[ n e w s ] - [ b i o s ] - [ l y r i c s ] - [ t a l k s ] - [ p i c s ] - [ a l b u m s ] - [ t o u r ] - [ l i n k s ] - [ f i l e s ] - [ m e r c h ]

 

SADUS THROUGHOUT ITALY, APRIL 2006: THE OFFICIAL REPORT

cast of characters:

Debbie "GETSMART" Bisceglia - Promotion, Booking, Wisdom, Driving skills
Mrs. Mustaine - Photography, Details, Organizing Skills, Knowledge of it all
Massimo "CHAINSAWMAX" Usai - Words, Questions, Filming, Guitar skills
Rob "KING LEWIE" Lewis - Management, Answers, Big Fat Laughs, Backing vocals
Darren "BUCK FIDDY" Travis - Vocals, Guitars, Violence, Screeching tires
Jon "RUNNING BULL" Allen - Drums, Percussions, Fills, Warming ups
Steve "WHO'S YOUR DADDY?" Di Giorgio - Steeevie, Stefanino, Where is Steev, Stef-ano
Michael "MAIKO" Dorrian - Teching, Language, Teaching, Hook ups
Erin Lynch - Merchandise, IMWTB Productions, Saccharine, Birthdays
Tjerk Maas - Tour management, Kindness, Random pictures, Smileys
Oscar - Sound Teching, Modeling, Red Bulls and Beanies

Day One: April 23rd, 2006 - Bassano Del Grappa

It's Mrs. M and me. We get to jump on wheels for a nice trip throughout italian highways. Debbie is kindly taking care of us spoiled fans, keeping up with her cool piratesque car and a wide range of killer cds to listen to. After a few hours, we're right in front of the club, LA GABBIA. As we're off the car, the KING himself draws near with a big smile on his face and hugs the girls. Then takes a look at me... and instantly comments: "oh, Max... where did the hair go man?" - nice question!!! We get to shake hands and it feels good, fucking good to see the man who's been the glue and the crew since the beginning of it all!!!

Up for a hundred of stairs and we're in the club itself. Darren sits on a sofa, changing strings to his Vees; Jon is soundchecking his drumset; Steve is hanging around with Maiko and it's the emotional moment that we get to finally say hi to everyone personally. So many things to say, and so many memories... these guys are family and surely know how to treat those who love! It's just right - SADUS is OUT FOR BLOOD: everyone is busy with their job and after the greetings I sit next to Darren and start to mess around with the videocamera - I'm here to report ...and have fun!!!

I get to handle the band a few gifts coming all the way from Sardinia, and a few coming straight from the fanshop. The tourbus stands out as the headquarter and that's the place to go when you need a place to rest. These guys have been touring with a hell of a cool crew, but tour life has got to be hard anyway. Smallest beds, tightest time schedule ever: 16 days throughout Europe, constantly moving and looking forward to the next venue. Darkane and Gory Blister members show up and we get to introduce ourselves, everyone is having a good time and the mood is very good. As I'm talking with Darren someone gets a hold of my neck and I turn myself in awe: It's Darek - Mr. SoulflyPL! All the way from Poland, he's in Italy with the family to enjoy local art and Californian metal.

The guy is cool as fuck and we get to chat it up before lunch... he surely knows his shit, dammit!!! As we're backstage it's time for a Black Tooth or two, and Darren is our guest.

A few hours later it's already showtime, I'm on stage with the band armed with my cam, ready to film the violence: the venue is packed up and everyone in the crowd is screaming out for SADUS. Darren and Steve stand unseen on the wall behind the PA, as the intro flows in. Tension rises up as the lights tune in and the band starts cranking out a LOUD version of OUT FOR BLOOD. The pit goes nuts, Darek is right in front of the stage with his cam, taking pics here and there with a big grin on his face - first SADUS show of his life - and he's already into the groove!

DOWN comes through, followed by SICK - at this point everyone is shaking the hell out of each other and the powerful sounds are basically shredding everything into pieces already. Steve calls for old and new fans - welcome to the KILL TEAM, people - and that's the moment where everything gets angry: the pit definitely riots and Jon comes up with some of the most intense drumming I've ever heard in my life. The sound is tight, cohesion is everything and you can feel the beats slashing through your skin... it's total mahyem. More songs flow in, along with a dedication to the late and never forgotten Chuck Schuldiner. FREEDOM blasts out of the speakers and the crowd shows raised hands in their honour. This is something I'll never forget.

It feels indeed great to be able and once again witness that this trio is able to put out shows like these, blasting thru notes for much more than 90 minutes of madness, and creating the very same soundscapes that are available on albums. I mean, that amount of noise coming out of three single persons? Pure rage.

The fans seems to really enjoy the new material as well as the older tunes, and a few fans even get the chance to jump up onstage for some old school antics...

As the gig ends it's time to pack up (those cases are fucking heavy, trust me) and storm off, ready to get to the bus where a few beers roll in along with the good times.

We get back to the hotel late in the night and then hit the pillows hard. Day two starts over with us 3 meeting with the band outside the venue in Colle Val D'elsa. Darren is wearing some nice shirt with some nice logo on it, and the guys are getting ready for a shower. We get to share some funny stories and know a bit of the touring life jokes, as raw as it is...

The venue starts packing early and a number of fans make sure they reach out the gates where they end up meeting with Rob, who gives them the SADUS treatment... Darkane and Gory Blister are cool as fuck as they get to hang around with us for a while before we eventually reach the restaurant and get to chat a bit with everyone from the crew. Right before the show, I spend some inspiring moments with Steve and Darren in the bus. We sat there for an hour or something, and tripped about past, present and future.

The gig starts and the band is pumped up, for sure...

[ to be continued ]

 

SADUS LIVE IN ROME- APRIL 6th, 2004 - LIVE REPORT BY MASSIMO 'chainsawmax' USAI

I was filling my hand luggage in my room, when I suddenly started to think about it all: I was going to see SADUS playing in front of me. I was about to witness the unreal. One big grim started to appear on my face. It felt huge, incredible, amazing. It felt great.

The trip to Rome was planned long before I even knew that the news were confirmed. But I had to order the tickets in order to contain the costs for the flight – Sardinia is a damn far island and you gotta fly over the sea to see the good bands playing.

So I jumped onto the plane, and once arrived I immediately reached my lifetime buddy, Yared, who kindly asked me to be his guest while in town.

The week I spent in there was just unique: we rented a bunch of good quality flicks (‘The Crazies' by G. A. Romero and ‘Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer' by J. McNaughton among others), played a lotta PS2, surfed around the net to see exclusive Silent Hill 4 previews and generally had a great time hanging around and talking about life.

Me and Yared, night time.

Yared after a big one...

Yared was also very curious about the whole thing he was about to witness too: I described him that I was going to see my fave band ever, and to say the least he was stunned to hear that I actually was the webmaster of a SADUS fansite. So the night came right in… we took the metro to the venue, this nice place named ALPHEUS, and reached the place after evening. During the whole week I constantly tried to phone the guys at the club in order to obtain the tix – to no avail. Bummer!

So I was a bit worried about this matter when I started noticing some fellow metalhead joining the courtyard in front of the entrance. A that time I thought to take a peek in the rear of the club as the crowd started flowing. To my surprise, SADUS were performing the soundcheck behind a glass that showed pretty much the stage. My jaws almost fell off. Jon's chops sounded massive, Steve was handling a doubleneck bass and Darren, my own personal guitar hero, was shredding in front of his mic. ARGH!

After being pushed aside from a nice security employee, we decided to head over the main entrance. We started to chat with some kid in the outskirts of the club when the gates were opened. I was the first one to enter the club and I was disappointed to notice that NO TIX were sold – just a print on my hand, pretty much cheesy but WHO CARED – SADUS were in!

After checking out the entry I notice this tall blonde guy behind the merch stand, who I saw few minutes before, hanging around with the dudes theirselves – and we start to chat a bit. I find out he's named Michael Dorrian, and he's a sound tech for the band, and also a UM.com hidden contributor. Right in the middle of some chit-chat he asks me to follow him. I leave Yared in the crowd and follow Mike within the dining room behind a door, and that's when he opens it to let me in: in front of me, a very long table and dishes all over it... Members of SADUS and supporting bands are there, eating their dinner right before the show...

I am definitely smiling at this point, a bit confused, when I understand that I'm in front of my fave artists ever. CRAZY! On the left side of the table, the supporting bands are looking at me in a freaky way, kinda saying "and now who's this guy?", and on the right side, Jon and Darren are looking at me quite surprised. I shortly say "hi there" and introduce myself, asking them if they mind if I sit down in the sofa right behind their seats.

Darren punches out one of the chairs and asks me to join them on the table, then I start talking while he shakes my hand in bizzare ways - coolness. We start talking about the fansite, how the whole thing happened, how they finally happened to visit Italy! Steve is conducting some interview behind the table as well as I talk with Darren and Jon - I take out my ELEMENTS OF ANGER booklet and a marker and ask them if they can sign that one for me, while the guys keep buzzing, quite amused to say the least. They start to explain me the tale about the most difficult travel in history - from California to Europe - and I'm just smiling the whole time.

Story has that their plane from the USA to EUROPE had to turn back home in the middle of the flight - due to some bombing alert. So the plane was sent to CANADA where the passengers had to wait something like 2 hours in it, without any kind of air conditioning system. After some time aboard, they start rolling in for Detroit where, incredibly, they're asked to change plane - this meaning they had to move all of the stuff that was into the vehicle to the new one. Easily, hours pass. After almost a day, they finally reach Greece - where, just landed, they're directed into the venue to play the first gig of the HEMP FUELED TOUR.

Believe me - I did ITALY > USA quite a few times, and that itself was a major stressing experience. If you just add that these dudes had to start the flight, turn back, change plane, move all of the luggage then fly over - well, this happening alone can give you the amount of passion that SADUS actually brings when it's about the fans.

Darren recalls: "you know, we were just arrived in Greece, tired and fucked up, but when it came to playing, we gave it all, because the crowd wanted us bad, and we had to give it all, that's what we did and it was crazy, absolutely..." Jon was nodding in assent, big smile on his face.

Woah. That meant something to me. Tired as fuck, and still roaring. And still, they were incredible to me and to the fans as well. Darren started asking me questions about my island, when I explained him I had to travel a bit to reach Rome. Then he took me where Steve was doing the intie, and basically interrupted it to introduce me to Steve - who, a bit confused, asked me to wait after he was done. I was just walking on thin air - replied him to take his time.

Jon then walks out of the dining room and Darren asks me to follow him. When we reach the backstage, this big guy from the security stops us. "He's okay, he can get in, he's a friend of mine!" - the big guy is still concerned and I totally understand him - I was also about to tell Darren that I could easily wait him behind the fence. Then the guy lets us in, and Darren takes me in the depths of the venue.

Poor lighting shows a room filled with bottles, glasses and some flight cases here and there. Some bearded guy is sleeping - or trying to do so - on a bench. Darren puts one of the big cases upon a table, opens it and starts to search for some picks. HOLY COW. Nothing but a case filled up with his very own pair of Flying V!

After a nice chat with Darren, and a special gift to him, we got out of the backstage to meet with Jon. After shortly saying bye for a while, I leave them to the meet n' greet as I try to find Yared. Obviously enough, he's outside of the club, smoking one with a regular of the club! After describing him the whole situation, he kinda freaked too - and we've just started with the surprises.

The band is with the crowd now, surrounded by fans. There are probably 200 persons in the club. That's probably a small amount of persons, but SADUS is poorly known among the big audience. That's way too bad. As I witnessed them being 100% nice with the fans, I knew for sure that it was gonna be a UNIQUE thing. Everyone from that club was simply amazed by the band's behaviour that nite. After a horrible journey like that, SADUS still wanted to give it all to the fans, as previously stated. They were partying with the fans, signing everything with big smiles on their faces, ready to pose for the pics, and absolutely happy to be there. No place for superstardom here, sorry.

I ended up meeting Jon again, who was now followed by the bearded guy who was sleeping in the backstage few minutes before. I introduced myself to him when they signed me in for a pass, and I could not hear his reply because of the loud music coming in from the support band of the nite. I asked him to repeat that, and his words kinda hit me in my front.

"Rob? are you Rob Lewis?"
"Yeah!"
"Oh, no way, Rob Lewis! You are 'the glue holding all of this together'!!!"

Big laughs. As Rob shaked my hand happily, I was actually unable to think that everything was true. Yes, SADUS were about to destroy the stage. Hell yes.
We got into the backstage once again, where the band started the warmup before the show. SADUS style obviously: Jack Daniels + Coke, cheering up for the tour. Unfogettable. Jon starts to play with his drumsticks as Steve simply drinks something. Darren is talking with Debbie, the tour manager for the italian leg of the the tour. Time for some pics together. As the band approaches me, Rob starts to say something about me. At this point, Steve kinda screams as he recognizes me:

"Max... you mean, 'chainsawmax'???"
"Of course Steve! That's me!"
"Oh sure! You told me you was going to show up here! The crazy SADUS tabber!"

Big laughs again. Fun time overall. I'll let the pics describe you the feeling.

Steve recognizes me... funny pic!

Giving the horns...

Rob and Darren chilling out...

Steve and his hippie outfit!

Old school Jon...

Darren drinking one...

Jon going out to set his pedals... pic/nic anyone?

Darren setting out his customs...

Crazed eyes on this one... who's evil?

Jon starting his warmup!

Right after taking some pics, the band jumps onstage and the show begins. Darren comes outside, roaring as a bull.

"Are you ready or what? ARE YOU READY OR WHAT???"

Nothing could quite describe the feeling I had that nite. SADUS' unique approach to the stage made me feel like I was back in the USA, during the thrash/death golden days. Their performance was simply HUGE. Get the pics, enjoy them out:

Darren in action...

Aggressor!

Looking at me?

Growl...!

Evil Jon!

Brothers in metal!

Steve and his Carvin...

Ready to launch the sticks...

That's my arm, sorry... I couldn't just resist...

Solo time!

Headbanging it!

Darren, the grinding machine...

Steve and his doubleneck beauty...

Finally - the pit!

The bands crushes everyone's neck starting out with SLAVES TO MISERY out of 1992's A VISION OF MISERY, and the setlist is pure power - check it out.

AGGRESSION: beyond rage.
CRUTCH: pure musicianship.
HANDS OF FATE: violence.
IN YOUR FACE: extreme violence.

At this point, SADUDES start to share their cans of beer with the crowd. Pure coolness.

GOOD RIDDN'Z: exploding-Jon-soloing devastation.
SICK: the new one from SADUS, the gem of the setlist, a preview of times to come... killer!
KILL TEAM: well...what's beyond killer?
POWER OF ONE: proudest moment.

Darren dedicating my SADUS heart-song to me. Woah! People started to yell all together. Pure fucking metal.

MASK: deep inside the hate.
UNREALITY: witnessing the unreal. Plain and simple!
TWISTED FACE: Old school!
EYES OF GREED: techno-thrash!
CERTAIN DEATH: fuckin' pogo!

Then the band got off stage, just to jump on again as the audience started to scream louder and louder.
These were the encores:

SADUS ATTACK: classic SADUS!
THE WAKE: awesum intricacy!
FACELIFT: my mind-song! As the last encore! CRAZY!

It's noteworthy to add that Darren ended up the gig jumping on the crowd! YEAH!

In the end, I'd like to thank out all of those onvolved in the great six days I've spent in Rome - from Yared and Ferial to Debbie, Mike, Rob, Jon, Darren and Steve, and all of the cool metalheads who had the luck to share a wonderful nite with me and the greatest, heaviest band on earth.

Thanx for being as unique as you are, SADUDES!