LIVE: No Misfits At Danzig Show
Friday February 25, 2005 @ 01:00 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff

The Guvernment
February 24, 2005
Toronto, Ontario
By Keith Carman

Over the years, blues-metaller Glenn Danzig has certainly been dealt more than his fair share of blows both critically and by other angry musicians. But there’s one place he can’t be touched — Danzig delivers an awesome rock show.

Refusing to create some sort of goofy spectacle, the band relied solely on their impressive catalogue to entertain. There was little else than pure rockin’ going on during Danzig’s surprisingly short set. Barely clocking in over an hour, it seemed like the band left before they’d even started.

This isn’t to say that Danzig seemed uninterested. On the contrary, there wasn’t a moment where the stocky and diminutive crooner appeared to be "phoning it in." Switching between smiling, posturing in his trademark crouch and sneering at the frantic crowd, Danzig was enthused. It was obvious that he was in his happy place the whole time.

A set comprised mostly of upbeat tracks from five of his eight albums (Danzig’s Five and Six were largely forgotten), the most response was garnered from classics "Twist Of Cain," "Mother" and "Long Way Back From Hell."

Naturally, there was some disappointment as fans hoped ol’ Glenn might come out to perform a few Misfits treats (a rumour started when Danzig performed with former-Misfit Doyle this past New Year’s) but that was little more than speculation. This was a Danzig night and nothing else.

Special mention also goes to death metal outfit Kataklysm, a strange choice of openers for the "Evil Elvis." Full-on death metal that bridges the gap between old school Napalm Death and the newer breed of screechers, the band were graciously accepted by us typically disinterested Danzig fans. Their set was seamless and lively but more importantly, their wall of riffing helped the laidback vibe of Danzig’s set become even more spacious and headbangingly groovy.