Opeth / Lacuna Coil / Beyond the Embrace

Showplace Theater

Buffalo, NY

I was apprehensive going into this show because I really had wanted to see Yakuza but, as fate would have it, a band that I had never heard of (Beyond The Embrace) was opening the show this particular night. Still I went to see Lacuna Coil since I have been a fan forever and was excited to see them for the very first time.

A local Toronto, ONT. Hardcore style band opened the show. I forget their name and their set was equally forgettable. All that really sticks with me is how much the singer’s screaming grated in my eardrums. I hate to say things like that but he really shouldn’t have been screaming in a hardcore band, nor should his bandmates have let him be their lead man.

Up next, that band that I had never heard of. From that night forward I will never forget their name. Metal Blade Records artist, Beyond the Embrace destroyed the place in front of a completely unsuspecting crowd. It took this guitar army of traditional metal values about 30 seconds to win over the crowd. The crowd went nuts for these guys! I can’t wait to see them again, they have won a fan for life in me. The band seemed as surprised that the crowd was eating it up as the crowd was surprised that Beyond the Embrace was that incredibly good! A great set by the band, I could have even gone for some more songs. The hazards of being the opening act I suppose.

Lacuna Coil came out next (by the way, why wasn’t Lacuna Coil headlining? I don’t care if everyone there was wearing Opeth shirts, Lacuna Coil should have been the headliner!). Lacuna Coil came out to a crowd that was more than ready for them. Playing material from all their albums was a nice surprise as I expected to hear almost all of the last 2 albums. The band was also a lot heavier live than they seem on CD. It wasn’t quite as laid back and trippy of a sound as you would expect after listening to their CDs for years. The band was in great form and lived up to (if not exceeded) every expectation I had for them. Well, worth the trip to the show! Plus, I finally got a Lacuna Coil tour shirt. Life goal #12 = fully realized

Opeth headlined the show to a crowd that, although they seemed to be really into the opening acts, was largely their to see them. In a very un-Buffalo fashion, the crowd was really into the band and I have to admit that even though I’m not a big Opeth fan they were pretty tight live. Even if you don’t like their music, you can’t help but respect their incredible musicianship. Never is that more evident in a band than live.

2 great bands, one well respected band, and a forgettable band. All in all, not a bad night out.

Mark Fisher