Volbeat, HIM + All That Remains Wrap Up 2013 Rock Allegiance Tour in Brooklyn
The New York community of Williamsburg maybe overrun by hipsters but over the weekend it belonged to metal and rock fans. Danish rockers Volbeat, the Finnish love metalers of HIM and Massachusetts band All That Remains said farewell to summer with soaring sets. Not only was it the last date of the Rock Allegiance tour but it was also the last concert at Williamsburg Park for the year.
While walking towards the outdoor waterfront in the afternoon, Volbeat’s sound check could be heard clearly, five blocks away. When showtime approached, fans welcomed them and even though the band played New York just a few months prior the crowd was delighted to see them back in town. Who wouldn’t want to see them again especially since they started their set with ‘Halleljuah Goat’ and ‘Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood.’
They also performed ‘Sad Man’s Tongue’ with an intro of Johnny Cash’s ‘Ring Of Fire’ and their most recent cover of Young The Giant’s ‘My Body’ off of their latest disc ‘Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies.’ Frontman Michael Poulsen dedicated their heavy yet heartwarming rendition of Dusty Springfield’s ‘I Only Wanna Be With You’ to his wife. The crowd also got a treat as Poulsen began taking requests from fans and played snippets of ‘Evelyn,’ Rammstein’s ‘Keine Lust’ and Slayer’s ‘Raining Blood.’
The most odd request came from someone who asked for Poulsen’s boots. The frontman proceeded to take off one boot, pour whiskey in it, drink out of it and give it to the fan. Poulsen did the same with the other boot as well. The barefoot singer continued on with the set with smiles all around. The lightheartedness and energy between all of the band members resonates with fans every time they come to town.
It’s no surprise why HIM won the Golden God Award for ‘Most Dedicated Fans’ earlier this year. Their fans are diehards and they were in a love metal state of mind in Brooklyn. The band's set included a wide variety of tunes off of their eight albums including new tracks ‘All Lips Go Blue,’ ‘Into the Night’ and the title track ‘Tears on Tape.’
Frontman Ville Valo might not be doing back flips and jumping over barricades but the elegance and charm he possesses onstage is what makes him so interesting to watch, not to mention his dry sense of humor. Valo summed up the whole concert experience perfectly by saying, “Rock Allegiance has been a big boner for our little egos.”
HIM definitely gave both their diehard fans big boners (even the females) when playing favorites ‘Right Here in My Arms,’ their well-known rendition of Chris Issak’s ‘Wicked Game,’ the rare track ‘It’s All Tears (Drown In This Love)' and their set-ending ‘Funeral of Hearts.’ With dreamy, dark light and Valo’s signature deep and brilliant, raspy vocals, the group’s set offered a nostalgic, otherworldly quality and that is simply what HIM fans want.
With Airbourne having to drop off the tour due to family obligations, All That Remains kicked off the show with a strong performance. Guitarist Oli Herbert shredded like none other and bassist Jeanne Sagan provided some venomous screams as well as deep lines. Singer Phil Labonte sounded spot on and had the perfect mix of melodic and forceful vocals.
Not to mention Labonte was a brave soul as he donned an anti-Obama shirt in the very democratic city that is New York. Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, part of the Tea Party, Coffee party or full on anarchist -- this was one show that many rock and metal fans in Brooklyn won’t soon forget.
Check Out Photos of Volbeat, HIM + All That Remains Performing in Brooklyn:
Volbeat:
HIM:
All That Remains: