A Healthy Dose of Poison

Hundreds of fans waited in line for poison at Xtreme Wheels Skate Park Monday night.

They got it and liked it.

The crowd gathered at the concert hall/skate park saved their energy for the headlining act, Atlantic Records' Poison the Well.

After showing mixed reactions to the show's three opening acts, It Dies Today, Alexisonfire and Engine Down, fans packed close to the venue's small stage, ready to hear what most of them had come for - the well-crafted and brutal sound of Florida's Poison the Well.

Over the course of their six years together, Poison the Well has made a name for itself in the hardcore scene as an act with talent in creating not only earth-shaking breakdowns intermixed with melodic offshoots but also for writing poetic lyrics.

With their performance Monday night, the five-piece outfit not only supported this reputation but also enhanced it, particularly in the performance of songs such as "Ghostchant" and "Apathy is a Cold Body" from their most recent album, "You Come Before You."

While the newer songs held true to the band's hard-edged style, they also incorportated more emotionally sung, melodic sections than previous records. While the difference is noticeable, they continue to have a knack to blend the two styles meticulously, creating an overall sound that is diverse, with a strong dynamic.

Other highlights of Poison the Well's set included older songs such as "Material Christ," "Botchla" and "Lazzaro" all of which the crowd chaotically thrashed to in a venue-wide display of appreciation.

The last two songs, "An Artist's Rendering of Me" and "Nerdy," had pit enthusiasts trying, but failing, to surf the front few rows of the crowd.

"It was a rockin' good time," said the band's guitarist Ryan Primack of his reactions to the show.

"We love playing Buffalo and Xtreme Wheels was awesome, I skated a little earlier, it was a lot of fun" said bassist Mike Gordillo of the venue, located at 356 Hertel Ave., which not only serves as a venue for underground concerts but also facilitates skateboarders and bikers with a large area including several ramps on which to hone their skills.

The show's opening act and Buffalo's most recent success story, It Dies Today, which recently signed with hardcore powerhouse Trustkill Records, inspired the crowd with a solid set of fast-paced hardcore to begin the night, provoking participation from the crowd that was not matched until Poison the Well began their set.

It Dies Today has been recording a new album, with a new melodic sound, a significant departure from their brutal metal past. They showcased that sound Monday night, with strong reactions to breakdowns and weak reactions to new melodic material.

Unfortunately, not all of the bands that played Monday night's concert gave a stellar performance to match that of the headliner. While the second band up, Alexisonfire, played a commendable set, the crowd's level of participation lessened, most likely because their sound was a bit off from the cross of emo and hardcore in the other acts.

Guitarist Dallas Green noted the difference in sound. "If you're waiting for the monstrous metal breakdown, it's not coming," he said drawing laughs from many of the fans. He added, later, "We're about as tough as Woody Allen."

The crowd's interest reached its low during Engine Down's set - they simply played too many songs, all of which sounded similar lyrically, rhythmically and melodically.

This is a band that would have garnered much more support at an indie show and midway through, it seemed that more people were gathered around a television watching game seven of the Montreal Canadiens/Boston Bruins Eastern Conference quarterfinal than were paying attention to the stage.

Fortunately, shortly after Engine Down finished their disappointing set it was time for Poison the Well to return the crowd's attention to the music being played and away from televised sporting events.