Featuring:
Havok, Crowbar, and Headliners Overkill
September
22,2017 - Club Red Mesa, AZ
Concert
Insight Written by:Teri Wright
The
night started out as any other concertgoers night began, Lining up to
be scanned by security, bags checked, pockets etc. You know the
drill. Tickets scanned and then on your way for an evening of metal
music. You grab a drink or two, scan the merch tables quickly and
find fellow metal foes and finding that sweet spot to watch the
talent oozing from the front and center stage.
Myself,
I scanned the for the best position to photograph the bands as what
we call “media pit” was not really accessible to us.
I
ended up finding my sweet spot along the west side of the sound stage
along the stairs where I could zoom in on the entire band from a
distance. I arrived right as Havok started to take stage, Reece
Scruggs coming out with his white Signature Custom RS3 from Roehrs
Guitars flipping his long golden locks he is known for. Arriving
alongside Reece was David Sanchez, Lead Guitarist and Lead Vocalist,
Quickly Followed by Bassist Nick Schendzielos, and lastly Pete Webber
on his Pearl Drumkit.
Hailing
from Denver, Colorado and hitting the metal scene in 2004 This band
has traveled all over Europe touring with some of the largest names
there is in the Metal Scene and all over the U.S. and Canada. Havok
is one of those bands who are never flawless on stage. David’s hard
hitting vocals along with Pete’s technical proficient chomps is
undeniably some of the best in the industry. Reece on Guitar is
definitely a sight to behold as well. He’s a hell of a beast
shredding. With riffs that are stop, go thrash, Reece is a no brainer
when it come to talent. The entire line up on stage listening to
their songs such as D.O.A.,
Hang Em’ High, finishing
their set with Intention
to Deceive.
It
was nice to see the guys again, after their mishap in Europe where
their trailer was broken into and almost all of their gear was
stolen, Thankfully replaced, and then dealing with their vehicle
engine problems. Being on tour sure has its setbacks I’m sure.
However you don’t see that with Havok. They are a group of four
guys who have maintained their true selves and showing their fans
just how awesome metal music is.
The crowd awaited for the next act which was CROWBAR.
History
lies with Crowbar, Dating back to 1989, and currently having eleven
full length cd’s produced and out for your pleasure selling over
100,000 units worldwide. There are memories that lie with Crowbar.
Classified as Doom-Core more than a Heavy Metal Band, I think it fits
the vocals of Kirk Windstein. He might be an ole dog, but he has that
grabbing bite that still hangs on, which every-time I have seen
Crowbar perform it never disappoints. Sure Crowbar has gone through
changes throughout the years, But what band really hasn’t? I find
that Kirk has stuck true to what he knows works, and through the
numerous touring he has done throughout the years with Crowbar, It
doesn’t surprise me the crowds they still draw. Tonight we heard
songs ranging from Planets
Collide, All I Have (I Gave), I Am The Storm, rounding
the evening out with Like
Broken Glass. Sound
quality from Crowbar is undeniable. It’s solid, hard and takes you
back to a time when Metal was converging into different genres. I
look at Kirk and see a wise man who won’t ever give up the dream of
being out there belting out his lyrics for his devoted fans. If you
want to be treated to some Sludge, Doom Metal - Find Crowbar in a
town near you.
In
the end, Headliners Overkill came on stage after a 15 minute set
change. Over 30 years, Overkill has provided their fans metal that
has been the foundation basis for many trash metal bands that
followed along the path laid down. Hailing from New York and New
Jersey, It appears the New Jersey thrash metal has stuck around.
Vocalist Bobbi “Blitz” Ellsworth obtained his nickname from his
band mate “D.D. Verni”who dubbed Bobbi as Blitz, due to his over
the top lifestyle. Bobbi still shows the elders of metal how Overkill
is still kicking ass and taking names along with teaching the
newcomers how it is done. Having released 18 full studio albums along
with three live albums, three full EPs, This band is a staple
in any true metalheads catalog.
Watching
this band on stage not only takes you back to the time when bands
like Testament, Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, Exodus were hot and heavy
in this age, But it made you feel your inner youth of a time when you
didn’t care about the world, The harshness and wanting to only
escape releasing your inner rage and anger.
Eric
“AK” Knutson (Lead Vocalist -Flotsam and Jetsam) was welcomed up
on stage to sing side by side with Bobbi for Overkill’s song In
Union We Stand. Fans
of Flotsam and Jetsam along with his entire bandmates cheered Eric
on. What an awesome sight it was to see two great vocalists belting
out the pitch variations that were presented to each of them. Bravo
guys, Bravo.
Overkill
continued to pound our metalhead hearts into mosh pit melodies that
kept us throwing fists into the air begging for more. Songs that
ranged from IRONBOUND,
to
ELECTRIC
RATTLESNAKE, ending
the night out with an their finale encore performing their 1987 song
FUCK
YOU
from
the self titled EP.
Find
these guys on tour and remember what it was like to kick some ass and
mosh with the best of them.
Until
then my blood thirsty metal-heads, I will see you at the next show.
Remember horns up to the sky.
Follow
Havok: http://havokband.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/HavokOfficial/
Follow
Crowbar: https://www.facebook.com/crowbarmusic/
Follow
Overkill: http://wreckingcrew.com/Ironbound/
Overkill
will be touring overseas starting in October -
OCTOBER
2017
14
/ 15 – Loudpark – Tokyo – JP
17
– Tango House Live – Beijing – CN
19
– Live House – Shang Hai – CN
NOVEMEBER
2017
Headbangers
Ball Tour [+]
26
– Hellraiser – Leipzig – DE [+]
27
– Lka – Stuttgart – DE [+]
28
– Ronda – Utrecht – NL [+]
29
– Große Freiheit – Hamburg – DE [+]
30
– Huxleys – Berlin – DE [+]
DECEMBER
2017
01
– Christmas Bash – Geiselwind – DE [+]
02
– Winter Masters of rock – Zlin – CZ [+]
03
– Gasometer – Vienna – AT [+]
04
– Backstage – Munich – DE [+]
05
– Live Club – Milan – IT [+]
06
– Lùsine – Istres – FR [+]
07
– Z 7 – Pratteln – CH [+]
08
– Ruhrpott Metal Meeting – Oberhausen – DE [+]
09
– Hessenhallen – Gießen – DE [+]
10
– Trix – Antwerpen – FR [+]
11
– Garage – Saarbrücken – DE [+]
12
– O2 Forum Kentish Town – London -UK
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