LIVE REVIEW: Heiress, Grayceon, The Abodox & Dog Shredder @ Funhouse

Heiress :: Photo by Nik Christofferon

December 3rd, 2009 - Heiress, Grayceon, The Abodox, & Dog Shredder @ Funhouse

There is nothing I like better than a healthy dose of heavy music, better yet there is nothing I like more than heavy music from right in my own backyard. Ok, 2 of the 4 bands that ascended on the Funhouse last Thursday are based in Seattle another Bellingham, but close enough. The forth band made its way up north from the Bay Area to grace us with their presence. Keeping it interesting the bill for the evening was quite eclectic and the four featured bands each seemlessly blended different styles of metal.

I can’t say enough about my first two encounters with Bellingham’s newest and possibly brightest metal export. Dog Shredder is absolutely shredtastic, which is not a term to be taken lightly. Guitarist Josh Holland possesses out of this world chops and the bands quick pace changes and wicked bottom heavy jams are pure stoner thrash metal ecstasy. They currently only have a 3 song cd-r demo, but it’s well worth the $3. I cannot wait to see what happens with this band in 2010. They kill it!

Dog Shredder :: Photo by Nik Christofferson

The Abodox are back! Seattle’s veteran grind outfit have come forth from the ashes to not only release just their second record since 2003, but also release a damn fine death grind record as well in “Up the Excalibur”. It’s clear each member of the The Abodox lives and breathes brutal metal and like a baseball bat to the skull or a taser to the nutsack, these guys hurt so good it masochistic. Of course bassist Dorando Hodous and drummer Benjamin Thomas-Kennedy have been keeping sharp in another popular Seattle metal linchpin, the prog-metal purveyors Lesbian, but it is great to have The Abodox back in the fold as Seattle is always in need of more kick ass pure metal bands.

The Abodox :: Photo by Nik Christofferson

Adding to eclecticity of the night was surely San Fran’s Grayceon who held the candle for the most unconventional. Drummer Zack Farwell, guitarist/vocalist Max Doyle, and electric cellist/vocalist Jackie Perez Gratz laid down some not only stunningly beautiful arrangements but also absolutely crushed with neck snapping power riffage when the time was right. The uncommon and haunting blend of cello and female vocals added an extra doom element that I didn't remember from my first time seeing the band a few years ago at Chop Suey with Agalloch. Doyle’s guitar work was stand out amazing as he is purely a finger player. Whether the songs called for delicate picking or thunderous power chords, he was very impressive. Side note: The only other person I have ever seen play this way is local guitar whiz Jeff Fielder. After the current west coast tour is finished, Grayceon are headed into writing mode, and I’m very much looking forward to hearing what comes out of it.

Grayceon :: Photo by Nik Christofferson

The best part about finally catching up with Seattle sludgecore band Heiress is seeing John Pettibone is still at it. The ex-Himsa vocalist of course fronted IAMTHETHORN for a minute but until he took over vocals for Heiress he had been quiet. I knew John couldn’t stay away from the stage for long, and since he runs security at El Corazon he probably gets sick seeing other metal bands file through the venue almost nightly, I sure would.

Heiress :: Photo by Nik Christofferson

As much as I miss Himsa and I do infinitely, Heiress is better than nothing and suffices until they eventually reunite? Their sound is a mix of sludge metal and hardcore which is of course is Pettibone’s true influence. A double bonus became apparent when ex-Himsa bass player Derek Harn showed to watch his old band mate(s) and to my surprise off and on ex-Himsa guitarist Josh C aka Sammy Curr set up and plugged in. It seems he has recently joined the band full time and is also featured on their recent unreleased recordings due out sometime in 2010. I have to admit that as the clock struck 1am on a work night I was all yawned out and left too early for Heiress to make a true impact, but knowing that John and Josh are playing together again, I’ll definitely be seeing them again very soon. Potentially even this Friday as they are part of the bill with Portland’s Red Fang and Vancouver’s 3 Inches of Blood booked at where else but John Pettibone’s home turf El Corazon.