Hidden History of the Human Race Performed in Its Entirety: Blood Incantation Crushed Catch One in Los Angeles
January 7th, 2022
Fresh off their quite successful East Coast tour alongside Primitive Man as support, Colorado’s own Blood Incantation, a vastly superb group that has elevated Atmospheric Technical Death Metal, into something of their own special make and craft. Seeing the band open for Immolation 2 years ago was eye-opening, and it was an honour to have Blood Incantation play Southern California again, headlining a special 2-day West Coast event (more on that at the end). With a menacing, quality Death Metal feast of a lineup this Friday night to enjoy, capping off the new year with live Extreme Metal? That’s the train I’ll always be on time to catch.
Speaking of, this was my 2nd time attending Catch One. What I didn’t know, was that the venue itself had more than one room inside. Seeing Psycroptic and Gorod in 2019, it was in the first-floor room, holding 300 fans or so. This room, upstairs called Disco, was quite large in comparison, roughly 8-10 strobe lights on the ceiling, as well as different seating areas on the left/right sides of the room. I can only imagine what the other rooms inside this venue looked like. From the band merch booths, to the Vinyls, tapes, classic Death Metal shirts sold by local vendors, it was a lively Los Angeles evening, and I’m hoping for many more of these this year, and beyond.
The show started off late, but Crematory Stench would be the first of 4 to play tonight. A 3-piece Death Metal act from here in Costa Mesa, California, the band had a booming sound upfront, although a little difficult to hear some of the lower end guitar riffs, in which the drum mics were overtaking the sound. Vocalist/guitarist Josey Aguilar wasted no time with any spoken introductions, alternating between Doom like sequences in one note increments, the Incantation sort of vibe. Effective, resonating, and had much of the already packed room ever engaged. To be honest, the slower mid-tempo material from Crematory Stench, I enjoyed more than the faster pace, as previously noted it was somewhat a challenge to hear the tremolo riffs due to the snare mic-ed loudly. Crematory Stench definitely pays homage to the old school Death Metal signature sound, and while the songs eventually became one-note for my tastes, the fact that the band hasn’t released a full-length album since they started back in 2014, I would personally like to hear what new material would sound like, and make a better judge then.
One of the most positive aspects about attending special shows and tours, the headlining band generally lets the promoter select the local support for the bill, and/or they choose specific bands to perform. Tonight, seemed like the former, as I got to hear three new bands this evening. Succumb surprised much of the audience, and this writer too, with a grenade of a Death Metal attack. From dissonant spider-chords, relentless, speed quite Krisiun-like, drumming from Harry Cantwell, frenetic riffs to leave the mosh pit confused and distracted, the blend of Technical Death Metal that Succumb performed, was a sight to behold. Not to be outdone in any stretch, vocalist Cheri Musrasrik received attention from the fans whispering to themselves in pleasant surprise, due to her growls sharp as teeth from a Great White shark, as well as this demon-like possessed nature of her stare across the stage and the fans. The combination of this list, as well as standing in one place headbanging with her face staring down, it was difficult to take eyes off the subtle yet fierce, command of the stage. It was something I hadn’t really seen before, and felt completely unique. Although some of the problems of the guitar volume were present here too, it was easier to hear the sound overall, and Derek Webster’s eclectic style of chaotic harmonics, complex chords, and connecting notes to these murky waves of despair, one of the brightest spots of the entire evening. The applause grew for Succumb within each song, and their 25-minute set flew by. Hailing from the Bay Area, I hope Succumb are able to play more shows here in Southern California. Exquisite Death Metal, quite impressive.
Due to a change in the show, Mortal Wound would take place of the band Ruin, as the last band before the main event of the evening. The volume and sound clarity overall during Mortal Wound’s set was excellent, and you can hear the punch in the bass and guitar superb. The tempo felt more on the slightly faster end of the mid-paced spectrum, allowing the chugging riffs to open the mosh pit, quick fast in a hurry. Although the band is from here in Los Angeles, the riffs, placement of the solos after the bridges and counterpoints, reminded me of Florida Death Metal, emphasis on some groove. The number of riffs played were catchy, and the slower transitions had the teamwork of both guitarists Sam Shriver and Peter King, the latter from Teeth, shine with infectious energy and memory. Fans of Dying Fetus and Deicide, would especially enjoy Mortal Wound, and the overall classic-like Death Metal sound of their music, would fare on nearly any Metal tour of your choosing.
From seeing the band open for Immolation 2+ years ago, to having a special headlining set in front of an overwhelming crowd, Blood Incantation’s work throughout these recent years have been taken noticed of. No question and no doubts, they were the star attraction tonight, with how packed the venue was, as well as the sheer anticipation of their set and what would be played. With their newest EP out next month, Timewave Zero, not much was known on what exactly would be performed. To our delight and honour, all of Hidden History of the Human Race would be on full, sonic display. Wasting no time after setting up, Blood Incantation immediately began, with “Slave Species of the Gods” enraging the pit, expanding this vicious circle by the minute. Since Revocation and Beyond Creation have recently played their latest record from start to finish, it’s given me an extra appreciation to the live sound, as I crave bands changing things up from tour to tour, and especially if the new material is that strong, present it! We take for granted the changes the bands we love, make and discover for themselves. You don’t want to be that one person, “Their 1st album is the only one worth listening to!” Trust me, it’s quite rare that is really the case.
From technical harmonics, Lo-Fi production that felt modern, harmonious interludes, and a fine sense of demented dissonance, Blood Incantation completely took control of Catch One, with the fans astonished that the quality material was played so effortlessly. Hearing the instrumental “Inner Paths (To Outer Space)” in full effect, with the masterful intro slowly erupting in the PA, while Paul Riedl and Morris Kolontyrsky nail the leads, clean passages and the monstrous number of changing riffs.
Speaking of an engulfing tsunami of riffs, I was eager the most to hear Paul announce (the entire name of the song quickly, mind you), performing the 18-minute behemoth of a track, “Awakening from the Dream of Existence to the Multidimensional Nature of Our Reality (Mirror of the Soul)”, which name wise would give Bal-Sagoth something to blush about. This track truly highlights the impactful strengths Blood Incantation possesses: Quantity, quality of riffs, subtle yet loudly eerie atmosphere, and outstanding Death Metal, all combined into one. The tightness to the music on live display, felt as strong as the studio version, with no shortcuts on the delicate interludes and spinning musical chaos in sight. To not only play a full-length album in its entirety, but to perform this quality material at such an advanced state, just astonishing. The audience sonically examined this wonderful evidence, and concluded with chants, moshing and cheers, Hidden History of the Human Race’s captivating story from start to finish, well-worth the entire admission and more. The magnum-opus for this whole performance.
The rest of Blood Incantation’s set was to not be forgotten, as the rest of their discography were performed to a still engaged crowd. Although not quite as progressive and with the instrumental-based interludes, “Starspawn” and “Hovering Lifeless” still displayed the lurking monster’s talons in regard to the grittiness of the Death Metal played, while still showing their sharpness to the details of the various changes. The stage/venue lighting turning from green to red for this portion of the set, also changed the mood delectably, I personally felt reflecting the more aggressive tone with Blood Incantation’s earlier material. Their hour-long set went by so swiftly, not at all rushed from the band, but just performed beyond adequately. To also highlight and acknowledge, not only was the band’s endurance on stage just absurd, but tomorrow night, their 2nd and last show on this special West Coast trip, all the way up in Seattle, a 15 to 16-hour drive with minimal traffic. I truly hope Blood Incantation gets a fat cut of the revenue at that show, and with the Seattle Metal scene I’m told to be great, here’s to them experiencing the same enchanting evening Los Angeles had.
Death Metal continues to change, evolve, progress, and strive to break any possible barrier. Blood Incantation’s headlining performance magnified the scope of outstanding Extreme Metal and music. Their complete instrumental EP coming out in February, Timewave Zero, cannot be here soon enough!
Hidden History of the Human Race
1. Slave Species of the Gods
2. The Giza Power Plant
3. Inner Paths (to Outer Space)
4. Awakening from the Dream of Existence to the Multidimensional Nature of Our Reality (Mirror of the Soul)
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5. Starspawn
6. Chaoplasm
Encore:
7. Hovering Lifeless