Review: Meshuggah 10/8

#38
October 8, 2005
Meshuggah
God Forbid
The Haunted
Jaxx, Springfield VA
Updated link to PHOTOS! (as of 5/16/16)

I missed the opening band Mnemic and spent a while looking for parking, but I think I managed to shake off the Thursday guy (by the time I got there he was already feeling up some other chick). Those Portsmouth dudes were there too so I chatted with them for awhile (btw I finally get the Ron Jeremy thing, but still, ew).

Anyway, I arrived just as The Haunted started their set. If I had realized I could have had a shirtless Haunted singer on top of me (see photo) I might have made more of an effort to get there earlier. Anyway, this time they played songs that were recorded by the other singer, including Death Metal Roze's and my favorite: D.O.A. I really like their new album so I was happy to hear the 99 knives song too. They got to play a much longer set than at the Shadows Fall show. I could also understand more of the vocals and Peter's yammering. I think there were a lot more fans there too since the crowd seemed really into it.

Have I seen God Forbid before? I know they toured with Lamb of God (who were also there and help define the 'southern-metal-dirtbag' look). I guess I would remember... Musically I would describe GF as what Atreyu fans would listen to if they listened to a real metal band instead (no offence to Atreyu, who remain hott, but just out of reach of being a real metal band). For some reason I know several of their songs. I thought they were awesome though and would check them out again in the future.

Finally, Sweden's own Meshuggah. I don't really know how to describe their music. It's a lot like The Haunted but a little less jarring. It's like there's this drum/bass wall of sound with one repeating guitar riff and an angry man screaming over top of all that. It was pretty cool. My mind was starting to wander since I hadn't eaten all day and I was worried about the car getting towed (I don't need that again, seriously). There were a number of goth/industrial kids there, which I thought was kind of weird.

Overall, awesome show. I think I need to cut back on the glitter products for a while though. I've been wearing Urban Decay Heavy Metal eyeliners all week and last night I got a big snarf of my shimmery coconut spray by accident when I was getting dressed. I've probably got glitter in my bloodstream at this point. Maybe it will work itself out at tomorrow's Turbonegro show.