It was another one of those full house, standing room only kind of night at Track 29, as Chattanooga Live Music witnessed an extraordinary event of entertainment. The lead bill was Five Finger Death Punch (FFDP) but bringing along Avatar and 36 Crazyfists sure made it a lot more interesting. I am not a Metal Head, but sometimes I attend live music events for several reasons. The bands are interesting, the music is crafted and original and sometimes it is downright entertaining. Tonight at Track 29, it was all three, Five Finger Death Punch could have carried the sold out house at the end of the track. When you add another two hours of 36 Crazyfists, a group based in Alaska and Sweden group Avatar, you know you are in for some head banging, hard metal and occasional mix of a slightly touch of Rock. I think when FFDP broke out with the cover song “Bad Company”, I could relate to the Rock side of the Metal blasting and boasting. After all, wasn’t it Rock before Metal and Fire? These bands was mixing the three well, was that a five-gallon jug of kerosene sitting by Avatar’s drum kit?
The following additional footnotes of what I know about these three rock hard hitting metal machines.
Five Finger Death Punch
It’s always been about balance. That goal, since the beginning, when Five Finger Death Punch (Heavy Metal) formed in 2005, is now fully realized. The unrelenting hard work of the past eight years is all calibrated as The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell, an ambitious two-album release that will affect everything to follow. The title itself defines balance–much like Five Finger Death Punch. Their tactical instrumental attack is balanced by volatile lyrics and a voice driven by pain and fury. The reward is three–soon to be more–gold albums and an unprecedented run of Top 10 Active Rock radio singles that have been embraced by an audience actually living the teetering emotional balance of the songs. (http://www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com)
Hometown – Los Angeles / Las Vegas
Band mates
Ivan / Vocals
Zoltan / Guitars
Jason / Guitars
Jeremy / Drums
Chris / Bass
Avatar
A dark, twisted circus sideshow that’s built around bombastically grooving melodic death n’ roll is swinging forward with captivating glee, mesmerizing merriment and the plundering power of lethal pirates toward those brave souls who hand over a ticket to be torn by Avatar and their Black Waltz, the fourth album and first proper American release from the Swedish masters of mayhem. Within Avatar’s diverse songs, a steady focus on the fluid and organic power of the riff (recalling the thunderous foresight of heavy metal’s original wizards, Black Sabbath) takes flight combined with an adventurous spirit veering off into the astral planes of the psychedelic atmosphere conjured by pioneers like Pink Floyd back in the day.
Avatar has found a footing that combines the best of rock n’ roll, hard rock and heavy metal’s past, present and future into an overall artistic presentation that is thought-provoking, challenging and altogether enchantingly electric. With the grandiose showmanship of American professional wrestling, the snake oil salesmanship of early 20th century vaudevillian troubadours and the kinetically super heroic power of early KISS. https://www.facebook.com/avatarmetal
Sweden based Metal group found in 2003.
Band Members
Johannes Michael Gustaf Eckerström - Vocals
John Alfredsson – Drums
Kungen - Guitars
Tim Öhrström - Guitars
Henrik Sandelin - Bass
36 Crazyfists
Alaska based heavy metal group founded in 1994.
Brock Lindow / Vocals
Steve Holt / Guitars
Mick Whitney /Bass
Kyle Baitus / Drums
http://www.36crazyfists.net/
I attend many local and national events, supporting the local singers/songwriters, musicians, bands etc. On many occasions I am drawn to the national stage to observe the expanding live music scene and more artists/bands are looking at Chattanooga as a live music mecca. Riverbend for instance, this year is doubling the national acts for the Coke Stage as Riverbend Festival begins in a few short weeks. (June 5 – 13). The schedule posted at http://www.riverbendfestival.com/2015-schedule
My suggestions if you are new to the concert venue and festival events in the Chattanooga Live Music scene: Do your research before you purchase your ticket. No one has to dig too deep especially in social media to find who, what, when and where the next event are. When I plan my viewing schedule of choices, say, for future events at any of the live music venues/festivals in the Chattanooga area, I say take time to know more about who you are going to see. You had better have your expectations in check with the cost of the enjoyment.
-----
Mark A Herndon, certified professional geologist and professional photographer grew up in Chattanooga area, graduated from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. He is the Entertainment and Chattanooga cityscape/event photographer affiliated with Chattanoogan.com and contributor to magazines, venues and various festivals including Riverbend Festival, Nightfall Music Series, Southern Brewery Festival, Roof Top Hop, Wine Over Water and other events.
Email at MAHerndon@ChattanoogaLiveMusic.com