If you had to pick three death metal bands out of a fishbowl, chances of getting mega selling national acts was probably as likely as Eddie Money touring with Gorguts. Think back to 1993 and ask yourself what death metal bands would you put on the road to tour the US? Deicide, Dismember, and Vader would be my last three. Arguably, this was the best tour lineup since Exodus, Slayer, and Venom being only nine years prior. Again, this show was at the Oak Theatre which intersected at the major streets of Armitage & Western, the latter a major avenue in Chicago with heavy traffic passing by. As drivers honked their horns and waved to expect a cheer (as if it were a GNR concert), the response from drunk metalheads was appropriately fitting: "HEY, FUCK YOU ASSHOLE!!!" Before the doors opened, the entry line wrapped around the building - TWICE!
Not surprisingly, no one had even heard of Vader. I don't even recall "The Ultimate Incantation" hitting stores until after this tour. Therefore the response was quite mediocre. Their set lasted a mere 25 minutes which included "Dark Age", "Vicious Circle", "The Crucified Ones", and "Final Massacre." Vader would reappear in Chicago a month later at the Thirsty Whale with Suffocation, Dismember, and The Dead Youth.
Dismember had completed the "Pieces" EP in 1992 and it was the rawest, sickest, most pulverizing Swedish death metal to date. A great support band, you just knew these guys were going to make a mark in death metal history. "Override the Overture" was the ultimate rush followed by "Skin Her Alive", "Soon To Be Dead", and the colorful "Dismembered."
All 800 or so attendees were there for only one band: Deicide. Keep in mind, death metal was fresh and no one could predict a huge turnout for an underground cult. It was not one of those, "Hey, Muffy, let's go hang out with those scary long haired guys" ordeals. No, this was above and beyond the subculture. The place completely exploded when the lights disappeared. Come Glen Benton with his mean demeanor opening the set with "Satan Spawn, the Caco Daemon" wearing a classic all-covered Slayer logo'd guitar strap. The rest was all too powerful and the show belonged to Deicide.
Being young (and not too bright), we had a fascination of meeting with Glen after the show and our wish came true. One notable comment from a fan standing next to us was, "Why don't you guys just settle down and act normal?" We had no choice. What seemed as the most evil man on the planet was signing autographs and giving us a connote look. We were in heaven. I mean hell!
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