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Hole In The Earth

The Deftones have toured Australia on numerous occasions since their beginning and for some reason or another, the planets have never aligned and I haven’t had a chance to cross paths with them. Receiving a last minute call-up to photograph them tonight was sheer bliss because they do rank as one of my fave band of the last decade or so. Indeed, it was a thrill to be given the opportunity to be in their photo-pit tonight.

Godspeed on the Devil’s Thunder

Surprisingly with such a strong bill featuring Ne Obliviscaris, The Amenta and Cradle Of Filth – ticket sales were lower than expected.

This gig was originally scheduled for Melbourne’s Palace venue but it was switched to the more intimate Billboard. I hadn’t shot at Billboard since the Converge gig earlier in the year and it is a venue that I do enjoy working in.

Generals gathered in their masses…

It’s hard to put into words what shooting this gig meant to me. But I’ll try. I’ll try real hard to comprehend all that unfolded before me and the honour, pride and raw emotion I felt standing a foot away from Geezer, Tony and Ozzy.

When the Black Sabbath Australian gigs were announced many months ago, that little spark in the heart kicked into gear and I was left wondering, “ooh, I wonder if I’ll get a chance to photograph that one?”

When it comes to the big boys, the acts that play arenas and stadiums and not dingy little Melbourne shitholes, it becomes that much harder to get accreditation and access. It’s not for lack of trying though and I was going to have to move heaven and earth if I was to get a pass for Black Sabbath.

Don’t Fear The Reaper

Arriving at the Prince Bandroom, I was greeted with a massive queue leading into the venue for tonight’s Blue Öyster Cult gig. I haven’t shot at the Prince much, twice before actually… Die Antwoord sometime in 2010, and Rowland S Howard in 2009.

Once inside, the first thing I noticed was that there was absolutely no room to take photos. No pit. No where to get a decent shot. I cursed my luck and wasn’t looking forward to the night ahead.

If I was to get any sort of shot, I would have to improvise.

This Is What You Want, This Is What You Get

Even though the majority of acts that I photograph are usually from the Metal sphere, it was hard to knock back the opportunity to photograph an icon legend in John Lydon.

There were several photographers present for tonight’s shoot. We had all been instructed to meet our contact outside the ticketing booth at a certain time. As we were all anxiously waiting, our contact was no where to be seen.

The Baying Of The Hounds

I have honestly lost count of the amount of times I have seen Opeth live. They regularly tour Australia on each tour they undertake and almost always without fail, they never, ever disappoint.

I believe tonight was the second time I have photographed them having shot them on their last tour in 2009.

I arrived early at the venue as I wanted to photograph tonight’s openers Katatonia as well. What greeted me on arrival at the venue was a queue that stretched down the length of two city lanes as many had come early to see Katatonia too.

Stoner Fest

After last night’s insanity at the Slayer/Anthrax gig, it was good to be back on home turf at Melbourne’s Palace for tonight’s stoner-fest with Red Fang, Orange Goblin and the legendary Kyuss Lives! set to rip Melbourne a new one!

Being a fan of all three bands, I pretty much got to the venue straight from my Sydney flight and although I was feeling slightly weary, there was no chance in hell I was gonna miss a solitary second of this.

World Painted Blood

When one is presented with the opportunity to photograph Slayer and Anthrax – no matter where – one jumps at that chance!

Both are amongst two of my favourite bands and both I had never photographed in the past so even if the gig was to be held in Sydney, I was arranging flights and accommodation even before the confirmation to shoot had been finalised!

Collapsing New Buildings

Einstürzende Neubauten are the stuff of legend. Their influence on what is now known as Industrial music is the stuff of legend. For instance, there would be no Ministry or Skinny Puppy or Nine Inch Nails without these guys pioneering the sound and ethos.

I was excited about tonight’s gig and jumped at the chance when offered the opportunity to photograph it.

Vicious Muse

There are some gigs you know full well are going to be insanity personified days before you have even set foot in the venue. Tonight was most definitely one of those nights. I mean, listen to any track that these guys have recorded and magnify that energy ten-fold and see how you fare.

When you leave a gig battered, bruised, deafened and drenched in some liquid or another – and you’re there as the photographer – something must have gone right… or wrong!

Neutralize The Threat

After last week’s killer gig by Frankenbok at the Corner Hotel, I was hopeful there would be decent lighting to work with again. Last week, the ‘Bok were superbly lit and it made my life so much easier.

Arriving at the Corner just as In Trenches were to hit the stage, I noticed the one solitary red light they we’re being lit with. Yep, was gonna be a long night in the trenches if this was a sign of things to come.

Imaginaerum

After the debacle that was the Marduk shoot a few days ago, I wasn’t feeling too passionate about tonight’s Nightwish/Sabaton gig. But I needn’t have been too concerned. The Palace as a venue, is about a million times better than the Hifi and production values are improved tenfold.

The venue was packed to the brim when openers Sabaton took the stage. I made it into the photo-pit just in time to hear my fellow photogs rib me about the Marduk shoot and the ensuing bitching I put forth after the show! (as you do!)