Some metal bands can be compared to historians. There are some bands who dedicate their entire existence to communicating their ideas about culture. There is Nile and Coffin Texts, both Egyptian themed bands; Xibalba, dedicated to Mayan culture; and Drudkh/ Hate Forest/ Astrofaes, who embrace their Slavonic roots. Enslaved, from Norway, have been playing viking-themed black metal since 1991. While the term “black metal” often elicits panda-painted men singing about satan, Enslaved have always operated outside of the box. Not content with the black metal status quo, Enslaved isn’t all tremolo and blast beats. The band side-steps the traditional sound and evolves toward progressive territories. While some Enslaved albums are not my cup of tea, I often look forward to hearing how the band is interpreting black metal. (You can download The Sleeping Gods EP in exchange for an email after the jump.)

Enslaved is headlining a tour that could have been “Clash of the Titans” for bearded Scion drivers. Unfortunately, polarizing group Ghost had to cancel the tour due to visa issues. Fear not bearded hustlers, Alcest, an equally polarizing French shoegaze band made of metal heads are still on board. Don’t expect any rampant satanism, just some time warp college dorm jams to take you back to 1992 and some dudes frowning. Unlike most metal shows, there may be actual women here. I’m letting you know in advance so you can ditch the deer in the headlights look.

Openers include yankees Junius (heavy progressive/ space rock) and local yankees Struck By Lightning.

The show starts at 6:30 pm on Saturday (October 1st) at Outland Live (18+).

Lateness disclosure: I didn’t wanna mess with Texas

O.K, O.K I think I’m finally over that saddy sad seasonal affective disorder nonsense and I’m super stoked for life all over again (oh man) and boy howdy, the Scion Rock Fest was the bee’s knees AND the cat’s pajamas no shit. I’ve also been speaking more freely and talking to anyone who will listen. It’s basically like listening to a live stream of my brain (stuttering=buffering). Seriously though, it was really fucking cool and I totally had a blast.

Vice and Scion did a rad job with this and it really did go off without a hitch. It was awesome to see the Short North crawling with stoked metal dudes. My only gripe really was that it wasn’t all in one spot, but that’s really here nor there because the way it was set up totally worked. You know the drill—–>

Pictured: Dead Sea Live at the Scion Rock Fest (Circus)

I started my rock fest rock jaunt at Circus to catch Dead Sea and I gotta say this fest couldn’t have picked better bands to rep Columbus metal. Even though it was just a bit after 5, the joint was packed and dudes were totally stoked (already drunk). Dead Sea schooled the crowd with their take on epic prog metal and maaaaaaaaaan these dudes totally shred and are totally awesome to watch. Motherfucking virtuosos I tell you. The way these dudes have basically mastered their instruments really makes you reconsider liking other bands. For real though these dudes got an awesome reception and you hate cool things if you don’t see Dead Sea. Had I known Wino was gonna play with Saviours ida stuck around but I had to go see the other Columbus band reppin’ hard, Struck By Lightning.

Pictured: Struck by Lightning Live at the Scion Rock Fest (Skully’s)

First and foremost, Struck By Lightning is a fucking machine and I’m pretty sure singer/guitarist Greg Lahm is a cyborg built for metal. I mean it was still pretty early, Skully’s was getting packed and Struck By Lightning set the bar HIGH for the evening. Pretty sure circle pit ensued. Struck By Lighting also had a pretty cool loop going between songs, bands take note of this…nobody likes awkward silence and no one wants to hear what you have to say, unless it’s “beers on us!”. Follow suit dorks. I had a pretty chill spot on the stairs of that new “v.i.p.” balcony and I pretty much managed to keep returning to it all night. I’m too old to mix it up anymore, what can I say. For real though. STRUCK BY MOTHERFUCKING LIGHTNING just may have been the best sets I saw all night, no shit.

Pictured: Acrassicauda Live at the Scion Rock Fest (Skully’s)

So like, Acrassicauda are the band from Iraq that were featured in the must see Vice rock doc that i haven’t seen yet, “Heavy Metal in Baghdad” and like, they weren’t the best musicians by any stretch of the imagination, I mean-think dudes that just got their instruments 6 months ago and decided it was a good idea to leave basement. I’m funnin’, it wasn’t that bad and those dudes were fucking ecstatic to be playing the Scion Rock Fest. If I remember correctly, dudes kept saying “it’s good be home” or something to that effect. It was pretty great and that kind of energy can totally make up for a lack of, well you know, good.

I didn’t have high hopes for Pelican (I mean-the drummer amirite). I missed them this last time they came through for “What We All Come To Need.” I was kinda bummed, but having seen them at Ravari Room the time before and being underwhelmed, I wasn’t super bummed, only kinda bummed. At any rate, I was hoping they would play “Final Breath” and of course they totally didn’t, but they did tear it up and definitely stepped up their game from the last time I saw them. Would see again.

Pictured: YOB Live at the Scion Rock Fest(Skully’s)

I didn’t know who the fuck YOB was before the lineup was announced (too busy listening to Rihanna) and it turns are they’re pretty fucking epic. They played 3.5 songs. In the course of around an hour. Super heavy, super loud, super cool stoner doom. This set would have been great if it would have been staged in a more intimate venue. Like Carabar. Ron make it happen.

Pictured: Shrinebuiler Live at the Scion Rock Fest(Skully’s)

Shrinebuilder is the supergroup that everyone and their brother wanted to see and from what I could tell for the most part, rightfully so. Wino from St. Vitus was totally born and bred for metal and Dale Crover is the motherfucking man. Those dudes are old and basically schooled the fuck out of all parties involved as far as showing how it’s done goes. Shrinebuilder totally melted Skully’s and it was pretty much the best way to end the night. I say pretty much because the super secret Melvins show at Carabar was the best way to end the night. Haha PSYCH! Really though, Black Tusk, Saviours and cbus dudes Locusta played Carabar for the officially non official Scion Rock Fest after party show thingie and from what I can remember, I had a blast!

Pictured: Saviours@Carabar (Scion Rock Fest after party)

Basically, I’m not gonna get all wordy and all reviewery about this show because, well, I started “hydrating” round about 4:00 p.m. and got to Carabar at the exact time that I got there. Saviors were on when I arrived, apparently I missed Black Tusk (I wouldn’t say I missed them!). No really I just didn’t see them. Locusta closed out the night. From what I recall they were listenable and from what I’ve heard, good dudes. They are also the Columbus dudes that live at the d.i.y/house show joint last house on the left. Those dudes scored a fanfuckingtastic gig and definitely held their own with the big dogs.

Pictured: Locusta@Carabar (Scion Rock Fest after party)

Give me cool shit and I will tell twitter (the future of everything) how cool it is. (Scion/Vice/everyone I’m looking at you)

Check this shit out, ladies and gentleman I give you…

Weakened Wrap-up #19.5: Oh No You Didn’t My Blog’s Never Quittin’

O.k real quick.

Friday night i went to Ravari to check out my super cool totally rad homeboy Matt Bailey, from Teeth of the Hydra’s new jawn EYE. This band is basically Teeth of the Pretty Weapons and is super epic. Think OM “At Giza” epic. More on these cats in the future.

Saturday I went to Ron’s house. Who’s house? Ron’s house (Carabar) to watch former 333 weirdo dorks Do Chimps Battle? (I mean if you have to ask) and Buddyhead blogger Brian Carnahan‘s loud sludgy jucivinsesque outfit, Churches Burn. Details too salacious, a blast was had by all.

Tune in next week when i get all fanboy about Maynard!

One last thing-Really loud shout out to Ben Co Presents-get well soon dude Donewaiting is sending the best vibes available in the universe ever.

It all goes down July 11. Schedule:

Apocalypso………………………3:00 pm
Total Foxx……………………….3:45 pm
The American Jobs……………..4:30 pm
Winter Makes Sailors……………5:15 pm
Chuck and Lisa from Wussy…….6:00 pm
Rosehips…………………….6:45 pm
Deerhead………………………..7:30 pm
Moviola…………………………..8:15 pm
Guinea Worms……………………9:00 pm
Cheater Slicks……………………9:45 pm
Struck by Lightning…………….10:30 pm

They are also looking for volunteers, so if you’re interested click here for more details.

MP3: Cashburner Blues by Churches Burn
MP3: Silent and Still by Struck by Lightning

Struck By Lighting is Gregory Lahm, formerly of Mouth of the Architect’s new joint and they are also the newest Translation Loss signee. I asked Greg By Lighting how he would describe Struck By Lighting-his response…THE GRIM REAPER MOWING YOU DOWN

Struck By Lightning will begin recording their debut album serpents at Red Room Recording in Seattle with Chris Commons beginning early May. It’ll be released on 11-01-09

Churches Burn rip off delta blues and sound like Man is the Bastard covering Robert Johnson-They will be recording their set for a possible spit 7″ with N***** Lover.

Astral Ride are new kids on the block that play super cool psych rock….

Sources tell me the order is Astral Ride, October Fist, Churches Burn, Beast In The Field, and Struck By Lightning will close the night.

YOU GO TO SHOW

Basically I triple dog dared Robert Duffy to let me type stuff sometimes and I mean really he had no choice. I go to shows sometimes. I go to other stuff too. I am going to attempt to tell you about the aforementioned shows and the other stuff too. Also there will be attempts at photography.

A whole bunch of words and “pictures” after the jump! INTERNET!

I went to Surly Girl on Thursday hoping to catch Couch Forts. I saw a song and took a picture-they are quirky. Maybe after I write a few more articles I will be able to write more adjectives about them.

Here’s that picture:

Friday night was about some metal@Ravari- STRUCK BY LIGHTNING is Greg from Mouth of the Architect’s new joint (think MOTA without the “length”). They’re signed to Translation Loss. Look for their as of yet untitled first album to be released on September 1st. STRUCK BY LIGHTING will be playing with Astral Ride @Carabar on 4-10-09…more on those dudes later.

Struck by Lightning

Red Fang were pretty much my favorite set of the night. These dudes were like proggy experimetal without the wank straight up 3-5 minute songs…I caught some of Early Man’s set but ended up chatting with Greg By Lighting. When I tried to snap a pic I realized my camera batteries were dead-I’M A FUCKING AMATEUR OK!!!

Red Fang

Saturday night was Miss Erin Columbus Music Co-Op Moore’s b-day show@Carabar. The Lindsay played first, noisier and awesomer than last time I saw them. Next up was Church of the Red Museum. They played a new song called Monroe Transfer and after Leslie’s onstage “joke”, I’m inclined to believe them. Colossus played last and they had funny facial hair and the singer was wearing a cape he found in a dumpster or something. Their tour bus is actually an ambulance. Toll operators let them pass free without paying money.

Colossus

Church of the Red Museum

Special Food Bonus: I would like to take this opportunity to mention Carabar is now offering a sandwich of the month. This month is pulled pork, cloleslaw and cheese…the pulled pork is SPICY and nothing less than amazing.

Sunday I hoofed it down to the expo center for the Arnold freakshow hoping to snap some photos. I opted to take pictures of the ping pong tourney because those dudes were the least intimidating.

I look forward to you dudes hearing more from me in the future!