Since the trio’s formation back in 1990, Porto Alegre, Brazil’s Krisiun have proven themselves one of the fastest and most ferocious metal acts on the touring circuit. For the uninitiated, the trio consists of Alex Carmago (bass/vocals) and brothers Moyses Kolesne (guitar) and Max Kolesne (drums). Additionally, they’re considered South America’s undisputed kings of death metal known for a crushing live show few bands in their genre can top. Amazingly enough, even with a relentless tour schedule, the band has released twelve full-lengths to date with new record, ‘Mortem Solis,’ coming out in late July earlier this year via Century Media records. If you’re a fan of blast beats and like your death metal fare as devastating as humanly possible, look no further. Doors open at 5pm and the show kicks off with openers Katholik at 5:30pm. Also on this heavy-handed bill are Revocation (supporting ‘Netherheaven’ on Metal Blade Records), Alluvial, and Inoculation. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.goldfieldtradingpost.com for $20. Goldfield Trading Post is located at 238 Vernon Street in Roseville. All ages are welcome.
Roger Waters performing at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Photograph by Sugarwolf
After being stalled by the Covid pandemic and logistics issues for over two years, Roger Waters’ ‘This Is Not A Drill’ show finally made good to patient yet hungry fans by descending on Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center last Tuesday night.
Aided by a high-tech video wall, a few well-placed flying projectile animals (including a sheep and a graffiti covered pig), and a minimalist stage with four joining sections, this in-the-round experience proved just as impressive as it was thought-provoking.
From the strange, purposely sterile opening etude of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” – both reworked and shortened without guitar solos – to the full band playing “The Happiest Days Of Our Lives,” Waters’ slow, somber transition to an all-hands-on-deck arena rock show totally delivered.
Roger Waters wowing a Sacramento crowd. Photography by Sugarwolf
And while the legend’s song choices from his solo records may have fallen on deaf ears with some of his newer fans, longtime followers couldn’t have been more pleased hearing an excerpt of “The Bar” and a beautifully reworked version of “The Bravery Of Being Out Of Range.”
Highlights included a revved-up version of “Have A Cigar,” with a soaring and searing lead guitar solo courtesy of Dave Kilminster. His work on the six-string during the night was nothing short of mind-blowing. Another crowd favorite, “Wish You Were Here,” served as a tribute to Syd Barrett, the late co-founder of Pink Floyd and Waters’ best friend; and included vintage band visuals few in attendance had seen before.
Also worthy of mention was “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” which started during the song’s instrumental section with great effect, instead of playing the entire piece.
Waters continues to use music to probe dark currents in world history. Photograph by Sugarwolf.
Perhaps the greatest spectacle, though, was the inclusion of the song “Sheep” from the ‘Animals’ record. Inspired by the works of both George Orwell and Aldous Huxley, the song used menacing animal and human images to remind fans that powerful – some would say ‘evil’ – forces continue to rule the current landscape.
The second half of the set was led by even more selections from ‘The Wall’ record, before going headlong into the reflective Waters’ solo numbers, ‘Deja Vu” and “Is This Really What We Want.” Throughout it all, his set showed thoughtful transitioning.
But it was the handful of songs culled from Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’ that really struck a chord with the near-capacity crowd. Of particular note was the inclusion of “Us and Them,” which launched into the gorgeous instrumental “Any Colour You Like” without much ado from his able backing performers. The arraignment also highlighted the patient and tasty grooves of drummer Joey Waronker.
Roger Waters brings the moon’s dark, disorienting shadows to the Capital City. Photograph by Sugarwolf.
And, while at times, Roger’s visuals laden with a heavy-handed vocal delivery seemed overwhelming – especially during a scathing war criminals section – all was not lost on his adoring fans. His many visuals, in effect, served as a makeshift history lesson and highlighted where we’ve failed as a society and to ourselves.
The ‘This Is Not A Drill’ tour was all at once a statement about our mortality (life is anything but a dress rehearsal), a well-oiled arena tour, a sweeping, wide selection of songs from different records – and a call to trying to live your best life.
Give yourself a pat on the back, Roger. You made a rock show as entertaining as it is life-affirming and educational. Not an easy task. But if anyone was up to the challenge, I’d put my money on you.
It’s not just any guitarist who can claim they were a teacher to Steve Vai (Frank Zappa), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Alex Skolnick (Testament), Larry LaLonde (Primus, Possessed, Blind Illusion), and even the great jazz sensation Charlie Hunter (Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy) all in the same breath. For Joe Satriani, it’s all in a day’s work. Since the release of his debut record, ‘Not Of This Earth (1986),’ Satriani has developed a loyal legion of fans that will travel anywhere and everywhere when he infrequently tours. And while ‘Surfing With The Alien (1987)’ really put him on the map by achieving Platinum plus sales, it’s his steady stream of impressive and consistent catalog that has garnered him yet even more fans. He is currently on tour – dubbed ‘Earth Tour’ – supporting his ‘The Elephants Of Mars’ record which was released in April earlier this year. Doors open at 7pm and the show kicks off at 8pm. Tickets range from $39.50 to $79.50 and can be purchased at www.stocktonlive.com . The Bob Hope Theatre is located at 242 East Main Street in Stockton, CA.
Although Roger Waters’ ‘This Is Not A Drill’ tour has drawn considerable ire for his political rhetoric (with nods to George Orwell and Aldous Huxley) and in-your-face visuals, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. As bassist / singer of Pink Floyd until his exit in the early 80’s, Waters has never been one to sit idle and rest on his former band’s laurels nor keep his mouth shut when it comes to important current world events. The touring show is bound to please Pink Floyd fans and features songs from ‘Animals,’ ‘Wish You Were Here,’ ‘Dark Side Of The Moon,’ ‘The Final Cut,’ and quite a few from ‘The Wall.’ Some of his greatest solo material will also find its way onto the two-part set. Doors open at 7pm and the shows kicks off at 8pm. Believe it or not, good, affordable tickets are still available at www.golden1center.com for as little as $25 for the nosebleeds. Golden 1 Center is located at 500 David J Stern Walk in Downtown Sacramento. Doubleplusgood.
When Los Angeles’ BulletBoys released their self-titled debut on Warner Bros. Records back in 1988, there was little doubt who this quartet counted as their biggest influence. Van Halen comparisons aside, their first three Ted Templeman-produced efforts would soon become bonafide relics of hard rock history. And while singer / guitarist Marq Torien is the only original member you’ll be seeing this Sunday, his current band featuring local bassist Brad Lang (ex Y&T, Ratt and Jet Red) and lead guitarist Ira Black (Lizzy Borden, Vio-Lence, I Am Morbid) is firing on all cylinders. Once more, Torien still has the pipes to deliver the band’s biggest hits with relative ease and a swagger that his undeniably his own. Doors open at 6pm and the shows kicks off with openers Cardboard Ringo at 6:30pm. Dokken’s George Lynch headlines the festivities and is sure to give music fans even more bang for their buck. Tickets can be purchased at www.goldfieldtradingpost.com for $25. Goldfield Trading Post is located at 238 Vernon Street in Roseville. (SN&R)
Eddie
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