On Thursday September 22nd Necronomicon, Carach Angren and Rotting Christ hit Phoenix, Arizona at Joes Grotto. The show was packed for a weekday and the venue was scorching hot. As several black metal fans congregated to this most anticipated show we all knew it was going to be a great time. The doors opened at 6pm and the show began with some support of the local talent here in Arizona. We had 3 bands play which were Ashes Of The Dead, Six Million Dead, & Autolysis. All the local bands did a great job opening the show and setting the mood for the night.
Little by little as the venue became more packed so did the heat arise. The temperature was very hot that night filled with a very interesting crowd to say the least. Up next we began the show with Necronomicon. The Black Metal Canadians were very awesome live. The crowd had a very great response to them and they played many killer songs.
The show continued with Carach Angren the guys were real troopers wearing their heavy coats, boots and vinyl pants as the heat intensified. Fans ignored the blazing conditions and still had a great time. As the corpse paint began to drip the more eerie things got. The guys played a list of great songs but the 2 that stood out the most were “When Crows Tick on Windows & Bloodstains on the Captain’s Log.” The guys definitely have a presence and aura to them and changed the atmosphere of the room. Seregor is a really great vocalist and showmen. He really took control of the stage and acted like a character, from making faces, hand gestures and his energy he brings to the crowd.
The moment we were all waiting for had arrived it was time for Rotting Christ. Everyone pushed and squished their way to the front and the show began. They opened with “Ze Nigmar” and there wasn’t a person standing still in that venue. Rotting Christ is such an incredible band live. Sakis voice belted over the crowd everyone went crazy. There was so much hair swaying back and forth from all the crazy fans headbanging. No one could resist their enchanting sound. I’ve been lucky enough to see several shows in Arizona and the response Rotting Christ gets here is phenomenal for such a small scene. Each song one after another was just perfect. Their power, presence and sound is so captivating. The guys continued playing each song with so much passion that it radiated off stage. The set was a mixture of songs from the new album Rituals, Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy Aealo and a few other fan favorites. They closed the show with “Non Serviam” which was very special considering the 22nd year anniversary is coming up in October. Their set was perfect and everyone enjoyed every minute of it.
Overall the show was incredible. Everyone’s performance that night was filled with talent and passion. Even though this was a black metal tour Necronomicon, Carach Angren & Rotting Christ were all very different from each other but the combination was just the perfect mix.