Austin’s Fuel Room presents… DOWN
Tonight was one of those nights you knew something was going to happen to make the show awesome. Going into this, I thought about the one regret in my concert-going life, and that would be that I never saw Pantera live. While Down is not Pantera, the fact that Phil Anselmo is the lead singer gives any fan a reason to go see.
As I arrived at Austin’s, the place was already filling up for this sold out show, with two opening bands before Down played. Both opening bands played a strange mix of music with Ponykiller giving the crowd a WTF moment with what sounded like LSD inspired music, while In Solitude gave the fans a taste of Swedish metal.
As the Down crew was setting up their gear, the crowd was packed in and pushing against the front rails already. With a delay due to technical issues the crowd was getting worked; once the lights dimmed the place exploded. They opened with Eyes of the South and once Anselmo walked on stage, the fans erupted and the rails could not hold them back as security had a back and forth contest with the crowd all night. I never seen anything like this before and have to give credit to Austin’s Security because the show could have been stopped or someone could have been hurt but they kept it all under control and allowed the fans to enjoy this controlled chaos.
They continued with N.O.D., Lysergik, and The Path. They dedicated the song, Lifer to Dimebag and the whole crowd sang along.
Anselmo is a beast onstage and commands your attention from the start.
The rest of the band:
Jimmy Bower – Drums
Pepper Keenan – Guitar
Kirk Windstein – Guitar
Pat Bruders - Bass
All provide the amazing old school rock/metal sound to Anselmo lyrics. Several times Keenan leaned into the crowd and wailed away on the guitar while Windstein and Bruders combined together a solid rythym and thick finger-bass playing. Bower kept everything in time and tight.
They played a 14-song set and thanked the crowd several times for showing them so much love.
At one point, Anselmo went to security to ask if they were okay and if they wanted him to say something. Security was like, “hell no this is fucking metal,” and gave a fist pound to Anselmo as they launched into Ghosts Along the Mississippi, and Temptations Wings.
They ended the night with Hail the Leaf, Stone the Crow, Bury Me in Smoke all from their first classic album, “NOLA.”
I have to say, this is one show I will never forget and I can always say I saw Down live and one of the best kick ass metal shows.
Check out Austins Fuel Room for some big upcoming shows soon to be announced.
http://www.austinsaloon.com/index_a.html
All Photos Provided by Peter Lizano
