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› Down - Birmingham Carling Academy 9/4/08
"Ouch, ouch, ouch", yes I am severely mosh pit bruised; but in heinsite, I didn't feel a thing. See, the power of the riff compelled me so deeply tonight; I have failed to notice that I am bleeding and have taken a severe punishing at front of the mosh pit. But was it worth it!? Oh yes dear Sir, it was worth more than a diamond encrusted Harley Davidson.
We were treated to a very nice 60 minute movie to start with, which gave us a short snippet back stage with Down and videos of old classics such as Thin Lizzy and AC/DC. Now personally, as a mega huge Down fan; I found this video far more entertaining than a yawn fest of a support act who nobody listens to anyway. Anyone under the age of 18 are now trying with full pelt; to get served at the bar; don't they understand that we are watching some footage that is possibly, very rare and maybe unseen (there was an ACDC track I have never heard before and ACDC only looked about 14 years old.) Damn the education system! And I laugh at your failed mission to obtain alcohol.
I spent some of this time talking to Security, who commented that Down's entourage of security was bigger then the entire venue! Apparently, Phil has been threatened by knife welding maniacs backstage at gigs like this before, making him a little bit anxious about every show. We shall see.....
9.05pm, queue the mighty Down. Right first things first, for somebody who is supposedly to be dry and clean, off drugs, alcohol etc etc etc, Phil Anselmo was clearly confused and intoxicated. I mean; forgetting the title of your own songs can worry a fan some what; and Rex 'mofo' Brown seemed to have more interest in smoking his cigarettes', so kept popping on and off stage like a sugar filled Yo-Yo. Pepper is looking mighty fine for his age and looked very happy, the sublime Jimmy Bower on drums has most definitely come along way since the early days of Down and added more technical fill ins and bass bounds than ever before. Kirk Windstein was looking a little worse for wear, but no more than usual.
Can someone tell me why I am not allowed to take photos of the mighty Down!?? Flaming security are indeed a useless pain in the orrifice; no wonder Phil keeps spitting on them. I did get some photos tho - so grrrrrrrr to you Security! (yeah okay, but they aren't that good, so point in even showing them!)
All my fave tunes were played tonight. "On March the Saints", "I Scream", "Lifer", "Stone the Crow" not to mention many more. I endeavoured to obtain a set list for you all; but I am not that sad enough to get out my biro and jot down every track one by one whilst being mullered by the hairy giant who's sweat I always end up covered in; whilst continuing to fight for my life in this mean arse pit.
You can cram all your top tunes from 3 albums in 2 hours. Yes, that is a solid two hours, with no breathers or instrumental fill in's (apart from a little one for water sip, or maybe gin what ever it is.) No "Pillamyd" or "The Seed" played; which sucked in my opinion; these two tracks to me are the 'metal' of Down, mind you; considering the mosh pit madness; maybe we didn't need it to get any heavier so maybe I should be glad that I came away with all my body parts after all.
Remember what security said about him worrying? You can tell that Phil is a little anxious, he never makes eye contact (although, not sure he can actually see out of his blurry eyed squint) and very rarely goes near the end of the stage to be closer to the crowd (perhaps he fears falling off, he cant stand up straight either). Back in Pantera days, Phil would most always come down to the front and shake hands - sometimes he would even brave a bit of crowd surfing. Only one brave lad who crowd surfed, managed to high five Phil; whether Phil had the choice or not. Lucky git. I was honoured with a full on smile for a photo I wasn't supposed to be taking; of Pepper, I still can't believe how rather lovely he looks (watch out Phil).
No special effects, or special lighting, but as per usual, the lightening engineer and sound engineer work very closely together making sure the lights beam on beat, in time, and are bright and in your face. You can never go wrong with a good old fashioned strobe effect either, good job I am not an Epilepsy sufferer!
Merchandise was cool, yet allot of moaning was had by all due to the sheer rip off of using the old Nola T-shirts with this year's tour dates on the back. A brilliant add to the merchandise stall; is the autographed posters. I believe that all merchandise stalls should contain such delights more often. Those who keep their ticket stubs from this gig can use it at the Brixton gig for a meet and greet with the band. Okay; nobody told me that in time [I will find and destroy you damnit], but maybe a good thing, as I would have kidnapped Phil to fulfil my all time fantasy! [*dreams*]
After speaking to many of a fan after this gig, and after chatting to my mate who had never seen/heard Down before and is now a huge mighty fan hell bent on obtaining every record that contains Phil Anselmo - this has to be given a huge 10/10.
I now search for a more ultimate gig than this...can it be achieved. I highly doubt it.....off to see Muse next who are the best live band ever apparently, well we shall see, we shall see indeed.
Natasha
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