HVYMTLMOM.COM - R-Slayer 022407

I was really looking forward to this show because I was totally blown away by Unearth at Ozzfest (best band there, I thought!) and HAD to see them again. Even though I liked some of their songs, I had never been too much of a Slayer fan but I was looking forward to seeing a legend as well. As the day got closer I got more and more nervous since I couldn't convince anyone to go with me....this was going to be my very first concert that I would be on my own. I even got calls from concerned friends. I needn't have worried though-I lucked out immediately because I got in the line right behind some nice people. We had an hour or so wait before the doors opened and spent the time talking.

Come to think of it, I've never met an asshole at a metal show....only at mainstream, radio sponsored concerts. Metal people are way cooler than the general population.

When we got inside I checked out the merchandise-just couldn't bring myself to pay $35 for a Slayer shirt when I wasn't even sure if I'd like them live....and I was already wearing my Unearth one, so I skipped that. More waiting....and FINALLY we got outside to the stage. One of my new friends said he would stay with me and was quite surprised at my skill of getting where I wanted to be-up front at the rail of course! I was close during Ozzfest, but this was even better-only a few feet from the stage. Good and bad~good because I was so close, but bad because security was RIGHT THERE and there was no way I could possibly use my camera that I managed to sneak in. I attempted to use my cameraphone (bought just for the occasion!) but they threatened to take that away too-LOL if they saw the shitty pictures I managed to take, I'm sure they wouldn't have minded me using it.

When Unearth came out, I was totally oblivious to everything around me. They were fucking amazing! Highlights: when Trevor was doing the "down on our knees...." part of March of the Mutes and we made eye contact, singing it "together", also when Buz and Ken jumped down and played right in front of me. Buz was right on the other side of the rail! Their set ended all too quickly, but they played a lot of my favorites. I can't fucking wait to see them again!!!!

Between the bands, I was able to get a more solid grip on the rail and it was a good thing, since I was going to have to reach around it to hang on during Slayer! I had some cool people around me, including a group that had seen the bands in Orlando the night before.

When Slayer finally came out, the crowd went crazy...I don't know enough of their music to post the setlist, but I did recognize most of the songs they played. At one point it seemed that the crowd surfers were never going to stop, they just kept coming one after the other, but thanks to my "bodyguard" I had no injuries other than sore muscles the next day and a couple of bruises. Slayer did a good set, they earned my respect, even though I've never been a fan of Tom's vocals. I was a bit disappointed that they pretty much stayed in their same spots the whole time. I was hoping to see Kerry more up close, but he never came to our side. It's all good though....I ended up with one of Jeff's picks. He threw them out after each song and when this one landed, I was the first to get the attention of a security guard who handed it to me. I guess the security guys aren't pricks after all~only about cameras.

I've searched the internet looking for pictures of the show but only found a few of Slayer. There were 3 photographers there, so maybe some more will surface eventually. Credit for these photos goes to faziophoto.com:

I'm in that mess somewhere a little left of center:

I did find this video of Dead Skin Mask from the show (THANKS to the person that filmed this!) the pick Jeff is using for this song is the one I got!:

I left there with more than a pick and great memories....I now know I don't ever have to miss another show because I have no one to go with who knows and appreciates what REAL music is!....oh yeah~and a $25 parking ticket LOL