Let It All Bleed Out

I know it's been a couple weeks since I actually saw Rob Zombie at Kool Haus (April 4) (Editor's note: a much longer time than that) but it really was a great show, one worthy of a review on this self-indulgent blog. :) Bullet For My Valentine and Lacuna Coil provided support for the show for which I was willing to miss Blue Jays Opening Day 2006, and all together it was a fantastic lineup. I really was keen to see each of the bands play, none of whom I'd seen before. Here's the complete setlist:

Bullet For My Valentine

1) Her Voice Resides
2) Four Words (To Choke Upon)
3) Suffocating Under The Words Of Sorrow (What Can I Do)
4) Tears Don't Fall
5) No Control
6) Hand Of Blood

Lacuna Coil

1) Tight Rope
2) Fragile
3) To The Edge
4) Humane
5) Swamped
6) Fragments Of Faith
7) Enjoy The Silence [cover - Depeche Mode]
8) Our Truth
9) Heaven's A Lie

Rob Zombie

1) American Witch
2) Demon Speeding
3) Living Dead Girl
4) Creature Of The Wheel
5) More Human Than Human
6) Never Gonna Stop (the red, red kroovy)
7) Let It All Bleed Out
8) House Of 1000 Corpses
9) Super Charger Heaven
10) Foxy Foxy
11) Thunder Kiss '65
First Encore:
12) Superbeast
13) Dragula
Second Encore:
14) The Lords Of Salem

From what I can remember, the guys from Bullet were pretty sure of themselves and perhaps expecting a louder response from the crowd, who were clearly waiting for Mr. Zombie. They played a great set, and ended on a strong note playing Hand Of Blood, a favourite of mine that I actually first heard on the video game Need For Speed: Most Wanted.

Since I was really looking forward to seeing Lacuna Coil, my mind was racing with the possibilities of songs to hear, and I was hoping that they'd open with Tight Rope. When I heard the opening riff, I almost lost it. How often does a band open with the song you most want to hear? :) During the first song, the band also did a fine job of synchronized head-banging, a feat not seen (by me) since Meshuggah opening for Tool on Sept. 18/01. :) The set was an excellent mix of tunes from the new album Karmacode and from Comalies, and Cristina Scabbia must be proclaimed a rock goddess. Not only is she supremely hot, she rocks out with the best. And hey, she can sing. :P With the conclusion of this awesome set, the show is already a great one, and now I get to see Rob Zombie.

I was expecting a considerable amount of theatrics to go along with the music given that hey, this is Rob Zombie after all, and he didn't disappoint. The video screen showed images from his videos, as well as some crazy anime nudity, and what looked like scenes from a Russ Meyer movie. :) The backdrop consisted of some monsters and some topless women statues. :) The music itself was fantastic, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of Zombie's vocals, given that the guy is screaming most of the time. The guitars were strong and didn't drown Rob out. The only song I wish had been on the setlist was Feel So Numb. Apart from that one omission, it was a superb set. Let It All Bleed Out is now one of my favourite Zombie songs. The end of the main set was preceded by some humour from Rob and John 5, the lead guitarist. Most American bands that come to Canada tend to want to poke fun at us Canucks by referencing Rush, and John 5 played a bit of The Spirit of Radio riff. Rob said something to the effect of, "Come on, you Canadians don't only like Rush! I hear you like Celine Dion, too. So here's some Celine Dion for you!" The band then immediately launched into Thunder Kiss '65, which the crowd absolutely loved. The first encore was cathartic for me, allowing me to scream along to both Superbeast and Dragula - so much fun. :) The band came back to play The Lords of Salem to wrap up a truly memorable rock show.

Here's hoping Zombie comes back to Toronto if continues to tour for Educated Horses, let's just not have it coincide with Opening Day 2007. :)