Stagestruck

MASTODON/THE BURNING BRIDES/THE HIDDEN HAND
@Emo's, Austin, TX
March 25, 2005
The mighty Mastodon returned to Austin, this time having graduated to headlining status. Supporting the amazing themed album Leviathan, the Atlanta metal quartet thundered across the stage of a packed Emo's, with fun-loving smiles, earthquake drumming and head-smashing riffs. The songs taken from the latest album proved as exceptionally melodic live as on record; "Seabeast," "Aqua Dementia" and "I am Ahab" perfectly blended classic metal tuneship with extreme metal drive. The band threw in "Crusher Destroyer" from its already classic disk Remission to please the faithful, closing on a twelve-ton note with a bruising cover of the Melvins' "Bit." The group tried to leave for bed after that, but persistent demand brought the foursome back on stage for a blazing run through the thrashy "Hail to Fire," from the debut EP Lifesblood. Then it was goodbye for sure, but there's no way the crowd wasn't satisfied. This is one Mastodon Austin won't let become extinct.

Mastodon's tourmates proved themselves worthy allies as well. Philadelphia's Burning Brides might seem like an odd match at first, but the group's fireball rock & roll was well received, if the huzzahs given "Heart Full of Black" and "Arctic Snow" are any indication. The Hidden Hand played first and thus had the smallest crowd and shortest set of the night. But the Maryland power trio features a true living legend, Scott "Wino" Weinrich, on guitar, and plenty of folks showed up early to pay homage. The songs written by Wino and bassist Bruce Falkinburg are some of the most interesting, thoughtful and rocking Wino has ever done (and that's saying something, considering the impressive catalogs of Spirit Caravan, Place of Skulls and the Obsessed), but the stage belonged to his magic fingers and Gibson guitars. With a varied set including not only tunes from the band's two albums, but also "Five Points" from a split EP with Wooly Mammoth and "Rebellion," retrieved from a Maryland metal comp, the Hidden Hand showed its mettle in metal with enthusiasm, talent and even dignity. Mastodon conquers, the Burning Brides slay, but Wino rules. Michael Toland