I was very excited about this show because I finished the majority of my exams that week. So, this show was a “reward” for all my hard work. The show was at the Blind Tiger in Greensboro, North Carolina. There was a snow storm that day, but it didn’t stop me (along with many others) from going to the show!

Before the show started, I went to Upon A Burning Body’s merch booth to say hey to their bass player, Joe Antonellis, who works at the booth during their shows. I met him the last time Upon A Burning Body was in NC with Miss May I on their Shadows Inside Tour. I talked to him for a good 45 minutes and we caught up on life and what has been going on in both of our lives. Below is a picture I got with him when they were on tour with Miss May I.

Joe Antonellis (Bassist) for Upon A Burning Body

 

The first band to perform was a local band from Charlotte, East Viridian. Their bass player, Brad, contacted me a week before the show and I asked him if the band would like an interview. The interview that I conducted with the band will be out soon!!!! They are really cool dudes, and they put on a great show. They were very interactive with the crowd and were really enjoying themselves on stage. It is great to see local bands getting the chance to play with some big-name bands.

East Viridian

 

The second band to perform was Prison, and I was really impressed by them. All I can say is WOW!!! They put on an insane show!! The singer was interacting with the crowd the entire time, and the crowd really got into it. There was a mosh pit, and some people got on stage and sang with the band a few times. Eddie, the lead singer for Suicide Silence, came on stage with the band and sang a couple of lines with them. I really like Prison, they write songs about suicide, depression, and other serious topics. They’re really down to earth and I am happy that I got to see them live.

Upon A Burning Body was up next, and they are one of my favorite bands of all-time. I literally know every song by them. This was my fifth time seeing them and they never disappoint me. They are all very interactive with the crowd, and Danny (vocalist) really got the crowd going. The pit was starting to get rowdy and Danny just egged them on. The band seemed to be enjoying themselves on stage and looked like they were having a great time jamming out with us. They played some of their most well-known songs such as: ‘Til The Break of Dawn, Intermission, Sin City, and Texas Blood Money. Joe gave me a guitar pick after their set, and I added it to my collection of picks (I have 8 guitar picks in total). So, you know how I said that I know every word to every Upon A Burning Body song? Yeah, well that didn’t go unnoticed. During their last song, Texas Blood Money, Danny dedicated the song to me because he has been watching me during their show and said, “Our last song goes out to this girl right here. She knows every word to all of our songs. This one is for you.” I was literally jamming during their entire set, I was headbanging, jumping up and down, and singing EVERY word. What happened next really surprised me. After their last song, Danny got off stage, came over to me and gave me a hug. He said to me, “you’re absolutely amazing. Thank you so much.” Danny usually doesn’t do things like that at shows, so it really meant a lot that I impacted him and the band that much. After their set, I went over to talk to Joe and told him that they played an awesome set. Him and the guitarist for Upon A Burning Body, Ruben, were over at the merch booth this time. For the rest of the show, I hung out with Joe and Ruben and it was really cool!

Danny Leal (Vocalist) for Upon A Burning Body

Upon A Burning Body

 

When Suicide Silence came on, I was really shocked. I had been a big fan of Suicide Silence when Mitch (RIP) was still there, and I didn’t know how I would like Eddie singing now. I have seen some videos of them and I wasn’t too crazy about it. I’m also not crazy about their new record either. But, Eddie really impressed me. His vocals sounded great and he was getting involved with the crowd. They played The Cleansing (my favorite Suicide Silence record) in its entirety. I wish I would’ve given him a chance sooner, he is really doing a great job. So, if you are hesitant about seeing Suicide Silence because Mitch isn’t there, don’t be. Eddie is so talented and he is doing a great job. They played some of my favorites: Girl of Glass, Unanswered, No Pity For a Coward, and You Only Live Once. I met Eddie after their set and I told him that the band did a great job, he is such a nice guy. He changed my attitude and view of him and I’m glad I got to see him live.

Eddie Hermida (Vocalist) for Suicide Silence

 

I also met the guitarist for Suicide Silence, Mark, and we had a long hair competition. Yeah, I won. My hair is longer.

Mark Heylmun (Guitarist) for Suicide Silence

 

I had the best time at the show. It will be something that I will never forget. Thank you, Upon A Burning Body, for hanging out with me and talking to me during the show. It honestly meant so much.

 

THE SAW