Blood Lust Death Tour 2017 | Dope and Combichrist
With Davey Suicide and September Mourning

The Palladium
Worcester MA
March 24, 2017

Once again I travel north of the border and venture into the city of Worcester, this time to catch Dope and Combichrist at The Palladium. The Palladium actually has two stages, the main stage, which is apparently also known as the downstairs and then a smaller known as the upstairs. Tonight’s show was being in the upstairs. Much like the Webster in Hartford with its Underground or the The Chance with its Loft, these are smaller areas that can accommodate only a few hundred people at the most, giving it a real cozy feel. The only downside, well a downside if you’re a photographer, is that there is no photo pit and your screwed if you’re not there when the doors open. Guess what, I wasn’t there when the doors opened. I wasn’t going to let it stop me, especially since the Upstairs has a nice upper level.

After a bevy of local talent entertained the masses, the first band on this package came to the stage. Much like the other shows I have been to here recently, the crowd welcomed Davey Suicide to the stage with a roar of approval, on what was a important day. This day marked the day their latest album was released, “Made From Fire”.

DAVEY SUICIDE:

Davey Suicide is a band from California, hard to describe them, a mix of heavy metal, goth and a bit of industrial. They do appeal to my musical tastes both visually and sonically. Costumes and Make Up and I will pay attention screw up the mix and I will not be happy. I was happy.

Bouncing and twisting all over the tiny space they had on the stage, the band’s namesake, Davey Suicide, delivered a short set of songs with a powerful voice and strong stage presence. Backing him up was a band consisting of a drummer, guitarist and bassist. Don’t ask me their names, I don’t know them, yet. I was going to pull them off the website but they list a total of 5 members but only four were on stage, so I wont attempt to pretend I do know them. I do know this, they put on a fantastic set. This is another band I hope comes around here again soon.

The daunting task of following this opening salvo, was another West Coast band, September Mourning.

I was unfamiliar with them, so I did a bit of research and loved what I found. A hard rock/metal band with a female singer with a comic book to boot! Listening and watching the videos, I couldn’t wait to see this band live. If you follow my reviews or know me, then you know how much of a fan I am of what I consider theatrical rock, and this group had it all.

The band took the stage under the cover of darkness, and never left it. Except for the drummer, a costumed demon with a bit of back lighting, oh yea and their backdrop that was light up to. I am not sure if it was the way they wanted the lighting or the lighting guy just wasn’t paying attention, hell maybe they pissed off the lighting guy and also the sound guy because they did not sound good at all and also lost sound from September’s microphone at one point. There was really no distinguishing between the guitar and bass and it was all drowned out by the drums, he could play, I will give him that.

Fantastic voice, Great music, One hell of a concept. They should have killed it. I hope Worcester was just a fluke for them and if they come around New England again in the near future, they can wash away the bad taste I got from this set.

At this point, I knew it could only get better, Combichrist was up next.

I had never seen Combichrist live before or really listened to their music. I wasn’t sure what to expect and now after the show has sunk in and I have thought about it for a day or two. I still don’t know what to think of it.

COMBICHRIST:

I do know one thing, that stage was WAY to small for them. Consisting of 2 drummers and a guitarist and bassist and then lead singer, Andy LaPlegua, they really did not have enough room. Not that it stopped them from doing anything, well I don’t think it did, it sure wasn’t stopping the crowd surfing that started as he took to the front of the stage and started singing. What a spectacle!!!

Two over the top drummers (Joe Letz and Nick Rossi) one in blackface wearing a neon pink bikini and wig the other in white face paint, both pounding the skins to beat all hell and screwing around throwing sticks drawing the crowds attention, well at least mine, from Andy and guitarist Eric 13 and bassist Brent Ashley. Brent added to the show on the right side of the stage working the crowd as much as he could from behind the monitors and risors that put him lower than the drummers and Andy when he was up front. Eric 13 was in a bit of a better spot on the left side yelling back at the crowd. Their music is hard to categorize, something called aggrotech? To me tho it sounded like a cross between old fashioned punk and heavy metal, but then maybe I was influenced by the Cramps shirt Andy had on or his shaved head, something just screamed Punk.

The one thing that was certain and I had no trouble knowing, was they were having a great time in front of this crowd and like I said earlier as evidenced by the crowd surfing they were enjoying it to. I believe Combichrist stole the show, with the energy they put into it and how tight their sound was, i think anyone would be hard pressed to argue that with me.

Not that Dope was any less explosive on stage this evening. Edsel Dope was the ring leader this evening, bringing his brand of industrial laced heavy metal to the masses. A dealer who had teased us all evening with weed, then injected into our veins the heavy shit.

And we started with a “X-hale” then straight to the “Violence” that only “Blood Money” could bring out in a wild crowd that was screaming along to every word out of Edsel’s mouth. “6-6-Sick” had the crowd jumping as lead guitarist Virus paced back and forth ripping out note after note. “Bring It On’ and “Bitch” lead into one of my favorite songs and Edsel encouraging a pit “Take Your Best Shot”, “Lexipro” and “My Funeral” followed.

Watching the antics onstage was amazing, as no one was standing still.

“Addiction” is what Dope is all about right?

A few cover tunes were up next as the much maligned “You Spin Me Round” followed a small rant about how much Edsel hates this song. I dont blame him, since everyone seems to think Marilyn Manson covered it, but never did. It is strange tho listening to them play “Rebel Yell”.

The night came to an end as they played “Die, Boom, Bang, Burn, Fuck” and “1999”

This is the first time I have seen Dope live, and they were fantastic, not a slow moment, not a screw up with the sound, not a single step missed. I do not know who the drummer was, but the ferocity was amazing. I do know it wasn’t Acey Slade on bass, but the guy who was playing was great, unfortunately stuck on the dark side of the stage, so wasn’t able to get that many half way decent pics.

DOPE: