San Antonio – The old saying goes that “Everything is Bigger in Texas.” I’m still not sure what “they” mean by that but when it comes to metal, we gather the hordes and back it up tenfold. The sight on a dreary Saturday night- February 26, 2011 was mindboggling, as black metal fans old and new traveled from  all corners of the Lone Star state and beyond for the anticipated Immortal/Absu concert-which was one of six scheduled performances in the nation.

The hammer of the gods did strike on this special occasion, for the mighty Immortal and Absu ripped San Antonio to ashes. Simply put the show was absolutely intense. Blood spilled, sweat dripped, beer was pillaged and the venue, Backstage Live was amazingly filled to capacity.

Doors opened two hours prior to Texas mythological tyrants ABSU’s performance. The crowd grew restless and it didn’t help that King Diamonds “Them”  was on repeat/shuffle nonstop. Don’t get me wrong, nothing is wrong with the King but after awhile it got old. Concertgoers began to chant “ABSU” and moments later without notice, the three piece took the stage, desecrating and pounding away to “The Coming of War.” Absu delivered an intense and straightforward near 45 minute performance, digging into tracks spanning from their entire catalog. The in your face set was enthralling with the band positioned front down and center of stage, giving it that extra punch and setting the pit ablaze from beginning to end. Absu frontman/percussionist, Proscriptor McGovern owned the stage with confidence as he banged the hell out of his drum kit during gems like “Swords and Leather” and “Four Crossed Wands.” “Never Blow Out The Eastern Candle” closed their set, leaving Texas metal heads with a sense of gratification and a final battle in the pit.

Another hour of drinks, waiting and King Diamond’s “Them” later, thick fog engulfed the stage with a spontaneous Abbath running his way up to the mic, guitar in hand. “All Shall Fall” the self titled track from the band’s latest album got the crowd pumped and was backed with a fierce performance of “Sons of Northern Darkness.” Immortal’s set varied and was quite interesting. Considering the fact that I have never witnessed Immortal in the live situation; I was up for anything. Many “old school” live by the book, die by the book “kvlt” Immortal fans were upset with the band not playing much from their early 90′s career, as if a band must live in the shadow of its past.

But what’s impressive about a  band like Immortal is the mere fact that they have musically progressed throughout the years. Witnessing Abbath, Apollyon and Horgh execute tracks like “Tyrants,” “Solarfall,” and “In My Kingdom Cold” was mind blowing. Abbath’s guitar playing really added more dimension/technique to the songs live as opposed to disc. And yes he even performed his famous “crab walk” and writhed his tongue like Gene Simmons of Kiss. After closing the show with “One by One,” “Blashyrkh (Mighty Ravendark)” and “The Sun No Longer Rises” I was extremely satisfied. The night was rewarding and will definitely go down in history. Never thought I’d witness crowd surfing at a black metal show and let alone two legendary black metal acts share the stage in San Antonio of all places but it’s a pure inspiring fraction of what the power of black metal can and will do.