I nursed a terrible hangover most of the day yesterday, Saturday. Brutal. I did pound some water before crashing at close to 6am, but I was so wrecked I don’t think I was able to get more than a glass or two down. Too many shots. But when hanging out with legendary metal guitarists who are loosening up, and you’re you’re on their turf, you don’t refuse.

I spent the hours between around noon and 6p trying to cure my headache so I could make it comfortably to the Alcest and Anathema show, which I did.

The opening band, Mammifer, was pretty interesting. Just a female vocalist/keyboardist, and a male guitarist playing through some pretty intense effects units. For the first time ever I saw someone playing my exact guitar, the Les Paul Studio Baritone, on stage. It even sounded like mine, and all that was pretty cool. The highlight of that band, though, is the female vocals. Holy shit were they amazing. Something out of the Amazon, or perhaps Africa, or maybe Mongolian. It really kicked ass.

Alcest came out and destroyed the place. HUGE sound, many layers, excellent guitar work and vocals, the drumming was intense and perfect. They simply filled Lower East Manhattan with their sound and it was fantastic. People didn’t even make fun of them for their Frenchness.

I was pretty psyched at how good it was going, and knowing Anathema was on the way made it even better.

Anathema took forever to set up and I went to find a seat (at Gramercy, they have a huge seated section in the back, in addition to the sloping floor leading to the stage). Eventually they took the stage.

As soon as they came out, I knew something was wrong. The lead guitarist was wearing a goofy looking leather jacket and sunglasses. The second guitarist came out wearing jeans and light buttoned shirt. Who the fuck were these guys? Then a chick came out, wearing a sort of one-piece skirt thing.

They started singing and playing a song about missing someone.

In disbelief I went to my phone and looked them up. “The band released their sixth album A Fine Day to Exit in 2001, turning into an alternative/progressive rock band.” 

What. The. FUCK.

I lasted about 15 minutes and walked out.

They used to have a nice, doom/gothic metal sound, and now? Now they just sound like fucking bullshit. I can’t believe what they’ve become over the last ten years. But lesson learned: read up on a band that’s been off your radar for a decade before going to check them out live. They might have turned into a bunch of wussy-ass panzy alt-rocker bores.

Ugh.

Heading out for a walk. Hope your Sunday was great, catch you tomorrow.