Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Lucky Man (https://www.luckymanonline.com/ )
Venue: Marquee Theater, Tempe Az (https://www.marqueetheatreaz.com/ )
Date: Saturday February 1st, 2020
Tour: 24th Annual D-Low Memorial Show
Sorry for the late review.
It was a long night of multiple styles of metal music by Phoenix and Arizona based bands at the Marquee Theatre with each band performing their unique styles. The styles ranged from Performance Rock (Scott Rowe and Redrum) to classic heavy metal (Sectas, Condemned Till Dawn) to Thrash Metal (I Don’t Konform, Ocean Harvest) ending up with the highlight of the night Soulfly. If you have never been at a Metal show, you will always see a large contingent of Native America fans. We finally got to see a number of Native Americans metal bands, I Don’t Konform and Ocean Harvest that represented this enthusiastic fan base.
Soulfly
This was the first time I had heard of Soulfly and I was not familiar with their work. In preparation for the show I looked them up and listens to a number of their songs. Since this was the start of the tour, I did not have a setlist that I could reference, so I just picked some songs mainly from their newest album, Ritual from 2018.
For those not familiar with Soulfly, they are a heavy metal band that formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1997. It was founded by front-man Max Cavalera that was originally from Brasil (Max actually have the Brasilian flag on his guitar). While most people classify their music as heavy metal, I see it as a mix of soul and tribal elements with heavy metal. Over the years there have been a large number of members of Soulfly with Max being the only constant. Their current touring line-up consists of lead singer and guitarist Max Cavalera, guitarist Marc Rizzo, bass player Mike Leon and drummer Zyon Cavalera (Max’s son). For a few songs they were joined by singer Asha Rabouin.
The show consisted of straight up heavy metal, Max doing a tribal song on some instrument that looked like a bow (bow & arrow) that he hit with a stick to Asha providing the sweet sound of her soulful voice. Overall, it was a powerful performance with Asha providing the soulful vocals on a few songs. Marc was just outstanding as he powered through each song driving riff after riff. Max’s son Zyon laid down a masterful drum beat while Mike provided the thunderous bassline. Then there is Max, the front-man of this group. He was simply marvelous in his guitar work and vocals.
After 5+ hours of metal music, I was exhausted. But listening to Soulfly was definitely the highlight of the night. Their sound was powerful in both lyrics and music composition. They are definitely a heavy metal band to see. Once this stupid coronavirus outbreak breaks, maybe we can get back to seeing some of these great metal bands perform include Soulfly. Please check them out and if you get the chance go see them live, they are definitely worth it.
You can find more information about Soulfly, their upcoming shows and albums at the following sites:
Website: http://www.soulfly.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SoulflyOfficial/
Record Label: Nuclear Blast https://www.nuclearblast.com/en/music/bands/index.html
Photo © Fred Kuhlman 2020, All Rights Reserved
Soulfly Setlist: (Album/Cover)
The Summoning (Ritual)
Under Rapture (Ritual)
Prophecy (Prophecy)
No Hope = No Fear (Soulfly)
Babylon (Dark Ages)
Fire (Soulfly)
Rise of the Fallen (Rise of The Fallen)
Bleed (Soulfly)
I and I (Dark Ages)
Tribe (Soulfly)
Get Up, Stand Up (The Wailers cover)
Fly High (w/ Asha Rabouin) (Primitive)
Tree of Pain (w/ Asha Rabouin) (3)
Moses (w/ Asha Rabouin) (Prophecy)
Ritual (Ritual)
Dead Behind the Eyes (Ritual)
Back to the Primitive (Primitive)
Jump / Eye For An Eye (Primitive / Soulfly)
Sectas
Sectas was originally from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexica they have now moved to Phoenix, Arizona. This trios brand of high energy metal featuring Christian Lee (lead vocals/lead guitar) David “Runaway” Sectas (bass) and Brian Regalado (drums/back-up vocals) will invade your very soul. This was the 3rd time I have seen Sectas and each time they put on a very high energy show with driving bass and drums with multiple power riffs. Their sound reminds me a lot of the great metal bands from the 80s including Metallica and Megadeth.
You can find more information about Sectas, their upcoming shows and albums at the following sites:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/sectasmusic/
Photo © Fred Kuhlman 2020, All Rights Reserved
I Don’t Konform
I Don’t Konform was one of the Native American bands at tonight’s show. They are a thrash heavy metal band from the Navajo Nation. I Dont Konform is made up of lead singer and guitarist Kyle Felter, drummer Randell Keye Billy and bass player Brett Begay.
You can find more information and other jigs by checking out I Don’t Konform Facebook page:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/idontkonform/
Photo © Fred Kuhlman 2020, All Rights Reserved
Ocean Harvest
Ocean Harvest is 4-piece band of Native Americans from Gila River, AZ. They have been together for 6 years. Their current line up for this show were lead singer Winston Jose, guitarist Elias Jose, drummer Ramon Garcia and their new bass player Nathaniel Pinto.
You can find more information and other jigs by checking out Ocean Harvest Facebook page:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OceanHarvestAz/
Photo © Fred Kuhlman 2020, All Rights Reserved
Condemned Till Dawn
Condemned Till Dawn is a Heavy Metal band from Phoenix, AZ. Their current line-up consists of lead singer and guitarist Nathan Cates, bass player Fabio Velazquez, guitarist Tim Vurich and drummer Ian Elliott. This was the first time I saw them and I really liked their Heavy Metal sound. Their sound reminded me a lot of the early years of Megadeth. With Nathan’s growling voice and furious guitar riffs, he sets the mood for the band. The audience reacted in kind and a huge mosh pit started which I got caught in. It was amazing to watch both the audience and the band expend so much raw energy. I was personally tired just watching them. If you want to see a great local metal band that plays solid heavy metal, then I can recommend Condemned Till Dawn.
They play at a number of metal shows around the greater Phoenix area and you should check them out. You can find more information and other jigs by checking out Condemned Till Dawn Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CondemnedTillDawn2018/
Photo © Fred Kuhlman 2020, All Rights Reserved
Scott Rowe and Redrum
Scott Rowe & Redrum is a theatrical stage show group that plays hard rock music. Scott Rowe is the front man and lead singer and he is taking on the role of ringmaster and shock master. In the vane of Alice Cooper and Arthur Brown, Scott performs and sings as he dances around the stage. He is joined by guitarists Forrest Flener and Shan Gilbreath with Rob Erwin on bass guitarist and drummer Matthew Taylor. They were the first on this night of multiple bands concert. Since they started the show earlier than normal, a lot of the people had not yet arrived. But for those fans that did arrive they saw a nice performance. Scott still needs to refine his act before he can reach the level of Alice or Arthur, but given time I am sure he can pull it off. If they are also going to mimic bands like Alice Cooper or Arthur Brown they will have to up the anti and add more to their stage production. As for the other band members, they did a good job and allowed Scott the room to perform. If you like bands and music like Alice Cooper, then give these guys a look.
You can find more information and other jigs by checking out Scott Rowe & Redrum Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Scott-Rowe-Redrum-662361520819758/ .
Photo © Fred Kuhlman 2020, All Rights Reserved
