complaining but geez it gets to you standing up after a while. Overkill was also on after that, so I had to be at top form. It was then Millie came out and pulled the “Tour Prank” as my friend Ian Weber called it. At night #1 at the same venue, Millie raised the Kreator flag and waved it almost like ushering war cries. On this night, he got an Overkill flag, waved it once then said “this is not our flag” only to be welcomed by laughs and hilarity. Millie almost NEVER smiles, so this was refreshing to see happen. Waving that flag with pride for about 2 minutes, the cries and screams of the crowd echoed across Stage 48. The sheer volume within that room was staggering. It was then I knew that this venue can hold down metal shows, ESPECIALLY THRASH. Kreator’s set-list is as follows: “Phantom Antichrist”, “Death to the World”, “Extreme Aggression”, “People of the Lie”, “Coma of Souls/Endless Pain”, “Pleasure to Kill”, “Hordes of Chaos (A Necrologue for the Elite)”, “Betrayer”, “Enemy of God”, “Phobia”, “The Patriarch”, “Violent Revolution”, “Civilization Collapse” and “Flag of Hate/Tormentor”

Kreator's Set-list from 11/24/13 at Stage 48. — Kreator’s Set-list from 11/24/13 at Stage 48.

Me with Christian "Speesy" Giesler (Bassist) of Kreator — Me with Christian “Speesy” Giesler (Bassist) of Kreator

Overkill was up next. I saw them in February for the “St. Valentines Day Massacre” with Testament. I had a three song limit then at Best Buy Theatre in Manhattan, but that rule was not upheld here. I enjoyed their show then and I knew I would enjoy this show now for all of the above reasons. Overkill opened up with the expected “Come and Get IT” introduction only to lead into that song. The crowds and the moshers wasted no time in beginning the pit. For little did they know, they had one hour and 20 minutes of pure madness. Their set was full of the bands standard green lighting systems and strobes that accommodated the verbal barrage of lead singer Bobby Blitz. Derek was the typical bully you’d expect from a guitarist of his caliber. He sang and sometimes taunted the audience members on stage while he played his guitar. Derek would take his guitar pick and toss it into the air for himself, toying with the fans who desperately wanted one for themselves. I should know, I wanted one too. There were also times where he would put his boot over my lens as I went for full body photos. What a stinker, but as long as I have been doing music photography… he’s been the only individual I have encountered to do such that. Gotta give him props for his “unique” persona delivered unto the stage. D.D Verni was the eccentric one, always screaming and getting the crowd pumped up to the music. As expected, The height of the drum-kit and the shallow visibility from the smoke machines and strobes allowed ZERO vision of Ron and Dave Linsk was the reserved quiet one. Rarely engaged photographers or the audience, but did provide smiles and stances that brought out the photos I captured. Their set-list is as follows: “Come and Get It”, “Wrecking Crew”, “Electric Rattlesnake”, “Hammerhead”, “Rotten to the Core”, “Bring Me the Night”, “Ironbound”, “Who Tends the Fire”, “In Union We Stand”, “Overkill”, “Elimination” with their encore’s as “Coma” and “F**k You”

Me with my brother Ian Weber, Producer/Host of The Metal Meltdown with Ian Weber on 90.3 WKRB F.M. Check him out, this dude is SMART with music.

The Overkill Set-list from 11/24/13, taped by Hello Kitty.

Its called “Legends of Thrash” for a reason. When you have two powerhouse’s of this caliber with 30+ years of experience, you get one SOLD OUT Saturday night and one Highly successful ALMOST sold out Sunday night. Considering the harsh weather conditions of Sunday and a workday the next day, it was only fair to see Saturday be the Sold Out date. I was very happy to see this show unravel on its last day and how playful the bands became as the tour closed out. Warbringer and Kreator members taking photos with the fans after the show at their respected merchandise booths and Overkill fans waiting outside in the freezing temperatures to be able to talk and get photographic memories of the band members they have grown to love for their musical prowess. Such things do exist, after all… The “Legends” are the ones who keep the music thriving.