This show started too early for only two bands, since it ended at 10:45. I didn't even know what to do with myself kinds of early. Odd.
Satan's Satyrs, sole opener, brought a killer surprise to feed my need for riffs. A power trio if there ever was one, the drummer especially is a monster. I had to save some banging for the Wizard, but these guys know their way around riffs. Somewhere between Cream...and...Slayer, Satan's Satyrs sit. And they own that throne. Real, old school chugga chugga riffs brought out the neck pain for the real heads, but a psychedelic edge added some experimentation, feedback, and smiles.
Their singer/bassist is great, he held down the chug while the solos flew and squealed. They're tapped right into that evil tone, like if Iommi played garage rock in a band influenced by Venom. They were a pleasure to watch, and I'm so glad I picked up Die Screaming, their newest slab. It sounded great on the drive home. So glad to have finally seen this band live, and I look forward to hopefully seeing them again, sooner than later, in more of a headlining position. I could have banged through that whole set and been happy, but as I said, had to save some for Wizard.
Didn't take too bong for the Wizard to take the stage (just one), but what an evening they put on. From what my horribly short term memory is recalling, they went through Black Mass, Return Trip, Funeralopolis, Dopethrone, The Chosen Few, Witchcult Today, and Time To Die. I feel as if I'm missing a song, but that was basically it with the early end time. I mean, they're not exactly short songs, but 7 of them takes some time. My big smiles went to Return Trip (Still my favorite of theirs all these years later), The Chosen Few, and Funeralopolis.
They sounded huge, and a hell of a lot louder in Union Transfer's sweet spot than the only other time I've seen them, Maryland Deathfest in 2012. At deathfest, I stayed through the end of Vitus' set, turned around to walk to Wizard and there was nowhere to walk. Way too far away to get it proper.
Union Transfer's big sound corrected the decibel level, and my ears hurt every bit as much as my neck right now. Ah, the sweet morning afterglow of a righteous gig.
Liz was holding down the riff, and whoever Jus had drumming last night was nice and methodical, and fills where necessary too. There were a few "we're so baked I forgot where this note goes" moments, but the songs sounded about right. The soloing was fun; nice and trippy. Return Trip was stupid heavy, the bass just wrecked havoc on that one. At 10:50 they turned off the amps, dashing my hopes for a Wizard In Black or Supercoven encore.
The Wizard only had shirts, a bag, and blacklight posters up for sale. I really wanted Come My Fanatics or Doperthrone on vinyl, but alas, 'twas not to be. Mayhap next time.
I suppose that's about it for two bands who brought that vol. 4 tone last night. Next up, Ufomammut in May unless I find something else prior. Thank you as always for reading, enjoy the day. It was a satanic drug rock thing, and I understand fully.
Words: Sabbath Jeff