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...

Supreme Brutality, part VIII - WATAIN

Uppsala's black metal horde WATAIN will finally return to these damned shores for Maryland Deathfest and I couldn't be more stoked. I kinda stopped paying attention to that whole scene for a few years simply because a lot of the shit that's coming out is really whack but a handful of bands, like Watain, really keep it exciting. Their upcoming album, Lawless Darkness, is gonna blow some heads...! I saw them at Wacken in 2008 and seeing them live was a total trip! Really excited for this one.

Supreme Brutality, part VII - OBLITERATION

I've been waiting a long time for a death metal band like this one! Norway's OBLITERATION's debut album, Perpetual Decay, blew me the fuck away and one of the very few death metal albums today that I can listen to over and over again. Do you like the first Suffocation album? You're gonna love this band. Their latest release, Nekropsalms, isn't much different though they went full-on with the psychedelic/Autopsy feeling. I must point out that their drummer, Kristian Valbo, is fucking AMAZING!



By the way! They will be playing a free show in New York City at Fontana's with Nekromantheon and Unearthly Trance on June 3rd. Highly suggested...

Supreme Brutality, part VI - FROM ASHES RISE

Okay! It's been a long time coming and I think now that we're only 3 days away, I'll pack the shit outta this feature starting now. Anyway, the biggest surprise (aside from Sodom canceling) is the addition of reactivated melo-crusters FROM ASHES RISE! I've been a fan ever since I got their amazing split 12" with Victims a while back. Imagine Tragedy playing a more melodic and less nihilistic brand of hardcore. Don't worry, FAR are just as pissed off. It's great to see them close out the fest... I just hope everyone will have enough energy left!

Here are some clips of them playing in Montreal a few weeks ago. In HD, of course.

Great ABSCESS/AUTOPSY Interview

MetalKult posted an awesome interview with Chris Reifert and Danny Corralles of fuckin' AUTOPSY and ABSCESS. I won't say any more so click here to read for yourself!

Supreme Brutality, part V - POSSESSED

The fathers of death metal: POSSESSED! It's awesome to see Jeff at it again, and though it's only him, he has Sadistic Intent backing him. I ain't complaining, that's for sure.







This is death metal.

Supreme Brutality, part IV - D.R.I.

Because I'm feeling a bit punk/hardcore this weekend. Here are the fathers of crossover: D.R.I.









I don't care what anyone says - their later shit is awesome, too!

Supreme Brutality, part III - WOLFBRIGADE

We're gonna take a detour today and touch upon one of the greatest crust/hardcore punk bands out there: Wolfbrigade. These Swedes aren't your typical crust punks, as they have very metallic tendencies (think Iron Maiden), which mainly include lots of guitar melodies and such. Actually, I would say these guys are a much more aggressive Bad Religion! Personally, they're one of my favorites and I'm extremely happy to be seeing them among all of the other pristine bands on the bill. Anyway, here's a few Wolfbrigade vids to get you stoked.

Supreme Brutality, part II - SODOM

Here's the second installment to Supreme Brutality, the MDF special: fuckin' SODOM!







And of course...

Supreme Brutality, part I - AUTOPSY

I purchased a ticket to the outrageous Maryland Deathfest a few days ago and I wanna use this opportunity to get all of you stoked. If you haven't bought a ticket yet, I highly suggest you do so in the very near future. Anyway, for the next few days I'm going to put up a few videos from each of the bands that are playing (at least the ones I'm excited for). Without further nonsense, here's Autopsy.