Amazing show by Symphony X last night in Austin. It's just amazing how Allen commands the crowd and the band. Probably best front man in metal right now besides Bruce Dickinson.
My sons and I are still talking about this show. I dig Haken big time and they sounded great and it was a blast seeing them live again and watching my sons experience them live for the first time.
BUT....Symphony X stole the show. Allen was so engaging and charismatic AND sounded incredible!!!! I have been lamenting the fact that this was the first time I've ever seen them live. Wishing I'd known about them years ago to perhaps have snuck in another show or two, but I'll take it.
Funny story....after the concert my sons and I took the alleyway behind the venue to get to the parking lot where I'd parked and the back door to the venue was there. Russel, M. Romero and M. Lepond were all standing there just firing away on huge joints. Or at least one of them was and maybe the others were smoking cigs.... This was probably I'd say....10 minutes after the show had ended....anyway, as we walked by (within 10-15 ft) we just told them things like 'great show' and 'had a great time'....and Allen said to us "Thank you...really appreciate it....thanks for coming out" Romeo and Lepold just nodded and smiled....
Very small exchange but it was cool....and man.....I haven't smoked weed in 14 years but walking through that 'atmosphere' really took me back
My boys are old enough to know what it is and have smelled that before so they knew what was going down as well....