Pink Crimson

Arch Enemy; Fucking Live

10-20-2009 Tuesday

For most people who never liked anything loud or raw metal, this day is simply like any other day in their lives. The usual walks in the sidewalk, the tired looks as they try to catch a bus amidst the rush hour, the jeepney full of people trying to nap while on their way home, among many other usual scenario of a busy evening.

As for someone like me, who has never attended a gig for quite sometime now, I'm bouncing with excitement as I ride the bus with Meng, who's obviously as excited as me, because she never stopped asking if we're already near the venue despite the fact that we're just in Quezon city and the venue is as far as a good hour or so away. Arch Enemy will be performing live at the World Trade Center and we've waited long enough so no one can stop us this time!

While she asked for the hundreth time if we're almost there, I busied myself trying to reach my good boyfriend who never lived up to his promise again. I texted him, called him, and all I heard from him is that he'll just follow, he has some errands to do for those bitches first. Fuck those bitches, add them up on my death list, because they really want to screw up anything Alex and I have planned.

Anyway, I try not to let that incident with Alex dampen my mood for a fucking good time. If it means I have to have fun without him, then so be it. I have Meng, and one fucked up friend is enough for me.

The World Trade Center is filled with people clad in black, boasting their favorite metal bands that are printed in the front of their shirt. We waited in line to the entrance and we entertained ourselves by getting familiar with the faces around us. The calm faces that will soon be drenched with sweat from headbanging or from too much ecstasy from being exposed to too much metal music.

A lot of Arch Enemy goodies are being sold inside the venue and after getting in and buying our tickets, we took some pictures and looked around the items. Realizing that we're broke because the ticket for general admission is quite pricey, we gave up trying to find something to buy and just walked inside.

Mortal Fear is already taking the stage when we arrived. Sure they sounded so metal and all but the vocals remind me much of the foreign band, The Black Dahlia Murder so it's really nothing new to my ears. We walked as close as we could get to the stage and stayed there like calm spectators of a blockbuster movie.

Next onstage is Cavite based Bloodshedd, who has a pretty good reputation in the metal scene until Jojo, the band vocalist seemed to go over the top for the night's performance. Bad move, Jo. I mean, come on, I've seen a lot of Dimmu Borgir wannabe's with those black suits, metal studs everywhere, and the only thing that's really missing is the white face foundation. Jo has no face foundation, but the entire look is still 'too much'. Obviously, other metal fans didn't like the look either when I heard someone shout 'Tang Ina mo Jo, Ano yan! Nababaliw ka na!'

When Arch Enemy took the stage, a loud roar and applause broke out from the audience. Seeing Angela Gossow live, right there at the stage, a couple of meters away from me, is something that makes me proud to be a girl. Yeah, we kick guy's ass, metal or not so metal, we rule.

From the very first tune they played up to the very last, I was lost together with the crowd. It's better than getting drunk, better than smoking pot, hell, it's better than anything else. Heads are banging, people are moshing, and I could feel even the sweat of the guy next to the other guy beside me. This is what real music is. This is what all music should be. It doesn't always have to be as loud as Arch Enemy, but what matters is, you're able to move another person with your music, and makes them forget about anything. Besides, music is everything, like most people say, music is life, and hearing this band, who came all the way from Sweden, perform, I can testify the truth of those words.