“Brutal” is the best way to describe the Amonklok Conquest Tour as it sailed into The Factory for their St. Louis stop. Heavy metal monsters Dethklok and Amon Amarth teamed up to bring hours of furiously heavy guitar riffs with bellow drums and guttural vocals.
Taking the stage first, though, was the surprise of the night. Castle Rat, walking straight out of Dragonslayer, took the stage in what was arguably one of the most fun sets I have seen to date; each member has their own persona: The Rat Queen, The Count, The Plague Doctor, The Druid, and the scythe-wielding Rat Reaperess. While only playing four songs, the intermixed story, the ensuing battle between the band members, and the rat and music made for fantastic theatrics and song. Inspired by Frank Frazetta’s art, this band is well worth seeing live.
But… soon the rowing started, and longships arrived, laying siege to the castle and all those within. Amon Amarth took the stage with a curtain drop and brutal bellows of their drums. Hegg’s vocals powered the band through their set, filled with crowd favorites like “Raven’s Flight” and “War of the Gods” with a power that shook the walls. Drinking from his viking horn, the crowd surged, chanted, rowed, and embraced their inner viking.
The longships left, though, momentarily leaving a stillness on the stage. A flicker of light, and then the Tribunal was seen on screen. Dethklok had returned, and once again, they set off with the most dastardly of intentions. Darkness enveloped the crowd and lightning cracked, the screen flickered, lights exploded, and members of the band flashed on screen, and the crowd started chanting: “Deth!” “Klok!” and brutal hell broke loose! Starting with the “Deththeme,” the crowd become part of the next episode of Metalacolypse, rolling into each song as fan-favorite characters ushered the story line through to completion.
It was a night not to be missed by two heavy hitting acts and a very pleasant surprise with Castle Rat. Links to the set lists are below.
Castle Rat
crowdsurfermag.com 