Night 1 Of A 2-Night Engagement At The Regent Theater

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All Photos By Thomas Delgado/@forthehoredeprod

You really have to be picky when it comes to concerts and how your wallet takes a hit. For a long time I was once a believer that you should jump at the opportunity to catch your favorite band when they come around because you didn't know if it may be the last time you catch that lineup or band in general. Now I've missed a lot of great shows (haven't we all?) but I've also been lucky enough to catch some memorable ones, ones that were once in a lifetime even or simply for a monumental occasion. The DEATH TO ALL 'The Scream Of Perseverance' tour was one of those memorable concerts. Now, It all began with DEATH. The evolution of Metal from Heavy Metal and Thrash into something that was described as "more". It all started with The GodFather Of Death Metal, Chuck Shuldiner, and 1987's Scream Bloody Gore that created Death Metal. The album that was recorded in Los Angeles and released on Combat Records (same label that had and would eventually release albums by BOLT THROWER, CARCASS, CELTIC FROST, Gene Hoglan's DARK ANGEL, ENTOMBED, MEGADETH, MERCYFUL FATE, MORBID ANGEL, NAPALM DEATH, NUCLEAR ASSAULT and SLAYER to just name a few). A label that was a prime cog in the infancy of Metal and Death Metal and a record produced by Randy Burns who was also in attendance on Night 1 (and likely Night 2) of a 2-night residency that Gene Hoglan, Steve DiGiorgio, Max Phelps and Bobby Koelble bring to honor the name and legacy of DEATH and Chuck. More on this record later but let's talk about Night 1 of the Scream of Perseverance in Los Angeles.

Two sold out shows at the Regent Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, the filth and scum (not the good kind) looming nearby as a large firefighter truck had a whole block closed off, could not keep LA's diehards away. A crowd both young and old came out for the "heavier night" (whereas Night 2 would be a more "technical" night) to headbang their heads off. With Canada's CRYPTOPSY warming up the crowd with an aural blitzkrieg of intensity, hyper blasting through a set of classic cuts, making us aware that they'd be playing the first couple tracks of the earliest releases. The groundbreaking None So Vile with "Benedictine Convulsions", "Crown of Horns", "Slit Your Guts", their amazing full-length debut 1994's Blasphemy Made Flesh and "Open Face Surgery", "Serial Messiah" and "Defenestration", a cut from their 1993 demo Ungentle Exhumation with "Abigor", and 1998's Whisper Supremacy with "Cold Hate", "Warm Blood" and "Emaciate". I don't think I've seen CRYPTOPSY since probably the days when SUMMER SLAUGHTER (2008) festivals were at their peak (sad those days are gone). Flo Mounier's drumming is seriously out of this world, a drummer who was ahead of the times also helped create something in the farthest sense of the world, EXTREME. Vox and Hops host Max McGachy's vocals were guttural and gut-ripping while Bassist Oliver Pinard (also of CATTLE DECAPITATION) and Guitarist (and Producer) Christian Donaldson were absolutely ripping out light-speed riffage. Their contribution to the tour and night was highly appreciated by the Los Angeles crowd who was absolutely and already raging from the get-go, and CRYPTOPSY greatly appreciated it too.

His name and DEATH has maintained a level of honor and respect that is backed up by all the amazing talent he was surrounded by, ages since his way-too-early passing at the young age of 34 due to a brain tumor in 2001 - Chuck Shuldiner did more for Death Metal posthumously then he probably could have ever imagined. As Max channeled Chuck's energy in his vocals and face-melting solos while riffing on his Ornsby Metal X guitar, akin to Chuck's BC Rich Stealth, while backed up adding more crunchy rhythm riffage by a headbanging Bobby, Steve's rumbling bass lines were incredible coming out of his signature fretless Ibanez bass, and at times playing a THREE-string, a true 'WTF' moment. Rounding it out with The Atomic Clock, Gene's precision drumming with his dual-ride, phenomenal drum fills and on-point double bass. With all the serious Metal-faces in the room, the band was having as much a good time on stage as the crowd that was tearing it up in the pit and headbanging. Steve, when he and Bobby weren't poking away at Max during songs, would get on the mic between songs to express his gratitude and appreciation as well as share some quick stories about Chuck, DEATH and the horror movie-influenced album we were all there to hear in its entirety.

Before dipping into Scream Bloody Gore, they started off the night with a couple of songs from Leprosy, the title track and "Open Casket", then a couple from Spiritual Healing with "Living Monstrosity" and "Within The Mind". Next, they would play SBG (NEARLY) in its entirety. Song after song, had me feeling like the first time I had heard this album, the first time I had heard DEATH. Although I originally wanted to attend the 2nd night for some Individual Thought Patterns (first DEATH CD I ever bought), I wanted to hear the early thrash-infused sounds of the early material. With a barrage of crowd-surfers and a bunch of stage divers, the band never flinched and sounded so tight and crystal (mountain) clear. The finale approached and after the band took a short breather and several roaring cheers from the audience demanding more, they went into the 1 remaining track from SBG, "Zombie Ritual" to start off the encore, closing it out with "Spiritual Healing" and "Pull The Plug".

While I'm ashamed to admit I missed Chuck live, through DEATH TO ALL, several generations of DEATH fans can experience that in some small way. The many of us who weren't there to see Chuck, this is probably the closest we'll ever get and the band did a damn great job at making us feel as if we were there. Chuck remains relevant, if not more relevant, as the decades went on since his passing. He remained dedicated to the growing Death Metal scene through 7 studio albums (8 if you count Control Denied and The Fragile Art Of Existence), his Legacy honored many times over, with a long list of players who speak highly of him, and a legion of fans who pay homage by performing his music - Chuck lives. Hail DEATH.

Check out some more photos from the show!
All Photos By Thomas Delgado/@forthehoredeprod