[64] Diesto, Nether Regions, Rabbits, Saviours, Red Fang (2009)

There were no electrical problems on my way to this show. Amazing, but true.

This place was not nearly as crowded as early as it was last year for Witchcraft, playing the same festival on the same Saturday at the same venue. This was really nice during the first two bands, as there were decent views pretty much everywhere. Still, I really, really expected to see more people there for Diesto. Even Red Fang's crowd energy was a bit low considering... But, all in all, it was a "showcase" apart of a weekend festival. Obviously there were going to be plenty people there who were not aware of the bands or their full material.

Diesto had a nice soundcheck. They played what seemed to be a full song (for their half-listening audience of ten). I was quickly reminded that this venue has really great sound for metal.

I can only struggle to figure out what they played, but I think all of it was brand new material off their upcoming album, High As The Sun. I could be wrong on one of the songs, but it was all pretty mellow like I've heard from the new material put online so far. As expected, they sounded great. They played "Beyond The Graves" first... did a couple of songs... and finished up with "High As The Sun".

Between bands I had some rare socializing, which was apparent after a bit why it's rare. One of the guys from NR gave me a dirty look once they hit the stage like it was my fault that this dude had his back to the band and wouldn't stop talking to me after I told him I wasn't fucking leaving with him. (Maybe I should have worn my new Mongoloid Village shirt...)

But holy shit. Nether Regions were really good. They sounded really warm and some of their songs were fucking speedy, especially in regards to the drums. I will definitely need to try my hardest not to get sick or broke in the next weeks so I can see them with the similarly great Black Elk. And Mico de Noche, too.

I've seen Rabbits before. I keep confusing them with The Ax in memory since I saw them both at the same venue with the same band (Ancient Age), but, er, The Ax works better for me. I wasn't into the most of their set. Strangely, this is when the crowd picked up and there were some clear fans in the audience.

Saviours. I've seen them before. They were not like this time. It was like a different band entirely. I want to say something definite like they played all new stuff, but I'm not sure at all what they played. I only have properly listened to a little bit of Saviours' material. One of the songs sounded like a cover, though since it was so dissimilar from the rest of what they did/do. It sounded like 70s-80s speed metal. Motorhead? Either way, I liked it. As for their set as a whole, I had the same reaction as the first time I saw them: "I can't wait to see Fu Manchu."

I think this is the break I took when I found myself standing next to two local promoters who I see everywhere on one side and at least two of the guys from Black Elk on the other. wide eyes. I finally said something in actual English words to Nate since last year's moment of dumb.

And this was my seventh(!) Red Fang show. This is after skipping them twice this year to do things like not die of heat exhaustion and recover from the Melvins, so I suppose it could be worse.

This... show... was... rea... lly... good. I'm not sure what it was exactly about this that made it stand out. They weren't doing anything onstage that was particularly unusual. Perhaps the sound was just better, all in all. Maybe it was internal, like I felt better overall and it effected how I "interpreted" the show. I looked at the crowd a couple of times and I didn't get an especially conscious feeling from them until the very end, so I know it wasn't run-off.

Perhaps, just perhaps, it was their fucking setlist!

Since you can't read the first one under the David's pedal, here you go:

Bird on Fire
Pawn Everything
Bad Places
Dirt Wizard
Wires
Into The Eye
Reverse Thunder
Sharks
Bunny Ranch
Good To Die
Malverde
Prehistoric Dog

That's SIX songs that haven't made it to consumable record yet. And you know what? They all sounded fucking fantastic. Jesus christ, I love this band.

On the way out, I thought I was grabbing a setlist from Aaron but it turned out to be lyrics for one of the songs. I have no clue which one and will need to update this once I figure it out. I'm thinking it's "Bunny Ranch" but the lyrics don't really give away enough to say for sure. Plus for some reason I think a song with such a name would have less serious words. I'll check it out in due time.

Also, I was thinking that these guys might be getting fucking sick and tired of seeing me at every other show they've played the last two years but between me and mister enthusiastic arm monster standing next to me, I got a little love. Disbelief.

After the show I wanted to ask Aaron what the hell's going on with Ancient Age since they never answered my email but he disappeared when I wasn't paying attention. I was also hoping to run across Mark of Diesto, but I skipped over the opportunity when I had it thinking I'd get another. Ah, well. I finally fucking went to one of their shows! That's something.