Enemy Reign 2010 Tour Report

Posted July 27 by Chris D.

By Sherwood Webber (Enemy Reign)

Phil and I got it off to a great start; overly excited in Chicago we decided to go to the bar during our connecting flight. We had an hour and twenty minutes to spare but with our Denver—Chicago time change, we really only had 20 minutes. Three fast rounds later we figured we should check on our connection, gate closed, we lose. Pricey mistake, we spent the night in a Chicago hotel bar but got a couple rounds bought for us. We must have looked pathetic.

The next day we got to the airport five hours early and stared at our gate until the door opened out of absolute fear of missing a second of the Neurotic Fest. The Guenther brothers made it to Europe, Phil and I were the idiots stuck in the U.S. We made it to Amsterdam on time and took the train to meet the ER boys, Sylvia and the rest of the metal mavens at the O13 in Tilburg for the Neurotic Fest. The O13 is an ideal venue for this type of show; I knew it was going to be a great one when we were sharing a dressing room with my old friends in Malignancy. A quick drop of gear, a quick look at the new merch and it was time for me to start warming up for the show. Of course, by warming up I mean warming up to some cold beers and making the rounds, watching bands, finding old friends from all over and making new ones. One of my first amazements was, “Holy Fuck, I'm going to buy every piece of this Bolt Thrower merch!” Before long it was set time, and we took the stage hard, bringing the Reign for not only the first show of our first tour, but first time on European soil! With all of our favorite bands? Whaaaatttt? What a blast! I was greatly appreciative for Ruud, founder of Neurotic for having us and Tjerk of Loudnoise fame for having the beer held high for my first European bar surf in six years. BOOOM, like I never left. Of course, I had the help of my airplane life preserver. Thank you, United Airlines. If I ever experience a water landing I'll have plenty of practice blowing that shit up. We ended the set with a little help with my old friend Sven, performing the Nasum classic, “Welcome Breeze of Stinking Air”.

Blammm! Bolt Thrower starts out with the “The IVth Crusade”. Blew my mind. Made my way from the balcony to the pit and started killing people, lost my shoe tearing it up and loved every minute of Bolt Thrower’s set. Epic. Fuck the Queen, Bolt Thrower rules all. Neurotic slayed. We asked to stay both days even though we could have done another tour date; too many good bands and too many good friends to leave behind in Tilburg!

Watching Bolt Thrower was like being run over by a tank; watching Carcass was like being dissected. These bands are the pioneers and prevailing masters for a reason. It's a death metaller’s dream.

Day 2 of Neurotic was massive fun; I closed the Neurotic Fest with a DJ set with my brosef Danny Nelson. If you consider what we were doing a DJ set.... out cheese-dicking each other for two hours. If you've ever tried to out cheese-dick Danny Nelson, you can sympathize with my challenge.

Onward through the tour: Shows, bowling, boozing, touring with dudes and one lady (Sylvia, our tour manager) is interesting. A lot of farting, guy talk, bullshit, etc. It never ends. With endless time to kill on long rides, the collective male mind can wander to some far out regions.

The UK was killer, making new friends in Exeter, Taunton and London. UK. Thank you! Brace for the Fall and Andrew Dicker. You Rule!

In Switzerland, we forged on, playing an amazing show for Akim in Delemont. Kick ass show. Carnal Decay, you all rule. I look forward to returning as soon as possible!

Onward! To the Emmen Metalfest. ER's return to Holland after a week on the road, Holland is home! We were greeted with the ultimate in hospitality and home cooking. Jorge, you are the man. Amazing show, highlights were Seita, Sinister, and all the cool people we met. After an all-night drive to get there we left feeling completely refreshed and renewed.

Prague...feels like the homeland to me, especially with the anticipation of playing another show with the almighty, the unbeatable, the heaviest, the devastating, Bolt Thrower! We had many good times with old friends on a day off. Sipping some coffee, sipping some beer, seeing the sights, Prague is the most beautiful city, beautiful girls, and best beer in the world. Prague wins. The show, booked by my old friend Tomas, was my favorite on the tour. We were plagued by some sound problems, but the honor we felt playing that particular show in that particular city overcame all. Bolt Thrower, you guys and gal are every bit as awesome as people as you are as a band. Thank you. From the bottom of our blackened hearts, we hope to share the stage and beers with you again.

Germany: the heart and soul of brutality. Potsdam kicked our ass and like most nights we watched the sun rise with amazement both and the cool shit we were doing and the levels of extremity being pushed in every situation on and off stage.

Wermelskirchen, where the men are brutal and the women are...brutal too! My favorite club on the planet, AJZ Bandham. Legendary. You will never find a club stained with more underground blood, sweat, and tears since CBGB's closed. NWDM (New Wermelskirchen Death Metal) never disappoints. I've been a member for over 10 years. As a fellow brother of the elite NWDM, I have to say, brothers, we rule! I greatly anticipate my return to the AJZ Bandham stage.

With the tour concluded, I give it up to all the promoters and Loudnoise for the belief in us. It was an honor to play this tour for you and we are in your debt. Sylvia and Tijmen, thank you so much for putting up with our shit, if you did this tour, you can do any tour! To the friends, family, and fans in the EU, till next time. Get brutal every day. We'll see you soon.

** Enemy Reign's Means to a Dead End EP is available now. Click here for the EP and other merch stuffs.

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