Phil Anselmo & The Illegals, Battlecross and Shit Life at Harpo’s Concert Theater

November 13th (Harpo’s Concert Theater, Detroit, MI) – The afternoon of this sold-out show was quite a wake up for me, but not for any of the reasons that one may be thinking. I had just spent the last 6 days in south Florida where it was pretty much 82 degrees and sunny every day. Even though I had been following the weather back home it was still a shock to land and see 9 inches of snow and feel the unseasonably cold temps. It turns out we had broken a record for the most snowfall in November for both 12 and 24-hour periods and had also set a record for the coldest early November temperatures. Not a great way to start your first day back from a much needed, clear the mind type of getaway. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the delays at the airport in Florida and the issues back in Detroit with getting to my car at the airport lot had gotten my whole day off to a later than expected start. So much to try and fit in and I was now almost two hours behind with the things that needed to be done before the show. I was also no longer able to do the interview with the Illegals or hang out for the meet and greet. Ugh!

We finally arrive at Harpo’s much later than planned, but still with enough time to catch at least the last half of the opening acts set, Shit Life from metro Detroit. Or at least we thought that was the case. Turns out the show started a little earlier than the times that were going around and we walked into the venue only to hear the last 2 minutes of the bands last song. So far, the day is still toying with me and I’m hoping at least the last few hours of the night make it all worth it in the end. I have to give at least some props to Shit Life. The few minutes I heard were brutal and loud, the crowd was riled up and bouncing around on the lower level and the place was already packed. It’s nice to see a venue filled up early so they can catch the opening act. Everyone that I talked to after said that their set was intense, full of energy and they killed it starting out the night’s entertainment. You can check out Shit Life at www.facebook.com/ShitxLife.

Next up were Battlecross, Detroit’s extreme/thrash metal pride and joy. Since leaving Metal Blade records a few years ago, the band has been playing a lot less often. A bummer in a way. But on the positive side, when the band does play, it’s always some sort of festival, a fully staked lineup or being asked to play a show that was considered ‘do not miss’. Battlecross being asked personally by Phil to be a part of this show definitely made it one those events. The boys took the stage and literally started playing the crowd favorites and popular singles right off the bat. The majority of the lower level was a full blown mosh pit and the rest of the venue had its fists in the air and were headbanging to the point where you know your neck’s going to be feeling it the morning. The band hadn’t lost a thing, the chemistry was still there, and the crowd was loving every minute of it. Gumby had a large portion of the venue cracking up every time he snuck in a ‘Epstein Didn’t Kill Himself’ jab whenever he could. For 45 minutes the band blew through their songs and had the energy in the building going strong. Favorite’s for me are always ‘Force Fed Lies’, ‘Kaleb’ and ‘Push, Pull, Destroy’. Another crushing and energetic set from Battlecross and I expected nothing less. I managed to run into Gumby right after their set and arranged for an interview, for old times sake, at the end of the night. Please see the end of this article for the interview with Gumby and Hiran from Battlecross. 

It was just after 9:30 and it was finally time for what everyone was waiting for. Phil Anselmo and the Illegals doing a night of Pantera songs! As the band takes the stage, they were met with continuous and overwhelming roars from the crowd. They were ecstatic to see Phil and to hear the songs from this legendary band that meant so much to so many. You could see the emotion in Phil as well. He stood there on the stage looking blown away at the sold-out crowd and the excitement they had for this show. He started out dedicating the night to Dimebag and Vinnie. He shouted out his love for Detroit and thanked everyone for coming out and reassuring the crowd that “I have no doubt that you all are gonna go fucking bananas, I get you”. And “These are our songs; these are your songs”. So much emotion for me as they went through the nights set. I’ve always been a huge Pantera fan, starting with the first time I saw them in like 1990 or 91 when they toured with Exodus and Suicidal Tendencies. I had goosebumps for much of the set, and it was so emotional to hear all these Pantera songs live again.  The band was tight and solid and Phil was really on his game This was the best I’ve heard him sound in years. From ‘Mouth for War’ and ‘This Love’ to ‘I’m Broken’, ‘Goddamn Electric’ and ‘Fucking Hostile’, where he was joined by Gumby from Battlecross. The energy just grew within the venue and the whole crowd was fired up and moving in one way or another. As expected, the amount of songs that had the crowd singing louder than Phil were many. People were so happy to hear these tunes played live once again. The boys wrapped up the night with more shout outs to Detroit and a huge thank you to everyone that made it out and helped make it a sold-out show. I have to admit that I was on the fence about any type of Pantera reunion with both Dimebag and Vinnie being gone, but hearing those songs again and seeing how serious Phil was taking this whole thing, I would be totally down for Phil and Rex to do a limited Pantera reunion tour with a worthy drummer and guitarist. I guess we’ll see what happens in the new year. 

All in all, the night ended on a great note and had improved drastically for me from how it started. A great opening set from Shit Life, another killer performance from the Battlecross boys and Phil Anselmo and the Illegals giving us all a great night of memories and legendary metal. Thanks, Phil!

Click here for the interview with Gumby and Hiran from Battlecross:
https://soundcloud.com/howiedetroit/battlecross-interview-11-13-19-detroit