House of Blues

Review: Amon Amarth @ House of Blues (Cleveland, OH)

The ever brutal (viking) metal band from Sweden, Amon Amarth, packed a crowded House of Blues on May 1st that was full of horns (literally and figuratively), beer, impressive lighting, and you know, heavy, heavy death metal. If you're not too familiar with them, Amon Amarth have a reputation as being a true contender and powerhouse in their genre. Melodic guitar riffs that captivate the lyrics of a song and an image that you wouldn't think twice on replicating. They truly own this concept from the studio to the stage.

Coming off their recent March release entitled, "Jomsviking", which is slightly different from previous releases, as it's considered a full concept story album of love and revenge based on the history of the jomsvikings, it's a track-by-track adventure of a merciless man and a girl he wants. Frontman, Johan Hegg describes it better in his own words.

It’s a pretty simple story where a young man is in love with a girl but unfortunately she’s being married off. He accidentally kills a man when this happens and he has to flee,” … “But he swears to have revenge and win her back. He can’t let go of the past. He feels that he’s been wronged and his life has been destroyed. The story of the Jomsviking is the background – it’s the way he finds to go back and claim his revenge. The way the story evolves is not a happy story… it’s a tragedy, I guess! But I like sad endings, because they’re the ones that affect you the most.
— www.metalinjection.net/reviews/album-review-amon-amarth-jomsviking

As the curtain draws open, the lights dramatically expose a stage set with a viking helmet, equipped with horns surrounded by castle-like walls on each side. The evil red eyes light up and smoke begins to surround the stage. War is coming. The lights fade to black. Amon Amarth's sensational moody melody intros the venue to where we hear the revealed strums of guitars of "The Pursuit of Vikings" as the band takes the stage.

  1. The Pursuit of Vikings
  2. As Loke Falls
  3. First Kill
  4. The Way of Vikings
  5. At Dawn's First Light
  6. Deceiver of the Gods
  7. Cry of the Black Birds
  8. One Against All
  9. Thousand Years of Oppression
  10. Destroyer of the Universe
  11. Death in Fire
  12. Runes to My Memory
  13. One Thousand Burning Arrows
  14. Father of the Wolf
  15. War of the Gods
  16. Victorious March
    **ENCORE:
  17. Raise Your Horns
  18. Guardians of Asgaard
  19. Twilight of the Thunder Gods

This is considered a small stage for the Swedes, as they really amp up their stages with fire, explosions, and vastly bigger props. Let me say this before I leave you with the photos and this ISN'T an exaggeration. You'll never hear peer "power" until you heard the roars of Johan's voice as he growled and grinned his way through the 2 hour long set. The mighty and dominance he expels feels like thunder rumbling throughout your body.

A huge thank you to Liz over at Earsplit PR for allowing me to shoot Amon Amarth. I wasn't quite sure if I be cleared, but you made it happen. Regardless, I was going to see the show and got my tickets when they went on sale at the end of January. Truly a spectacle I won't forget! A highlight for 2016 for sure.

Children of Bodom @ House of Blues (OH)

Brand-Spankin New Site

Decided to strip it all down to bare bones and re-invent the wheel here. Hope you're excited as to view the new change here at Moser Photoworks.

Shooting the Halo of Blood Tour at House of Blues

Ever since I heard my favorite band was coming to Cleveland, I knew I had to get hold of them to secure a photo pass. I knew this could be my big break and my invitation to shooting bigger shows. This took months to secure, but when their publisher finally granted my request few days before show time with, "I have a photo pass reserved for you", I literally fist pumped the air! Special and huge thank you to Carl Shultz over at Action! Public Relations

The three band on the bill were TYR, Death Angel, and Children of Bodom headlining.

Photographer Notes:

Camera:
Nikon D600

Lens:
Nikon 24-70 f/2.8

House of Blues is a legendary venue; not only to photograph, but to visit in general. The lighting was top-notch the best I've shot so far. COB also brought some of their lightning to add to their performance. I was shooting stage-front for the first three songs (which is the standard) and was fairly happy with the results. I always walk away thinking to myself "I wish I would of did this and maybe shot it at this setting", but that's the joy of shooting, you learn something new and apply it to your next gig.