30 Years of Death Metal Blasphemy: Deicide Performs Legion in Its Entirety at The Observatory OC
August 17th, 2022
Effigy of the Forgotten, Blessed Are the Sick, Human, The Ultimate Incantation, Tomb of the Mutilated, just a small list of some of the most influential, prolific, and inspirational Death Metal albums of the early 90s. These records, as well as others not listed here, created the foundation and road, of the Extreme Metal pavement, that would eventually progress and arise a decade or so later. Not to be left out of that stellar group, Deicide’s 2nd record, Legion, took the Death Metal world by storm in 1992. Demonstrating sinister-sounding production, a quality production line of changing riffs, alongside a devious general tempo, clocking in at 8-songs, 29-minutes long, Legion would be considered the band’s most stellar work, and for this tour with Kataklysm also providing some of their own history, and Inhuman Condition, Deicide would be performing the entire album live, for the first time.
Admittingly, Deicide, Kataklysm and Internal Bleeding played in August of 2021 in Los Angeles, arguably the first Death Metal tour in the US since the pandemic began, with Deicide honestly with their worst performance I’ve seen from them. With this special occasion arising, and with things going to a somewhat new-normal, hoping this tour and performance would go a lot differently.
The Tri-Force of bands tonight, with Inhuman Condition playing to an already packed room, Death Metal would be well-represented this Wednesday Summer night. With members previously from Massacre, Inhuman Condition’s gritty headbanging nature, would be highlighted greatest on-stage.
With a steady downbeat of chunky tremolo breakdowns, catchy vocal patterns, and creating numerous moshpits, Inhuman Condition would be a delectable live setting to witness, and behold. High-tension and soaring melodies wouldn’t be found much here, instead, Taylor Nordberg’s (sensational double-duty tonight, you’ll see soon) aggressive Thrash riffing, drenched in mud-like tempo, displayed their Florida Death Metal sound of pummeling 4/4 timing of moshing madness. “I’m Now the Monster” got the crowd energized, singing along to the “How could this happen?!” chorus line from Jeramie Kling constantly moving all across the stage and close to the crowd. With a gruff-vocal presence, bright charisma, and exclaiming full-presentation to the show including a short, intimate percussion with drummer Shane McKay during “Tyrantula”, creating a memorable visual. One of the legends of Death Metal on bass, Terry Butler continuing to branch out to various other bands in this era, although with only one guitar tonight, the volume on his bass playing could have been turned up slightly more.
Nevertheless, Inhuman Condition’s gritty, low-end note style of Thrash-y Death Metal, was met with a resounding roar of approval from this lively, active crowd. A solid opener for this majestic Death Metal evening.
1. Gravebound
2. The Mold Testament
3. Recycled Hate
4. Euphoriphobia
5. The Neck Step
6. I’m Now the Monster
7. Killing Pace
8. Tyrantula
Nostalgia completely took over upon seeing the backdrop for Kataklysm. Serenity in Fire, for me as a fan, was the last studio album from the band that I truly gravitated towards to. A monumental mix of blistering hyperblasts, clean yet raw, grimy production, on top of some of the most memorable riffs and melody sequences from Kataklysm, you don’t get that opportunity often to see a band perform from their greatest work, nevertheless from the whole album.
Opening with “The Ambassador of Pain”, the tone of Kataklysm’s set was met with a collective praise and energy soaring from the fans. That stunning riff sequence after the 2nd verse rendition, reminded Metalheads all across how dominant the band has been in playing Melodic Death Metal. Maurizio Iacono’s performance not only vocally, but meshing with the changing tempo, hellacious choruses physically on-stage, he looked completely involved all-throughout the set. I would say personally, Enslaved is the proper representation of a band able to perform from all of their eras, and it seemed like tonight, Kataklysm truly embraced this era of themselves. From thumping bass tapping riffs and constant windmilling, Stephane Barbe’s tall and stout presence, created for such energetic sights and the pounding chords that the band is known for.
“For All Our Sins” catapulted the crowd into a fiery frenzy, with the original track having Peter Tagtgren himself, performing guest vocals on this profound piece of music. The dynamically sounding hyperblasts from James Payne on the track, reminded the newer fans just how impactful Kataklysm’s approach to extreme drumming had been for decades. The mini drum solo he performed into “Blood on the Swans”, created a dimension filled with wonder, astonishment and shock, seeing one of the first bands implement the hyperblast, well before this album was released.
The intro riff to “The Tragedy I Preach” showcased the catchy, yet quality melodies and riff structure of Jean-Francois Dagenais, the musical vision of Kataklysm. Ranging from massively headbanging crushing riffs, to sensationally memorable melodic sections, it was beautiful to see the bag of riffs from Dagenais like this. This album truly isn’t discussed as much as it should be, compared to say Epic: The Poetry of War and The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate). Tonight’s performance was one of their very best, representing an album released 18 years ago, and still sounding relative, dynamic, and present as ever.
Serenity in Fire
1. The Ambassador of Pain
2. The Resurrected
3. As I Slither
4. For All Our Sins
5. The Night They Returned
6. Serenity in Fire
7. Blood on the Swans
8. 10 Seconds from the End
9. The Tragedy I Preach
10. Under the Bleeding Sun
As mentioned previously in the review, last year’s Deicide performance in Los Angeles, left a lot to be desired. I can understand truthfully, due to it being the first major Death Metal tour in North America, in arguably a year and a half since the global pandemic hit. However, perhaps due to the performance of the entire Legion record, as well as Taylor Nordberg joining the band earlier this year, tonight’s show from Deicide was unbelievably better than the last.
Taking close to no breaks until the end of the entire show, the PA intro to “Satan Spawn, the Caco-Daemon” completely overwhelmed the crowd, anticipating an unforgettable rendition of the now 30-year-old Death Metal classic. Hearing the overwhelmingly powerful intro riff section to the song, it took you back to the still young aspect of Deicide, yet despite not being in their prime, still displayed the wonderous talent and ability you would remember for decades to come. “Repent to Die” overwhelming the venue with that classic high-note descending riff after the chorus, showcasing some of the strongest material on the record. Kevin Quirion effortlessly played the material with Death Metal sophistication, also providing backup vocals throughout the set. The longest tenured guitar player in Deicide since Jack Owens time with the band, his rendition of the chaotic, tapping solos provided that dialectic wave of dread and chaos, that the band has been known for.
Glen Benton’s energy was far more positive tonight than the previous show last year. Nailing the intricate bass lines in “Revocate the Agitator”, all while his signature high screams were booming, intense, and full of life. While the last excellent show of Deicide I saw in 2014, Glen’s mood was extra joyous to the crowd, and tonight, song by song, the band took barely any breaks and kept the set moving entirely. The energy present kept the Legion portion alive for those neck-breaking 29-minutes of the album, and the first portion of the set delivered and then some.
Surely an under 30-minute set would not suffice for Deicide, the 2nd half of their performance consisted of their radiant classics. The stellar, machine-like showmanship and ability of Steve Asheim, continues to be overlooked on a musician and songwriting level. Responsible for the majority of Deicide’s riffs and song structures, the sensational cymbal patterns and military-sounding double-bass, highlighted another enriching performance from Asheim. “Children of the Underworld” and “Sacrificial Slaughter” were keypoints in this portion of the set, with new member Taylor Nordberg, also from Inhuman Condition tonight, provided the same level of tightness in the quality of the riffs, as well as those classic arpeggios from the earlier Deicide material. The deviousness within his backup vocals, as well as visually alone, great understanding of the material played, brought a spark that I just didn’t feel previously.
Despite this fantastic event, there was a slight scare in the middle of “Scars of the Crucifix.” Someone passed out in the moshpit, and many in the crowd saw it right away and signaled to Deicide to stop the show. Glen was upset at the venue for not having a medic on-sight, and honestly, especially for a show of this size, there should be someone on call ready to help if needed. After about 5-minutes, a few in the audience helped him outside, where eventually medical help attended to him. Glen shared appreciation to the crowd, “giving a shit to a fallen brother.” And while a song was cut from the set because of it, the rest of the performance went off without a hitch. Thankfully that fan was alright, and the rest of the crowd marvelously enjoyed Deicide’s set.
Legion did an immense amount for the early rise of Deicide, as well as belong in a class of some of the most astounding and memorable Death Metal albums of all time. Tonight’s performance from Deicide was outstanding, and to be able to see a rare event like this, reminds the listener to not take for granted, the inspirational music that got us to this point.
Legion
1. Satan Spawn, the Caco-Daemon
2. Dead but Dreaming
3. Repent to Die
4. Trifixion
5. Behead the Prophet (No Lord Shall Live)
6. Holy Deception
7. In Hell I Burn
8. Revocate the Agitator
------------------------------------------
9. Once Upon the Cross
10. When Satan Rules His World
11. They Are the Children of the Underworld
12. Scars of the Crucifix (partial)
13. Sacrificial Slaughter
14. Homage for Satan
15. Dead by Dawn
