Superjoint At The Top Of Their Game

Superjoint w/ Battlecross, Child Bite, and Witchburn
El Corazon, Seattle, WA
05.02.17

It has been a long time since Superjoint (formerly known as Superjoint Ritual) were in Seattle, but after a hiatus from 2004-2014, they are back. Well-known Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo gathered his group together to tour in support of their late 2016 release, Caught Up in the Gears of Application, stopping at El Corazon.

Seattle’s own Witchburn opened the show with a short but blistering set. They are always a great band to watch, with frontwoman Jamie Nova’s distinctive voice and strut commanding the stage and interacting with Mischa Kianne (guitar) and bassist Jacy Peckham. Their sludgy, Southern-style groove rock beat was held down by drummer Dana Sims.

Coincidentally the next two bands hail from Detroit, Michigan. While they might come from the same home state, each had their own unique sound and musical style.

I was told not to miss Child Bite, and I am so glad I was there in time to see the insanity. As the band casually took to the stage, I had no idea the rabid, frothing rock fury I was about to witness from their casual demeanor. Labelmates with Superjoint on Housecore Records, they crushed through tracks from their catalog and newest release, Negative Noise.

Singer Shawn Knight was pure mayhem. He simply doesn’t know how to stay still, moving frenetically, jumping, drooling, and spewing forth punk-style aggression. The band was amazing to watch, guitarist Brandon Sczomak and bassist Sean Clancy rocked like they were possessed to the crushing groove of drummer Jeff Kraus. I will not miss Child Bite ever again. What a great surprise.

Battlecross have been at the touring game for a while, bringing extreme thrash to the masses. Still supporting their 2015 Rise To Power album, they are finishing this tour and taking a break to rest and write their next metal masterpiece. With no time to spare, they set up and tore right into their set!

Singer Kyle “Gumby” Gunther was so fun to watch, his head spinning, hair thrashing madness, with a fierce beard in tow. Founding guitarists Hiran Deraniyagala and Tony Asta traded licks back and forth and rocked with a passion that makes this hard-working band exceptional in the shredding. Bassist Don Slater and drummer Zink just destroyed. It’s not often you see a rhythm section that can set the tone and keep up with the brutality of the noteworthy guitarists. The mosh pit was insane and Battlecross sure kept the momentum.

Then the moment everyone was waiting for arrived. In the past, Anselmo has been in less than stellar shape on stage, but for this show, he put the past in the past. The band took the stage to roaring screams and plowed right into “Oblivious Maximus.” That trademark Anselmo scream and voice has not lost a moment of power.

Pantera Producer Terry Date was in the audience and Anselmo dedicated “Destruction of a Person” to him. During the song, he spotted a kid in a wheelchair in the audience and told everyone to get him onstage. He gave him a hug and wished him a happy birthday as the band played on. Later he thanked him for spending his birthday with Superjoint.

Superjoint were in fine form as if they never had a hiatus at all. Jimmy Bower and Kevin Bond laid down some serious Louisiana hardcore groove-punk riffage. So great to see them playing together again. New and old songs melded into the set perfectly. Anselmo thanked everyone for being there, “The band doesn’t pick the audience, the audience picks the band, thanks for coming out on a Tuesday to spend time with us.”

For the encore, Knight from Child Bite joined them onstage to sing “Everyone Hates Everyone,” which concluded a great set. I wasn’t sure if it would be as good as it was and I am stoked I got to see Anselmo and Superjoint back at the top of their game.

Superjoint Set List
Oblivious Maximus (Use Once And Destroy)
Burning The Blanket
Ruin You
The Alcoholik
Destruction Of a Person
2-Songs
Drug Your Love
Caught Up In The Gears Of Application
Anti-Faith
Sociopathic
Waiting For The Turning Point
Asshole
Fuck Your Enemy
Ozena
It Takes No Guts
Everyone Hates Everyone