This is the third time I've traveled to the Masquerade in Ybor City (practically Tampa) to see a concert, and likely the last time I describe the venue itself. It has become one of my favorite places to see bands, especially since it seems to be the only place within three hours that the bands I love will play. There is a large stage, a large floor space in front of the stage, and a raised area around three sides of the floor, with chairs, bars, and enough walking space that even the most crowded concerts I've attended have had plenty of room to move around. There is no re-entrance policy (once you're in, you can leave, but you can't come back without buying a new ticket), but they do allow cameras in, and they don't search entrants, so I've managed to snap quite a few photos every time I go.

The first band of the night was Hypocrisy, who began playing while I was buying merchandise, but for whom I only missed the first song and a half or so. I'm actually very unfamiliar with Hypocrisy; this concert was the first time I've ever heard any of their music, live or on disc, legally or illegally. They seemed to be pretty good melodic death metal, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed their set. I should probably check out one or more of their albums, given the frequency with which I read about them online and elsewhere.

Next up was Children of Bodom on what I am pretty sure was their first United States tour ever. Needless to say, the crowd seemed to be more excited about this band than anyone else playing that night. And Children of Bodom certainly didn't disappoint. I regret that I have not kept up with their new music as much as I should have, over the years. Consequently, I only recognized two songs from their set, both from the "Hatebreeder" album. But every song they played was excellent, and it was obvious that Children of Bodom have become veritable masters of the stage, and of the live show. If the crowd reaction at the show I attended was similar to other shows they've played on this tour, I expect that they will be back on this continent in the near future. In the mean time, Children of Bodom were one band I desperately wanted to see live, and I am ecstatic to have actually done so.

Nevermore were the next-to-last band of the night, and one I had seen previously (touring with Opeth and Angel Dust two or three years ago). If anything, they were even better than I remembered. Opening with a head-slamming rendition of "Narcosynthesis" (an ironic song to play, given the intense scent of burning weed that filled the room almost as soon as they took the stage), Nevermore played something from almost every album of their career. Only their oldest material, and "Dreaming Neon Black," were untouched. But every song they did play was worthy of worship; they are one band with which almost any song they play live is a classic. Most notable were "The River Dragon Has Come" and "The Seven Tongues of God," as well as the Simon & Garfunkle classic "The Sound of Silence." Jeff Loomis is one of the most incredible metal guitarists, period, and anyone who doubts this statement needs to see Nevermore play live. Simply mind-blowing.

Last, but not least, Dimmu Borgir hit the stage, for the third time that I've been there to witness their musical utterances in the live setting. And they are one band that I never get tired of seeing. They played music from their last four studio albums, and would have played earlier material had they not run short on time. Most of their set (five out of eleven songs) came from their latest release, "Death Cult Armageddon," but there were a surprising number of songs from 1997's "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant," and surprisingly few from "Spiritual Black Dimensions." But every song was incredible. The Dimmu Borgir stage show is getting better, with even more lights and smoke than before. And at the same time, the members of the band are even tighter than I remembered them being. Nicholas is a sickeningly brutal drummer, and Galder is always excellent. What more can I say? Dimmu Borgir is… they are Dimmu Borgir. That should be description enough, nowadays. If you love their music on CD, you might spontaneously combust from sheer enjoyment of their live show. And if you don't like them, Dimmu Borgir live might convince you that they are every bit as good as their reputation holds them up as being.

In all, it was one of the best concerts I've attended in the last few years. I had so much fun, in fact, that I spent too much money on beer and teeshirts, and had to wander Ybor City after the show in search of an ATM, so I could pay for parking and get my truck out of the parking garage. If anyone reading this review lives in Southwest Florida, I strongly recommend checking out the next metal show at the Masquerade. And if anyone is considering catching Children of Bodom, Nevermore, or Dimmu Borgir on the last leg of this tour, you should stop reading this review right now and buy tickets. I was amazed with the number of people there at the Masquerade for this show, and you should definitely try to catch it before it is sold out in a city near you.

Children of Bodom Set List:
• Silent Night, Bodom Night
• Downfall

Nevermore Set List:
01. Narcosynthesis
02. The Seven Tongues of God
03. Never Purified
04. The River Dragon Has Come
05. The Sound of Silence
06. I Voyager
07. Ambivalent
08. The Enemies of Reality

Dimmu Borgir Set List:
01. Intro (Tape)
02. Lepers Among Us
03. In Death's Embrace
04. Cataclysm Children
05. Vredesbyrd
06. Kings of the Carnival Creation
07. Unorthodox Manifesto
08. Progenies of the Great Apocalypse
09. IndoctriNation
10. The Insight and the Catharsis
11. Spellbound (By the Devil)
12. Mourning Palace
13. Perfection or Vanity (Tape)