Building off of yesterday's post, I thought I'd once again pounce on well-traveled ground in the blog: Black Sabbath. Not only Sabbath, but also what I've seen from the solo bands of two of their front men- Ozzy and Dio. I'm leaving off the time I saw Deep Purple- even though I like Born Again (and Purple for that matter), I feel like it is a VERY sperate thing and you know what I mean. Plus, Gillan kind of toed the line before the 9 year drop off before Dio's return with Dehumanizer.
Now, I saw Ozzy's band in the late 80's first. Geezer was on bass and they pumped out a few Sabbath songs, including Sweet Leaf, which I didn't expect but it wasn't THE Black Sabbath. Also, when I previously wrote about these sets, I mistakenly credited Mike Bordin with playing one of the two Sabbath gigs, miraculously and by all accounts and internet provenance it was Bill Ward BOTH times behind the kit. I see I even posted the sets in that one. But let's stick to the program here- THE LIST:
Not to brag, but this is my complete double test press of We Sold Our Soul for Rock N Roll- a very important release for me
So, something I've done for a while is keep a list of live songs I've seen from some of my favorite bands. I never really did this for the hardcore bands I've seen, as the vast majority of them, I saw while they were playing their material what is now (or even, then) considered classic. Also, those bands were so accessible, that they just reside in a different place in my mind than the subject of this post (another one) about Danzig.
I first saw Danzig in the 1990's (as documented elsewhere in this blog) for a current total of 13 times, which does not include the two great "Original" Misfits gigs or the (EXCELLENT) Samhain reunion in 1999. There was a (technically) 12-year dry spell from November 2010 (the 11th 'Zig gig) until May 2022(#12), though in that time, I saw those aforementioned Misfits gigs. Also, I had Tickets to a show in Sept 2017 at the Warfield, but it got moved due to illness to the same night as another gig (L7) and, as I had only seen L7 in 1992 once, I chose that. I should also mention that the L7 gig was over early and I hopped in my car and sped over to the Warfield, only to spent 25-30 minutes looking for parking and another 15 or so walking to the venue, just to arrive as the doors opened and the crowd was streaming out, thus missing my only chance to see the song Godless live. Bummer summer- Though excellent gigs in 2022 and 2025 with a few songs I'd never seen more than made up for that. I've included the time's Danzig did Samhain or Misfits songs
I never expected to write a part 3, but here we are... (part 1, part 2)
Maybe something bad, maybe something good
4 years ago this month, I ventured with some friends to the annual "This is Hardcore" fest in surly, yet wonderful Philadelphia, PA, I went for the camaraderie and not to really see a specific band per se. The Jerry Only fronted version of the "Misfits" were headlining Saturday night, which had the most bands playing that I was interested in (Killing Time, Cro-Mags, and after the fact, surprisingly, Biohazard were a highlight) so I was kinda looking forward to that, especially when I saw they were going to play Earth AD in it's entirety. Alex, Milford and I had traveled to "Natefest" earlier in the year and it was a solid crew to be travelling with.
Alex, Milford and the Author.
The shows were what festivals always are: fun at times, but arduous at best. The Misfits came on late on Saturday and the Crowd was initially amped, but without a front man, the 39 song set just seemed to drag after like the 8th or 9th song. As the set steamed a long, Milford turned to me and said "I'd never thought I'd be so bored hearing these songs." I agreed. This line up was not BAD they played just fine and was certainly better than some of the late 90's and early 2000's shows I had seen, but it was unbelievably NOT captivating. If you watch the video of the set, it seems like they lose the crowd pretty fast.
After that, I pretty much thought I was done seeing the Misfits (again), why would I want to watch songs I absolutely love be so absolutely mundane? Not to mention, but I had seen the whole "Danzig and Doyle" thing twice and they absolutely crushed the 8 or 9 Misfits songs they did for those shows, plus they were sandwiched in between absolute classic Danzig material. On that 2005 tour, Danzig had his best post-John Christ era guitarist, Joe Fraulob, on guitar. Sad that he didn't make it longer, he could actually play the leads with the skill and feel they require. On the 2006 tour he had Kenny Hickey, another totally legit stand in for John Christ. Those dudes, plus Doyle, put the 2015 Jerry trio to shame. Not to mention in 2006, they did a bunch of Samhain songs too, apparently at Kenny's behest.
Joe Fraulob and the 'Zig 2005, by Maurice Nunez
Kenny Hickey, lifted from a Myspace fan page (lol)
Listen, I love Danzig... Misfits, Samhain and the eponymous band, it just strikes a chord with me. But this love comes with conditions. Danzig's last two records, Skeletons and Black Laden Crown were bargain bin fodder and the Misfits without him is so fucking spotty, it's really not worth the effort. But two weeks ago, tickets for the June 29th "Original Misfits" show in LA practically fell in my lap and I made plans to go and I am so glad I did.
Werewolf bar mitzvah, spooky, scary
I gave my spare ticket to Adrian, who plays guitar in Tuning on the condition that we take his car. It also worked out that we could stay at his brother's place in Ventura. The trip was planned and actualized fairly quickly and soon enough we were at the Banc of California stadium. We ran into, and then hung out with, Andy Coretex (who was responsible for the Tuning record even happening) and his family the whole day. The thing is, although we checked out where our far-away-from-the-stage seats were, we never actually sat in them, as there was a snack area, with a much closer view of the stage had a railing you could watch the show and eat at- and that's where we stayed for the whole show.
I'm having the time of my life here.
The Cro-Mags set was hit and miss, I'm not sold on this latest Harley incarnation, the Age of Quarrel songs sounded terrible, but the Best Wishes songs ruled. Anti-Nowhere League sucked, flat out and The Distillers were terribly uninteresting in this setting. Rise Against were pretty good, I really like their first few records and don't terribly mind the radio rock hits, plus Dead Hearts played with they when they were on the way up and they were really fucking cool. The crowd started to fill out 1/2 way through their set- by the time the Misfits took the stage, there were A LOT of people in that stadium.
The Misfits raged through 30 songs, all played with intensity and with 100% devastating effectiveness. I've gone over the set a hundred times in my head the past three day and it's been tough to really find the words to describe it aside from the typical- AWESOME! AMAZING! INCREDIBLE! But that's exactly what it was, awesome, amazing and incredible. I highly doubt the Misfits reunion shows that came before or that will come after will be as good. I think this is the prefect show to finally put the Danzig baby to rest, end on a high note. Especially considering there will be no higher note than the HILARIOUS $10 parking lot bootleg I got with a terribly drawn likeness of the current band on the front and the MICHAEL GRAVES era on the back! Bravo!
As I alluded to last time I touched on the subject, I saw a Danzig show in 2003 that literally helped change my life. Certainly, after reading this post, it may seem circumstantial to you, but I credit the Dazing show I saw in Poughkeepsie, NY in 2003 to have a direct and positive impact and put me on a career path that has been exciting, rewarding, and ever changing.
During the early afternoon of November 15th, 2003, I saw that Danzig was playing a show downstate at what I perceived as “near Albany.” Albany is roughly a four hour drive from Buffalo, where I grew up, and I have certainly made it fewer than four on some road trips. So the decision was made to go, we could purchase tickets for will call online and we’d make it there by 7pm, so all would be well; knowing the ‘Zig shows I’d been to before, he’d hit the stage by 9:30 or 10 and the whole thing would wrap up no later than 11:30. I was confident in this time frame, as I started my new Job the next morning at 7 am. I couldn’t have involved myself in a larger error of distance and time if I wanted to.
We arrived at the Chance in POUGHKEEPSIE NEW YORK at 9pm, because, well, the roads were bad, and because Poughkeepsie is an hour and a half past Albany. WHOOPS. Still, the openers were playing and I figured they’d be wrapping it up quickly and we’d get to have our summer in the winter time. But then there was another opener, and another and yet ANOTHER, all obviously pay to play bands that sold tickets to get on the gig.
11 pm came and went and I was starting to get nervous, but when Danzig hit the stage around 11:30, the world became Glenn and company. This was the best set I have ever seen by Danzig, I swear the stars must have been aligned properly because it was perfectly executed; with newer songs having a life they do not have in the studio or at any subsequent show I have witnessed since. Black Mass/ I Luciferi/ Twist of Cain/ Do You Wear the Mark/ Her Black Wings/ How the Gods Kill/ Kiss the Skull/ Unspeakable/ Lilin/ Snakes of Christ/ Angel Blake/ Until You Call on the Dark/ Bringer of Death/ Am I Demon/ Mother/ She Rides/ Dirty Black Summer/ Long Way Back From Hell. At some point, Glenn was right in front of me with his leg up on a monitor, and I made a terrible realization; I WAS LOOKING AT HIS BALL SACK. You see, Mr. Danzig was freeballing that night, going al fresca, total commando style, yet had a rip in the seam of his “stage jeans” causing one of his balls to be forced out under the pressure; much like the Alien Sigourney Weaver forced out into the vacuum of space. There was a little biker dude next to me, who witnessed the horror at the same time as I, looked at me and said “Ew man, you can see his nuts!” still, it was a great set and Glenn rewarded the crowd with his necklace as thanks for the reaction and support.
not the ballsack we saw
At 1:30 am, we started the trek back to Buffalo, where I had to start my new job at 7am. The weather was bad and I made it home with enough time to shower, throw on my uniform and make it in by the skin of my teeth. This was the first day of a new account and the former account holder literally left nothing to work with except a crinkled piece of paper with the security panel code on it. So there I was, in charge of a shipping a receiving intake office with no procedures, no direction and no sleep. I did have a coffee maker with supplies and a pad of paper, so I walked into the office next store and started asking them about procedures, what they would like to see and what they would expect from the receiving intake office. I then went to the plant manager and asked the same thing. 10 cups of coffee and 8 hours later, I had a 50 page document of procedures typed out.
The evening of the 18th and still riding the buzz of the great show from over the weekend, we decided to catch Danzig (and this time with Deicide!) at Club Laga in Pittsburgh, but sadly this show was the polar opposite of the show just a few days earlier. Plagued with equipment and prop issues (watching stage hands trying to duct tape pointed things that kept breaking was a highlight) the band just never got going and left their energy and enthusiasm at the door. It was a huge disappointment and getting home at 4 am, with work at 7 offered a repeat of the weekend, but without the payoff of a great show. Still, at work the next morning, I added another 30 pages to the document, which my operations manager looked over and praised. By November 27th, I found myself the director of security for a billion dollar a year corporation in no small part to my efforts in organizing procedures and because I had seen the greatest Danzig show ever… and Glenn’s nutsack.
Last week, I received my copy of "Deth Red Sabaoth" the new album by Danzig and surprisingly, it made me think of fudge. With the past 15 years spent toiling in no- solid line up hell, poorly recorded and received albums and commercial failure, it's hard to think that this album, aside from maybe one or two "ok" songs, would be anything worth writing about. I am happy to report this album IS something to write home about.
I feel the album starts of with an OK foundation with "Hammer of the Gods, The Revengeful" and "Rebel Sprits," but REALLY starts to pick up with the bluesy "Black Candy" and rides out strong through tracks like "Deth Red Moon" and both parts of the 10+ minute "Pyre of Souls." In the center of the album, "On a Wicked Night," the album's first single, is arguably one of the weaker tracks, but deserves it's place and works with the sequence and flow, another area where Sabaoth triumphs. "Left Hand Rise Above" is a modern take on the classic Danzig template and closes an album that has a strong continuity with 1994's 4P. A continuity sadly missing from Danzig's work for the 15 years following its release.
Now, overall, Deth Red Sabaoth is not with out its faults. Excessive pointless guitar wanking/pinch harmonics, poor production and and a mix that seems to never quite "get where it should have" detract a little from the overall enjoyment, but the strength of the songs shines through. And much to my delight, absent is the sour taste that the "non classic line up" Danzig albums have left in the mouths of many fans. This album is not a challenge to accept as a Danzig record, nor does it offend with stooping into relying on nu-metal low brow playing like the last few outings.
Oh, I had mentioned that the album made me thinks of fudge, hadn't I? OK, I will explain: Danzig 1-4 are best described as your grandmother's amazing fudge she made while you were growing up: consistently tasty and enjoyable with hardly any faults. Danzig 5-8 is that crappy store bought stuff the aunt you can't stand brings to family reunions. Sure, it gets the job done, but it isn't good and just makes you long for the stuff your grandmother used to make. Deth Red Sabaoth is the fudge your mother makes, using your grandmother's recipe. It tastes good and is as close as it's going to get to that now idealized, perfect and timeless fudge from Christmas 1989.
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