By
Mario Sweeney
Arizona Daily Wildcat
PHOENIX - Phoenix became a small part of heavy metal history July 17 as the Extreme Steel tour hit America West Arena. The speed-metal originals Slayer, Static-X, Skrape and Morbid Angel supported the featured headliners Pantera in one monumental occasion boasting 10,000 crazed fans.
The floor of the venue was blanketed with the bodies of fans aching to get as close to the stage as possible. Strobe lights flashed as Slayer took stage. In true Slayer fashion, the band's set started with the classic "Raining Blood." Drums pounded beats with obnoxious power as lead guitarist Kerry King wailed through his solos. Mosh pits frenzied and the crowd bobbed their heads in unison to the music.
Slayer's show provided the crowd with all its favorites, including "South of Heaven" and "Stain of Mind." Joining the band, the crowd chanted "bombs away" during the chorus of "War Ensemble" and sang along in harmony throughout "Dead Skin Mask."
Slayer also gave the crowd a surprise treat, playing "Disciple," a new song from the upcoming God Hates Us All album. With excitement, the band announced the album should be released in early August. The crowd gave an approving cheer.
Throughout the night, Slayer kept the audience moving and shouting. The pits raged and the audience yelled at the top of its lungs. To finish off, Slayer played the crowd pleaser, "Angel of Death." With a "thank you," the band left the stage amid the cheers of a very pleased audience.
Before Pantera even took the stage, the band was already receiving chants and cheers. Fans donned a collage of Pantera attire and held up Confederate flags plastered with the Pantera logo. Some fans even created a banner displaying the slogan, "We put our trust in whiskey, weed and Pantera." Pantera, however, had no trouble living up to the great expectations of the crowd and took the stage with confidence.
The band started the evening in a wailing mania. As they played through each song, the crowd grew louder, its cheers more intense. Dimebag Darrell made his guitar squeal and his rhythms pumped the crowd. They brought out Kerry King from Slayer on two songs, including "Goddamn Electric" from Pantera's most recent CD, Reinventing the Steel.
The crowd refused to let up. They roared through every song. Pantera flew through its set, playing classics like "Fucking Hostile" and recent material like "Revolution is My Name". Lighters flickered as the crowd shouted along with "Becoming" and "This Love." They were completely absorbed by the show, raising their arms and chanting "Pantera" after nearly every song.
During this crazy rage, Phil Anselmo cited the crowd as one of the three best he had ever seen. There was a unity throughout the entire evening as everyone joined together in their love for the band. The concert could best described more as tribute to the band, with all the audience coming to pay homage before their great gods. After completing their set, the crowd shouted and pleaded for more. Pantera couldn't resist and performed an encore of "Walk."
This night brought together some of the biggest names in heavy metal. These performances are rare sights and will be almost impossible to duplicate, unless Pantera and Slayer should ever join forces again, that is.
