Rotterdam/Devour the Undead/Rotten Rails/No Other Way @ Logan's [Oct.22,2010]

Logan's Pub was crawling with plenty of metalheads ready to let loose. With every second coming closer to the show, you could feel the pent up energy begin to boil while Slayer blasted through the PA. It's always a good sign when people are head banging even before the show has started. Of course, there was a birthday tonight of local promoter Master Joda, who you may also call Joe. Props to this man, because he really knows what goes into organizing and promoting a show.

No Other Wa

It all started with the Ottawa band, No Other Way, who have set up base in Vancouver. Out of all the bands tonight, they were the most serious. You may ask, what that exactly means? Well, I'm not saying it as an insult to the other bands, but these guys had a table full of t-shirts and CDs ready to spring on the audience. These young guys are full of confidence and vigour. Their image is immaculate. You can gather that from a look at their myspace. It spoke a level of professionalism, but did the music match up? I sense some unearthed potential in this band. They certainly know how to shred their instruments. Playing to the crowd with every finger tap on the guitar. Every fill on the drums. The musicianship was all there, but what was lacking to take it to the next level is the songwriting. They were decent tunes, but perhaps these guys haven't found their voice yet. They transfer between Avenged Sevenfold to 80's power metal to more of a pop-punk sound. No Way Out seem like a band that would be good for throwing a party. Hell, they even covered Eye of the Tiger just to show you how accessible their music can be. With a little focus, this band could be as big as their merchandise portrays.

Rotten Rails

  Next up was Rotten Rails, and that's when things got really insane. This was much heavier than No Other Way and it seemed what the crowd was waiting for, because the mosh frenzy that ensued was the biggest of the night. These guys have perfected the chugging guitar style, and it matched up nicely with Dylan Jackman's thunderous double bass. I couldn't help but get a distinct Superjoint Ritual vibe. Vocalist Rob Taylor screamed his face off, and the audience screamed back. There was great crowd interaction with these guys during the tune What The Fuck, and you've never truly lived until you've screamed those words during the chorus along with the band. These guys aren't much on solos. Neither are they on image. In fact, even after the gig I barely remembered what they looked like. I just remembered the music. Not because I was drunk, but because they don't exactly have a look. Of course, image isn't the primary principle of music. I just have a feeling if you combined the look and marketing of No Other Way and the music of Rotten Rails, you'd have something. Though, I may eat those words, because there was a huge chant from the crowd after their set. No frills. No gimmicks. No hamming it up with solos. Just a take no prisoners onslaught of brutality.

Devour The Undead Dancer

Bring on the dancers for Vancouver's Devour The Undead. In terms of sound, these guys were less about the chugging guitar and more about speed. At times it was like being caught in some sort of metal hurricane. The vocalist was a madman possessed, grunting along the lines of the band Kataklysm. It was a wall of noise. The guitarists traded off solos and showed that they really know their stuff. Overall, the band was tight. This is a group I will have no trouble remembering. The band were dabbed with fake blood and two girls danced upon speakers on each side of the stage. I've been noticing an influx of bands in the Victoria area that are taking in dancers. It sure adds to the overall enjoyment of the show, but you don't want the dancers to overshadow the music. Luckily, the band did have the chops not to be upstaged. Highlights included an instrumental, which sounds odd to say, where the singer took to the pit and went wild. There seemed to be a lot of lost energy after Rotten Rails, and I think he did a great job to keep the crowd motivated. This happened once again when a guest vocalist from Reaver took over the vocal duties for a song. What I'd like to hear more from Devour the Undead is variety. There were very few moments of breathing room, but I'm sure there are hardcore fans out there that would deem that as "selling out".

Rotterdam Singer: Steve Migliarese

Last up, the headliners Rotterdam! First look of the band, the lead singer may look like a serial killer that would eat your corpse post-mortem. Funny thing is, he is a really nice guy and they dedicated their set to a friend, who if I remember correctly, was suffering from diabetes. There's a reason why these dudes have been around for so long, they slay. In ways it's more of a throwback to the heavy metal of the 80's/early 90's, but we aren't talking hair metal. We are talking more like Anthrax, Down [which they covered], Megadeth, Corrosion of Conformity and Entombed. It wasn't a wall of noise like Devour the Undead, it was more of a slow burn kind of metal. Definitely the heavy sound, but with some room to breath. Still rooted deep in southern rock, they really took control of the crowd and tore the roof off. The stage banter was well humoured from Vocalist Steve Migliarese. At one point he requested a barrel of vodka to be brought to the stage. This isn't a band that makes things too complicated. The riffs are actually quite simple. They present rocking tunes with exceptional solos. These guys, through all their experience, have learned it's about complimenting the music, not showing how good you could play. I bet if you challenged any of the band members to a musical duel, you'd be running home to mommy. The crowd was exhausted at this point, but there was a nice little rush near the end of the set. I guess people were realizing it was almost over and if there was any time to thrash around, it was now. As the last note rung out, we cried for an encore, but the lights had already come up to cap off a wicked gig.

So, the show as a whole was phenomenal. There weren't any shit bands. No one fucked up. No one was too drunk or high to play. There was something for everyone, and I suggest if any of these bands are playing, you should check them out. Also, keep track of any of Master Joda's productions, because his shows are selling out fast.