Skeletonwitch -- Lawrence, KS -- October 8th, 2011

Why is Skeletonwitch one of the best live bands ever? Is it because they have unmatched stage presence? Is it because Chance is otherworldy when he's doing his vocals? Is it the spot-on solo performances? Is it their perfect sound mix? It's every one of these, and stuff that I just can't put my thumb on.

This was my sixth time seeing Skeletonwitch, third time seeing them headline. It was the longest set I've ever seen them play, and it seemed evenly divided by their three albums. While the Beyond The Permafrost tracks were insane (including one of my personal favorite songs of all time, Within My Blood, ending the set with hellish ferocity), the songs from their new album sounded amazing. The new record is definitely a lot more melodic, but still vicious as ever. And I think my new favorite live Skeletonwitch song is Crushed Beyond Dust. The entire band was firing on all cylinders tonight. The sound was impeccable, and each member gave 110%. Absolutely the best time I've seen them, absolutely one of the best sets I've seen this year or ever. 10/10

Before the main act, Wrath and Ruin played. This show also served as their record release show. They play a brand of atmospheric/industrial/doom metal that is completely suffocating and brutal. One of the songs they played (I'll have to listen to their album, which they gave away!) was one of the most violent live songs I've heard. Not in a douchey, "let's see some blood, bro!" way, but in a serial-killing stranger-murdering way. And their drummer is still really, really good! 8.5/10

Opening the show was The Cast Pattern. It's been a while since I've seen them, but it looks like they got a new vocalist and were pretty decent! I'm not a huge fan of the type of metalcore/deathcore that they play, but they do it extremely well. No sustained/annoying breakdowns at all. 7/10

Picked up Wrath and Ruin's new album, "Mouth of Oblivion". If this combination of bands entices you: Khanate, Godflesh, Xasthur, Jesu, then I highly recommend you check them out. I also got the new Skeletonwitch album, "Infernal Damnation", on green splatter vinyl. Limited to 500 copies, you bet your sweet ass I'll be posting pics of it. Came with a free poster and digital download too!

Skeletonwitch:

The Horrifying Force (The Desire To Kill)
Reduced to the Failure of Prayer
Upon Wings Of Black
Submit to the Suffering
Crushed Beyond Dust
Beyond the Permafrost
Sacrifice for the Slaughtergod
Strangled by Unseen Hands
Infernal Damnation
Longing for Domination
Fire from the Sky
Vengeance Will be Mine
Choke Upon Betrayal
Within My Blood

Wrath and Ruin (partial/out of order):

The Bug
The Edgeless Beyond

The Cast Pattern (partial/out of order):

Set Like, Three Things On Fire
My Grandpa's A Faggot

October preview: HAMMERWEEN 2!

The fest you all know and love is back for it's second year at the Beaumont Club on October 22nd.

Line-up:

HAMMERLORD
TROGLODYTE
At the Left Hand of God
the Roman Holiday
Marasmus
Malikai
Wrath and Ruin

After-party at the Riot Room (FREE with Hammerween ticket stub, $5 without)

The Cast Pattern
Ape Hanger
Koktopus

Hammerween is $10, or $6 with a costume. Alternatively, I will be handing out free tickets to this at most of the October shows I'm posting about. You just gotta find me. ;)

October preview: Skeletonwitch

Skeletonwitch returns to the KC area and will be slaying the Jackpot Saloon in Lawrence on October 8th! Their new album, Forever Abomination, should be out by then, so go buy it! Opening the show will be Wrath and Ruin, who is using the concert as the release show for their new album, and The Cast Pattern.

New Year's Ev(il)e

If you want to be a part of the funnest New Year's Eve celebration around, all you need is $3 (yes, just three dollars), to be at the Replay Lounge in Lawrence on the 31st, and be ready to headbang. Welcome to New Year's Evil!

Hammerlord
Troglodyte
Wrath & Ruin

Running the spectrum. Zombie-esque doom metal, Bigfoot-esque death metal and Undertaker-esque thrash. You won't be disappointed. Everyone will be talking about this show for all of 2011. DON'T MISS IT!

Hammerlord -- Lawrence, KS -- June 12th, 2010

My first legal 21+ show! At the Replay Lounge, which has a patio that had some DJ spinning all night, so there were lots of really hot girls that kept coming into the bar to use the bathroom who were probably scared to death by the bands playing. Made me chuckle.

The first band was Koktopus. It was my 2nd time seeing them, the first time leaving me a bit underwhelmed. They did much, much better this time around. Half of their set sounded like a better version of Pantera, while the other half was blistering thrash/death. A couple of covers, including Venom's "Witching Hour", went over pretty well with the crowd. They started off the show very well.

I've seen Wrath & Ruin three times now, and every time they've had a different configuration and a different sound. The first time I saw them it was a keyboard player who did vocals, a guitarist and a drummer. The second time was the same thing, except they had a bassist. Now, they had the same set-up, but no vocals. This time, however, they played a brand of crushing drone/doom that was some of the heaviest stuff I've heard. Very eerie, very awesome stuff.

Hometown heroes Hammerlord destroyed the place. Almost literally. For such a small venue, there was quite a bit of moshing going on. They played lots of cuts from their new album which stacks up right alongside their first album. In fact, I'd even say it's better. Off the walls thrash with some of the bests solo's you're guaranteed to hear anywhere. Each member of Hammerlord is hemorrhaging talent with their respective instruments. Unfortunately, the band lost track of time and they had to cut their set short, but it was just enough to leave everyone wanting more. A lot more.

Set (cut songs*):

Creating Destruction
Dead City Radio
Storm The Castle
Lordess
Hammerlord
Thunderers*
Tombstone Piledriver
The Anomaly Rue*
Demon Fever*
Metalization*
Wolves At Wars End

Listen to Hammerlord's new CD "Wolves At Wars End" here if you want to thrash your balls off: http://hammerlord.bandcamp.com/album/wolves-at-wars-end

Hammerlord: 9/10
Wrath & Ruin: 8/10
Koktopus: 7.5/10