Hatebreed – Obituary – Agnostic Front – Prong – Skeletal Remains
House of Blues – Las Vegas, Nevada
May 21st, 2019
A little introduction…
It’s the year 1994 and the place is Bridgeport, Connecticut that we find the genesis of the powerhouse known to us as Hatebreed. Jamey Jasta and company fused hardcore with heavy metal in a way that many see the band belonging equally to both scenes. They’ve managed this with short, punchy and often catchy song arrangements. In addition, Jasta’s lyrics being uplifting and as his voice is powerful in it’s death metal inspired delivery.
Jamey Jasta in particular has been a busy guy even outside fronting one of the most popular bands in extreme music. Fronting side projects Kingdom of Sorrow, Icepick, and his own solo project (JASTA); to running his own music label Stillborn Records as well as an apparel line, Hatewear.
Hatebreed Gallery #1
Skeletal Remains
Formed as Anthropophagy in 2011, the Californian death metal band changed their name to their current moniker Skeletal Remains following their demo ‘Desolate Isolation’. They’d follow up with two full lengths ‘Beyond the Flesh’ and ‘Condemned to Misery’ in 2012 and 2015 respectively.
Musically speaking I feel that Skeletal Remains can most easily be described as a modern interpretation of old school thrash leaning death metal. For those that are hungering for 80’s or 90’s death metal: This is a much more polished recording from a band that hasn’t yet been around for a decade, meaning their best years are likely still ahead of them. – These guys are for you!
If you want to hear what they’ve done for lately; Century Media put out their latest album in 2018 entitled ‘Devouring Mortality’.
Prong
You may not need me to tell you who Prong is. However I’m contractually obligated to – at least according to my own delusional mind. Prong formed in New York City in 1986. They started life as a thrash/crossover band before morphing into a more groove and industrial oriented act… Before embracing their roots again in more recent years. Their career was also split up by a five year hiatus from 1997 to 2002. Seeing them live and in their current lineup shows that these veterans of the music industry have the energy and drive for playing music to go for longer yet.
You can check out their latest album ‘Zero Days’ on Steamhammer.
Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front have been kicking ass since before any other band on this bill. And they are one of the biggest inspirations for Hatebreed. Forming in 1980, they were a cornerstone to the New York City hardcore punk scene before writing in more of a crossover thrash style. As for how their set went all was well other than the vocals sounding drowned out near the beginning from where I was standing by the barricade. However things cleared up before they were a quarter of the way through their allotted time. Founding guitarist Vinnie Stigma later got up and close and personal with the audience when security led him to the pit on the House of Blues floor.
Nuclear Blast put out Agnostic Front’s latest studio album ‘The American Dream Died’ back in 2015.
Obituary
Obituary finalized the name in 1988 but formed in 1984 as Executioner. They later changed their name to Xecutioner before landing on the name we all know them by today. They put out two death metal classics ‘Slowly We Rot’ and Cause Of Death’ that are required listening for fans of death metal. Truth be told, the inclusion of Obituary and Skeleton Remains on this bill led to me refusing to miss this show. The band’s live sound required me to take out my ear protection and step further away from the stage to hear the definition in the guitars. Small price to play. (Unlike my bitchin’ ear plugs. They cost a hefty sum but they’re the shit.)
I’ve already given you two classic death metal records to listen to for this week’s homework. But their latest release is a self-titled album put out by Relapse Records.
Hatebreed Celebrates 25 years!!
First hearings…
I first became aware of Jamey Jasta and Hatebreed during his 4 year run hosting MTV2’s Headbanger’s Ball. The weekly show introduced me to bands I wouldn’t have heard anywhere else. Such as Cradle Of Filth and Arch Enemy. I wouldn’t have even known where to look. When he had left; the show was relegated to just a one hour block of metal music videos with the same handful of short clips all from the same Dave Mustaine tour bus interview. So that was the end of me using the medium of cable television to discover bands I might like each week.
Hatebreed Gallery #2
I have to say that Hatebreed is well deserving of the praise they’re given. Anything they’ve put out in the last 25 years is well worth your time if your not already familiar. They are as catchy as they are heavy so check them out in celebration of one of heavy music’s most important bands today.
Because I’ve done this for every other band already – Hatebreed’s latest release ‘The Concrete Confessional’ was put out via Nuclear Blast in 2016. It is a must have album in your collection!
Hatebreed will be returning to Vegas on October 12 at Brooklyn Bowl. If you’re in for that killer show they’re known for, we better see you there!!
Check out Hatebreed’s “The Concrete Confessional” below!
For all other Hatebreed related news/info/tours check out the links below!
https://www.hatebreed.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hatebreed/
https://www.instagram.com/hatebreedofficial/
https://twitter.com/hatebreed
All live photos taken by Courtney Ware for ZrockR Magazine – 2019, All Rights Reserved