Emo’s once again hosted another event featuring metal from the heavier end of the spectrum. Over the past year, Emo’s has become the go-to place for shows of this sort. Tonight, the club brought in another tour containing a variety of styles, but with an emphasis on European (and even Middle Eastern) metal. Rotting Christ, Melechesh and Hate made their first venture to Texas’s state capital, while Abigail Williams and Lecherous Nocturne—the two American bands on the tour—came with prior knowledge of the entertainment district in the World’s Live Music Capital.

Prolicide drummer Cezar Gamez obliterated his drum kit while warming up for the show. He provided a soundtrack to my pre-doors conversations outside of the venue. Due to a Metal Ship interview (coming soon) with Hate’s front man, Adam The First Sinner, I missed most of Prolicide’s set, but caught the last couple of songs. The San Marcos-based group played fast, bludgeoning death metal. Guitarist Mike De Leon also plays in Disfigured—a staple in the central Texas death metal scene—so comparisons to Disfigured were abound. His guitar style owes much to Cannibal Corpse, particularly his harmonics.

Prolicide’s swift attack seemed sluggish compared to Unique Leader recording artists, Lecherous Nocturne. Guitarists Ethan Lane and Christian Lofgren played their scales with a bionic ability. In order to keep up with non-stop blasting of Alex Lancia, their fingers stayed in a constant, blurring motion. The group’s searing assault was impressive, but their sound suffered. The guitars were too low in the mix and the drums overpowered all instruments. The snare drum was very loud. The random snare hits were an annoying distraction from not only this performance but throughout the show.

As stated above, this tour catered to a diverse crowd. Turned off by the melodies and Dimmu Borgir-like keys, the death metal fans who came out to see Prolicide, Hate and Lecherous Nocturne retired to the outdoor corridor for a smoke and conversation during Abigail Williams’ set. The Candlelight artist played a set not dominated by keyboards. All keys came pre-recorded and found a place in the back of the mix. Those who admire this form of black metal that falls someone between Emperor and Dimmu Borgir were treated an excellent set of material culled from the group’s two Candlelight-issued recordings. Some of their rhythms and especially the vocals recalled a polished, early version of Emperor. Although not part of the shoegaze or raw, thrashy American BM scenes, Abigail Williams proved they are top-tier American black metal.

Hate has been around for over twenty years, but haven’t gained the popularity of fellow Polish acts Behemoth, Decapitated and Vader, but due to American tours, the band is starting to gain notoriety. Hearing comments about their Polish style, many came to check out the group. This was only their second trip to Texas, and the first time in Austin. Touring in support of their latest album "Erebos," Hate took the stage decked out in corpse paint and flowing black robes inscribed with magical symbols.

Their mix of mid-paced rhythms, synchronized kick drum and guitar, industrial intros and helicopter head banging faired well on the uninitiated crowd. Hate’s drummer Hexen set a short beat, while the three musicians up front led the crowd with fist pumping chants. Besides another bad mix, I heard many complaints of the band ripping off Behemoth. In an upcoming Metal Ship interview, front man Adam The First Sinner explains that is not the case

Even though the drums overpowered the rest of their instruments and the vocals were too loud, Melechesh stole the show. Their mix of melody, blazing black metal, neck-wrecking thrash and Middle Eastern harmonies received the best crowd response of the night. Just like Hate before them, Melechesh timed the beat of a drum to the chants of the crowd. It was a bit surreal seeing this in a small club. The international band (members from Holland and Israel) obviously deserved to be on the bigger stage of an arena. Vocalist Ashmedi swung his awe in a manner praising both the gods of classic metal and of ancient Ur.

Ashmedi’s wicked tongue summoned mankind’s earliest gods and goddesses, words once spoken by his ancient Israeli ancestors. Ashmedi swung his axe in praise of both the gods of metal and ancient Babylonian. He held his guitar in an upright position to play like a sitar. These ancient harmonies possessed a swagger strong enough to hypnotize the crowd to sway their bodies like a charmed snake. Once, he even played his guitar with a drumstick. You don’t see that everyday! Although the group mainly focused on newer material such as “The Epigenesis,” their playing of “Triangular Tattvic Fire” from the 2003 "Sphynx" album was a personal set highlight.

Although Melechesh stole the show with their unique approach to black metal, Rotting Christ put on an energetic and crowd-rousing set. The Grecian act is a vital force for bringing black metal to their country. Rotting Christ has changed their sound over the years, though, from black metal to an epic mishmash of doom, industrial and gothic metal. Rotting Christ geared most of their set towards the newer material, particularly their latest albums "Aealo," but did throw in a couple of blackened oldies. Their use of dynamics and catchy riffs got the crowd moving. Their galloping rhythms perfectly matched their themes of ancient Greece. The band’s rich, enchanting melodies, impressed me.

If you’re in any of the areas listed in the remaining tour dates below, make sure to check out this tour. There is something for everyone.

April 5 @ Walter's - Houston, TX
April 7 @ Brass Mug - Tampa, FL
April 8 @ The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
April 9 @ Volume 11 - Raleigh, NC
April 10 @ The Casbah - Charlotte, NC

Read Metal Ship's interview with Hate:
http://www.en.metalship.org/interviews/163