Tuesday and Wednesday were highly anticipated by yours truly. Two bands that I have three LPs by, Down and Static-X are playing. Though there appears to be no hint of a double header, and from the look of the queue. which began to form at eleven am on Tuesday, Static-X were not the most welcome quests. Which on the whole is not too surprising, the choice as support is seen as quite unusual and its far more likely that after download in the UK this was the labels way of promoting more than one artist. And an Irish date by the ten year veterans of “Evil Disco” is overdue.

The two nights Static-X played the same set-list and I feel irony was haunting the band. On Tuesday for perhaps the first two songs Wayne Static’s vocals couldn’t be heard, but the crowd really warmed to them and a small grouping of disco girls made it to the front and made the place shake. A great variety was present in the set and there was good communication between band and the crowd. Which brings me to the second nights performance. Conversely, the sound was perfect. The vocals and all guitar lines were clean and crisp. Yet the crowd, were outside smoking, inside drinking and in some cases heckling the band. After a great reception the first night despite teething problems the second night Static-X found themselves in hostile territory but to their credit gave no quarter, if anything Wayne and his wonderful hair became more intense and focused.

Some tracks seemed to pick up in tempo but by the end of “Push it” the band looked defeated. This being said I would recommend checking these guys out live. But on these occasions I don’t think they made any new fans, the old ones however did get what they wanted and everyone else seemed to appreciate Mrs Static, former adult film star Tera Wray bringing the band shots and wiggling her ass at the crowd.

Now, on to the headline act, Down. Formed in 1991 and until last year no one was sure if it was a novelty act or a full time band for the musicians in question. But, they have all since stated that Down is their first priority and everything else comes second, we can be happy in the fact that such a great act exists! The devotion inspired by Phil Anselmo is amazing. It is safe to say, for better or for worse the two nights would’ve been about a certain amount of hero worship. Thankfully, what was witnessed over the two nights was better than good it was heavy metal as it should be. Two varied sets meant that two different and great experiences were to be had by two very different crowds. A person could speculate that the rowdy drinkers went on the first night and the silent smokers went to the second. But in either case the enthusiasm was always present. Some songs such as “Bury me in smoke,” “Nola,” and “Stone the crows,” were played both nights but it would probably have caused more trouble if they were not. The other tracks from across all three of the albums made them varied and enjoyable. The tougher crowd (perhaps high, perhaps tired from the night before?) on the second night got a heavier tighter set, but the first night heard tracks never played before and my own personal favourite “Nothing in return (walk away)”

This performance was more than what the band was capable of. It was or is what all heavy bands or even pub rock bands should aspire to. When late on a Saturday night a pub rock band strikes pure gold. That special moment normally found only after midnight where the singer can only scream because it’s the only voice they have left, when the guitar players have turned up well beyond their normal and the rhythm section form a groove so tight that its almost spiritual. This can only happen a pub rock band once in a very special blue moon but is also what makes these bands worth seeing. It is this moment, that Down have turned into an art form. Every Down song on both nights reached this magical state. With hindsight, they have every time I’ve been lucky enough to see them.

Added to this magic was what seemed like great friends on stage having the time of their lives added to the presence of the much worshipped and sometimes hated Phil Anselmo. The security at their previous Ambassador show was incredibly tight. Staff were advised that due to Dimebag’s tragic demise anybody seen reaching for Phil was to be ejected from the venue. This was not the case on Tuesday and Wednesday as every hand extended was clasped. Every crowdsurfer carried to the barrier got a hand shake or a head rub or even a high five for their troubles and for the first time in many concert going years I got to witness a band start a chant of “Olé Olé Olé” before joining in and jamming with the crowd. A very special moment amongst many others. If you couldn’t make either of these shows, I am afraid you missed out.

All photographs ©Damien James O’Farrell