I am still recovering from last nite's Type O Negative show and I doubt whether I ever will. If there is a bar to be set among concerts than it has been done so by Type O Negative. Their Oct 21 show at the Vic Theatre in Chicago was nothing short of astounding. I had already nominated their April 9 Chicago show at the Metro as my favorite of the year already and that has been changed to this show. The band played their trademark doom and gloom charged anthems with passion and fury. Peter Steele, came out dressed in priest wear, complete with clerical collar and the Reverend Peter led the masses in a irreverent celebration that lasted a little bit under 2 hours. At one point he joked that the next concert done in Chicago would be free but people would have to pay to get out. He also said they sucked the last time they played Chicago. Oh Peter you humble self deprecating seven foot God you. You just know that isn't true! The band's well known love of the Beatles in which they opened last time with the Magical Mystery Tour ended with one song segueing into Dear Prudence one of my all time favorites and being just as impressionable being done by Type O. The yin and yang of Peter's low voice and Johnny Kelly's higher pitched one completely compliments the other as they swapped vocals back and forth. Despite their dark image the band does have fun on stage. During a minute slow moment, Josh Silver, he of the most hair of a rock and roll band member I've ever seen and when he tosses it back and forth is almost a stage prop, like down like he was sleeping while drummer extraordinare, Kenny Hickey ignited his cigarette lighter. This also from a band who plays Tiny Tim's Tip Toe Thru the Tulips before their show and Tom Jones' What's New Pussycat as the band leaves the stage. Oh and Peter singing a bit of It's Not Unusual. As for their repertoire, Wolf Moon was a howling success but it it Loving You is Like Loving the Dead that was given the full blown out max treatment. Type O's show was probably the heaviest and loudest of I've been to lately. How the band does this every nite is a miracle onto itself but Type O Negative is one indeed. I am seeing Cradle of Filth this week and my beloved HIM but I think Type O will still win out as the real Killer show. Ville I will love you forever but Peter Steele is my hero!
Opening up for Type O this tour is Lordi which I guess is Finland's answer to Kiss, 5 musicians who dress in outrageously elaborate costumes and makeup and ridiculously steep boots. Lordi, the lead singer brings out props like dismembered heads and arms and legs (eek hope they were props and not some roadie who didn't deliver) and sings with a microphone that looks like a Viking hatchet weapon and oh and it also lights up. His cape also also opens up to give the illusion of huge bat wings. I was not going to even be surprised if he flew off the stage but he didn't. Lead guitarist Amen dresses like a henchman but to me he looked like the Creature of the Black Lagoon which I always had a soft spot for. I think without the crazee costumes these guys would still do well. Their songs are pretty good. I remembered They Come out at Night rocked. They are definitely worth seeing live and as an added plus I did get to go on a Meet and Greet with them and yes they were in full costume. A little off putting yes but I think I'd be more scared of Peter Steele than these guys.