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Mental, Blacklisted, Depression, The Heart Attacks
The Drunken Unicorn, Atlanta, GA
12/12/2005
Reviewer: Drew Walton
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This tour was supposed to feature Blacklisted, Mental, and Iron Age, but Iron Age had to drop off the entire trek. Local bands Depression and The Heart Attacks opened the show and it was my first time seeing all of the bands except Depression. I was stoked to see Blacklisted and Mental and neither one disappointed.
Up first were new, local Atlanta favorites, Depression. I don't remember at this point how many times I've seen them. They're a great band and put on a good show. As of now, they haven’t even released a demo, but they get an enthusiastic crowd response and the kids seem to know the song lyrics. The ending chant of "Forever fucked" on the song of the same title always ends up creating a big pile-on and a good time. I’m definitely waiting on the demo; good band.
Next were the Heart Attacks. I don't know much about the Heart Attacks and this was my first time seeing them. I know they either were on or are on Hellcat Records. They play glam-punk and it was definitely out of place at this show. I can appreciate what the band is doing and I even enjoy the music. There was not one thing about the vocals that I liked, however. Aside from that, it was an odd band to have on the bill and kids just stood there and watched them for the most part.
Finally, the almighty Blacklisted took the stage. I missed these guys the last time they came through with Death Before Dishonor. I'm writing this review quite a while after the show happened, so I can't remember if their newest album, …The Beat Goes On, had been released, but I'm pretty sure it was out. Blacklisted played songs off of it and I recall being unfamiliar with them. They put on a good show and I picked up a sweet shirt.
Taking the stage last was the one and only Mental. The band announced that this show was going to be their last show ever. This came as a shock for a few reasons. It was never previously announced or even hinted at that they were breaking up. Also, the band is one of Boston's biggest acts, and one would expect them to play their last show in Boston. They explained that, because this was the last stop of the tour, they would end it here, but it was no big deal. Singer Greg assured everyone that guitarist Dookie was not on heroin and the band didn't break their collective commitment to straightedge, despite Internet rumors. Aside from all the talk of their last show, the band did extremely well. They played plenty of songs from Planet Mental and Get an Oxygen Tank. The last song they played was an Underdog cover, because they said that's how they started playing.
I picked up a Mental shirt or two, as well as the Planet Mental LP, and the show was over. It was amazing seeing Mental's last show, and it didn't even sink in until much later. What a spectacle it was.
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