Pantera, Soulfly, Morbid Angel, Nothingface
February 23rd, 2001
Cedar Rapids, IA @ US Cellular Center

Pantera knew early on that their gig in Cedar Rapids, IA, at the US Cellular Center on Friday, February 23, 2001, was special. Early on, lead singer/growler Phil Anselmo's face lit up with a gigantic smile as he listened to the (roughly) 6000 fans, chanting, "Pan Ter A! Pan Ter A!" At one point, Anselmo told us that he ought to get 54 tour buses and take all of you with us to the LAs, the New York's, the Chicago's, to show those people how to act at a concert. Note that's a paraphrased, not direct, quote.

The build-up to that moment of revelation began with Nothingface, a four-piece band that sounded like a mix between Korn and Deftones. I agree that there is not much of a difference between those two. Nothingface blended rap vocals with a distorted chunky guitar and the crowd reacted favorably. I was especially impressed with the drummer's performance, consistently nailing fills and the backbeat that kept the crowd excited. I'm on my way to my favorite MP3 download site now to snag some of their songs.

Morbid Angel came on next. Bassist/vocalist Steve Tucker told us, "In case you don't know who the fuck we are, we are Morbid Angel, and we are death metal." If you've never seen a death metal band, I wholeheartedly recommend it, not because of their dark and menacing message in their music; rather, I would recommend practically any death band based on the musicianship I saw tonight. Death metal is often mis-categorized and mis-identified as a genre with no-talent musicians, that anyone can be in a death band because all you have to do is play fast or growl. Let's focus on the "play fast" part of that statement. Just how fast can you play when (roughly) 6000 fans are screaming their ass off for more of your music? Morbid Angel's drummer, Pete Sandoval, can play 1000 miles per hour and demonstrated it in front of us. The unique aspect of the Morbid Angel set was neither that the band was fast, nor that the Tucker wasn't comprehendible: it was the control each musician maintained over their instruments, especially Sandoval, whose feet, on command, played fast 16th note syncopated parts and no, not the rumbling train trademark of double bass drummers. This was incredible. Guitarists Trey Azagthoth and Erik Rutandid did their part by playing fast and keeping up with the drummer, Pete Sandoval and bassist Steve Tucker held the low end, especially during wild guitar solos. An added element of comic relief was Sandoval's roadie, who sat directly behind Sandoval and air-drummed to Sandoval. I would speculate that that roadie is just waiting until Sandoval is ill one night so he can fill in. This roadie nailed every fill and cymbal catch. As an added bonus, Pantera's Phil Anselmo came out and growled for the crowd.

Soulfly came on next. Former Sepultura vocalist Max Calavera led his band through a tribal drumming influenced set. I think the band was at a serious disadvantage by having to follow Morbid Angel. Soulfly did their best to get the crowd into their music and, on somewhat familiar songs like "Primitive," the band succeeded. However, not even Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul coming out for a percussion showcase could help the band from being pale when compared to the blistering set Morbid Angel had just executed. Also, Morbid Angel's material is closer to Pantera's than Soulfly's material is to Pantera. A kid, who looked about 12, came out and sang a song. I wouldn't call hardcore vocalist posing singing, but it looked like he was opening his mouth. Too bad they didn't turn up his mic.

Pantera thundered on next, playing all the required concert songs including "Walk," "Cowboys From Hell," "This Love," and "Fucking Hostile." Drummer Vinnie Paul was fluent as ever, while guitarist Dimebag Darrell scorched riff after riff from his guitar. Bassist Rex was there but wasn't heard. Pantera brought out special guests, probably roadies, for the shout vocals of "Walk" and "This Love." Anselmo spoke to the crowd various times, sometimes rambling. During one such spot, he remarked that it had been nearly 12 years since "Cowboys from Hell" was released and that they had kept coming back. He criticized trendsetters who go out to the dot coms and find out what's popular. Later he asked whether there were any metal fans here tonight. The crowd roared. Then, he asked, "Are there any Pantera fans tonight?" THe crowd erupted again. It was true hero worship, in a sense. When fire shot from their stage set coinciding with Vinnie Paul's cymbal hits, the crowd responded again. Pantera could do no wrong.

And of course, like many concerts previously held at the US Cellular Center, various females lifted their tops to cheers and gropes by nearby fans. And of course, like many concerts previously held at the US Cellular Center, the show drained all that attended, both physically and mentally.

Reviewed by: Paul Hanson