Eyehategod
With Mutilation Barbecue and Hollow Leg
THE ORPHEUM | TAMPA, FL | 11.01.2024
Photo by Sam James @samjames.jpeg
Sailing the High Noon Seas
Eyehategod
Fresh off the Headbanger’s Boat Cruise and still locating their land legs, Eyehategod took to the stage sailing the High Noon seas. Whether on the road or the backwater bay, EHG has a work ethic that transcends location. Always on the road and cramming in as many gigs as possible, EHG maintains that startup grit even after 36 years. It’s something I appreciate in EHG and why I have to go see them every time they’re in town.
You can feel NOLA in every slow, head bobbing, dare I say danceable Jimmy Bower riff and every distorted Mike Williams yell. They sound like the swamp - thick, slow-moving, and buzzing with amp feedback similar to a peak summer cicada hum. Mike IX pulling and pushing the mic like machinery and banging his head enough to make himself bleed is just what I’ve come expect at an EHG show. Closing out the show with “Every Thing, Every Day” felt like marching orders for the inevitable work week to come and the perfect way to close out a Friday night.
Mutilation Barbecue
The show lineup was a bit of a mixed bag with Mutilation Barbecue opening the night up with some fresh Cleveland Death Metal. They are also currently on tour with Eyehategod and Soulfly.
Hollow Leg
Blues influenced, heavy metal outfit Hollowed Leg set the tone for EHG to take the stage, with sludgey riffs and a slightly less moshable set.
Words and photos by Sam James