Opiate for the Masses
Brick By Brick - Bay Park, San Diego
March 20th 2003
By Abbey Olson, SDAM Staff Writer
©Copyright
2008
SDAM.com/Abbey Olson
OK I'll confess, I only own 1 heavy metal CD, and I'm not sure where it is right now.
So I'm going about this review from the perspective of someone who may not usually find
herself at a heavy metal show. Although, in my defense, NIN was my first concert, so
I'm not totally lame.
Anyhow, the fact that I'm not a metal junkie actually helps in this case. Here's why: I loved the show. There were only about 7 of us in the audience, but Opiate for the Masses played as if the place were packed. The performance was polished but not scripted. The sound was amazing and the harmonies exact. I know it sounds like I'm describing a musical here but it certainly was not. Lead singer Ron Underwood had a mid-stage collision with bassist Ryan Head's guitar that left blood running down the left side of his face. A true sign of a good metal show, right? Had there been a crowd, I'm sure there would have been some great stage diving, but the lack of bodies didn't stop Ron from diving off stage and pulling some impromptu break-dancing. It was hard to get a really good feel for the venue, Brick by Brick, being that it was empty. However, it was easy to find, had great lighting, and comfy booths. In addition, they have this padding right under the bar top that's great to lean on. It was easy to get a drink (There were only 7 of us in the bar), but the drinks were teeny so unless you plan on springing for doubles all night, I'd just get beer. "You can't get to Heaven", "Good-bye" and "Illusions" were some of the stand-out songs of the set. There was some great sampling in "Illusions" of a jazz tune. I know artists hate to be likened to someone else's sound, but just to give you an idea of what Opiate is like I'll throw out the names "Tool", "Maryln Manson", "Nine Inch Nails", and "Pantera". (These names were confirmed by my friend Brody who listens to much more metal than I do, so it's valid, I swear.) All in all, Opiate for the Masses is an intelligent band with a great live show. The whole set all five of us in the back (and only) row kept asking one another why these guys weren't already signed. I plan on seeing them again and I plan on bringing a lot of people with me to their next San Diego show. Opiate is playing Brick by Brick again May 8th & May 30th 2003 For more info on Opiate for the Masses, visit their Web site. |