(Drivebycuriosity) - The long waiting had an end, Psycho Las Vegas came back. Last year`s event had to be cancelled because of Covid-19. The fest restarted last Thursday with the usual Psycho Swim event on a pool deck, called "Day Light" @ the Mandalay Bay Resort, a huge tourism machine. Then followed three days of thunder on 3 stages: The Main Stage (Michelob ULTRA Arena), House of Blues and the Beach area.
The fest was again handicapped. Foreign bands could not participate because of travel restrictions and many US bands may also have cancelled because of risks, infections and quarantines. Manhattan´s regional blog "Bowery Boogie" reports that many major performers still are cancelling or postponing their concerts ( boweryboogie). It was almost a miracle that such a huge event could happen.
The management did a great job and they amassed again a full program with about 70 performers, even though the average quality of the set did not fully match the level of past Psycho events ( driveby). I missed bands in the caliber of Neurosis, Yob or Amenra, and there were too many Slayer clones for my taste.
Anyway, I could see some of my favorites again and discover amazing bands I did not know before. Large festivals are a chance to expand my metal horizon.
I loved to see Wovenhand again, who came on short notice. Bandleader David Eugene Edwards performed alone, a kind of acoustic concert, with a mandolin and 2 more stringed instruments, enhanced by an electronic device. It was pure pleasure to experience this intimate event in the almost empty House of Blues, a hall with amphitheater seating.
I also was happy to watch another Deafhaven show. This was the 10th gig by this band I had the pleasure to experience. Their performance was more aggressive than before, mixing again very melodic parts with pure power. George Clarke, the front man of the Californian band, fascinated by his unique choreography - a spectacular show. But anyway, the huge Main arena was only partly filled.
At the same time performed the highly popular Eyehategod in the more intimate House of Blues. We had to run to be able to see both bands playing - at least part of their gigs. Frontman Mike IX Williams delivered a funny and somewhat sick show enhanced by the band`s heavy & bluesy guitar riffs. I need to see this band again.
Goatwhore, whom I had already enjoyed @ Psycho 2019 in the House of Blues, entertained a large audience this time in the Main Hall. Seems their popularity is rising - rightly so. The band performed again extremely heavy & aggressive sounds and the front man amazed with deep growls which rocked the big hall.
Frankie and the Witch Fingers was the discovery of the festival for me. The band delivered a mix of garage rock, heavy metal
and psychedelic sounds and blended dream like melodies with aggressive noise
explosions. I want to hear more from them.
There were a lot of impressive death & black metal bands: Vaelmyst, Toke & Khemmis & Profanatica were wild and fun to watch. The sludge metal band Glacial Tomb celebrated a really dark and cavernous show and the death metal band Vitriol shook the House of Blues with violent riffs.
New York´s death metal band Immolation
(founded 1986) amazed with very fast riffs, usually not my taste - I
prefer bands like Yob and Amenra -, but the sheer power and guitar
virtuosity accumulated over 4 decades fascinated me.
On the beach area played Dyingfetus and the very popular Canibalcorpse, who justified their names by heavy growls & super massive riffs. We observed them from a nearby pool deck and enjoyed the warm dessert night as well
The stoner bands Bongzilla & Weedeater, who also played on the beach area with blurred and deep riffs, turned the warm dessert night in pure bliss. And on the pooldeck proofed Black Water Holilight & the Death Valley Girls that females can deliver strong rock music as well.
Unfortunately many did not wear a mask, even in the sometimes crowed House of Blues and the jammed elevators. But anyway, Psycho Las Vegas 2021 was a lot of fun. I am looking forward to Psycho Las Vegas 2022.
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