Photos and review by: Chris Besaw
Thrash Metal and Hardcore fans were treated to a killer lineup in Central New York. The Pure Filth Fest 2 made its return to Sharkey’s in Liverpool Sunday afternoon. The festival was headlined by the “kings of thrash metal”, the Cavelera Conspiracy and they brought along with them some of thrash metal’s heavy hitters, Offensive, Living Dead Girl, Byzantine, Sanguisugabogg and Fear Factory.
Starting things off was Offensive. Regretfully, I missed their set as I was waiting to get into the venue, but from what I heard, they sounded great and got the crowd amped up.
Things kicked into high gear when Living Dead Girl took the stage with their mix of modern metal and rage. Originally forming in Canada the band brings a fresh sound that best described as Avril Lavigne meets Marilyn Manson. The band played a killer set with notable songs “Poison Me,” and “Ugly.” It was great to hear these songs live. I enjoyed their set and am looking forward to seeing them again.
Next up was the Charleston, WV metal band Byzantine. Byzantine is a band I have not seen before, so I really did not know what to expect. Lead singer Chris Ojeda and company put on an incredible show.
From the moment the band took the stage to the last ringing notes, Byzantine played a killer set for the masses including a mix of songs from their 20+-year career. Some songs that stood out were “Hatfield,” “Stick Figure,” and “Floating Chrysanthema.” For a band that has somehow flown under my radar I really enjoyed their set and hope to see them again.
Taking the stage next was Ohio’s, Sanguisugabogg. For fear of sounding like a broken record, I have not seen Sanguisugabogg either but I was looking forward to checking them out. I have to say from the moment singer Devin Swank and company hit the stage and the first beat from the drums roared out, the crowd erupted into a sea of head banging and crowd surfing! Who could blame them with songs like “Face Ripped Off” and “Abhorrent Contraception” which I definitely enjoyed. I have to give credit to drummer Cody Davidson who is a beast on the drums, he drums with such ferocity and speed which could only be complimented by Cedrik Davis and Drew Arnold who both play not only guitars but bass as well. Overall, it was great to see them fire up the crowd and get them ready for the next band!
What would Pure Filth Fest 2 be without a band that is not only a veteran industrial metal band but also incredible live, and that band is Fear Factory. I got goosebumps from the moment I heard the Terminator 2 intro pumping through the PA because not only have I not seen Fear Factory in a while and I was eagerly waiting to see them again, in fact I haven’t seen them in close to 15 hears. I knew I was in for a great show guitarist Dino Cazares came out on the stage and the crowd went nuts! Wasting no time as singer Milo Silvestro, Tony Campos on Bass and Pete Webber on the drums entered the scene launching right into “Demanufacture”, a classic track. It’s been awhile since I last saw them but after a couple songs in I was reminded just exactly why they are titans in the industrial metal scene, they are not only amazing live but they are still as strong and intense as the last time I saw them. They play with such precision and fury. I loved that I got hear such classic tracks as “H-K (Hunter-Killer)”, and the track that was on my workout playlist for years, “Edgecrusher.” After a blistering and incredible 12 song set there is no doubt in my mind as to why they have endured for over 35 years!
Finally, after a long day of head banging and high-fiving, the night’s headliner was ready to take the stage, the mighty Brazilian Metal Legends Cavalera Conspiracy. The brothers Cavalera have been melting faces and banging heads for over 40 years. They were originally known as Sepultura before reforming into Caverla Conspiracy in 2007. With their Brazilian influence in their metal and thrash music they bring a very heavy melodic and tribal feel to their metal music.
Lead singer and guitarist Max Cavalera backed up by his brother Igor Cavalera(drums), Igor Amadeus Cavalera (Bass/Backup Vocals), and Travis Stone(Guitars) provided the perfect soundtrack to a full day of great music and moshing at Sharkeys. It was an extra special show for them (and me) because they were playing one of the albums I saw them on tour for way back in 1994, Chaos A.D.! Max Cavalera between songs took time to thank the crowd for coming out and supporting both heavy metal and Cavalera Conspiracy over the years. You can tell he truly appreciates his fans! The band played the album in its entirety and it was flawless in my opinion! A true testament to why they are a legend on the scene and are well respected by their fans. I can’t say enough how truly great it was to hear those songs live again, it brings me back to when I saw them on that tour back in 1994 at Darien Lake!
After an intense and blistering set, the band thanked the fans again for coming out and made their way off stage. Overall, Pure Filth Fest 2 was an amazing day of music, comradery, food and just a great way to head into fall in Upstate New York. I’m hoping that this festival will return to our area again next year.
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