Steve Shalaty Immolation/Vader Tour Blog – Day 6, 7

Day 6 – Toronto, Canada: After load in and sound check we put Alex's kit on stage in front of mine. Pathology are absent so Lecherous Nocturne will again open the show. The view from behind his kit is sweet so I get a few shots for the blog. I also ask him about the 16" piece I had mentioned earlier and he informs me it's a Hammeraxe. He encourages me to check out the website. Apparently its a one man shop that makes custom pieces that are unique but pricey. Check out the picture of Alex's kit and you'll see it on the left under the leftmost china. His set up is very tight and definitely designed for an open handed player. He also runs a little popper snare on the left ala Longstreth. We discuss effects cymbals and piggyback combinations for a bit and then its time to hunt down some grub.

         

After some chicken parmesean with Ross, Bob and Jeff from Averse Sefira, I head back to catch the last half of the Lecherous set. It is mind numbing as usual and serves to remind me that I wanted to work my left hand a little extra today. As I head to the back stage area I notice Ken from Abigail Williams warming up in a little nook behind a barricade. As usual, he's got his whole kit set up in an impossibly small area so I take a few shots to help illustrate what I've been describing. I found out that Ken is also playing with Aborted and I'm intrigued by the thought of seeing him belt out some aggressive Death Metal. 

         

I warm up a bit as Lecherous winds out and then help pull Alex's kit and replace it with Ken's. The co-operation on this tour so far has been awesome and I hope it puts a new coat of paint on the whole touring experience for some of these guys.

          

Ken has mentioned his lack of enthusiasm for playing second after Lecherous because of the lack of blasting in the Abigail Williams set. A.W. is definitely a different animal than the rest of the bands but also one that is comfortable and confident in their own skin. They do well every night and are one of the most polished and consistent outfits on the tour.  The variance of sound and style they bring to the tour is refreshing and a welcome break from blasting and pounding. As soon as I hear Ken lope into the 6\8 feel of the intro and know all is well, I retire again to my practice pad. I play along with Ken for a while, shifting between hand patterns and trying to lean on my left hand a little more.

      

Paul goes up next for Vader and as soon as he gives me the o.k., I give him a good luck handshake and head to the bus to grab a shirt and a drink. When I return Vader are beating on the crowd with blasting double bass runs and battlefield vocals. I'm pumped to play and after a stretch and a warm-up its time to go. The bass drums feel like butter and the set goes pretty smoothly except for the 2 songs off "Here in After". There are some strange parts in those songs that never fail to make me feel clumsy. I need to get a hold of Craig Smilowski, Immolation's original drummer and the man that played drums on that album. Maybe he can help answer some questions I have about those parts. 

        

The Toronto crowd was awesome as usual. I love playing north of the border and its unfortunate we only have the 2 dates. My hometown is tomorrow and I hope the Cleveland crowd will rally for the show.

 

Day 7 – Cleveland, Ohio: Is where I started my music career. I don' t like playing here but I do enjoy seeing all my friends an family when I come through so it is a bittersweet stop on the tour. Its pouring down rain when we arrive. This is normal, but as if to taunt us further the rain stops as soon as all the equipment is loaded in. Haha. Welcome to Cleveland. The attendance is light so we rally to the front to support Pathology as they rejoin the tour. The twenty or so including myself bob our heads and swing our fists as the Californians give it their all.

       

We swap drum kits in record time and Lecherous are set to begin. I start gathering my friends who have never seen the furious five before. I consider L.N. a must see band and I know my crew will be blown away. My southern brothers kick ass while I stand there with a huge "I told you so" grin on my face. 

        

I unfortunately must attend to some pasta and chicken while Abigail Williams does their thing. Then it's time to get my warm up gear ready. I can hear Vader pounding the club and I play along with Paul on my practice pad upstairs.

        

All my guests have arrived and its time to do them proud. The kit sounds good tonight and I can't wait to put it through its paces.

 

The crowd is small but fired up and they get into every tune. I know the Cleveland old schoolers are out tonight so I suggest "Immolation" for an encore. Bingo. The crowd goes bonkers and makes me proud once more.

      

Thank you Cleveland. Thanks to all my friends old and new for making it a great night.