Bolt Thrower
While lasting contributions from Baltimore could be as simple as The Wire and John Waters, let’s go ahead and toss Maryland Deathfest in there as well. Sure there’s a brimming scene of bands, but Baltimore’s real musical pedigree comes in the form of North America’s largest extreme music festival which operates right in downtown Baltimore (somewhere in between the municipal buildings and strung out vagrants).
Abigail
Without a doubt there were two names that attracted me to MDF XI; Infest and Bolt Thrower. Both were phenomenal, and showed that their ages hadn’t left a negative mark. Thursday was an okay night, I missed the first three bands and while I enjoyed Abigail‘s set, it just went on a bit too long (no thrash band should play longer than 30 mins). Cobalt, a main draw for many, really worked up the crowd and hit the stage with the tenacity and vibe that might belong to a 90’s hardcore band more than a black metal band; of course, this all paled in comparison to Bolt Thrower.
I’ve never been a huge fan of Bolt Thrower. That’s not to say I dislike them – far from it- I just never spent too much time with anything else besides In Battle There is no Law and Realm of Chaos. With that said, it should be a pretty huge argument in their case that I was absolutely floored with their performance. Easily one of the best bands of MDF XI, Bolt Thrower immersed the crowd in their brand of mid-paced groove laden death metal that never gets old. Singer Karl Willett and his long mane of grey hair carried the performance atop the band’s tank tread groove and some of the event’s best sound. Unfortunately cut short by Baltimore’s strict curfew, no other blemishes existed for the legendary UK act (besides the absurd humidity and the can of sardines tent we were all packed into-but hey, it’s a festival, who isn’t going to lose 10lbs in sweat and gain 15 in other’s sweat?).
Ahumado Granujo brought out the best in the crowd
Friday brought damp and frigid weather that constantly threatened rain and a bad time. There was a strong Czech grind contingent at MDF that started with Ahumado Granujo‘s goofy brand of gore-soaked and death metal infused grind (complete with disco beat interludes and fans throwing glow sticks everywhere) and ended with Gride‘s offbeat and complex brand of grind on Sunday. Sandwiched in between the two were Ingrowing, the most straight ahead of the 3. All 3 were excellent and nice additions to the heavily death and doom metal bill of this year.
Sete Star Sept
Friday also saw Japanese noisegrinders Sete Star Sept literally fall to pieces as they blasted and smashed their way through a painful 20 minute set of nonsensical noise. Repulsion, a band I grew to love through seeing them live, were great; although a bit too tight this time around (their best a bit sloppy). Scott Carlson’s stage banter was spot on and worth their set alone as he would introduce a song by saying “this one’s off our latest album…Horrified, from ’86” and other knocks at the band’s own expense.
Repulsion
Friday’s highlight were Righteous Pigs, an unfortunately little known band best remembered for being Mitch Harris’s band before he joined Napalm Death. Their brand of groove laden, stomp frenzied metal that could be argued to be grindcore came out perfectly live. Singer Caper was a real blast to hear live as well as hear his banter about wanting to drink and party with everyone, and even meet their girlfriends (you fill in why). Favorites from Stress Related were played with vigor and precision and had me going wild.
Righteous Pigs
Carcass‘s attention to their melodic dad rock had me scouring the grounds for some food and beer which was a bit disappointing. Ending the night on a high note were hardcore stalwarts Tragedy as they played a ferocious set that thankfully drew a hefty group. Overall Friday’s highest point came during Righteous Pigs, a band more people should know about.
Tragedy
Keep your eyes peeled for part two where I’ll cover Saturday and Sunday.
Photos courtesy of Return to the Pit.
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