Earlier this month we learned that Opeth and Gojira would be touring the States together, and seven of those stops just got more amazing. Continue reading
Devin Townsend Project Announces Dates With Opeth And Gojira
Tag Archives: The Eagles of Death Metal
Housecore Horror Festival III: Part 1- San Antonio, Texas
After no longer being on a bus full of shitty cramped people for several days, I finally got to my hotel room. That joy was shortly lived when I had to actually get up and drag myself down the block to check in for press near The Aztec Theater. Which wasn’t that bad, since it was beautiful out! On the first day of Phil Anselmo’s Housecore Horror Festival III, some people were bright-eyed and ready for a good weekend or even just the night of metal, others were jet-lagged, cranky and wanting to just get started. Everything about the fest was localized to less than a 2 block radius of busses, tourists and locals. Aside from how awesome the venue looked on the inside, a Whataburger was right down the street. More on that later.
Doors opened 5 pm and fans filtered in and begin posting up and getting beers for the evening that they cannot wait to unfold. Promptly at 5:30 Child Bite come to the stage and after a quick sound check they are primed and ready to strike the opening chord on this weekends festivities! A mix of early hardcore and surf rock, vocalist Shawn Knight let loose with a furious howl. War Beast followed, then Exodus and soon after the EYEHATEGOD pure wall of volume and feedback, and there amidst the whirl wind of it all stood an un-phased Mike IX Williams. Williams seemed very irritated that the sound guy didn’t know how to handle mixing him and the band. Jimmy Bower had a mid-set cigarette.
Now we begin the headlining section of the evening, the home stretch, everything leading up top the one on the bill, the one and only King Diamond. Sadly, I am going to take a second to divert the readers attention from what seems to be a super mega-fun awesome festival to talk to you about what happened outside of our little bubble around the same time as our show; just over the pond. At another rock show in Paris, France people were attacked and killed while trying to enjoy The Eagles Of Death Metal concert. Reports slowly came in via social media and to be quite honest I’m sure it left a lot of us wondering what’s next? More so, who was next; afraid it even could be us gathered en mass like we were. When Superjoint hit the stage in San Antonio our great leader Philip Anselmo came to us not only as the singer of a band, but as our friend and equal to say “They will not take this from us, they can not stop us from having our fun. That is what they want. We are family we are here to rock and have fun. This next song is called ‘Fuck Your Enemy’!
King Diamond kicked off his headline set with ‘Welcome Home’ and the sing-a-longs had begun. A slew of strobe lights, falsetto singing, and screaming fans filled the air at the start of this two-hour set. Classic songs and Merciful Fate covers led up to the 40 minutes we had all been waiting for, Abigail! From ‘Arrival’ to ‘The Black Horsemen’, every song sounded as crisp a the first time they were played live back in the day. It was a great end to the first night of the festival.
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WORDS BY ANDREW FRANCIS
PHOTOS BY EMMA PARSONS PHOTOGRAPHY
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UPDATED: Nick Alexander Among The Victims Of Paris Terror Attack
Nick Alexander, a veteran of touring crews was selling merchandise for The Eagles of Death Metal, is confirmed to be among the dozens senselessly slain as a result of the tragic terror attack in Paris, at Le Bataclan club toward the end of their concert last evening. Nick had been a well-known in the music community, having worked with many bands, including Backyard Babies who posted a tribute to him on Facebook. UPDATE: A memorial GoFundMe has been set up for Nick’s family. You can support and donate here:
Rest in peace Nick. Tonight’s show in Barcelona is for you.
Posted by Backyard Babies on Saturday, November 14, 2015
All of the members of The Eagles of Death Metal are safe, although there were several false media reports that one member was dead. Bassist Matt McJunkins (Puscifer/The Beta Machine/Ashes Divide) was taken hostage at the venue, but later was released along with many concert-goers later that evening a the police took control of the club. At least 80 people were murdered and so far 153 people are dead with that number expected to rise as a result of six terror attacks.
Michael Dorio, brother of EODM touring drummer Julien Dorio was interviewed by news outlets where he remarked that the band were nearing the end of their set when they hear shots and saw the gunmen. They escaped the club via the backstage area.
Members of Deftones had also been at the show earlier, but departed after a few songs. They did not “narrowly escape with their lives”, as was also misreported and the band took to social media and media interviews to assure friends and family they were alright. They were scheduled to play the same club the next three nights.
Foo Fighters, slated to play Paris on Monday night, have canceled the rest of their European tour dates out of respect for the fallen and concern for safety.
“It is with profound sadness and heartfelt concern for everyone in Paris that we have been forced to announce the cancellation of the rest of our tour. In light of this senseless violence, the closing of borders, and international mourning, we can’t continue right now. There is no other way to say it. This is crazy and it sucks. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was hurt or who lost a loved one.”
Ghost Cult sends our condolences to all the families and friends who lost their lives in this tragedy and we will bring further news as needed as it pertains to our fans around the world.