I won’t lie, I’m a sucker for a super group. It’s like the first Olympic “dream team” or like when the Traveling Wilburys got all those old dudes together for a few hits. This time it’s Down, which has a list of ex-bands that range from Pantera to Corrosion of Conformity and Crowbar, and unlike the aforementioned super groups, they rocked the fucking house.
As the House of Blues began to fill up, it was nice to see fans that look like they belong in prison and/or could rip your head off with a swift twist of the wrist. I’ve been to way too many indie shows here in Chicago and was starting to think that everyone here were a bunch of pussies. I was proven wrong.
The night had one opening band Portland’s (by way of Illinois), Danava. Their brand of fuzz-laden epic hard rock was a great way to begin a metal show. They started off the night launching right into probably the gnarliest song from their self-titled debut, “Quiet Babies Astray in a Manger.” I was lucky enough to be up front with the Down die-hards and I have a feeling they weren’t super familiar with Danava, but after a few of Greg’s massive riffs, the heads were noddin’ proper. They mostly played songs from their sophomore effort, UnonoU, and for those who still weren’t convinced that Danava did in fact kick ass, Pepper Keenen snuck on stage with his guitar to solo and jam with his buddies (the favor would be returned later on). After each song the crowd’s response was louder and louder and to win over a crowd like that is not an easy thing to do. On the way out of the venue, a guy we met during the show said they were a perfect opening band. I would have to agree.
After an extended intermission the curtains rose and the stars came out on stage to a roaring crowd. Phillip Anselmo stood in the middle of the stage, arms down, taking it all in like he’s been doing for 20 years—feeling the love. Keenan, Kirk Windstein, Rex Brown and Jimmy Bower soon followed and they dove right into “Path” from 2007’s Over the Under. After a few songs, they slowed down for a second and Phillip thanked the crowd before admitting he “just got so fuckin’ baked,” before the pounding riffs of “Mourn.” That song has one of those riffs that makes you lean back as far as you can and just slow-bang your head. Keenan and Windstein played face to face to guarantee the venue filled up with sounds from a dark cavern, while Phillip and the crowd screamed, “be my eyes!” at the top of their lungs. The House of Blues was close to tumbling down at that point.
The trend continued throughout the show with songs coming mostly from NOLA and Over the Under, including “Hail the Leaf,” “Stone the Crow, “N.O.D.” and one of my favorite songs of the night, “Bury Me in Smoke.” There were a few surprises, however. Between songs Phillip told the crowd, “It’s like rolling dice, we can fuckin’ play anything.” Then Bower obliged and started to play the intro to “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and the rest played along for a solid minute, and then they jammed to “Breakin’ the Law” as if they were alone in their practice space. It was pretty sweet to see how much fun the guys were having up there.
Toward the end of the show I think the crowd was sensing the night was coming to a close because the pit literally tripled in size. But it didn’t look like Down was anywhere near finishing. I got a glance of their setlist and instead of heading backstage for some water or to catch their breath, their encore break was, and I quote, “Doob interlude.” (ed note- I am now aware that is actually a song, but man, that would've been cool if it wasn't.) We all know that happens, but to require a reminder? That pretty much rules.
They finished up the set with a guest appearance from Danava, who not only joined the band on stage as Keenan did earlier, they literally took the instruments from the guys and finished off the song themselves while the band stood on stage giving praise to the faithful. I have never seen that before and once again showed the crowd that Danava and Down were mutual admirers and the long-time metal gods weren’t above just being plain old fans, and after all these years, it is truly about the music.
Artist:
www.down-nola.com
www.myspace.com/danava
Downloads:
Danava – “Where Beauty and Terror Dance” – [mp3]
Danava – “Quiet Babies Astray in a Manger” – [mp3]
