Coal Chamber Live In Wausau, WI
By
Jason Savage,
Pure Rock Patroller
Thursday, July 25, 2002 @ 8:09 AM
| Coal Chamber/Medication/Five P
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I had been eagerly awaiting this show for months when I received the bad news; American Head Charge had dropped off the tour after losing tour support from their label and are being marched back into the studio as we speak. I guess the follow up album to The War of Art just can’t wait! I was all set to interview them when the e-mail showed up in my in box like a virus. The worst part was that they ended the night before they were to play in my neighborhood. Why couldn’t they have at least played one more night? Alright, I’m done whining for now. Let’s get on with the show!
We missed the opener, Inatrance, a last minute add on to keep five bands on the bill. The next band was very impressive indeed. With a name like Lollipop Lust Kill, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I managed to catch their last three songs but immediately made a note to find out more about these guys. Dressed in gothic ‘70s motif -- burgundy tuxedos complete with white ruffled shirts and matching bowties -- LLK played some killer tunes that would fit well on any horror movie soundtrack. The band was cool enough to hang out in the bar after their set and I did manage to get lead singer Evvy Pedder’s autograph on my ticket stub. I also found out that they are from Toledo, Ohio and their first release, My So Called Knife, is in stores now. Check ‘em out if you like your metal on the heavy side and go to their website at: http://www.lollipoplustkill.com/.
Five Pointe O hit the stage with their brutal mix of sound. The Roadrunner Records act played fast and furious, while vocalist Daniel Struble’s hardcore bark/death metal scream reached high notes ala Dani Filth. The music seemed to flow together like one long song, so I lost interest rather quickly. I’m not much into death metal to begin with, even though I’m sure these guys get lumped into the nu-metal genre. Daniel (Dani) employed the “Filth” scream after just about every line and it got old.
Next up were Medication, featuring Whitfield Crane, former Life of Agony and ex-Ugly Kid Joe singer. Yes, he sang that song everyone liked to say they hated but sang along to anyway: “Everything About You.” No, Medication didn’t use it in their set. I liked what I heard here, but I got thirsty and headed for the bar. After running into the local DJs from Z104 and a few assorted hot metal chicks, I ended up missing most of their set.
Amidst Internet gossip, rumors and Dez’s own claim that “any show may be Coal Chamber’s last,” I was ready for the fireworks to begin. Having read about the near-brawl between Dez and guitarist Meegs, I hoped they would set aside their differences and just play the volatile “spookycore” that CC is known for. The stage set was very simple being flanked by the glowing blue words: Coal and Chamber. I found myself sidetracked immediately by their gorgeous bassist Nadja Peulen. The German born Hollander from LA kept me entranced for their whole 45 minute set. Excuse me ladies, as I describe the scene for the males: Nadja’s blood red mane flowed effortlessly as the air from the fan behind her quenched the sweat on her brow. Nadja’s greenish eyes circled in black eyeliner stared out on the masses like some Queen of the Damned, hypnotizing her subjects while she licked her red lips. Sporting a black leather bustier and skirt over red and black striped “Pippie”-styled long stockings on her calves and wrists, she wind milled her locks whilst banging her head like a metal maiden of old. Twirling in circles, she revealed gothic era red ruffled panties as the wind from the fan lifted her skirt with each and every whirl. Okay, I gotta stop now! If you want to see the real thing, go to the show or to her gallery at: http://www.nadjaonline.com/. She is simply amazing!
CC tore through favorites like “Loco,” “Big Truck,” and their closer “Sway.” They also played a handful of songs from their newest release, Dark Days, including the title track. I was very disappointed that they didn’t play “El Cu Cuy,” my favorite track. Even though ticket sales were poor (250-300 metal heads out of a capacity of 1000), Coal Chamber rocked the pole shed like the professionals that they are. Dez commanded the swirling pits as drummer Mike Cox hammered away. Mike had the word “Pig” painted in red upon his chest, leaving me wondering what his ulterior motive was. Meegs kept his distance from Dez, and it was evident that their issues were to be kept backstage where they belonged.
Overall, this was a great show. Members of the crowd showed their displeasure by yelling, “What about American Head Charge?” since their absence was never announced.
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