agentofoblivion

Yesterday was Sounds of the Underground.

I got there in time to miss two bands that I didnt know who were in the first place. I caught the last two songs of a band called The Red Chord and noticed instantly that the volume on the mics was way too low. I jumped right in to test the pit and saw a mixture of dancing and slamming, all in all there was not a good rhythm to the music and it was almost impossible to move with.

Then I saw Black Dahlia Murder. I was hyped to see these guys because I have heard alot about them and the song of theirs I downloaded is pretty good. Once again the vocals were inaudible and I was not overly impressed with the music, but I think it had alot to do with the poor sound than the band itself. I still moshed through it and had a good time, getting myself warmed up for Devildriver.

Devildriver were amazing as always. The sound was much better for their set and they played alot of killer songs. If you have not checked out this band you should, and if you have and you dont like them there is something wrong with you. Their live intensity is the main artery and moshing to this is like an injection of hell. It was furious and all over, the first time the majority of the floor was a pit. Seems like they were one of the few bands that played more than their half hour set, but that also may be because I had some beer in me by this point.

I sat out for the hardcore bands that made up the next three sets. I figure let the dancers dance, no point in going out and being a bastard. I met up with alot of the people I have been seeing at shows for the last few years and one guy that I have been moshing with since my first show in 93 (pantera and sepultura just after my 13th birthday) and we talked and drank and had a pretty good time.

The next band of mention to me was Strapping Young Lad. I remembered liking these guys about ten years back and was kind of excited to hear they were still around. They played a good set but I realized I have changed in taste alot. Still it was good moshing and good music, and the fans of this band seemed delighted.

My first surprise of the day was a band named Throwdown. I have never heard or heard of this band. Before their set everyone was comparing them to Hatebreed, which is a fairly recent discovery for me as well. I was not let down when this band came down and the pit was all over and intense. I think this is the first time we really butted heads with the dancers (I guess I have to reluctantly admit to being a metalhead since I live for the circle pit) and there was quite a bit of violence. I only had one run in myself, getting punched in the neck by a guy flailing about on one leg and I aptly returned the effort by punching him in the mouth. They bitched but didnt step up and I went back to the madness, just about the time this band busts out a cover of sepultura's Roots. I fell in love with this band over that, and it was cool to be out smashing everything with so many guys singing along. The rest of their set was strong, and the half hour they played seemed like it was much longer.

Gwar put on a killer show and my skin is still stained from it. If you havent seen these guys you will never understand, and if you have you are already thinking about how great a show they put on. I could write so much about their set but I wont just because I would not possibly know how to talk about it. The NaziPope was the funniest thing I have seen in a long while.

I finally got to see Opeth live and they were so good. It was amazing to see something so different from all the rest of the bands that played and see such a devote fascination from the crowd. Also they played a song from their upcoming album and it was amazing. I cant wait to buy that cd.

Next was the other surprise of the night for me, and that was Chimaira. I never even heard of these guys but they were fucking awesome. Killer pit, killer set, I cant wait to see them again. Its nice to actually discover some amazing stuff out there that you havent heard before.

Then the whole reason I went... Clutch. I could say so much, but this was the best use of a half hour they could have done. They did so many killer songs... Cypress Grove, Big News 1 and 2, Mob goes Wild... it just made a long day even more amazing.

I left at this point because I am not a big Lamb of God fan and nothing was going to measure up after Clutch. It was so amazing and I have more bruises and cuts than I have in a long time.

Next Show: Soilent Green in July.

Ben