Images by Aaron Brown of Aaron Brown Photography
A tall drunk guy is swaying back and forth just behind me. He’s chatting with his friend who’s standing on the floor below us and I can feel their breath on my arm. We’re in that state of suspension that occurs when you’re in between high-energy bands. Anticipation builds for the night’s headliners as we watch the stagehands quickly and efficiently tear down one massive set and swiftly build another. It’s fascinating to watch since this process isn’t usually something the audience sees. The crew works like a finely-tuned machine and it’s impressive. When Beastie Boys’ “Fight For Your Right” booms over the sound system, the energy shifts, the lights darken and the fans surge ahead. We’re ready and waiting for them to grace us with their presence.
Let’s rewind to the beginning of the night. My husband, Bill, and I managed to claim a spot on the side platform to the right of the stage a Coors Event Centre. Bill makes friends with the guy to our right who travelled here from The Pas, Manitoba with his friends to see the show. When a guy in front of them collapses for a second time, Bill’s new friend scrambles to catch him before he hits the ground. I hear something about dehydration when the security staff talk to him. He abruptly leaves the area in search of water, I think. And I wonder if this sets the tone for the night since the concert has yet to begin. Remember to drink lots of water before moshing.
Possessed
When lead singer Jeff Becerra takes the stage, complete with wheelchair and eyepatch, the audience cheers loudly. They’re happy to see him. I have to say I’m impressed by how packed the lower level is for the opener, it’s the fullest I’ve seen for an opener yet. That’s a good sign that Possessed is worth the watch. I must confess that I struggled to hear the vocals for this set but that didn’t stop the crowd from knowing exactly what Becerra was singing. I catch notes reminiscent of Pantera and Metallica here and there and occasionally Becerra gives me Lemmy vibes. His smile is fricken contagious. I love how their set opened with what I believe were vocals in reverse imbuing the set with occult vibes. “The Exorcist” gave me goosebumps it was so good.
“Lizzy Borden took an axe
And gave her mother 40 whacks”
They finish their set on a strong note with Becerra’s recitation of the creepy poem leading us into their final song of the night, “Swing of the Axe”. Damn if we don’t want more.
Kreator
Lights slowly reveal a massive demon face peering out at you from the stage. It’s absolutely delightful! Its creepy intensity and smoke filtering out from the stage sets the atmosphere for Kreator’s sure-to-be-deadly set. I'm woefully mistaken if I thought the pit was full for Possessed. When Kreator opens with “Hate Über Alles”, the floor is packed and the moshpit explodes into action.
“Let’s have our first wall of death!” calls lead singer Mille Petrozza motioning for the metalheads to part. Pure glee erupts on the faces of the people in the pit as they each take a side readying themselves for action. Energy crackles through the space as each side stares down the other, ready to collide. When Petrozza yells “Go!” and launches into “Enemy of God”, it’s like a thunderclap of energy is released and the moshers crash amongst each other. It’s magnificent.
I am awed by the choreography of lights and smoke with the beats and lyrics of “666 - World Divided”. The timing is impeccable and the song itself is amazing but I adore the next song, “Hordes of Chaos” because it takes you on an epic journey.
“Saskatoon! Let. Me. Hear. You. Scream!”
Kreator is laying it all out on the table and I feel for the security staff when Petrozza says, “I want to see full fucking action. The moshpit turning . . .crowd surfing”. Launching into “Betrayer” the fans do exactly as he demands. The pit is circling like a whirling dervish. It’s heartwarming to see people rush to reach out and help each other when someone goes down. This is about catharsis, not violence.
Both of the stand-out songs of Kreator’s set coincide with the arrival of creatures looming over the room sporting spears. “Phantom Antichrist” is heavy and intense, just the way I like it. The second stand-out comes with my husband’s gleeful shout, “Fuck ya!” And he’s not alone, “Violent Revolution” has the entire room chanting “Aye! Aye! Aye!” As Kreator tore through their set, they built an intensity making it a tough act to follow.
Testament
Testament, however, was up to the challenge. Launching us back into the highs, they come in full throttle with “Eerie Inhabitants”. Lead singer Chuck Billy spots the youngest fan. This adorable little guy sits perched on his dad’s shoulders, ears protected by muffs, his little fist pumping in the air. Billy’s face breaks into the biggest grin when he sees him. “Good to see the little guy,” he says. Welcoming us all to the Klash of The Titans tour he shares that they will be “keeping it old school San Fransisco thrash metal.” Of course, the concert-goers are down with that and cheer wildly.
Tracks like “Raging Waters”, “The Haunting” and “Trial By Fire” show you that Testament has still got it going on. The moshpit ebbs and flows right along with them. The fact that more than half the audience here was born after 1989 shows how relevant these bands still are.
After sharing his thoughts on how Canada’s government “woke up” and “paid the tribes some money,” Billy shares a bit about how his community is still struggling. However, he knew this day would come and says “Today is our day of reckoning!” They launch into the song of the same name. During “Disciples Of The Watch” a couple attempt to two-step in the moshpit. What?! They get about four steps in before tumbling to the ground and are rapidly helped up. I guess that’s the end of that.
“Over The Wall” is a fan favourite, and Billy tells us it was one of the first videos they made, sneaking into Alcatraz to do it. As the set builds toward the finale, he calls out, “This one is for the crazy motherfuckers down there! Let’s get a good circle pit going!” And with that, the crowd stirs, the pit explodes to life, and “Into The Pit” erupts from the speakers.
Bodies collide in a whirling frenzy of motion, and the floor vibrates with the weight of the crowd’s intensity. The moshers surge, screaming the chorus at the top of their lungs, fists pounding the air as the song peaks —a final surge of thrash and adrenaline, leaving us exhausted but craving more.
All through the show, Testament was pitching gifts into the crowd. And that little guy I mentioned? Well, he got the best haul, a couple of drumsticks (one each from Billy and drummer, Chris Dovas) and a wristband. I suspect he might have also gotten a guitar pick or two. What an unforgettable way to be welcomed to the metal family.
Thank you to Aaron Brown Photography for the epic images!
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