Volume #97: Dethklok, Babymetal & Jason Richardson
September 6th, 2023
Agora Theater 5000 Euclid Ave #101, Cleveland, OH 44103
Good evening my fellow Metalheads and welcome back to another edition of the Rustbelt Rock Review. It is with great pleasure that I get to tell you all about my most recent concert experience. It was a Wednesday night when Chen picked me up and we headed to the Agora Theater. We were on our way to the sold out “Babyklok”Tour, featuring co-headliners Dethklok and Babymetal with opening act Jason Richardson. We arrived at a packed Agora and immediately got in the lengthy merch line. This ran from the tables in the ballroom, all the way across the lobby and then up the stairs to the balcony. Luckily it moved relatively quickly, and soon enough we’d completed out business and were headed to the theater.
Jason Richardson
Up first was Jason Richardson, a solo guitarist, who is best known for his work with Born of Osiris and Chelsea Grin. He performed alone, standing before four pillars of lights and a banner bearing his name. While Jason played his Ax, the sounds of the rest of the songs were piped in via the PA. Drums, Keyboards, Bass and at times even Vocals were added to the backing mix. Though, with the exception of the few tracks, the set was largely instrumental. Jason shredded, ripped and tore through song after song as he put on an epic display of Guitar wizardry. All in all I would say he got a very positive crowd response. The fans hoisted their horns and cheered in appreciation as Jason blew our hair back, one track after another. At one point he switched to acoustic midway through a song, and dropped into some melodic stuff, before swapping back to his electric to destroy the fret board for the remainder of the track. His final song was very intense. It started out dark and heavy and developed into an epic cataclysm of sound. This had the room rockin’ then Jason abruptly switched styles and started playing, what I can only describe as, creepy carnival music. This transitioned back into some Metal shit, before he flipped styles again, this time segueing into some lounge music. He closed out on a heavy note and the crowd cheered, sending Jason Richardson off with a bang. Jason Richardson is clearly a very talented Guitarist, and I found his set to be an interesting choice to open up the show. Overall it was a pretty cool set and he did a nice job of warming up the packed house early.
Up next was Babymetal, a Japanese Kawaii Metal band. They are built of three Vocalist/Dancers; one lead and two backing. Their supporting band consists of two Guitars, Bass, Drums and a variety of piped in samples. This is a band that I have heard a lot about in the preceding time, but I had never gotten around to checking out. As is often the case, I choose to experience a band for the first time live. I enjoy walking into a set with no expectations or preconceptions. So Babymetal got me as a blank slate, and I was ready to take in whatever it was that they were offering. The lights dropped and the crowd erupted in cheers. A strange video, a blend of Scifi and folk lore, began to play as the intro to the set. The backing band was already in place, lurking near the rear of the stage in demon masks. The music started and immediately a moshpit formed. The three vocalists made their way slowly to center stage, taking carefully measured steps in perfect synchronization. They moved like automatons; cyborgs constructed simply for the purpose of fronting a Metal band. When they finally started to get down, these young women jumped, danced and performed martial arts poses with flawless choreography. The crowd erupted in cheers at the intro to the second song and the moshing continued. The music, lively and loaded with energy, drove the fans wild as they threw themselves into the fray with pure reckless abandon. They howled and clapped along with the music while the pit churned nonstop. This would continue more or less for the entirety of the set. It seemed that Babymetal has a strong following here in Cleveland and their fans came out in force. They appeared to respond to each song with rabid enthusiasm. Meanwhile, I was really impressed with the backing band. They played some badass Metal and had some nice guitar solos tucked in amongst the barrage of lights and sound.
I believe it was their 7th song, which was sort of a ballad, when the singer asked everyone to point their cell phone flashlights toward the stage. The room lit up, and was filled with 1000 little lights; a modern twist on the old cigarette lighter routine. I have to admit it was a pretty cool moment to be part of. On the next song the singer directed everyone in the pit to sit down. A large amount of concertgoers obliged her and soon half the floor was… on the floor. A few bars of Metal later and the song broke open, leading everyone sitting to jump up at once. A pit immediately formed and the floor was returned to a state of anarchy. On their final song, they opened with a big melodic guitar intro. The crowd sang along with the “Whoas!” at peak volume and when the time was right, a Wall of Death even went down. It was an explosive finish. The fans absolutely went mad with appreciation as the set concluded. Babymetal took their bows and said farewell to the crowd. Another video played, much like the one at the beginning of the set and then it was over. The lights came up and I was left to pick through what I had just witnessed. Which was what exactly? Surely something I have never seen before, that much is certain. Without a doubt Babymetal put on a phenomenal show. So much more than your standard Metal set, it was more like a musical production. The flawless choreography and limitless energy of the vocalists is impressive. They never seem to stop moving, and they never missed a step. The music is much the same. Delivered with absolute precision, each note and beat perfectly aligned. It was equal parts Heavy Metal concert and Broadway show as the whole event played out to perfection. So what did I ultimately think? Well I have to tell you that I really enjoyed Babymetal. They put on one hell of a show that’s for sure. While I could understand that they aren’t for everybody, I think everyone should give them a listen, because they are something different. In a genre that is riddled with parody, Babymetal at least has a sound that you don’t hear every day. I appreciated how tight they played and how much pure energy their music contains. With Babymetal now finished up, Chen and I buckled in and got ready for main event. Dethklok was taking the stage.
I am not going to get into the “history” of this band, or the saga that is “Metalocalypse.” You either know what it’s all about or you don’t. If you’re not in the know I suggest you get hip, because it’s a hilariously heavy journey that’s to be sure. If you do know, then I am sure you are as excited as I am to know the band was resurrected, we got our final movie and this tour was spawned. Personally I am a big fan. I love the show and adore the albums it produced. I was so excited to finally have the opportunity to see it all performed live. The set began with the council of baddies from the show discussing Dethklok,as well as other prominent characters. The screens were largely the focus of the show, as the band performed more or less in shadows, obscured to mere silhouettes. That band, comprised of Guitar/Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums, came to rock. Opening with the theme from the show, they burst into the set without mercy. A pit immediately spun up as the familiar tune amped up the room. The moshing, wild and fierce, never stopped for the rest of the show. The crowd echoed “Do anything for Dethklok” along with the band, showing a wild enthusiasm running through the room. Next they broke into “Briefcase Full of Guts” followed by “Birthday Dethday.”
The screen continued to assail us with grotesque images from the show. Blood was spilled and fans were slaughtered over and over again for our viewing pleasure. The pit was completely out of control as Dethklok burst into “Awaken.” One of my personal favorites, this one had me banging my head to its raucous beat and ripping solos. Next they broke out “Bloodlines” followed by a visit from everyone’s favorite Metalocalypse personality: Facebones. They then played another of my fav’s “The Gears.” The pit continued to grow as the sold out crowd was driven to frenzy by the Death Metal onslaught. They continued through “Hatredcopter” and into “Dethsupport.” They growled “pull the plug” while the screen depicted disfigured hospital patients and mounting medical bills. The “Duncan Hills Coffee Jingle” preceded another visit from Facebones. He discussed some further concert etiquette with us, and had the room chanting “Drinking booze, smoking pot.” Following that we got treated to one from the new album: “Aortic Desecration.” This song went over really well, and I have to say I have a new found love for the track after hearing it live. “I Ejaculate Fire” was accompanied with a video of a Pharaoh shooting flames from his crotch, burning people alive. Next we were treated to the instrumental “The Duel.” This ripping demonstration of musicianship was awesome to see performed.
But Dethklok was far from finished. Next they launched into one of their best and most beloved tracks “Murmaider.” Here the pit reached a whole new peak of intensity and it seemed to double in size. The crowd roared the word “Check!” each time it was uttered throughout the song. “Thunderhorse” was next on the docket and with it came another barrage of blistering guitar work. Finally at long last, show creator and band leader Brenden Small, finally spoke to the crowd. Instead of actually talking to the us, he performed a sort of skit in the voices of the various band members. It was hilarious. This long talk was in fact an intro to “Fansong.” Along with the song we got what appeared to be one thousand ways to kill a fan depicted on the screen. Concertgoers were slaughtered before our eyes in true Dethklok fashion. Another new one, “SOS,” was next, which was really cool to see. Finally we reached the shows climax and Dethklok didn’t disappoint. Performing what is probably their best song, “Go Into the Water,” Dethklok closed out the set in epic fashion. Brenden finally broke character and spoke to the crowd directly. He thanked us for our support, introduced the band, took a bow and a photo and then said goodnight.
The lights came up and we began the long, slow shuffling from the Pit to Euclid Ave. We headed home and talked about what a wild show we had just seen. Jason Richardson was alright. For a solo guitar act it was cool, I suppose. He’s was definitely a skilled Guitarist and for what he was doing, I figure that is all he had to be. Babymetal really blew me away. I can unequivocally say that I have never seen anything like that before. They played their style of Metal with an energy that I have rarely seen. They are a pure electric charge that lit up the Agora and sent fans into fits of madness. I am glad I checked them out, because like I said before, they are really different. Finally, Dethklok brought the house down. They resurrected the show in a bizarre and surreal fashion. With animations designed to fit every lyric in every song, the visual presentation perfectly added to the atmosphere. At times I felt like I had been transported into the show and was living in the world where Dethklok reigns supreme. All in all I have to say The Babyklok tour was a blast. I am glad that I dragged my old ass out on a Wednesday night to check out something unique. And as always, I am glad that I get to share it all with you. Thank you for reading.
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt!
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Zackolantern.com
9/10/23
LINKS
Dethklok
Babymetal
Jason Richardson
