Images: Children of Bodom, Eluveitie, Revocation, Threat Signal February 9, 2012 at the House of Blues

On Thursday, February 9th, the House of Blues Las Vegas brought together metal from all over the world. Canada’s Threat Signal, Boston’s Revocation, Switzerland’s Eluveitie and Finland’s Children of Bodom all had their way with Vegas’ leather pant-wearing, knee-high platform boot-strapping metal followers that night, and I was lucky enough to see the carnage from a safe, sheltered distance.

Threat Signal opened the evening with a savage combination of squealing seven-string guitars, rapid drum beats, and catchy hooks that would capture the ear of even the pickiest of metal fans. Musically tight and melodic, their set came to an end as all good things must do.

Up next was America’s own Revocation. With hints of Southern rock and amazing off-time signatures, they commanded the crowd to mosh and head-bang as they roared through their set, even stopping mid-song to conduct a circle pit like a maestro to an orchestra. Their instrumental songs, machine gun fast double kick drumming, and guitar finger tapping ala Eddie Van Halen, undoubtedly left its mark on Vegas’ metal masses.

Children of Bodom’s supporting act was a Swiss Folk/Metal band named Eluveitie. Say it with me: El-oo-vay-ty. Although they were masters of their instruments and had a great stage presence, the idea of Folk/Metal is a little confusing. Killer death metal vocals backed by a violin, bagpipes, a flute, and an instrument called a hurdy-gurdy seems odd to me. But what do I know? The crowd ate it up. They ended their set with a traditional Celtic tune, readying the eager fans for the main event.

The room echoed with thunder and lightning as metal heads screamed, “BODOM! BODOM!” Children of Bodom finally took to the stage with a brutal assault of blazing guitar solos. The stage filled with long-haired dudes prepared to give the unsuspecting crowd a “double kick” to the head. They continued to amaze the now beaten and battered moshers with their dark verses, catchy choruses, guitar sweeps and finger tapping. Every element worked together like a well-oiled machine. They played song-long guitar solos that melted the faces off of all within listening range and then humbly thanked each and every person in the room for enabling them to do what they love. Did I mention these guys can solo?

-Chris Duggan

Photos by Tyler Newton | http://500px.com/spottedlens