Live-Metal.Net - Concerts: In Flames, Trivium, Devildriver

9:30 Club
Washington D.C.
2/16/06

By JEFF MAKI

The 9:30 Club was filled to its capacity this night (1,200), as In Flames are well into their headlining tour in support of their latest release, Come Clarity.

ZAO
Zao opened up the show at 8 p.m. and delivered a strange cross between hardcore, sludge and thrash metal. Most of the crowd seemed to be seeing the band for the first time, though Zao has been around now for quite some time. The musicianship seemed good, but the vocals were incoherent at all times, making it hard for anyone to truly get into any of the songs. I'm now interested to see what they sound like on a recording, but their overall performance didn't impress me much.

DEVILDRIVER
This was my third time seeing Devildriver, so I knew what to expect from Dez and the boys. If you count the times I saw Coal Chamber live, this makes seven times that I've seen Dez Fafara live in concert. Devildriver is far removed from Coal Chamber, which was evident by some of the largest "circle pits" I've ever seen in person. The sound was decent, not the best I've heard from them before but a heavy and technical sound. Judging by his new look and on-stage movements, Dez seems to be becoming the next Phil Anselmo. He even proclaimed in true Anselmo-fashion that Devildriver would never sell out and never release a bullshit radio single. At this point I don't know if Devildriver could headline their own tour, but they are gaining a fan base and are damn close.

TRIVIUM
After a long set change, "The End Of Everything" introduced Trivium, who is becoming one of metal's best acts. Their set didn't differ much from Ozzfest 2005, but with four or five songs added in. I couldn't help but think that I was witnessing something special when I watched this band perform. Lead vocalist/guitarist, Matt Heafy led the band flawlessly through their set and the crowd had excellent response, even erupting in "Trivium! Trivium!" chants. Highlights were "Gunshot ..." and "Rain." We even got a special tribute to Dimebag Darrell and Pantera with their montage of Domination/Walk. If Trivium comes to your town, get your ass out there and see the next kings of metal.

IN FLAMES
In Flames was why I was here. I caught on late with the band with the Reroute To Remain album, and now, after owning their entire catalog, they are without a doubt my favorite band. Seeing them for 20 minutes at Ozzfest wasn't enough for me. I had to see a complete set from this legendary band.

In Flames came on to the smoke filled stage and opened up with "Pinball Map," then dove straight into "Leeches" to a very enthusiastic crowd. The place (at least where I stood) was going nuts. Fists were pumping in the air, crowd surfing and pits started up throughout as In Flames ripped out classic after classic song. Anders Friden said that he had been feeling like shit from being sick all day, but it didn't effect his performance. He is a crazed frontman onstage, with his long and thick dreads swirling all over his head. And of course he wore his trademark tie. The band seemed like they were having a great time, especially when playing tracks from the new release Come Clarity. Anders even exclaimed that "Crawl Through Knives" was probably the best song they ever made. During the whole set, I was maybe four rows back from stage and had the time of my life. Highlights for me were "Leeches," "Take This Life," "Colony," "Behind Space," and "Trigger." "Leeches" and "Trigger" received the best crowd response. Surprises included "Drifter," "Moonshield" (which sounded great live) and "Black and White," which I never expected them to play. There were no obvious omissions. The only songs that come to mind are "Clayman" or maybe "Ordinary Story." "Artifacts Of The Black Rain" would have been great in there too. The band wasted little time between songs while playing a 20-song set. They truly are a great band live and will eventually go down as one of the most important metal bands in history, having spawned this '"New Wave Of American Heavy Metal" movement and countless other bands.

I got everything I came for out of In Flames and some surprises as well. I even picked up an autographed copy of Come Clarity for $15. Just like Dez of Devildriver said from the stage: "These guys have been doing it for along time, and still sell out every night... The mighty In Flames!"