Nemesis @Hawthorne
With Lidless Eye and American Roulette
On Saturday night at the Hawthorne Theater, there seemed to be a debate going on between those who think Portland’s metal scene is dead and those who regard it as the metal capital of Oregon. Each band seemed to have a different stance 2000 , but one thing was clear: metal in Portland ain’t going anywhere any time soon. In the wake of this widely disputed question amongst PDX metal heads, many bands are focusing on the positive aspects of metal shows and how much of a saving grace they can be for young kids who need a safe place to relieve stress.
Lidless Eye, who hail from the southern Oregon town of Roseburg, brought their own brand of progressive hardcore metal through an impressive display of front-man antics and chunky guitar riffs that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Matt Webber, the band’s vocalist and master of metal-crowd flirtation, was able to get everyone to play games like “Metal Roar”, in which everyone in the pit does their best Hatebreed impression for ten seconds, and “Wall of Death”, which involves each half of the crowd moving to the sides of the theater and sprinting toward the other side. “Just like Braveheart!”, Webber roared into the microphone. Their set was concluded with an ode to 9/11, entitled “Never Forget This Day”, and one last game: allowing the young kids in the audience a chance to safely crowd-surf the first time. The band invited every small, underage kid onstage and said, “All you big guys out there, keep them safe. Let them have an amazing life experience.” Sure enough, ten or more elated teens and pre-teens jumped onstage with gratitude in their eyes, jumped into the crowd, and were carried to safety.
Portland’s own American Roulette came out next, reveling in the crowd’s excitement. “I can’t even play my stereo as loud as you’re being right now,” vocalist Kris Ashby yelled. The band, which cites Pantera, Lamb of God and Alice In Chains as influences, boasted precise musicianship and heavy metal riffs that had just a slight grunge twist to them. The band made jokes about the singer’s iPad, which he used for his setlist in front of his microphone. In response, Ashby jokingly said, “What are we playing next? I dunno, let me Google it.” At the end of their set, he said, “This is Portland, Oregon! I’ll see you in the bar afterward!” And then, remembering the kids in the crowd, he said, “Unless it’s a school night!”
After a deviously-crafted warm-up of pre-recorded maniacal laughter and a bass-rumble that was felt in the chest of everyone in the pit, Nemesis took the stage. Donning the classic black-metal accessory, nail-studded armbands, vocalist Spencer Swallow let out a shriek and the crowd went wild. The pit seemed to instantly double in size, much to the delight of the band, and it became impossible not to clench fists and head bang. The guitarist, “Evil” Joe, didn’t miss a beat while making faces and posing for two little boys with noise-cancelling headphones, taking pictures from the side of the stage. “Just last week, a guy told me that the Portland metal scene is dead. Looking out at you guys, it’s obvious it’s not,” Swallow said, nonchalantly pacing the stage. “Let’s show ‘em just how dead it is.”
Though they have only been a band for around a year, this Portland-based band has their set down. Their knowledge of their craft was made very clear in their perfectly-brewed blend of death and black metal with screaming vocals and beautiful, acoustic breakdowns.
At the end of the set, Swallow left the crowd with one last sentiment: “We are celebrating the re-birth of Portland metal. We’re gonna bring it back—all of us, together.”
Comments
thx for the words it was amazing i just found this where the heck have i been lol the only thing is the song u posted is not ours or our band doing it lol as far as i know were the only band named lidless eye i dont know where that came from lol, oh the song is named lidless eye by another band our stuff is up on reverb nation check it out
Comments
thx for the words it was amazing i just found this where the heck have i been lol the only thing is the song u posted is not ours or our band doing it lol as far as i know were the only band named lidless eye i dont know where that came from lol, oh the song is named lidless eye by another band our stuff is up on reverb nation check it out