OUTSIDE THE COLD, "INSIDE THE FIRE!"

Who: DISTURBED with EGYPT CENTRAL and ART OF DYING

Where: SHAW Conference Center

When: Tuesday, December 2nd


Metalheads of all shape, size, and age were "Stupify'd" last night, as they came to watch Alt-Metal juggernauts, Disturbed, take the stage and raise "Ten Thousand Fists" in their name.

Spawned by Illinois' windy city, the Chicago quartet has accomplished much in their twelve year run, most notably of which, being one of six rock bands that can make the claim of having three consecutive number one albums. It should seem only fitting the band choose the title Indestructible for their latest release.

Warming up the crowd last night were relative newcomers from Vancouver, BC, Art of Dying and Memphis Tennessee five piece, Egypt Central.

Art of Dying's "green" status came through in their opening performance, of all the acts, they were the least engaging and interactive, giving the impression they were trying, but still had yet to master their stage presence. One fan was quoted as saying that they were "a less talented version of SpineShank" an obscure reference but an accurate one.

Coming from a music driven city like Memphis, it came as no surprise that the next act, Egypt Central, took the stage with tremendous ferocity, animation and energy. Between lead singer, John "Jack Sparrow" Falls' powerful and uplifting lyrical resonations and the tag team effort of guitarists Heath Hindman and Chris D'Abaldo, the crowd finally began to bristle with energy, like a human thundercloud. With songs like "You Make Me Sick," "Different," and "Taking You Down" you couldn't help but think that you may see these boys again, next time as headliners themselves.

Minutes later, the stage was literally set, and a stillness set over the crowd, the calm before the torrential storm to come. It grows black, the crowd roars with anticipation, the shadowy wave of a black stage curtain falls to the stage, bathed in red light emerging alone from this abyss is Disturbed front man David Draiman, restrained in a straightjacket, afixed with a face mask a la Hannibal Lecter. An attendant wheels him to center stage, quickly removes the jacket whilst moving away himself as if setting free some terrible Jabberwocky-like terror. With the mask still on his face, David raises his hands not surprisingly leading into their song "Perfect Insanity".

This grand entrance would set the tone for the rest of the evening, iconic songs such as "Liberate", "Deify", "The Game", their cover of Journey "Shout 2000", and of course the title track of the new album release "Indestructible" kept the masses standing before them in a constant state of fervor. The song list never seemed to let up, allowing the audience to jump around wildly, mosh relentlessly, and as lead vocalist David even exclaimed himself "release our frustrations and anger" that night without impedement.

After a false conclusion to their show, they took the stage one last time ending the evening with an encore consisting of "Stricken" and their controversial song "Inside the Fire" which is the tale of a young man whose girlfriend commits suicide and in his grief, is visited by the devil, who tries to convince the young man to take his own life so that he may be with her again in Hell. This song comes from a very personal place for front man Draiman, as it is based on events in his real life.

Despite the macabre undertones of the closing songs, the crowd was sated and most went home very pleased with the performance, anxiously awaiting the next time Edmonton will come "Down with the Sickness".