CONCERT REVIEW: Trivium – Between The Buried And Me – Whitechapel – Khemmis Live at Palladium Times Square


 

I was elated to hear the announcement of Trivium’s “Deadmen and Dragons” tour because it screamed nostalgia to me: three of four bands emerged in my personal golden era of musical discovery (early 2000s); add to that Khemmis, spirited doom-metallers who I’ve never seen live, I knew it would be spectacular.

The venue, Palladium, is located in the heart of Times Square, which any New Yorker will tell you is to be avoided at all costs, especially on a Saturday night on Halloween weekend. Emerging from the subway and reaching the street, one would face the immediate onslaught of meandering crowds. The trek was worth it, however, to arrive at the newly revamped establishment. The large open standing area, expansive seating section, and comfortable lounge were a testament to the venue’s long history (formerly Best Buy Theater, Playstation Theater) hosting thousands of performances in years prior. Being at a swanky venue in the heart of the greatest city on earth made the night’s show even better.

The newest act of the night but a standout in the modern doom genre, Khemmis knows how to perform. Upon an unlit stage, the twangy acoustic intro to “Avernal Gate” shrouded the silenced crowd before launching into heavy metal riffage led by the dynamic duo on guitars: Ben Hutcherson and Phil Pendergast. I always love a band who makes my job as photographer easy, with Pendergast rushing to and fro across the stage, jumping on monitors in quintessential metal poses and making great faces for the camera. The band is as much about personality as musical talent. I recalled Hutcherson, highly active on Instagram and Twitch, hosting live-streams throughout the tour, thereby cementing the feeling these are some cool Denver dudes you want to befriend and jam with.

Following up on Khemmis’ energy, Whitechapel took the stage. The band’s exuberant vocalist Phil Bozeman knows how to deliver emotion, whether it be tender sentimentality or unalloyed rage. They covered mostly new songs off their latest album Kin (Metal Blade), where the band experimented with the addition of clean vocals. This is something I like to see in a band: not being afraid to step outside the metal box and embrace some softness. Here, Bozeman’s talent shone as his voice meshed cleanly with the guitar’s savage melody.

Between the Buried and Me are weird. That is a compliment. I remember their arrival on my radar in 2005 as I was becoming a sentient human being (a.k.a. a teenager). They were on another level. Their musical technicality combined with clean vocals and screaming set them apart. Tonight was no different. Actually it was better. They opened with the fast and heavy “Sun of Nothing,” allowing the rhythm section powered by Blake Richardson and Dustie Waring to take charge. The nearly 11 minute jam gave me plenty of time to snag all the cool moments on my camera (when I wasn’t mesmerized by each member’s meticulous talent). They closed with “The Future Is Behind Us,” a prog anthem if there ever was one: heavy-handed retro synth, low metal riffs, and Tommy Rogers’ captivating vocal range. Though they only played five (long) songs, I would have gladly stayed for twenty.

 

 

A white curtain was drawn after BTBAM’s set in preparation for Trivium. Having not looked at earlier tour photos, I had no idea what was to come. When the drape fell to the interlude track “IX,” it was like Trivium had coopted a whole parade for their setup: a massive banner featuring their signature Japanese dragon themed artwork, a towering platform from which the drumset blasted, and glowing-eyed dragon statues to bookend the stage. Charismatic frontman Matthew K. Heafy taunted the crowd that Montreal so far had been the best audience. Does he know New Yorker’s don’t know how to be anything but the best? We erupted in cheers as the band powered through thrashing ballads like “The Sin and the Sentence” and “The Heart from Your Hate.” They capped their set with the thundering “In Waves.” A song made for moshing with a triumphant breakdown, it was the perfect way to end the night.

 

Setlist, via Setlist.fm

 

Run to the Hills (Iron Maiden song, on tape)

 

IX

 

What the Dead Men Say

 

Into the Mouth of Hell We March

 

The Sin and the Sentence

 

Like Light to the Flies

 

Amongst the Shadows & the Stones

 

A Skyline’s Severance

 

The Shadow of the Abattoir

 

X

 

In the Court of the Dragon

 

To the Rats

 

The Heart From Your Hate

 

Shogun

 

Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr

 

Encore:

Capsizing the Sea (on tape)

In Waves

 

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WORDS AND PHOTOS BY REBECCA PAIGE