See this guy? Nice guitar! Also looks metro as FUCK, right? I would know. The night I met him he pointed at my forehead and told me “You have great eyebrows!” Well, for those of you who haven’t a clue who he is – because I sure as fuck had no idea until last summer/fall – this is former VeXt and Black Market Hero guitarist, 7 string guitar GOD and current YouTube sensation Angel Vivaldi and he can bury you and even every single one of your idols on guitar. As I said, I had no idea who he was until last summer when I met my girlfriend…who happens to be this guy’s best friend. So of course I learned a lot about the guy. All there really is to know though is the guy’s is absolutely IN-FUCKIN’-CREDIBLE! His aggression and his attitude on the guitar are unmatched. His creativity as a songwriter and as a soloist? Second to none. Below is the link to his latest music video from his latest album released late last year, Away With Words Part 1:
So this past Saturday Courtenay and I went to go see him play at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ, during an all day festival, where he was playing a makeup gig since he injured his hand a few months back. We both showed up a minute or two apart from each other by chance and as soon as he saw me, “Eyebrows!”, he proclaimed before hugging me a tad too intently. Okay…
I had to take a picture of the Deception Theory sticker on the wall there. I used to work at Home Depot with their drummer, very awesome guy. I wonder how he’s doing.
I was starving so before we went inside we went to Dingo’s across the street. I’d say it’s like what Lucky 13’s was before they were able to relocate and feature bands again, a cool rock themed bar.
I’ve just got to hear what these guys sounded like!
So after leaving during one real shitty band we came back in time for an instrumental metal band called Oraculum. We saw them the last time we were there when they were filling in for Angel after his injury. They were ok when I first saw them but this time they were better, especially their lead guitarist. All that his millions of solos need is the attitude to go with the speed and aggression that’s already there and he’ll be going places.
And while they were on we caught this hipster looking fuckface.
This guy’s dumb head was constantly getting in the way once I began filming Angel’s set and I wanted to choke him so fucking badly.
Anyway, Angel Vivaldi had a one hour set. One hour. To obliterate everyone who went one before him. Here are the opening two songs from the set:
I do apologize for the sound quality. I hope to get a real camcorder soon so I don’t have to use the phone anymore.
The most people showed up just to see him, I know it, because I didn’t see a lot of people when I came in. Also, it was so nice out that unless Alice In Chains were playing a secret show at this place I doubt many people would have been there for anything. Just a year or two back no one would’ve given a shit about Angel Vivaldi or how hard he worked to get where he is and now he’s about to go on tour for his latest album. His entire band were so on point, so tight, so badass. Jake Skylyr had this amazing looking Carvin double neck 6 string bass, one neck with frets the other without. His single neck bass is the reason I couldn’t post my other video. That shit just ROARED over the whole band! Also, Bill Fore is a BEAST of a drummer. I swear he could play any style of metal…I’m pretty sure I heard them all that night. Jason Tarantino is an awesome guitarist, very capable of keeping up with Angel. I also heard him rip a few licks of his own that surely kicked my ass.
It was an awesome show and if he ever comes to your town I’d totally recommend you get your asses down to wherever he and his band are playing. I see nothing but a bright future for him.
As we were leaving I had to take this picture. As I was getting my phone ready some jackass opened the door, hit my head and had the dumbest look on his fuckin’ stupid face when asking me if I was ok before walking away like a retard. Some people are just dumb motherfuckers.
Here are some links to Angel’s music:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AngelVivaldi
Confessions of an Angry Metalhead 