I just got back from PANTERA, SLAYER, two shitty bands - Skrape & Statix -X, and MORBID ANGEL. We arrived at the show 2 hrs early. And we didn't see a Metalhead in sight clueing us in on where the venue was - since I had to deal with Will Call once we got there. That is until I noticed a stocky bald-headed guy walking in front of the Hyatt Hotel. I jokingly say, there's a Metahead. He looks like Kerry King. Me and my buddy laughed, then we suddenly noticed the huge black tribal mark on this person's right arm. And lo and behold, it IS KERRY KING!

We quickly drive past him and did a U-Turn to drive up to the Hotel, and then we see ALL of SLAYER - Jeff, Tom, Kerry & Paul standing there with one of their Road Crew or Tour Managers as they prepare to get into two Taxi Cabs. Let's just say me and my buddy totally "bitched up", and didn't have a clue as to what to say to the band we've admired for 17 years. We totally froze. Damn!

Before SLAYER played later that night, the crowd was treated to a nice display of 7 women showing off their TITS as they sat upon several dudes shoulders. A nice treat as we waited for SLAYER!!!

Needless to say, SLAYER KICKED ASS live as usual. From the opening drum thunder from "Raining Blood" to the closer, "Angel of Death", SLAYER once again proved why they are the best Live Metal band in existence. Even if their latter CD/Album releases aren't up to par with their "Dave Lombardo-era" material, in my opinion. On stage, they still prove with their classic songs that they can't be beat for sheer intense energy. And they played a couple of new songs, namely "Disciple" which is a KICK ASS fast Thrash song, giving me some hope that the new CD, "God Hates Us All" will be worth checking out. We'll see. Phil Anselmo made his second cameo of the night during "Dead Skin Mask" (his 1st cameo was during MORBID ANGEL's set earlier that evening). I can't wait to see SLAYER again when they headline.

Now, PANTERA were awesome as well, playing a much better setlist than the last time I saw them on the first leg of the current US tour. I dig them, but I'm not a hardcore fan. So there's not much more for me to say. But they were definitely great. And some of MORBID ANGEL came out during the final Encore of "Walk". And Kerry King came out on "Goddamn Electric" and "Fucking Hostile." Phil even did a very cool thing, and gave a shout out to Chuck Billy & TESTAMENT, mentioning briefly Chuck's medical condition (from cancer). His banter was more subdued, yet very cool this evening as well.

Rounding off this great show was the mighty MORBID ANGEL, with yet another new bassist/vocalist - Jared (last name ?!) from HATE ETERNAL - who has since replaced Steve Tucker for whatever reason. They, too, played a better set than when I last saw them with PANTERA. Like SLAYER & PANTERA, they relied mostly on classic older songs. In this case, tracks from "Altars of Madness" and "Covenant". And they totally destroyed those of us inside the half full arena (at this time of the evening - they played first at 6pm) who actually came to see THEM!! They also did a couple of songs from "Gateways to Annihilation". And Phil Anselmo, who had been sitting in his own special chair off to side of the stage during MORBID's entire perforance, came out and sang lead on their last tune of the evening (like he did before, on the 1st Leg of the US Tour). I'm 100% posisitve. But I think Paul Bostaph was checking out MORBID ANGEL's "GODLY" drummer, Pete Sandoval as he played.

I have nothing nice to say about SKRAPE & STATIC-X, because I can't stand their monotonous groove-oriented Dance Metal. Hell, STATIC-X almost sounded like Rave Music with Guitars. Definitely, not my thing. I almost fell asleep during those two band's performances.

Overall, a great show with 3 great bands and two shitty ones (in my opinion).

Now, if only I had said something to say to SLAYER when I had the chance. Oh well.