Arch Enemy/Exodus/Arsis/Mutiny Within @HoB Sunset

     The Tyrants of Evil North American Tour bulldozed the West Hollywood House of Blues on 2/9/10, wrapping up a successful run. Newcomers Mutiny Within began the chaos with their upcoming self-titled album opener "Awake". This was a rare instance where I wanted to catch every song from the opening band just out of curiosity. I had been listening to their debut for the past week and still couldn't decide if I was fully onboard for this band or not. On one hand, there's no denying these boys have talent. The group features a vocalist that's bringing back memorable melodies and singing, two guitarists who shred, a decent rhythm section, and a keyboardist. Sorry Mr. Keyboard player but unless you're playing symphonic black metal, keyboards have no place in metal. It only took the band two songs to get the crowd moving. The band is young but they do have some promise to them. Surprisingly, a decent portion of the crowd knew their songs already. Overall, I think Mutiny Within made some new fans and were a nice opener for this tour.

     Arsis followed suit nicely and got the crowd moving a bit more. For whatever reason I cannot get into Arsis. Every time I hear James Malone's voice, I can't help but hear a Jeff Walker (Carcass) rip-off. It's not just that but an overall lack of songwriting that I feel does this band an injustice. I really want to like this band. They can shred their fucking faces off and they're just as brutal as a Jagermeister hangover. But I just can't do it. Having said that, I think more people got in the pit for Arsis than Mutiny Within for the sole fact that Arsis is a heavier band. I can honestly say I saw more people who knew the Mutiny Within lyrics and songs than that of Arsis. Arsis did put on a decent show but I now can rest more comfortably knowing I haven't been missing as great of a band that everyone makes this group out to be.


     Having seen Testament, Slayer, Megadeth, and Overkill, Exodus was the only band from that era I still cared to see but hadn't. Exodus means Bay area thrash from the 80's, what more do you need to know? Unfortunately, seeing how the median age of the crowd was around 17, they obviously needed to know their roots a bit more. A teenager probably around 16-18 sporting a Slayer tee asked his friend what Exodus sounds like. In that very moment, I realized he had bought his Slayer tee at the local Hot Topic probably because it was on sale and looked cool. And to think I almost started talking to him about the Slayer tour being cancelled. He probably had no idea. The age of the crowd was apparent as only about a quarter of the attendance knew the songs. No matter, Exodus wasted no time jumping into thrash mode by opening with "Bonded by Blood". The band still has their shit together after all these years. Rob Dukes is a menacing figure of a man whose looks alone would scare off most of Hell's Angels. Gary Holt and Tom Hunting, the two originals left in the band, play everything second nature. Props to Exodus for inspiring a huge, nasty pit with "A Lesson in Violence". The band played a good selection given the time they had and the catalog they have to choose from. This leads us to the headliner.

     Arch Enemy, plain and simple is a headlining band. Last time I saw them was on Gigantour 2006 and I felt they were headlining status then but of course they're not going to headline over Megadeth. Like their shirts say, Arch Enemy is "pure fuckin metal". Great light show-check, band members not shoe gazing-check, shredding-check, singer owning the crowd-check, crowd going fucking nuts-check check. This band has their shit together and flat out destroys live. Young bands take note; this is how you play a great show. Complete with a drum solo, two guitar solos, and an encore with "Nemesis", Arch Enemy's live show dares other bands to have them play as an opener. Chemistry is one key feature successful bands have and Arch Enemy no doubt have that. Maybe having brother guitarists helps but it's obvious the band takes their job as just that, a job. Arch Enemy is tighter than an Osmond family reunion and if you missed this tour then you're about as lame as the Osmonds.