ORIGIN Concert Review

Origin

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Station 4, St. Paul, MN

Click on any of the pictures to see more photos of Origin (56).

Early shows are a blessing and a curse. It’s great that shows get done at a reasonable hour, but with five bands being on a bill not unusual (at seven bands played this night!) it’s impossible to get to a club early enough to catch most of the bands. So tonight I arrived just as Origin was getting ready to hit the stage, leaving only enough time for me to briefly say hello to guitarist and old friend Paul Ryan.

It had been years since I had seen Origin, and the level of professionalism and energy now on display was impressive. Following the obligatory intro tape Paul and drummer John Longstreth literally launched the show with “Expulsion of Fury”, demonstrating the the technicality and precision for which the band is known. The first half of the 55 minute set focused on their latest album, Entity, with “Purgatory”, “Swarm”, and “Saligia” earning stares of respect from those not in the vicious mosh pit. Nods to older albums Echoes Of Decimation (“Staring From The Abyss”) and Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas (“Implosion Of Eternity” and “Portal”) were given, while newer material such as “Wrath Of Vishnu”, “The Aftermath”, and “Evolution Of Extinction” filled out the majority of the show. Paul and bassist Mike Flores mainly stick to their spots on stage, but vocalist Jason Keyser controlled the stage and did a great job of keeping the crowd engaged between songs. Ending the night with “Banishing Illusion”, Origin left no doubts as to why they sit atop the plethora of current death metal bands. Their technical execution is incredible, and due credit must be given to John for somehow holding all the songs together from behind the drumkit. A true spectacle to behold, Origin puts on a show that any death metal fan should not miss.

See my earlier post from May 18 (“ORIGIN: New Album Should Arrive in 2013”) for a summary of my chat with Paul Ryan after the show where he reflects on Origin’s longevity and provides an update about the next album tentatively slated for next year.

Origin returns to Station 4 in St. Paul as main support to Kataklysm on Saturday, August 25. Other supporting bands will be Fleshgod Apocalypse, Vital Remains, and Rose Funeral.