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Saturday, September 1, 2012

Show Review / Bumbershoot Black Breath: Magmatic Landslides and Bile Torrents

Posted by Dave Segal on Sat, Sep 1, 2012 at 4:28 PM

Black Breath: Hair-razing metal assault.

Megan Seling
Black Breath: Hair-razing metal assault.

Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to catch a Black Breath performance when you have a headache. I had a mild one that was exacerbated by the Seattle death-metal quintet’s crushing, vise-like attack. They began with an infernal growl by vocalist Neil McAdams, which the two guitarists, bassist and drummer replicated. Soon, the spacious Exhibition Hall was totally filled with magmatic landslides of metallic rock volatility.

The best part of any Black Breath show is when the four guys who aren’t drumming bang their heads in unison and their hair—of which there’s enough to forge a large quilt—whips furiously, like manes of fire. It takes militaristic discipline to execute these songs (especially while headbanging), which are swift, absurdly powerful, and as heavy as a death sentence. One felt pity at all the people who forgot earplugs.

Black Breath: Putting the demon in demonstrative.

Megan Seling
Black Breath: Putting the "demon" in demonstrative.

At one point, McAdams announced, “This is a slow song, so grab that special somebody and mosh your dicks off.” Only problem was, Bumbershoot officials decreed that there was to be ABSOLUTELY NO STAGE DIVING OR MOSHING. Bummer, dude. No matter. Black Breath loosed torrents of sonic bile for 45 minutes and the rather meager crowd (2:45 pm is not an ideal time for death metal) immensely dug it, pumping fists and throwing devil horns instead of launching themselves off the stage or slamming into one another.

One more thing: Exhibition Hall still has no atmosphere or charm.

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I saw Alice in Chains at the Exhibition Hall at Bumbershoot right after Facelift came out. I couldn't stop thinking that the hall was the same place my parents had taken me to see a cat show years earlier when I was a kid. You're completely right about the lack of atmosphere or charm. Still, it was cool to see AIC.

Posted by Gern Blanston on September 1, 2012 at 8:38 PM

Great review, sir. Hope the headache is gone today. Black Breath had a similarly weird set time at the CHBP, mid-afternoon, and it didn't matter then either. They are simply a Seattle band you don't want to miss live. An erotic hair tornado of evil!

Posted by Estey on September 2, 2012 at 9:19 AM