Live Review
KB Karnevil Show Review
Saturday July 2, 2005
On a bright and early Saturday afternoon, at the Ridglea Theater, in
Ft. Worth, Texas, The first annual KB Karnevil was hosted. The
show consisted of 20 bands on 2 stages. The first band took the main
stage at 3:00PM.
The first band to play was a band called “When Faith Fails”. Not
much could be said about this band... The music was more along the
hardcore/metalcore side with some extreme twists to it. The music
was very well pieced together and very mind driving. Aside from
the crowd attendance at the given time, this band put on an amazing
show for everyone in attendance, playing as if there was a crowd of
over 300 people... A very good band to check out, none the less.
Next band on the Main Stage was Mad Castle, A Very tight metal band
from Euless, Texas. This band has been well known for their
heavy driving rhythms and versatile vocal styles. Despite
having a handicapped guitarist that is confimed to a wheelchair, he,
alongside the rest of the band, put on a very tight and heavy driven
show. Just one of very few examples that you can play music
no matter what you’re handicaps is... Mad Castle is a personal
favorite of mine (alongside many others).
Daimonion, here’s a band that has some all-around talent from each and
every member involved, even the choreographers that perform with them
on stage. The opening of the show was amusing, performing a song
called “Rail Whore”, while displaying video clips of the Xbox game,
“Halo 2”, on the projector, very much made this song seem very visual,
yet catchy. With the choreographers on, or off stage, the whole band
put on a show to the extreme, just like their music, Extreme… The
drummer having handicaps of vision and hearing never let it stop
him. Another example of how handicapped musicians could put on
very good performances, no matter the situation... Having one of
the fastest bassists in D/FW comes in handy for the style of
music... Sometimes it’s hard to tell what he’s doing… Guitar
tone, being laid down by a pair of guitarists that both used a 7
string, made heavy rhythms that had a pit going the whole show.
Needless to say overall, the band did an outstanding job. Look
for these guys in the future!
The next band to take on the Main stage was “When Life Has
Ceased”. This death metal band was the first to use a
distorted bass guitar for the show. That, alone, had a sound of
interest. Guitar work was very amusing. Personally, it sounded,
at times, bit gibberish, but when there were heavy hitting chords, they
were just that, heavy hitting. The drummer, a new guy for this
band, was following along with double-bass heavy drum patterns and very
power-punching beats that could easily be considered “insane drumming”
and definitely had the potential to move a crowd. The vocal range
by their front man was incredible. He can go from low growls to high
screams within a matter of instance. Anyone reading this, and that
like’s very heavy music, should go check these guys out! You will not
be disappointed!
Next band on the list is Lord Slugg. A band of Rollin’ Rock,
Cheeseburgers, metal, Hair, and definitely a good time! This band has
been known to write such catchy tunes as “Monkey Sex”, “Cheeseburgers”,
just to name a few. Their front man sings and sometimes plays rhythm
guitars to add to the already heavy rhythms and smoking’ leads, laid
down by their primary guitarist. Seeing this band several
different times, I have definitely noticed their bassist becoming more
and more talented with his bass. Their drummer plays very simple,
yet very nicely laid down heavy beats to provide a lot of groove and
head-banging adrenaline from behind a kit. This band is always
doing something good and heavy while on stage... Even the stage
divers, that started to go crazy during this set, would say so.
The next band to perform on the Ridglea’s main stage was Rivet
Head. This band is heavily industrial influenced and carries a
unique sound by themselves. Performing songs such as
“Unbreakable”, “You’re So Cold”, and “Regret”, songs that I can see
fans singing along to, Rivet Head was nothing short of amazing
that night. Their front man, which is a singer/guitarist, has his
own comedy styles to give the crowd the entertainment of not only a
musical act but quite a few laughs while he’s at it. Included in
this band is a bassist that does not know how to stand still on a
stage, if that’s where he’s even at. Wireless systems have
motivated this guy to take his bass across the building, possibly
outside and into the hallways of the Ridglea, yet he still keeps on
time with the band. Their drummer, which plays to an electronic
pre-recorded track on a mini disc player, has very good and smooth
skills. It must take a lot to keep in time with a pre-recorded
“sample’ track. Much props to the band for a flawless performance.
The next band to perform on the Main stage is the band that put all
this together, a band of dual bass-playing power, Kwik Buddha. To
say the least, Kwik Buddha recently went through a line-up change,
which now currently includes the former bassist and drummer of a
previously existing band, “The Awakening”. Watching these guys
play is always a thrill. Despite sometimes the guitarist/lead
singer may miss a note on stage; the crowd is so into them that they
never notice. Having 2 bassists in a band sometimes, in my honest
opinion, is overkill for low ends unless you had a second guitarist to
keep the balance. The bass lines, from what I could hear,
sounded quite blasphemous, so to say, due to heavy amounts of it coming
just from the amps. Their drummer was laying down his beats
rather well Even though you could tell he’s still working his way
into the sound of Kwik Buddha, and this being a complete step up from
his previous band, he has definitely improved since the previous times
I seen him play with this band.. Overall the band did good, just
very bass heavy.
Now, for a different pace in the evening on this evening, a metal band
known as Skard Soul was set to take the stage. This Pantera
influenced band has some catchy guitar riffs and a stable
drummer... Honestly though, something just didn’t feel right
about their performance. They rarely move around on stage
very much. With that set aside though, their performance was
rather solid. I do not agree with their singer’s attempt to
perform whatsoever... it’s not that his lyrics are terrible or just
blurts out words, its more how he screams and/or sings. Try
opening up your stomach a little more and sing from your lungs not from
your throat, same applies to screaming. Instrumental wise, I have
to admit, some of their songs are very rhythmatic and can carry a
crowd. Not much otherwise could be said about this band,
however, they should stop the Pantera Cover of “Becoming”, unless they
are going to play it correctly.
Necrogazm is now preparing to perform, and may I just say, that’s
exactly what they did, PERFORM! This Lamb of God and Chimaira
influenced band really can keep your head going. With heavy songs
such as “Power Trip”, “Rebirth of Rebellion”, and “Buried Alive”, this
band is nothing short of amazing. Both guitarists have some
serious and nasty leads in all their songs, back lined with some heavy
low bass tones and progressive drums. This band performed a solid
set. Minimal, if any, errors from all performers on stage.
They even featured a guest performance with the vocalist of VITALITY, a
good local death metal band. Next time a chance to see these guys
comes around; I encourage you all to do just that.
The last band to take on the Main stage is The Destro. A Machine
Head influenced band that drove well over 2 hours to come perform this
show. First, I must say, for a drummer that only uses a 4 piece kit, 2
cymbals, and one hi-hat, he plays every bit of it to his fullest
extent. Matching his bass drum strikes with palm muted guitar
lines, it was definitely heavy and mind driving. Screaming
vocals coming from their lead singer were powerful, there was little if
any singing at all. The vocals fit the style very well though.
Bass lines were very guitar following, but that’s how it usually goes
for bands like this. Not much else to say about this band
and/or its performance, Very solid, and minimally flawed all
together... A band I’d see again. Be sure to check out
their new CD coming out this fall!
The whole show, overall, was great... I did manage to get upstairs to
check out Lost and My Plastic Friends. The Sound upstairs was
much crushed, so to say putting a PA system in a small balcony whereas
the roof carries over a rail into a main lobby. I must say though, both
bands performed very well.
Lost, honestly has a lot of potential riding, mainly from their
guitarist and drummer. Their singer is heavily on the repetitive
side with lyrics and could definitely use more in a lot of their
songs. For a 4 piece band though, their instrumentals were very
well structured and had a lot of potential behind them. For the
most part, they’re a good band, just need more lyrics!
My Plastic Friends did an outstanding job. I wasn’t able to catch
their whole set, but I will say this... These guys are definitely on
the up rise and will surely be seen more in the local scene.
Recently acquiring a new bassist, they performed as if this guy was in
the band for years... A near-flawless performance on behalf of all the
band members, from what I got the chance to see.
Overall, the KB Karnevil was a great show. Good performances from
everyone that was involved and good job on promotions.
There will possibly be another one coming soon. Stay tuned!
ftworthmusic.com reviewer
Karnevil Klown