Before I get to the tunes, just want to say that thanks to the bassist/singer in The Company Corvette and one Mr. Sean "Pellet". The Vette man was open to my fandom, and basically since it was my second time seeing them (first last summer opening for Pentagram), I told him that they'd REALLY improved/tightened up and gotten to know their material very intimately. We shook hands and smiled. I saw Pellet right next to me, never having introduced myself at the 'Ram gig, I thought I should have last night. I thanked him so much for putting this gig together, and for everything he did for Bobby, because without him, I probably never would have seen Pentagram the two times I have thus far. He was very grateful and even said that it's comments like that that encourage him, and I thought that was pretty nice of him. Throughout the headbanging, we'd glance at each other and agree: this was a good show that got put together, and we were here.
Now, the Comp. Vette. Holy hell have those cats been practicing. They've their own sound now. When I first caught them, there was a glaring Sleep influence woven in each song; last night, I didn't recognize that influence. They've developed into a tight band, with really lovely guitar solos and breakdowns. The drummer had an old pair of blues brothers sunglasses on, which was adorable. Very, very grooving set that had my head banging every which way.
Serpent Throne took the tiny stage next, and I wished I had picked up an album earlier to familiarize myself, but alas, fresh to me was the way to be, and i didn't mind. Hearing 45 minutes of notes you've never heard is also lovely. I believe they are an instrumental only band, but they made up for that in spades with twin harmonies, dueling screeching guitar solos, ascending higher pitched riffs and melodies and just in a general a lovely Thin Lizzy/Judas Priest instrumental vibe emanated through the fog. It was very classic sounding; not too many moments to headbang to; I was more interested in staring at the beautiful sounds wafting through the air, wanting to break down and sob from the beauty of the doomed riffs. I guess it's like instrumental Pallbearer, but was more classic metal sounding and way less doom. They were really fun to watch; during the split guitar solos each guitarist was making any number of guitar faces to mirror the singing and stinging their instruments were squealing on about. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended if you're missing that old school, higher-pitched ascending riffery-type metal.
On then to Bang!
Last Will & Testament, Mother...everything you wanted to hear from them was heard. Frank and Frankie gel so well together on stage; might have something to do with the fact that they've been playing these jams together for well over four decades. This was Bang!'s return to Philly gig, a 40 year separation finally fixed for our ears and eyes. They had an awesome backdrop too. The new/young drummer was right on, even given a tasty solo moment. I've seen a few proto metal bands at this point, Sabbath and Pentagram twice, Cactus and now Bang as well. I firmly believe that Cactus and Pentagram the second time I saw them (with that young guitarist before Victor rejoined) maintained the closest to original 70's tones. Not that Sabbath or Bang didn't sound old-school, more that as instruments have progressed and tone is widened and reverberated longer and whathaveyou, it kinda changes from that old 70's sound.
The songs sounded fresh, reinvigorated even; I would have loved to have heard an older tone, but what they have now works well for them, and absolutely I would see them again. In May in Brooklyn at my favorite bar, Saint Vitus, Bang! will play to 99 people and boy would I have liked to have made that. If you can see the Brooklyn show and were angry for missing the Philly homecoming, go to Vitus bar and catch Bang! You will not leave without having been properly rocked. People always claimed that Bang! were America's answer to Sabbath; I always heard a big Beatles influence too, in the softer stuff and the sung harmonies, etc. Really, really timeless music that so few people even know exists. This band should be in stadiums. And you have the chance to go see them in front of 99 people at my favorite bar. I envy you. And I demand a review from you upon completion of said gig. That is all. Enjoy the weekend weather, and thanks for reading as always.
Words: Sabbath Jeff