Sorry once again for bad picture quality, I've limited the pictures this time (to one
) because I was further away from the stage this time.
So on thursday the 29th of may I traveled down from my town of durham north carolina to myrtle beach south carolina (about a four hour drive). Opeth was only attraction number one. Little did I know it but once again I would be surprised by opening acts. Also, my trip was a weekend trip. I stayed at my friend's and also did other things like going to the Hard Rock theme park that just opened down there. Another thread. Lets get started about this show.
This was my first time going to the house of blues before so I was a little excited because I've heard a lot about it. I liked it, it's a nice place. The sound quality was EXCELLENT. I was sitting back towards the bar, yet there were speakers set up back there so I could hear every detail yet it wasn't shattering my ears. The place held a few hundred people, it was a good crowd. They have a no moshing policy but you know that rule was broken when Opeth got on stage. They contained themselves through the first two acts, but when Opeth opens with Demon of the Fall? How do you not mosh? Anyway, lets move on to the bands.
Circles in Autumn The first band was a local Myrtle Beach band, called Circles in Autumn. They were decent enough, enough to make me remark that its nice to see that local scenes are still putting out high quality bands like these. Overall though, I was left without much to say about them. They had some sweet riffs and their lead player had some good solo time. The lyrics I found too depressing though, without seeming to go anywhere besides being dark and gloomy. However we're at an Opeth show so that can slide (the main difference being that Opeth's lyrics have a point, IMO). The singer started with some growls which I couldn't help but compare to Mikael's, I guess when you're at a show opening for the best, its hard to look impressive
But they were still a good band and a good show opener. They had some really good gear, the lead player I noticed had a Madison head which I've read about before but never seen in person. AFAIK, they're pretty expensive. It sounded pretty nice as well.
3 The next band that came on, 3, was quite a surprise to me. Surprising, mostly, in that I had never heard of them before! They were incredible! When I saw the Sword, I was wondering if the opening act to that show would be topped by them. At this show, when 3 were done with their act, I was once again left wondering if it was going to be topped. I like that feeling, it makes for a very good show
I was floored by their singer, he has such a range and attitude in his voice that he's easily one of the best live singers I've heard in a while. No growling, just a nice clean voice. His guitar playing was ASTOUNDING too! He fingerpicks, yet he also is capable of some really cool heavy riffing. Near the end of the set he performed an amazing acoustic solo, one of the highlights of the show. Really good stuff. They also had two percussionists. Usually if a band has two drummers I find it a little bit overkill, but the second guy wasn't on a drumkit so much as an assortment of different kinds of drums and noisemakers you wouldn't usually find on a standard kit. So it was cool, kind of a different range of percussion. At the end of their set the second percussionist came out and drummed on the singers back as he hit a really high note. It's hard to explain but it was kind of a cool effect. Overall I have to give these guys props, they did all the standard heavy riffing and soloing but were also creative and just plain skillfull. I would go see a show these guys headlined.
Opeth
And finally, the band I came to see, Opeth came on stage after a good 10 minute break. They immediately opened with Demon of the Fall. Don't worry folks, it turns out that once again I was proven incorrect, they were the best act of the night. 3 was great but Opeth was greater.
I forget what order everything happened in that night but they played everything I could have wanted. They played stuff off of blackwater park, still life (even mentioning that he hates playing Serenity Painted Death because its so hard, but playing it anyway. Flawlessly), damnation, deliverance, and one track off of the new album. I wish he had played Burden, but he played Heir Apparent. Which was also really cool of course
Everyone in the band was playing great. Axe and Fredrik performed admirably, even though I wish it was Lopez and Lindgren instead.
Per really rocked on his keyboards and Martin kept everything steady on bass as well. I'm really beginning to love Per as one of my favorite key players. Mikael's growls were all incredible, I don't know how he does it, they're so deep yet easily understandable, and his clean voice is amazing as well, truly a talented singer.
I lost count after he switched his guitars out five times. At one point he took song requests, but he had to deny a few of them because they were in drop tunings he didn't have any of his guitars at. He then remarked that PRS should give the band about ten more guitars so they can play their whole catalogue. He's a really funny guy. He pulled out a telecaster to play In My Time of Need from Damnation, which was amazing. He asked the crowd if they liked his "grandpas guitar" (which is really funny to any Metalocalypse fans I hope
). Also, hearing Mikael say in his very swedish accent that they were enjoying their stay at Myrtle Beach, seeing "the gators" and "getting ice cream" for some reason was hilarious.
It was really about everything I could ask for in a show. Good opening bands, great sound, audience interaction, a nice place, they played about everything I could have wanted. The only downside was I had to get in line and wait for an hour before the show because there were so many people but it was all well worth it. Go see Opeth if you ever get the chance! And I suggest you go see 3 if they come near you as well!
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Gear: Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, Gibson '67 RI Flying V, Mesa Boogie F-30 112 combo, crazy pedals.
