#64-#69

#64

The Black Dahlia Murder
Skeletonwitch
Toxic Holocaust
Trap Them
Oceans Over Monuments

@ The Soapbox (Upstairs) 11/01/09


This one fucking ripped. I thought it was weird that OOM were chosen to open this, but they won a "Battle of the Bands" prior to this, where the prize was an opening slot on the gig. The highlight of their set this time was actually two guys in gorilla masks moshing with each other for a song or two. Quite amusing. Trap Them fucking brought the house down as I expected them to, and they played a few new numbers as well from their upcoming Southern Lord 12". When they closed with "Mission Convincers," Ryan McKenney swung the mic wrong and bopped himself in the head, almost falling onto the audience. I don't think this band can disappoint me. Toxic Holocaust were on fucking fire, as they managed to easily top their performance at the Napalm Death show. That smoke machine certainly helped. Joel Grind is fucking nuts, but a hell of a good frontman. Skeletonwitch are touring off of their just released "Breathing the Fire," and played a few excellent numbers from it. It's almost unfair how every time I've seen these guys, they steal the show from the headliners playing after them. First it was Dying Fetus, then Darkest Hour, and now BDM. Glad they're getting more exposure and popularity. Be glad to see them again with Iron Age, Howl and Mortal Man in Feb. BDM were really good too, though it seemed some of the crowd left after the 'witch were done. And as tight as they were, it just seemed that every opener before them were just tighter and more exciting. I admit I went off when they played "Christ Deformed" and "Statutory Ape." After the show, I went to cookout for a quick bite to eat while feeling the effects of a "Bangover."



#65

Salvacion
Beard of Antlers

@ Reggie's 11/14/09


A real last minute show for us, but it turned into my favorite BOA show by far. Getting to do TWO songs now certainly helped. I got pretty hammered after we played, so I can't recall much about Salvacion's set other than it was very "rocking."

#66

Thanks for Nothin' Fest day 1:

Mobile Deathcamp
Mortal Man
Critical Assault
Weapon of Choice
Thou Shall Burn
Dim the Darklit
Wrathlord
Children of the Reptile
Exhume the Martyr
Nemesis of Reason

@ Lucky's Pub 11/27/09

This was a long one that was mercifully saved by the last two bands of the day. I missed NOR, and should have missed Exhume the Martyr. COTR were cool, very traditional sounding metal, but a little sloppy. Admittedly, they don't have a lot of gigs under their belt so that gives them a little time to improve. Even though they busted out a Slayer cover this time (Disciple btw), Wrathlord actually bored me. Dim the Darklit aren't nearly as bad as they used to be, but there is still a LOT wrong with them. I only saw a snippet or so of Thou Shall Burn but that was enough. How is it that EVERY band that comes out Fayetteville is fucking awful? I missed Weapon of Choice, but from what people were saying, it sounds like I didn't miss much. I really don't like Critical Assault, so I actually went next door to do Karaoke at Slick and Red's. Yes the place sucks, but I'll take this form of bad singing over theirs. I did one song, then went back to Lucky's only to see these asshats covering "Nymphetamine" by Cradle of Filth! They went to the trouble of getting a very uncomfortable looking woman to do backup vocals for them, and she covered Liv Kristine's part of the song. Awkward to say the least. Band still sucks though. Mortal Man finally came on and fucking killed it, though they should have played longer if you ask me. I know most people wouldn't give them a chance due to them featuring an ex-member of Gwar, but Mobile Deathcamp were actually really fucking tight like the last time they played. All the older metalheads lost their minds when they did their "Emerald" cover and most people seemed to really dig em. Glad they played to more than 10 people this time.



#67

Thanks for Nothin' Fest Day 2:

The Classic Struggle
Acirema
Death of an Idol
Wake Up Burning
Oceans Over Monuments
Pyrates
Storm the Gates
A Sunset Mourning
Venger
Gorenivore
Enuresis M.D.

@ Lucky's Pub 11/28/09


If Day 1 was all about the metal, this day was more about the metalcore and mosh. Enuresis were atrocious, but they're just starting off so it's somewhat forgivable. That Kids Like Us cover seemed rather unnecessary though. Gorenivore were actually pretty cool despite their ridiculous name, very old school sounding death metal. I missed Venger and made it a mission to skip ASM, who I can't fucking stand. Storm the Gates and Pyrates dropped off due to reasons unknown. OOM did a good job, but it seemed like most of the young crowd just didn't want to mosh for them. Stupid scene drama. Wake Up Burning were very tight for their style of metalcore, probably the most pleasant surprise of the two day fest. DOIA is going to be big, mark my words. They seemed a tad bit more moshy this time, but it actually helped them to be honest. Kids went OFF too. Ironically, Acirema went on next but seemed like they didn't want to be there. Apparently someone had slashed their tires on the way to the show, so I can't blame them for their unpleasant moods. New frontman is good, but not great. TCS closed out, and while they were good, they seemed to attract more "tough guys" this time around than usual, so it seemed to affect most of the crowd's decision to want to mosh. Oh well.



#68

Gollum
Predecessor
Beard of Antlers
Pavlichenko

@ Lucky's Pub 12/04/09

Oy vey two days in a row of this? Wasn't sure if my voice was up for it, but it seemed to do just fine. Pavlichenko had some bad technical difficulties, and their bassist was sick so it forced Daniel and Chris to do most of the vocals. Good, but obviously could have been better. I was kind of amazed by how many people were out there this time, and about how we were well received. Heck even my mom came out to this one! The new Predecessor is nothing like the old one, but that's a bit of a good thing. The new band with Mr. Kyle Watts (former guitarist of the Hottness) on vox is a lot groovier with more emphasis on songwriting it seems. I dug it. I was exhausted after they finished, so I ended up going home and missed Gollum. Sorry guys.


#69

Pavlichenko
Tournament
Beard of Antlers

@ The Soapbox (Upstairs) 12/05/09

The lack of a turnout was a major bummer, but I still had fun. Several bands scheduled to play dropped off, including Wall and Banal. We did alright, my voice gave out for a bit during "my" 2nd song, but I recovered pretty quickly. Tournament were really rad, check em out if you like bands like Torche, Coliseum and Fight Amp. Bought their LP but haven't listened to it yet. Pavlichenko were good, but you could tell they were a bit tired. Jeremy's (bass) vocals seemed to heal though, as he did a few parts here and there this time. The highlight of the whole show was a drunk/coked out girl up front screaming for them though.


That does it for 2009's gigs. I'll assemble a top 10 sometime soon, and probably start over from #1 now that the new year has begun.