Rise Again Tour
June 7th, 2015
Aftershock Bar
Merriam, Kansas
The Dreaming, Death Valley, High Razorwire Halo, Me and My Shadow
Having been a fan of Stabbing Westward since the mid-90’s, there was no doubt that I wouldn’t take a road trip to see The Dreaming in concert. I’d not gotten the chance to see The Dreaming live since their 2006 Congress of Corruption tour with Godhead and Ill Nino. Since that time, Christopher Hall and Johnny Haro have released three full length albums, and reunited with Stabbing Westward co-founder Walter Flakus. The band’s current release, Rise Again, heralded a return to the days of Stabbing Westward, and an amalgamation between the sound and style of the two bands. Opening tonight’s set were local bands Me and My Shadow, and Razorwire Halo. While I wasn’t a fan of either band, both put on a spectacular visual show. Such is generally the case when you’re trying to capture the audience’s attention with subpar music.
Death Valley High, fresh off their tour with Orgy, smashed into the crowd with their Doom-Pop style of music. The band’s high energy set was refreshing given the opening band’s the crowd had to endure. Death Valley High’s heavy sound drew the crowd back to the stage, and caused more than a few fans to bounce along with the band.
Soon enough though, it was time for The Dreaming to perform. The band kicked off their 14 song set with the title track from their current release, “Arise”. For the next hour they hammered through the perfect mixture of tracks from “Arise”, “Puppet” and classic Stabbing Westward tracks.
Vocalist and founder, Christopher Hall, shared stories about various tracks through out the evening. “Blink of An Eye” was written about Hall’s frustration with people spending so much time glued to their mobile devices. Tongue in cheek, Hall told the crowd to record the song and put in on YouTube and FaceBook.
Sadly though, keyboardist and Stabbing Westward co-founder Walter Flakus, whom Hall reunited with to record “Rising”, will only be playing a few shows on this tour and tonight’s show wasn’t one of them. Not having a set list taped to the stage, it was drummer Johnny Haro who dictated the set. Hall, several times, joked with Haro about reminding him what song to play next. Lead guitarist Carlton Bost, who’s toured with the likes of Orgy and Deadsy, reigned over the crowd as he and bassist Franccesca De Struct, voted one of Revolver’s Hottest Chicks In Metal 2015, extended the intros to most of the band’s songs. That’s the awesome part about seeing a live show from a group of musicians who are truly dedicated to their art; It’s not like listening to the albums. Hearing these tracks live, some not played since Stabbing Westward toured in 2002, were more intense. Not that the album tracks aren’t intense, but the extended intro for “So Far Away” drew the crowd deeper into the music.
These veteran musicians perfected the definition of “Live Concert Experience”. The stage lights burst dazzling shades of red, blue, green and purple, and enhanced the mood of each track played. Hearing the audience sing “Throw It Away” and “Rise Again” along with Hall was a religious experience. Fans of Hall and Haro’s Stabbing Westward were also treated to 6 of the band’s most popular tracks. It’s great to know that Hall has accepted that The Dreaming and Stabbing Westward music can coexist together. The band’s addition of Garbage’s “#1 Crush” was another treat to hear. Originally to be included on the band’s “Rising” release, it was left off at the request of Metropolis Records, but has now found it’s place during the band’s live sets.
Overall, tonight’s show was one of the best that I’ve gotten to attend. It’s wonderful that Hall continues to make music and inspire a new generation while maintaining a fan base that formed almost 20 years ago.
The Dreaming set list:
Alone
Breathing
Blink of an Eye
So Far Away (Stabbing Westward)
#1 Crush (Garbage)
Afraid
Kisses Tastes Like Death
Sometimes It Hurts (Stabbing Westward)
Throw It Away
Every Trace
What Do I Have to Do? (Stabbing Westward)
Rise Again
Shame (Stabbing Westward)
Save Yourself (Stabbing Westward)
