Wednesday, June 2, 2010

America's Biggest Metal Party

Well, I never did get to finish my Supreme Brutality series since I got lazy (yet again) but rest assured that Maryland Deathfest was one hell of a fucking time! Words can't really describe how exciting and fun the festival was.

Oh, and the bands! A ton of heavy hitters this year, but obviously the masters that comprise AUTOPSY stole the whole damn show. 70 minutes of unrelenting metal of death...come on. NIRVANA 2002's third ever show was also pretty historic, even if technical problems unfortunately reared its ugly head (and, of course, US customs).

A real hidden gem was on the second day, where Norway's OBLITERATION tore the stage and us in the audience. That band plays with so much feeling, man. Then there were ENTOMBED and Michigan's legendary REPULSION, with the former playing a much more old-school set than I thought! Always a good thing! Bobby Liebling and PENTAGRAM really shocked me with Victor Griffin back on the guitar - and for good I hope! They played "Relentless" though unfortunately I missed it since I needed a spot for Entombed! Ugh! Sacrifices had to be made, unfortunately!

WATAIN, though I wanted to hear a lot more new songs from their brilliant Lawless Darkness, would've been the highlight of the first day had Japan's über-crushing COFFINS didn't play! Talk about riffs! The band has it all: Celtic Frost worship, massive riffs, insanely simple and brutal drumming...classic stuff, for sure.

As for disappointments? Unfortunately, we need to include ASPHYX in this category. Why? They played so well but the sound just sucked! Not only did Mayhem fuck them last year but this year they were destroyed by sound problems. These guys simply can't get a break! D.R.I. were a bit of a letdown as well, as they played an amazing show here in New York City earlier this year. The drummer was just all over the place and, of course, there were problems with the guitar signal.

Some logistical problems definitely include the "Side Lot" stage, where the stage is on a fucking hill and the awfully low-volume PA systems outside. Food was a bit expensive for what it was and the vendors were somewhat of a letdown. Other than that, it surely didn't ruin a good time!

MDF...my life is simply incomplete without it! Here's to next year being even better (if possible)! Cheers!

This is only less than half of what went down...

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