When you're in the Deep South there seems only one thing worth doing and that is go see a heavy metal concert.
Down fronted by the almighty Phil Anselmo ripped the roof of the House of Blues turning Orlando's coolest venue into something resembling the Titty Twister from Dusk Til Dawn. The 2000 strong crowd descend onto Downtown Disney but almost didn't have a show to see as the Anselmo explains "the powers that be almost didn't let us play." When thanking Weedeater who opened the show. "They didn't like the name." He shrugs. It is a good job it's not Anal Cunt playing isn't it? chips in Kirk Windstein on guitar. "There's a few cartoons in the archives they wouldn't want shown."
Lowering the tone before Down exploded onto the stage were The Melvins featuring Godfather of Grunge Buzz Melvin and backed astoundingly by duel drummers Dale Crover and Coady WIllis. Start to finish the beats rolled relentlessly with barely a rest and without taking on a drop of water. This 45 minute set was a legendary performance of classic grunge still going strong and finding new channels to plow. Finishing on an A Cappella rendition of "Okie from Muskogee" and signing off with "Thank you, we have been the Jonas Brothers," it was both fitting and strange. The Melvins defining a sound that will never die and spawned a million bands and a Seattle scene that took over the world.
Down hail from New Orleans are less than complimentary with their track "New Orleans Is A Dying Whore." The grit swilling, throat puking guttural clench of Phil Anslemo's voice is the driving force that whips the crowd up and the greatest frontman performance I have ever witnessed. Somehow singularly connecting with every single person in the venue. Anslemo takes the time during the lengthy trip fueled leads of Down to point to and thank seemingly each crowd member individually. This is the heavy metal equivalent to to a Hannah Montana meet n greet. But who the fuck is Hannah Montana? We want to rock the fuck out! And Down sure know how to it in style. "We only have one night together so let's make the most of it." The line that would take any girl to bed with the Down singer. The crowd scream for "Stone The Crow" during the encore but it is the full throttle stoner riffs that make Down the ultimate live act they are.
Quote of the night "We've stopped drinking whiskey." Cue Boos. "...and started taking more acid." Cue cheers. - Buzz Melvin.
Dedication of the night. "This one's for Dimebag Darrell." - Phil Anslemo.
Photos from www.jencray.com Tweet
