Mastodon -- Cleveland, OH -- May 2nd, 2009

[Natrlhi]

Most of this is corroborated by pictures and video which I took, so it is pretty accurate for the most part.

All three performances were top notch. IntrOnaut was an opening act that was thoroughly up to the task – they were technically accurate, heavy and LOUD!

Kylesa played about an hour’s worth of material in about forty minutes – their pace was just breakneck throughout. As I was verifying the set list via my camcorder video (I got their entire set on tape) against their studio albums, much of the material they played was significant sped up and more intense than the album versions. This was especially cool for some of the older songs such as "Bottom Line" and "Descend Within", which sounded like completely new songs. Kylesa proved once again that they are quickly becoming a major force to be reckoned with in the metal world.

Last but not least, Mastodon were – of course – crushing as usual. Their technical accuracy was excellent. Brann was lights out (no surprise there ). Brent seemed to have taken it easy on the partying that night, and he was every bit as competent as an all-star singer / guitarist for a band like Mastodon should be.

All in all, we got about a hundred bucks worth of good, solid metal entertainment for twenty bucks (plus gas money)…so the night was a crushing success!!!


IntrOnaut (~25 – 30 min.)
The Challenger
The Literal Black Cloud
Cavernous Den of Shame
Whittler of Fortune
Australopithecus


Kylesa (~35 – 40 min.)
Running Red
Perception
Where The Horizon Unfolds
Scapegoat
Unknown Awareness
Only One
Bottom Line
---Drum Solo---
Said and Done
Descend Within
Hollow Severer (w/ drum solo)


Mastodon (~ 2 hrs. total)
Oblivion
Divinations
Quintessence
The Czar
Ghost of Karelia
Crack the Skye
The Last Baron
---Break (~5 min.)---
Bladecatcher
Colony of Birchmen
The Wolf is Loose
Crystal Skull
Capillarian Crest
Megalodon
Seabeast
Iron Tusk
March of the Fire Ants


Nat

[es156]

Did they close with Hearts Alive?

[Natrlhi]

Originally Posted by es156

Did they close with Hearts Alive?

No, they didn't. I have to admit that part of me was a bit disappointed , but the rest of the show was balls-out awesome (I am a BIG fan of all three bands), so I wasn't really sweatin' it. I gotta think it may have been a time thing, because the show ended almost exactly at midnight.

[DethMaiden]

Was this at Peabody's?

[Natrlhi]

Originally Posted by DethMaiden

Was this at Peabody's?

Nope...the Beachland Ballroom. It's almost the same size, though. Higher ceilings, slightly better layout. The bar is next door, instead of being kinda in the same room...the main concert room is more open for standing / moshing (no poles or anything to run into ).

I think Isis should play the Ballroom instead of the Grog Shop in June...the Grog is just too small and the sound there is meh / OK, but Isis will probably overwhelm the place. They could almost play the Wolstein Center (and in fact, they did when they opened for Tool back in 2006) as a headliner.

[DethMaiden]

Originally Posted by Natrlhi

Nope...the Beachland Ballroom. It's almost the same size, though. Higher ceilings, slightly better layout. The bar is next door, instead of being kinda in the same room...the main concert room is more open for standing / moshing (no poles or anything to run into ).

I think Isis should play the Ballroom instead of the Grog Shop in June...the Grog is just too small and the sound there is meh / OK, but Isis will probably overwhelm the place. They could almost play the Wolstein Center (and in fact, they did when they opened for Tool back in 2006) as a headliner.

Ah, Isis are playing a suburb of Cincinnati which is infinitely closer than Cleveland from here, so that's where I'll be seeing them. Only Cleveland venues I've ever been to are Peabody's and Blossom (which is technically Cuyahoga Falls anyway).

[SerpentineVIVIVI]

Cannot WAIT to see them Saturday! Should be a fantastic night

[mastodon421]

Cant wait till Thursday when this show comes to Boston. This will be my 3rd time seeing them i hope they play Hearts Alive.

[TonyD]

Nice write up. No Hearts Alive sucks, but still worth every penny.

[HateMan]

Yeah no Hearts Alive AGAIN. I have seen them the last four or five times they have been here and they still have not played it.I heard they played it at the grog shop a few years ago. All the setlists I've seen of this tour had it on there so when they did'nt play it I was pissed. My phone said 11:40 when they were done. It seemed like they were going to possibly come back out. Maybe they were waiting for the crowd to start chanting their name or something. I'm going to see Gojira tonight. I'm gettin old. Two concerts in two days is kinda rough on me. strictly beers tonight.