Cradle of Filth @ House of Blues (Cleveland, OH)

Back in 2004 while I was attending art school, my roommate at the time formally introduced me Cradle of Filth in the most brutal way imaginable. By setting "Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids" to his alarm clock at the highest setting possible (he was a deep sleeper). When 6 AM hit, I didn't know if someone was in trouble or a pterodactyl was screaming at the door, but all I know was my heart felt as if it was going to burst out of my chest. My girlfriend, who loves the darkest side of music, got me listening more to the band and by the time the tour was announced she set it in stone that we're both going. Cradle of Filth kicked off "Cryptoriana - The Second Coming of Vice World Tour 2019" Tuesday (March 26th) as it made its stop at the House of Blues in Cleveland, OH.

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Dani Filth @ House of Blues - Cleveland, OH

The whole tour brought two other outstanding bands that complemented one another. Raven Black and Wednesday 13 both hailing from Los Angeles, CA. Makeup, costuming, and light theatricals played heavily for all three. Sadly, I missed the opening three songs to photograph Raven Black but was able to snap a few from general admission. Vocalist Wednesday 13 really brought out the visuals. In my opinion, he edged out founder and frontman Dani Filth in that department and that's not easy to do. He pretty much had an outfit change for each song as dramatic lighting flashed across the stage and glow-in-the-dark body paint radiated the singer.

Dani possess a rare trait as a vocalist. One, his vocal range is off the scale from anything I heard. One second, he could be digging deep thirsty growls and at a flip of a switch, his octave range expands far beyond what most humans achieve. I encourage you to read a few passages of lyrics from COF. Dani possesses such a unique 'Renaissance' approach when he writes. It's not too literal nor concrete. It really makes you stop and listening to every word spoken. "Her Ghost in the Fog" fairs as a great recommendation.

When it's all said and done, Cradle of Filth really knows how to captivate the goth and metalheads of Cleveland. They've been on this stage for a better part of two and a half decades. Big strapping boots, leather ripped attire, face paint, glowing lanterns acting as mood lighting, and the fog, oh the fog. A cemetery atmosphere indeed took over House of Blues that night. Cleveland needed this show more than ever. Metal shows have been tumbleweeds blowing in the wind here lately. Even though Dani was sporting less makeup than usual, it didn't weaken the fact that the band came and performed all the "Filthy" hits for us in an hour and forty-five-minute set! After the show, I managed to catch up with Mushroomhead guitarist, Tommy Shaffner and from previous experiences, he admitted that this was the bands best he's ever seen them. Overall, I was blown away with my first COF encounter. The vocals sounded so crisp and the other instruments didn't seem to compete with one another. Hearing Lindsay Schoolcraft sing in the soft melodies of “Her Ghost in the Fog” and “Nymphetamine (fix)” really added emotional balance. Be sure to catch the remaining shows in the states as this leg concludes in the middle of April.

Setlist (House of Blues - Cleveland, OH)

1. Gilded Cunt

2. Nemesis

3. Right Wing of the Garden Triptych

4. Heartbreak and Seance

5. Bathory Aria: Benighted Like Usher / A Murder of Ravens in Fugue / Eyes That Witnessed Madness

6. Wester Vespertine

7. Dusk and Her Embrace

8. You Will Know the Lion by His Claw
   Encore:

9. The Promise of Fever

10. Saffron's Curse

11. Nymphetamine (Fix)

12. Honey and Sulphur

13. Her Ghost in the Fog

**More Cradle of Filth

Young Thrashers Bring Metal Back to Cleveland

This year already has been a significant failure in the shortage of metal bands traveling through Cleveland. Even 2018 left to bring the noise with a sprinkle worthy of mentioning. It’s as if detours are pointing anywhere but The Rock and Roll Capital of the World. When a city like this goes quiet for too long, one band is bound to emerge from the shadows. Revealing themselves as crude descendant 80 thrashers, Assault awoke and reunited the fire that thrash is NOT dead and metal still prevails!

Pictured Right: Dylan Andras (Circ. 7/17)

It’s time to wipe away the saliva from your face because Assault is right up in your space. Most of the band members, still in high school, have already made a name for the city of Cleveland. Their big break happened last month at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as they took second place in the “High School Rock Off”. I will admit, I shortchanged myself. Did not think this event was worth paying much attention to until I heard these guys made it as finalists. When I first got wind of Assault back in December playing the famous Metal Food Drive from a good friend, I deliberately opened my schedule to attend their recent show on March 21st at The Grog Shop. It’s funny how small the world can really be. Lead guitarists/vocalist, Dylan Andras and I briefly met in July ‘17 at the House of Blues when Metallica tribute band, The Four Horsemen played that night. The kid was right up front by the barricade screaming at me for a photo. This was all before I even knew he was a musician, let alone in Assault.

Ten o’clock rolled around on a Thursday night. A decent local crowd scattered throughout the venue leaving empty pockets around the stage. Before any cymbal was struck or string was touched, Dylan alerted the crowd to bring it into the stage. Every last soul needed to come together. Immediately, I was taken back with the leadership already shown! The whole band was a unit throughout the evening with Dylan showcasing the most power and charisma. The best way to describe Assault’s demeanor would be to hop onto Youtube and watch Metallica’s performance from the Metal Hammer Festival in ‘85. They played so damn fast, so loud, they immediately brought back the nostalgia of watching my favorite band. Not only did they include covers of Metallica’s “Seek & Destroy”, and Slayer’s “Raining Blood”, their original material beautifully blended into that signature 80’s thrash sound. Considering it was a school night, their performance lasted little over half an hour with an encore that officially slammed the book shut for the night. I’m sure if they can keep bashing down the door with the adrenaline and creativity, we’re bound to witness something truly special in the near future. Assault...I’m on board!

**Expanded Photo Gallery

Review: The Amity Affliction @ The House of Blues (Cleveland, OH)

Better late than never. I welcome to 2019. It’s been a few months since my last entry. I hope you left 2018 with lasting memories and accomplished a few goals to set you up with new beginnings for the year. I’ve taken some time away from the stage to work on other projects and focus on other areas, but I did miss the spotlight of being in front of the stage capturing moments of music.

A month into 2019, a show finally piqued my interest when Australian’s metalcore band, The Amity Affliction made their stop at the House of Blues headlining the “Misery Will Find You Tour” on January 27th. The Sunday show sold out about a week and a half before the date, so many fans were eager to catch up after their appearance two years ago when they supported Motionless In White at the Agora. And to be honest, it wasn’t one of their best appearances that evening. The sound quality was poor and I remembered Joel Birch (singer) was stationary on stage throughout the set. It was very odd as it appeared he injured his leg or something.

Joel Birch (Vocalist)

All was forgotten that night as everything was a significant improvement. Joel moved the stage like a frontman should involving the crowd, rather it was sharing the mic or helping falling crowd surfers from the floor. I gravitated more towards Joel probably like a lot of their fans of The Amity Affliction. His ongoing struggles with depression and as a recovering alcoholic, his lyrics become relatable in life to a lot of people. It's a no-brainer a lot of the band's hits contribute from downfall to redemption.

The "Misery Will Find You Tour" supports the band's sixth studio album, "Misery", released in August on Roadrunner Records. The setlist arranged six of the songs off the album leaving the band's biggest hit, "Pittsburgh" as the finale before coming back onto the stage for "All Fucked Up" for the encore.

Since October was the last show I covered and began wondering coming into The Amity Affliction, if any rust needed to be brushed off. Yes, I did feel a bit impaired, but I thoroughly enjoy covering them and witnessing the interaction between fan and artist. It's a family gathering when I go to shows where you peer into the eyes of both parties and everyone just lives in the moment. The full setlist that night can be seen below followed with my photo coverage.

Setlist:

1. Drag the Lake

2. Ivy (Doomsday)

3. I Bring the Weather With Me

4. Holier Than Heaven

5. This Could Be Heartbreak

6. Shine On

7. D.I.E.

8. Open Letter

9. Feels Like I’m Dying

10. Death’s Hand

11. Set Me Free

12. Don’t Lean On Me

13. Pittsburgh
    Encore:

14. All Fucked Up

Photo Review: VentanA “13 Year Anniversary Show” @ The Agora Ballroom

Artwork by Blind 7 Photography

A hot, stuffy Agora Ballroom surrounded by rowdy diehards came to celebrate VentanA's 13th Anniversary show on June 30th. This industrial metal band formed right here in Cleveland, decided there's no better way to reveal the dirty truth of society than spew it to their most loyal fans.

A black tarp with handwritten white letters reading, "Make America Hate Again" laid across the stage. The house music faded, the curtain dropped, and all band members entered into view equipped with dirty, broken gas masks and dressed up in black suits. From this point when the first song hit the speakers, I immediately felt my upper body compress...literally. The few fans from behind, rammed my body up against the stage leaving me helpless with no room to lift my camera. This sucked as I was a little fearful of my gear. I don't know if the tight shooting space or the pundit body odor from the guy behind me was worse. I've been in this position before, but this was a whole new level of real estate to work with. Pushing back and forth on the crowd to pop in a few shots was the only way I could do anything. Framing and waiting for key moments to arise were few and far between. Oh yeah, I forgot with the high energy from the crowd, the singer made sure to take advantage of it and jump on top of me, crowd surfing the first few rows. All the pushing and shoving, I could only stay up there for 3 songs before I ninja'd my way to the outer banks, maneuvering my way past the mosh pit. 

I really thrive on these shooting situations. It's crazy, don't get me wrong. Thousand dollars worth of equipment grasping at my hands and fans giving little shits about what happens to me. Music drives us into a whole new monster and I love it! I know I'd be in full mosh mode if I had little to worry about.

After reading a few of their lyrics, I quickly came to realize the wardrobe concept behind VentanA (at least from what I recevied). We live in a toxic, polluted world. Taking up everyday issues that seem negative in our lives, VentanA seems to expose the bullshit providing light and turning it into a positive position. This was my first VentanA fix. I got wind of the band from a bartender in Cleveland who shared their newest album with me. Found out, he was their guitar player. I reached out and he set me up with a photo pass to shoot 13th Anniversary show. Thanks, Tommy!

Photos: Dangerkids @ The Foundry

Buddy of mine contacted me to let me know his brand spanking new band, Gold By Fire were opening up for the Dangerkids' final tour stop for the "We're All In Danger Tour" at The Foundry in Cleveland and my presence was called upon. My anticipation for this show was high for a few reasons. One, this was my first time back at The Foundry since 2013 when I shot Battlecross and wondered if the stage lighting was been upgraded since. Two, I was looking forward to Gold By Fire's second performance ever. Luckily, one went better than the other. Lighting still was shit, but thankfully, all the bands' energetic performances played through my sour view through the camera. I forgot. They had a chick drummer. Yes! She was amazing and a first for me. 0.o

The Dangerkids aren't my typical kind of music I listen to or find on my iPod. Their sound sounds something more for the current generation kids, but without a doubt, I LOVED the fiery passion they provided that evening. It was brutally hot and humid inside the venue, but that left my mind fairly quickly.

Have a great Memorial Weekend and many thanks for your follows and kind words. It's a great fuel to keep me doing what I love!