Slayer & Unearth – Memorial Hall – Kansas City, KS – February 3, 2007
Posted by Brandon Ratliff on 02.28.2007
“Is that Saddam Hussein up there singing for Slayer?”
Tom Araya of Slayer
Slayer is a band that has transcended the test of time quite well. From way back in the days of their debut Show No Mercy in 1983 to now, they’ve been well known as a brutal live act, and somehow have managed to keep up that intensity over the years.
The first thing I have to think…how the hell does Slayer decide on a set list with so much material to work with? This is their catalogue of full length albums:
Show No Mercy (1983) Hell Awaits (1985) Reign In Blood (1986) South Of Heaven (1988) Seasons In The Abyss (1990) Divine Intervention (1994) Diabolus In Musica (1998) God Hates Us All (2001) Christ Illusion (2006)
Nine albums. Of course, the band has had plenty of “hits” over the course of their career, but seeing as how they change up their set list a lot (or so I’m told), there’s a lot of music to choose from.
You know, not much I could really say is going to make you want to see a band like Slayer any more or less than you would have already. They are Slayer. And if you like them, you will see them. But for the sake of doing my job, read on to see the experience I had when seeing both Slayer and Unearth for the first time in my life.
First up on the bill was the Massachusetts metal outfit Unearth. The band has been gaining plenty of recognition with the release of their latest offering III: In The Eyes Of Fire, which, coincidentally, was released the same day as Slayer’s Christ Illusion. Does their live act match that reputation though?
Buz McGrath of Unearth
Though obviously not having been around for nearly as long as Slayer, Unearth is quickly building a reputation for being an extremely powerful live act just the same. You can read my interview with Unearth bassist Slo here to get his thoughts on touring with Slayer, among other things.
Unearth’s set list looked something like this:
Giles
Endless
March Of The Mutes
Zombie Autopilot
This Lying World
Instrumental Interlude
Sanctity Of Brothers
The Great Dividers
Black Hearts Now Reign
Now, one thing that Slayer fans are notorious for is not giving opening bands the time of day. This was not the case here. Unearth got a huge reaction from the crowd, which was a solid mix of older and younger metal fans. Even the cliché beer-drinkin’, 666 shirt wearin’, long haired Slayer fans were really getting into Unearth. Deserving of all the positive press? Very much so. According to Slo, Unearth seem to be planning a headlining run soon, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see many of these same people at the show. There isn’t much doubt that Unearth is the best band Slayer could have picked to open for them on this tour, save MAYBE for Lamb Of God. That is up for debate however.
Trevor Phipps of Unearth
Not content to just stand there and play their stuff, all four free roaming members of Unearth were very active up on stage, be it running around a lot like guitarist Ken Susi, the crowd working that vocalist Trevor Phipps did, Slo’s intense movements, or guitarist Buz McGrath’s nonchalant striding around; everyone definitely has their respective stage presence down perfectly. At one point even, Susi and McGrath were running laps around the stage. Both Slo and Susi provided backing vocals as well, which worked, but were overshadowed by Phipps’ excellent performance. All five musicians were spot on, and not once did I notice anything different about any of their songs that wasn’t intended.
Ken Susi of Unearth
Speaking of which, there were a few variations on some of their songs. Nothing too terribly fancy; just an extra guitar solo in one, and some note changes here and there. Everything new was very clearly intentional though; even the aforementioned solo by guitarist Buz McGrath seemed improvised on the spot. One thing especially worth noting is that Phipps dedicated “Black Hearts Now Reign,” the last song they played, to Slayer, thanking them for bringing Unearth on tour with them.
Justin “Slo” Maggard of Unearth
Unearth definitely played a great set with the time they had. The crowd even chanted for them when they left the stage, which is the first time I’ve ever seen that happen for an opening band. They got a great reaction, and what more could an opening band ask for? Make sure to catch the guys when they come near you later.
Now, on to the proverbial meat and potatoes (or puh-tah-tuhs, if you prefer) of the review: Slayer.
Kerry King Of Slayer
This was Slayer’s set list:
Disciple
War On Ensemble
Jihad
Die By The Sword
Show No Mercy
Captor Of Sin
Cult
Bloodline
Mandatory Suicide
Seasons In The Abyss
Supremist
Eyes Of The Insane
Postmortum
Silent Scream
Dead Skin Mask
Raining Blood
ENCORE:
South Of Heaven
Angel Of Death
Jeff Hanneman of Slayer
What can really be said about Slayer? How about this…
GO. SEE. THEM. NOW.
If you are a metal fan, and you’ve not seen Slayer live, you are really missing out. This is the band that has influenced so many of the metal bands today, and it’s obvious. And even after all these years, the guys still have got it like no one else. When I was up front taking pictures, there was one point where King looked down at me, and I stopped frozen…in marvel. Was I star struck? With a job like this, are you kidding me?
No, that wasn’t it. Just seeing this man…all of Slayer up on stage. There is no arguing the band’s legendary status, but to be there, and watch them up there, knowing how long they’ve been at this, the best word I can think of to describe that moment is captivating.
Truly captivating.
So, is there any more to say than that? While it is only by a small margin, this show, even as short as it was, was easily the best concert I’ve ever witnessed.
And at the very least, seeing my sister freak out when she met the guys from Unearth (and swore to never throw away the Coke can that Buz McGrath gave her), was worth anything. But both bands were worth the price of admission, much less together. If you get the chance to check out this tour, which is almost over now, go. If not, go check out both bands later. It’ll be worth every penny.
The 411: No metal bands today can bring it like Slayer can...except maybe Unearth. Both bands were excellent, and gave not one reason to complain. The crowd even chanted for Unearth after their set (which, though it was nine songs, felt really short), which is a personal first for an opener. Both bands are at the top of their respective games right now, and seeing as how Slayer have been together for twenty-five years now, that is very commendable. This tour is close to being over, but make sure if you get the chance to see either (or preferably, both) band that you take that opportunity. Slayer has been setting the bar for years now, and few other bands can carry that torch so high...besides Unearth.
