This show was the fastest sell out in Jaxx history!
November 5, 2005
Opeth & Nevermore merchandise and Opeth guitar rack.
Nevermore
Warrel Dane gets some work done before the show on his laptop while Opeth sound checks and then stands next to Jeff Loomis, Nevermore guitar god, after the show.
To say the anticipation was high while Nevermore took the stage would be an understatement. The place was as packed as it could be.
Jeff Loomis and Warrel Dane.
While Jeff gets a lot of the guitar credit, Steve Smyth is no slouch himself. These guys are the most talented metal band in the country IMO.
Jim Sheppard on bass was overseeing the making of a Nevermore Documentary DVD video with a bunch of live coverage filmed at this Jaxx show. Look for it to be available by middle of next year after Nevermore shoots some footage from their forthcoming European Tour. Should be some good stuff and it might even be some kind of monster.
Warrel gives another strong live performance. The band played four songs off of their latest CD and the title track, "This Godless Endeavor" was simply crushing. Look for Nevermore back at Jaxx next year with a headline show. I'll be there.
Opeth
Fastest sellout in Jaxx history - could Opeth be going mainstream? Not likely. But when you're this good, you can't help being popular even when you're playing primarily progressive death metal. No one does it better. And they haven't done it better in quite a while. People listening to Opeth for more than a few years now have a widening "I told you so smirk". Deservedly so.
I have seen Opeth at Jaxx 3 other times before and they were by far the best this time around. The sound was absolutely incredible and kudos on the thundering drum mix. Damn! Always great on CD, this time the live performance was stellar as well.
Songs played included Bleak, Deliverance, In My Time of Need, Face of Melinda, Blackwater Park and set closer Demon of the Fall.
These pictures of high quality are by Josh Dunietz of Metal Exposed - a great site - check it out! Thanks Josh!
Mikael Åkerfeldt was loquacious as usual and his dry sense of humor was appreciated by the crowd. They didn't mind that Opeth played for almost two hours either. He joked about playing "Black Rose Immortal" (a 20 minute song) but I would not have been surprised to hear it.
Opeth are touring the US again after the first of the year. We'll try to have them back again as there is no better venue for the fans in the DC area. Don't wait to buy your ticket. :-)
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