Event:	Cannibal Corpse: European Tour
Written by:	Götter
Published:	26.03.2007

That day, everything began with me along with two-thirds of a bus full of concert visitors heading for Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Aye, it was a ride in accordance with our local scene's best traditions - we drank lots of beer, bought burgers and urinated behind roadside trees and bushes. It was metalheads on the road.

When we got to the place, we were greeted by masses of metal fans waiting to get inside and then masses of metal fans below the legal age looking for someone to pose as their guardian, as it was the only way they could attend. I wasn't feeling too helpful that day, so I went in alone. The gig took place at a night club called Hollywood that has housed famous bands before such as Clawfinger and Fear Factory. The site was appropriate in terms of size but the atmosphere of the place was a bit? lacking, if you get my drift. Plus the price of beer inside was downright murderous.

Now before the concert started we were given bad news - Mortem wouldn't make it due to problems with getting a visa. As a compensation, Disavowed would play a longer set. I didn't previously know either of the bands but I sort of expected Mortem more, as I have a great deal of respect for the Russian scene and the numerous good acts it is able to produce. Regardless, there was nothing I could do.

Disavowed gave a nice and lengthy show. Their main strength was their abundance of raw energy on the stage. Indeed, it was easily seen that the band gave their very best to satisfy the large audience that had gathered - after only a few songs, the musicians, especially the vocalist, were covered in sweat, but they rocked on. They didn't fail and the majority of the crowd seemed to agree. In my opinion, Disavowed was the better of the two groups that played that night.

What was strange, or at least amusing, was the Dutchmen's appearance. With everyone in the front (that is, everyone except the drummer) being bald, they looked like a bloody hardcore/metalcore/whatevercore band! As a matter of fact, at occasions they sounded like that, mostly due to the behavior and voice of the vocalist. Strangely, that didn't disturb me much, probably because the aforementioned energy of Disavowed would've redeemed even worse things.

The second and also the last performer was Cannibal Corpse. Being completely honest, I've hated the band through most of my metal career. In that I was probably quite alone at the show, because Cannibal Corpse and death metal in general are very popular in Estonia. However, I approached the show with an open mind and with hopes that the Corpses would play songs from their last album, as it's the one of theirs that I like best. Not that I would've recognized them.

Anyway, I started with slamming right into the center of the mosh pit but didn't stay there for too long. Okay, it's a tiring enterprise, but something else was lacking. I've been in pits of local bands that manage to be much more brutal. Perhaps it's that there were simply too many people and thus too little space to move around. It had to be something in the sound equipment because it was obviously not the band's fault - Cannibal Corpse oozed power and professionalism, compared to the youthful energy of Disavowed.

Although the show wasn't overly long, I waited for its end most of the time. Drinking in the bus had made me a bit dizzy and my nose got brutalized by some girl who flew right into my face after I had already withdrawn from the pit and watched the show from a safe distance. A moshing wound outside the mosh pit, can you believe that? Fucking br00tal, and fucking annoying (and painful for the next few days). Also, I wanted more beer, but didn't even consider buying another one inside due to the ridiculous price.

When "Hammer Smashed Face" began, I knew the show was nearing its end. It's the only song that I knew for sure, as does probably everyone, and it was the best song of the night. It got the crowds really going, if they weren't so already. Another song came after that, and then that was it. I was tired, the people were too and most of all the band was. It was fun to watch Fisher windmilling his head for almost the entirety of the show. Thar takes some neck muscles, but we know he doesn't lack those.

In the end, I was left with mixed feelings. It certainly wasn't the best death metal concert I have been to, nor did it make me a Cannibal Corpse fan. But I do admit that the live was better than the band's studio efforts. With a little less crowd, and with a little more Mortem, I would've probably enjoyed the whole thing more. Nonetheless, no regrets for going, as Cannibal Corpse is a band everyone should see at least once, if only for their importance and fame.

Cannibal Corpse setlist:
Unleashing the Bloodthirsty
Murder Worship
Decency Defiled
I Cum Blood
Fucked with a Knife
Covered with Sores
Born in a Casket
The Wretched Spawn
I Will Kill You
Vomit the Soul
Disposal of the Body
Make Them Suffer
Dormant Bodies Bursting
Pit of Zombies
Five Nails through the Neck
Devoured by Vermin
Hammer Smashed Face
Stripped, Raped and Strangled