The legendary Siberia venue has reopened much to the
excitement of the local metal scene who enjoyed many shows here a decade ago.
While Siberia has hosted a few metal and non-metal shows since the big
re-branding, this show felt like the true homecoming. Two of the most
world-famous bands to ever come out of this city combined forces for a
packed-to-the-rafters event that will be remembered as one of the best concerts
to ever happen in this small bar.
These bands brought down the heavens, literally. The night
started off hot, humid, and sweaty. You had to push your way through moist bodies
just to get in view of the stage. Siberia's look went from a frigid blue
mountain scene painted along the wall to sexy red and black plush walls that
are reminiscent of the recently-shuttered and sorely-missed venue One Eyed
Jacks. A Hollise Murphy memorial lovingly stood at the back wall where he can
always see every show on the stage.
Goatwhore jumped on the stage that they've performed upon so
many times before, but this was the first time they've stood upon it in years.
The surging crowd started moving and moshing even more under the direction of
vocalist Ben Falgoust's commanding voice and violent gesticulations to "Chaos
Arcane," "The Bestowal of Abomination," "Baring Teeth for the Revolt," and the
popular, "Apocalyptic Havoc." From the single window, I watched the clouds
gather and rain down like the heavens were crying. How appropriate that
Goatwhore played "Angels Hung From the Arches of Heaven."
Through the sudden thunder that sent the smokers outside
running for cover, guitarist Sammy Duet ravaged his hungry fans with sick riffs
on the next brutal batch of songs: "Sky Inferno," "Decayed Omen Reborn," "Death
From Above," and "Nihil." Pouring sweat or soaked by the rainy clothes of the
fans that pushed into the band, Goatwhore finally ended their long set with
crowd favorite "F*cked By Satan." Their part may have been over, but the
pounding rain did not stop.
With only a short break between crushing sets, some of us
ventured out into the freezing cold rain to catch our breath, quite the
contrast from the hot, muggy night that it was just an hour before. It would
not be long until the almighty EyeHateGod took to the stage, and we would need
to do the gauntlet just to get back inside.
EyeHateGod started off in their usual style: a painful
feedback whine designed put Mike IX, Jimmy Bower, Gary Mader, Brian Patton, and
Aaron Hill in an otherworldly trance that we just get to witness. It feels like
it goes on forever as the anticipation for the heavy blow builds within you. You
wait, and wait, and wait… then it finally falls down. EyeHateGod seemed groovier
than usual while still remaining heavy as hell. It almost felt and sounded like
Corrosion of Conformity getting into a really dark juke joint rhythm.
There didn't seem to be a setlist as the outfit took longer
than usual pauses between songs. Vocalist Mike IX sporting striking half-bleached,
half-black hair referred to not having a setlist, stating, "You ever get the
feeling you've been cheated?" Yes, I have, but not because of this. They
performed many of their best-known songs including "Sister F*cker" to which the
incredibly diverse crowd moved to in a way that I can only describe as
slow-motion shadowboxing.
What a wet, wild, and wonderful way to welcome Siberia back!
Sure, you could blame the strange weather on Louisiana's bizarre nature that
not even the most seasoned meteorologist can predict. But maybe it was in fact
the clash of two New Orleans musical titans.
