Graveyard
w/ Uncle Acid and Twin Temple
March 9, 2019
The Masquerade
Atlanta, GA
Twin Temple
We got to the Masquerade in time to secure a sweet spot in the upper balcony so we’d have a great view of the show. The previous night was my first time seeing ‘50s doo-wop Satanic rockers (yes, you read that correctly) Twin Temple and honestly I was blown away so I was looking forward to seeing them again. Alexandra and Zachary (the leaders of Twin Temple) took to the stage opening their ceremony with the Twin Temple Satanic Invocation. The crowd honestly didn’t know what to do and then suddenly the band launched into this ‘50s style of doo-wop rock and roll with “Sex Majik.”
The crowd seemed to eat it up as this was probably the perfect audience for a band like this. As an attendee, it was just so refreshing to see and hear a band that totally came out of left field with a sound that was so different than what you would expect from Satanic leaders. Most would probably expect a typical death metal band, black metal band, or whatever but who would ever believe that a band like this could be a Satanic band.
The band’s stage production was absolutely fantastic and the band was dressed to the nines sporting ties, hats, and Zachary’s rockabilly attire and greaser’s hair. Hey, it sounds crazy but it’s no more ridiculous than what Watain does and honestly, I’d rather listen to Twin Temple any day of the week. With sweet sounds of sax, barroom piano, rockabilly guitar, and sultry vocals that sent shivers down my spine, I’d say it’s safe to say that Twin Temple just may be the band to make Satanism sexy. If hell is anything like this then please show me the way.
=================================================
Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats
Back in 2012, a friend of mine couldn’t stop talking about this band Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats. “If you like Graveyard you’re going to LOVE this band,” he told me. He gave me a copy of their 2011 release Bloodlust and I could barely make it through three songs. I persevered but in the end, I was at the conclusion that I never needed to hear them again. I just couldn’t take those nasally, whiney vocals/harmonies. It was literally like nails on a chalkboard to me sung over rehashed Sabbath riffs.
Fast forward through the years and I honestly gave them a try on every album. I did find myself somewhat digging the 2015 release Mindcreeper but even that was short lived as I just couldn’t sit through the album more than once or twice at the most. I even had an interview with lead vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Kevin Starrs and we hit it off right away. He was a really cool guy and I loved talking with him but I still just couldn’t connect. Maybe seeing them live would change this?
The answer to this is a hard NO. Uncle Acid is a band that I feel like I definitely should like. They have a great look, they had a great stage show, and they play with a lot of energy but the songs are so repetitive. There is little to no dynamics in sound or even change in groove. It pretty much sounded like they played the same song 12 times, then one song that had the intro to Sabbath’s “After Forever” in the middle of it, and a song that sounded like Sabbath’s “Fairies Wear Boots.” The crowd was really them and honestly, they’re very good musicians but they seemed to lack any kind of feel or any emotion. It all seemed so static and rehearsed. Sorry guys, I tried.
=================================================
Graveyard
I have said this so many times but seeing Graveyard, to me, is always the closest thing to a religious experience I can have. The night before in Asheville, the guys were on fire and I couldn’t imagine that they could top that. Well, leave it to Graveyard to be a band that can actually top themselves. The band took the stage to a roar from the crowd and the thumping bass intro filled the room. Opening the set with “Walk On” from the band’s latest album Peace was a perfect way to open things up but it was “Please Don’t” that set the groove. People were grooving out and bopping their heads. They were definitely feeling it.
Graveyard sounded better than ever and new drummer Oskar Bergenheim has brought so much to the band. As much as I loved Axel’s (former Graveyard drummer) style, Oskar is much more of a rock drummer with the ability to play dynamically with seems to have opened new doors for Graveyard to kick things up a notch. Singer/guitarist Joakim Nilsson was much more animated on stage than I’ve ever seen him and his vocals were absolutely stratospheric.
Graveyard’s setlist had a good bit of “classics” such as “Hisingin Blues,” “Uncomfortably Numb,” “Buying Truth,” and “Hard Times Lovin’” but it was the new songs that really shined. The fact that Graveyard played seven of the ten songs off of the new album says a lot. The band is very proud of this material and rightfully so. Bassist Truls Morck’s “Bird of Paradise” was absolutely amazing to hear live and “It Ain’t Over Yet” came across as a very powerful message that Graveyard has just barely tapped into what lies ahead in the future.
Graveyard closed their set with “Magnetic Shunk” from Innocence and Decadence but returned with an amazing encore that kicked off with “Low (I Wouldn’t Mind)” from Peace. As the band was closing out “Low”, Oskar took this amazing drum solo that was draped behind a wall of feedback which had the crowding going nuts and without even the slightest hesitation went right into “Ain’t Fit to Live Here.”
Which has now become a ritualistic closing of Graveyard shows, “The Siren” absolutely brought the house down with Joakim giving what I feel just may be his greatest vocal performance that I’ve seen. I was so moved by this song and this particular performance was nothing less than stratospheric. When it came to a close, the crowd roared chanting for more and then it was all over. While it seemed like Uncle Acid had a good number of folks leave after their set, Graveyard definitely got the strongest and most vocal reaction from the crowd.
Graveyard, as always, is a powerful thing to behold live. Graveyard isn’t just a band that you listen to; they’re a band that you feel. Their music is rooted in so much passion and emotion. It’s like going to church because every time I see them, I feel moved, inspired, happy, and I feel like I can take on the world. There is something so special about Graveyard. Maybe it’s that they’re an extremely dynamic band or maybe it’s just that they don’t care about being cool or being a part of something hip. Graveyard is real music for real people and if this show is any indication, we have a lot of greatness that lies ahead for us.
About The Author
