Firewind
Arsis
White Wizzard
Blender Theatre
New York City, New York
October 11, 2011
Tony Pijar

Traditional metal, death metal and power metal – with the common denominator being metal. Here we have great triple bill with White Wizzard opening the proceedings.
Jon Leon has decimated White Wizzard yet again with only Giovanni Durst surviving the endless shift in talent in the band. While this revolving door has proved to be a bit costly in the studio with the band’s new album, “Flying Tigers,” lacking some cohesion to the past, on the live front they simply burned. Of course, the band rocked with its signature tune, “High Speed GTO”, but they offered so much more. “Starchild” and the title track off the new release were sterling examples of contemporary traditional metal (how’s that for an oxymoron!). “Over the Top” was brilliant as well. Leon kept the whole thing together with the fortitude of an old trooper while new guitarists, Jake Dreyer and Corey Nagatoshi, shredded – let’s hope they stick around for a while! Latest singer, Michael Gremio, is good, but surely no Wyatt Anderson. Let’s trust that Leon’s current lineup will hold it together – keeping both fingers crossed!
Arsis, from Virginia Beach, was more technical thrash and less death, which suited me just fine. Vocalist/guitarist Jim Malone is not on the tour due to other commitments, but the band under the watchful eye of guitarist extraordinaire Nick Cordle, killed. The band opened with the pummeling “Servants of the Night” and “Maddening Distain”, to the delight of the crowd. 19 year old guitar prodigy, Brandon Ellis, complemented Cordle perfectly and more than held his own. The weak spot was at the front with vocalist Mike Parks; mind-numbingly average. Thankfully, the music more than compensated for his overt shortcomings.
Firewind, continuing to gain more and more exposure in America with Gus G in Ozzy’s band, was spectacular. And Gus G isn’t the only star in this band. Guitarist/keyboardist, Bob Katsionis rivaled the main man for overall appeal. Why isn’t this guy more well-known? Anyhow, all of the band’s great material was offered – The Ark of Lies”, “Head on High”, Destination Forever”, “Kill to Live” and the immensely powerful “World on Fire”. Gus G effortlessly flew around the fret board while we all stood center stage in awe. “SKG”, “I am the Anger”, etc – all were perfect vehicles for Gus G to fly.
This aptly titled “Frets of Fury Tour” more than hit the spot!