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Danzig / Lacuna Coil / the Haunted

live in Los Angeles
2006
live show

Review by: BrandonSideleau
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Published on December 5th 2006

I arrived at the Wiltern at about 6 P.M. and, after a short bit of trouble regarding my position on the guest list, was allowed in. The Wiltern is a modest-sized venue and probably the smallest possible for a concert such as this (although I would have personally preferred something as small as the Troubadour or the Whisky).

The first band on the bill was called Asesino (Spanish for “Assassin”), a new band started by Brujeria guitarist Dino Cazares (whom is also known by the name ‘Asesino’). They proceeded to play loud speed metal reminiscent of Slayer (their set, in fact, included a good cover of “Raining Blood”) with everything sung entirely in Spanish. Their set was solid and set a good tone for the night.

Next up was the Austrian death metal band Belphegor, a band whom I knew absolutely nothing about and unfortunately don’t really need to now. Maybe it was an off-night for them, but they just couldn’t get an energetic show going. Every song seemed to sound exactly like the one before it (loud growls, lots of bass, and a chugging pace) and only the occasional high-pitched scream from vocalist Helmuth lent any intensity to their set. After what seemed like an eternity of growls and bass, they left the stage.

At this point, with two more acts to go before Danzig would take the stage, I was starting to become bored; I was really hoping for something sonically different to take the stage next in order to save me from passing out and my hopes were partially fulfilled. It came in the form of Swedish metal band the Haunted, whom apparently have quite a large following; I had yet to hear of them, though. They managed to pull me somewhat out of my daze primarily due to lead singer Peter Dolving’s intense and energetic stage presence. I’ve always preferred bands with vocalists free of any instrument-related constraints, and this is yet another perfect example of why. The band themselves were solid but nothing amazing, yet the energetic and inspired performance from their vocalist managed to make their set exciting and memorable. They left the stage to great applause from the audience and from this point on the night would only get better by the minute.

The next band to hit the stage was yet ANOTHER which I had known nothing about called Lacuna Coil, from Italy. They were a welcome change of pace from the other bands of the night and play a unique style of melodic metal tinged with gothic rock and even a small bit of nü-metal. The band consists of two vocalists: one female (the beautiful Christina Scabbia) and one male (Andrea Ferro), and this was the band’s primary strength. The standout (and not only due to her appearance, guys) was easily Christina; I would almost go as far as to say that she single-handedly made the band work. Her haunting voice echoed through the venue and left even the most jaded of audience members stunned. They played for probably about just under an hour before leaving the stage to be set for the headliners: Danzig.

I had seen Danzig only once before, in 2002 on the I Luciferi tour, and due to a poor venue and his less-than-wonderful backing band at the time I was disappointed. This time he had a new band, consisting of two members from metal band Type-O Negative and his former Samhain bandmate Steve Zing. This lineup sounded very promising and I had my hopes up for the best. Luckily for me, not even my wildest dreams could prepare me for what happened during their eventful and utterly surprising set. They took the stage and as they burst into “Skincarver” from the most recent Danzig album Circle of Snakes, a difference was immediately noticeable. The new members were much sharper and the playing sounded almost similar to the original `87-`94 Danzig lineup, which all Danzig fans know is a good thing. They went on to play “Black Mass,” “Circle of Snakes” and “I Luciferi” before suddenly disappearing into darkness, leaving everyone wondering what the hell was going on.

Then, to my gleeful delight, Glenn began screaming the intro to Samhain’s debut album Initium from the darkness before exploding into the song “Samhain!” Apparently Glenn decided this to be a good tour to add some Samhain to the set, given that Steve Zing was playing bass. They went on to play two more Samhain classics, “All Murder, All Guts, All Fun” and, my personal highlight of the show, “To Walk the Night.” This alone would have been enough to make this show a perfect 10, but it got better.

After the short Samhain set they went back into Danzig mode and went on to play beautiful versions of “How the Gods Kill,” “Left Hand Black,” “Twist of Cain” and “Mother.” After concluding “Mother” they left the audience waiting for the inevitable encore, which of course came within minutes. Glenn returned and asked the crowd if they wanted to hear “She Rides,” which they of course did. After that Glenn said that this was the part of the show where they usually ask what song the audience wants to hear, but that this time he had a special surprise for us instead (I was thinking, what could possibly top a Samhain set?). With that out came Doyle, dressed fully in classic Misfits gear, towering over the audience like some kind of monster. I wasn’t expecting this given that Glenn said after last year’s tour Doyle would not return for anymore shows. They proceeded to play flawless versions of “Skulls” and “Astro Zombies” before saying their final goodbyes and leaving the stage. I don’t think nights get anymore legendary than this.

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Posted by rkl on 2006-12-11 12:06:38

Posted by BrandonSideleau on 2006-12-06 17:54:52

you don't need to bag on me for it....it's fucking pointless. you guys are way too fucking nitpicky...I wasn't even thinking about it when I wrote it......and what I'm really wondering is why you fakes give a shit in the first place.

if you cant take criticism, then perhaps you should stop writing

Posted by jbigwig on 2006-12-06 22:34:28

The Haunted owns...period.

Posted by niveK82 on 2006-12-06 21:40:04

Man this show was great. The best part was the free truck full of equipment I got after the show.

Posted by BrandonSideleau on 2006-12-06 17:54:52

you don't need to bag on me for it....it's fucking pointless. you guys are way too fucking nitpicky...I wasn't even thinking about it when I wrote it......and what I'm really wondering is why you fakes give a shit in the first place.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at 3:47 PM (EST)

Yo, Brandon, take it easy. The person is right that you didn't have to mention that you made it to the guestlist, so don't throw out "fuck you"s whenever someone has a less than favorable comment.

Posted by BrandonSideleau on 2006-12-06 15:08:17

Fuck you...what the hell did u expect me to say? I didn't have $35 on me cash to pay for the damn thing and I was told by my management that I'd be on the list. What are you fucking retarded?? I just thought I'd throw in a bit on just how disorganized the people at the Wiltern appeared.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at 2:05 PM (EST)

This review is crap for the simple reason that it starts with trying to get cool points by mentioning the spot on the guest list. Loser.

Posted by BrandonSideleau on 2006-12-06 03:24:41

For a long while I started thinking Danzig had lost his voice- many recent videos of him live and on the newer records it just seems different, perhaps weaker. But after this show (and watching the 666 show from my PC) I must say that Danzig has got back whatever he was missing. All of the old songs sounded just as they did before......where as in 2002 when I saw him it sounded nowhere near as good. Whatever he has done this past year has worked wonders for him and I hope he records something soon.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 10:00 PM (EST)
My Score:

You've never heard of The Haunted?!? The only good headliner on the bill, to be sure. Their new album is weak as hell, but the At The Gates pedigree is still enough to earn them plenty of respect. I had a blast when I saw these guys a few years back. Too bad Shai Hulud played before them; their moronic posturing and kung-fu-kicking pre-teen fans were a major buzzkill. Good thing the Haunted pit flushed 'em out like the turds all metalcore fans are.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 8:31 PM (EST)

Hey Brandon, great review, but I was wondering how Danzig's voice sounds live nowadays? I can't picture him pulling off those old songs anymore considering his vocals on his new material. Basically, is his newer singing style a mere stylistic choice, or is his voice just developing that way as he gets older?

Posted by Ike_Ness on 2006-12-05 15:58:32

I hear you man. Tom from Slayer does just kind of stand there. I hate singers (with or without an instrument) that are statuesque. Some other examples of musician/singers that I can think of that have a good stage presence are: the Reverend Horton Heat, Kim from the Nekromantix, and Elvis from Three Bad Jacks (he plays while his bass player lights his leather jacket on fire). Sorry those are all "billy" type bands, but those guys are fucking rowdy on stage. Rev. stands on his bass player's bass and rides it like a surf board, while playing a blazing solo that would make Dick Dale stop and take notes.

Posted by BrandonSideleau on 2006-12-05 15:41:02

I guess what I meant to say is that I appreciate a "physical" stage presence from a frontman.....with or without an instrument. If they can do it with an instrument then awesome....I just find that the vast majority of the time they don't or can't. Take Tom from Slayer, the music should warrant an insane frontman and, while his vocals are great, his live performance is seriously lacking. I'm not a big Slayer fan, but you get the idea. I don't know much, if anything, about Mike Ness and Social D....but if he can do what you say he can then right on...that's really cool and rare.

Posted by Ike_Ness on 2006-12-05 15:33:56

As I said below, I really liked this interview, but I kind of disagree about "instrument-free singers" being better for live shows. Whenever someone can play their instrument really well, and also have a great stage presence, that is (in my opinion) more impressive. I know you have a chubby for Henry Rollins, so that's probably what you are basing this on, but I have one for Mike Ness, and seeing him rip it up on guitar, and pull of his high flying jumps (even at his old age)... that just can't be topped.

Posted by ZLNFTOC on 2006-12-05 13:22:25

Excellent review. The note about bands with vocalists free of any instrument-related constraints was interesting and I can only imagine how great the Misfits songs sounded. Nice to read your work again.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 12:48 PM (EST)

Also, that guy below me reads revolver. AHAHAHAHHA

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 12:46 PM (EST)

That sounds nuts

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 9:23 AM (EST)

Dino Cazares also used to play in Fear Factory.

How the hell could you have not heard of The Haunted or Laucuna Coil priour to this, have you been living under a rock ? They are constantly featured in mainsteam metal magazines like Revolver.

The Haunted are past their prime.

Posted by Ike_Ness on 2006-12-05 07:39:04

Good review. Sounds like a great show. Samhain, Misfits, Danzig, and members of Type O... all I can say is wow.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 4:09 AM (EST)

You failed to mention The Haunted feature members of one of the greatest bands ever, At The Gates

Posted by BrandonSideleau on 2006-12-05 03:29:20

fuck you

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 1:52 AM (EST)

A five-star review from BrandonSideleau? Shock!1111oneoneone.

Posted by theonetruebill on 2006-12-05 00:59:43

Man, Danzig's set sounds like it was great! I'm gonna check to see if it's coming near me now.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 12:16 AM (EST)

the only part of this review that i agree with is lacuna coil's female lead singer being hot.