I will do my best not to get too lengthy with this but there is a lot of history and some major players involved.

Dead Cross is a new band with two very influential members. If you are unaware of who Faith No More are then shame the F*CK on you. They are hands-down one of the most influential bands in music. The frontman for Faith No More, Mike Patton, just happens to be the front man for Dead Cross and several other bands – Mr. Bungle, Lovage, Fantomas. Patton is one of the most versatile singers in music history and his vocal range can and will go from a smooth jam to a complete spastic lunatic. I encourage any younger readers to check out some of the above-mentioned bands.

Dave Lombardo is formally of the band Slayer and current drummer for Suicidal Tendencies. Slayer is without question the most influential band in heavy music. Dave is also one of the most revered and badass drummers of all time.

Without intention, Maia and I made it in time to catch the opening act Secret Chiefs 3. I’m going to be short: They’re really f*cking loud – the drummer hits like a freight train. Also, an electric mandolin?

As the main room began to fill up, I was not concerned about coming out of mosh retirement tonight. I questioned whether this was going to be worth the late night with having to work at 5 am and Maia having classes the next day. As the infamous screen in the main room rolls up, Dead Cross came out swinging hard. Patton led the charge with his Hawaiian shirt, menacing lurch and spastic vocals. Lombardo was tucked behind a modest Tama drum kit in comparison to his days in Slayer, nonetheless, he beat those skins into utter submission. They blasted through their entire album in all of 40 minutes.

As the band took the stage for the encore, Lombardo started to play the opening to “Raining Blood” which is one of Slayers biggest songs. This got the room all worked up in frenzy. Just as the main guitar hook comes in, they stop and go right into “Epic”, Faith No More’s biggest hit. Patton utters the vocal hook and stops, moving right into their now famous rendition of the classic Dead Kennedys’ song “Trump Nazi Punks F*ck Off” to end the night. To answer my earlier question about a late show on a weekday night, f*cking right it was worth it.

I would like to thank my baby girl, Maia, for enduring yet another one of my concerts. You’re a good sport and good company. And to Dead Cross, for the tickets and allowing Maia to get some truly rad pictures!

Words by Joel Jacobson. Photos by Maia.