MDF 2013 After Action Report - Have You Ever Danced With Jesus and a Chicken by the Pale Moonlight?
Maryland Deathfest, how many years have I been writing about you now? Facts say "four" but it feels like a lot longer. Every year, there is at least one must-see band -- bands I have never seen before, and may never see again, or bands that put on such a good show, you just have to see them. This year was a banner crop, with Bolt Thrower, Cobalt, Venom, Manilla Road, Abigail, Aosoth, Antaeus, Pentagram, Speedwolf, and Midnight.
I never know how to write about MDF. Do I approach it chronologically or thematically? It makes sense to do it chronologically, because that's more or less (sometimes much less, due to drunken shenanigans only remembered later) how I experienced it. But I am not sure that will help the reading audience.
This year started relatively modestly. We boarded the train (Quiet Car, yo!) and had an uneventful trip to Baltimore. Checked into the hotel -- saw becala in the lobby and learned we were across the hall from each other at the hotel. We missed a few of the bands on the Thursday bill -- but we got to see Abigail, Cobalt and BOLT THROWER. Dionysus_petals grabbed my ass (first of many butt-molestations perpetrated by Mindy), beerdiablo showed up with beer. jonsiron and suzgrad were there because BOLT THROWER. We always have a good time with them, and am so glad they got Thursday tickets. And I got to finally meet blackheart666. We shoved a beer in his hand because it's the right thing to do, and I had a nice long chat with someone I've known online for years. \m/ to him.
Abigail ruled. The Engrish was strong with them, but so were the Gods of Metal. Cobalt were great because I knew every note to their latest two albums. I think they were more of a mixed bag for those unfamiliar, because the sound system wasn't doing their particular brand of music any favors. I'll be curious how it translates to a small venue this weekend. They played two of three Must-Hears for me: Arsonry and Witherer. I am going to be screaming "Two Thumbed Fist" for the entire set this Friday. But I can totally understand why unaffiliated heshers would hate it (and many did).
Bolt Thrower. My friends, you must understand that the horrible weather that destroyed the Midwest arrived in Baltimore for Bolt Thrower. It was raining. Pouring rain. Pissing rain. Shitting rain. It rained. The tent was packed full of every motherfucker with a ticket. Because Doug and I were busy chatting with Dave from Evoken, we didn't get a spot in the tent. Worth it, on two levels. 1) Chatting with Dave from Evoken, who recognized Doug. 2) Don't have to wear earplugs during BT's set. And so we stood in the pouring rain screaming lyrics at the top of our lungs with some dude from Chicago. I couldn't see anything but who cares? The music was punishing. And props to Dan from Chicago, whoever you are. I want to see Bolt Thrower again, now. Rightfuckingnow.
More props go to Mercenary Chef, who stood in the rain with an empty beer cup, filling it with rainwater and then throwing that water on those in the tent.
Friday. Friday was beer. We started at Max's taproom with misunderstruck, jonsiron, suzgrad, beerdiablo, MercChef, and Kairparavel. After many hours and brews, we moved to Heavy Seas. (Which reminds me -- beerdiablo, we still owe you money/rounds. We were hoping to pay you back on Saturday, but since the server can't manage a television and we needed to see footy...) Anyway, so we got to the show in time for Benediction (awesome), then Evoken (heavy), and Repulsion (always excellent). "This song is about destiny. It's called "Decomposed!" Carcass were fun, and then we walked to Soundstage to see Rotten Sound. Lasted two songs and then went to bed because I don't like Pelican. Sweet, sweet sleep.
"Any port in a storm, and any barrel to see over the crowd."
Saturday was a wrecking ball, because it had the thinnest lineup (for me, personally). We met with MC and Kair for a pre-noon beer, then cheese and MC's charcuterie and beer and bourbon. Oh gods. Then we met guppyur and went to Alewife for Champions League Final and they couldn't deal with the TVs so we went back to the hotel bar where Champions League was on and Sergio the bartender overserved us more beer. And a Jameson shot because holyshit. I forgot all about that shot until later. Then to Alewife for more beer and dinner. At this point, I am not in control of any of my faculties, so it must be time to go to the venue. The whole point was to see Aosoth and Antaeus. Total devastation. I made sure I was up close (read: front edge of pit, two bodies from the railing) for both. Beyond intense, especially because the guy in front of me during Antaeus was a legit Nazi. He kept pulling the salute to the black security guards, so I made sure to take elbow shots to the motherfucker's kidneys at every opportunity.
"My life. Jesus and Tequila a Taco."
Sunday was insanity. Tried to get breakfast = fail. Doug and I ended up drinking for breakfast at Pratt Street Alehouse. Then drinking with MC and Kair in our room while MC turned into Jesus. Then the Dumbest Line In Christendom awaited us at the venue. We missed Speedwolf (although props to the organizers who gave SW a second set because the line meant that most of their fans missed the first set). I could talk about the bands, but most of my afternoon was overshadowed by JESUS. Jesus crowdsurfing in the pit for Sacred Reich, Jesus at Cruciamentum, Jesus dispensing benedictions at Midnight, Jesus hugging a taco. Jesus high-fiving a chicken. Jesus at Glorior Belli and at Pagan Altar. We lost Jesus at Manilla Road, but I hear from reports that he was in the pit for the second Speedwolf set. Doug and I got some sushi and then saw Magrudergrind. There was a penis in the crowd. RJ (you can see him onstage, with his guitar, in the background of that photo) was really stoked that we showed up, which always gives one the warm metal fuzzies.
"There's always at least one dick in every crowd."
Venom closed out the festival and it ended EXACTLY AS IT SHOULD HAVE. Black metal, buttrock, a drummer who never saw a stick-twirl and overhead cymbal flail he didn't like, drunks, a dude who cut through the crowd holding in vomit, and then...POWER CUT. Yes, the organizers cut the power mid-song because Venom went over their time and the concert curfew. There was a fight on the stage between organizers, security and Venom's manager -- a total Spinal Tap tableau. The crowd almost rioted. Flashing red and blue lights everywhere as the cops closed in. Crazed heshers looked to get maced. It was excellent.
Basically, the organizers were facing at a huge fine if Venom played too far past time, and so they rightly axed Venom's set at 11:05 or so. I would have done the same. But I also think this is the best way for any band to end their set. It cements an outlaw air, especially for a band with such a fraught and ridiculous history as Venom. It's wild, man! WILD!!!!
The rest of the night was spent killing beers with room 400.
A top-notch weekend. I got legit props for BATTLE HAT and I hope that I'll see someone bite my estilo next year and turn it into a mini trend. The time spent with friends was priceless, and I am so glad that I got to see so many of you guys again: becala, samjolnir, dionysus_petals, blackheart666, beerdiablo, jonsiron, suzgrad, guppyur, Becky (what's her LJ handle?), Eric D., Mercenary Chef, Kairparavel, the other members of the Seattle crew from the 5th floor...who am I forgetting? Those who couldn't make it -- we drank in your honor. I can't wait for next year. \m/
I never know how to write about MDF. Do I approach it chronologically or thematically? It makes sense to do it chronologically, because that's more or less (sometimes much less, due to drunken shenanigans only remembered later) how I experienced it. But I am not sure that will help the reading audience.
This year started relatively modestly. We boarded the train (Quiet Car, yo!) and had an uneventful trip to Baltimore. Checked into the hotel -- saw becala in the lobby and learned we were across the hall from each other at the hotel. We missed a few of the bands on the Thursday bill -- but we got to see Abigail, Cobalt and BOLT THROWER. Dionysus_petals grabbed my ass (first of many butt-molestations perpetrated by Mindy), beerdiablo showed up with beer. jonsiron and suzgrad were there because BOLT THROWER. We always have a good time with them, and am so glad they got Thursday tickets. And I got to finally meet blackheart666. We shoved a beer in his hand because it's the right thing to do, and I had a nice long chat with someone I've known online for years. \m/ to him.
Abigail ruled. The Engrish was strong with them, but so were the Gods of Metal. Cobalt were great because I knew every note to their latest two albums. I think they were more of a mixed bag for those unfamiliar, because the sound system wasn't doing their particular brand of music any favors. I'll be curious how it translates to a small venue this weekend. They played two of three Must-Hears for me: Arsonry and Witherer. I am going to be screaming "Two Thumbed Fist" for the entire set this Friday. But I can totally understand why unaffiliated heshers would hate it (and many did).
Bolt Thrower. My friends, you must understand that the horrible weather that destroyed the Midwest arrived in Baltimore for Bolt Thrower. It was raining. Pouring rain. Pissing rain. Shitting rain. It rained. The tent was packed full of every motherfucker with a ticket. Because Doug and I were busy chatting with Dave from Evoken, we didn't get a spot in the tent. Worth it, on two levels. 1) Chatting with Dave from Evoken, who recognized Doug. 2) Don't have to wear earplugs during BT's set. And so we stood in the pouring rain screaming lyrics at the top of our lungs with some dude from Chicago. I couldn't see anything but who cares? The music was punishing. And props to Dan from Chicago, whoever you are. I want to see Bolt Thrower again, now. Rightfuckingnow.
More props go to Mercenary Chef, who stood in the rain with an empty beer cup, filling it with rainwater and then throwing that water on those in the tent.
Friday. Friday was beer. We started at Max's taproom with misunderstruck, jonsiron, suzgrad, beerdiablo, MercChef, and Kairparavel. After many hours and brews, we moved to Heavy Seas. (Which reminds me -- beerdiablo, we still owe you money/rounds. We were hoping to pay you back on Saturday, but since the server can't manage a television and we needed to see footy...) Anyway, so we got to the show in time for Benediction (awesome), then Evoken (heavy), and Repulsion (always excellent). "This song is about destiny. It's called "Decomposed!" Carcass were fun, and then we walked to Soundstage to see Rotten Sound. Lasted two songs and then went to bed because I don't like Pelican. Sweet, sweet sleep.
"Any port in a storm, and any barrel to see over the crowd."
Saturday was a wrecking ball, because it had the thinnest lineup (for me, personally). We met with MC and Kair for a pre-noon beer, then cheese and MC's charcuterie and beer and bourbon. Oh gods. Then we met guppyur and went to Alewife for Champions League Final and they couldn't deal with the TVs so we went back to the hotel bar where Champions League was on and Sergio the bartender overserved us more beer. And a Jameson shot because holyshit. I forgot all about that shot until later. Then to Alewife for more beer and dinner. At this point, I am not in control of any of my faculties, so it must be time to go to the venue. The whole point was to see Aosoth and Antaeus. Total devastation. I made sure I was up close (read: front edge of pit, two bodies from the railing) for both. Beyond intense, especially because the guy in front of me during Antaeus was a legit Nazi. He kept pulling the salute to the black security guards, so I made sure to take elbow shots to the motherfucker's kidneys at every opportunity.
"My life. Jesus and Tequila a Taco."
Sunday was insanity. Tried to get breakfast = fail. Doug and I ended up drinking for breakfast at Pratt Street Alehouse. Then drinking with MC and Kair in our room while MC turned into Jesus. Then the Dumbest Line In Christendom awaited us at the venue. We missed Speedwolf (although props to the organizers who gave SW a second set because the line meant that most of their fans missed the first set). I could talk about the bands, but most of my afternoon was overshadowed by JESUS. Jesus crowdsurfing in the pit for Sacred Reich, Jesus at Cruciamentum, Jesus dispensing benedictions at Midnight, Jesus hugging a taco. Jesus high-fiving a chicken. Jesus at Glorior Belli and at Pagan Altar. We lost Jesus at Manilla Road, but I hear from reports that he was in the pit for the second Speedwolf set. Doug and I got some sushi and then saw Magrudergrind. There was a penis in the crowd. RJ (you can see him onstage, with his guitar, in the background of that photo) was really stoked that we showed up, which always gives one the warm metal fuzzies.
"There's always at least one dick in every crowd."
Venom closed out the festival and it ended EXACTLY AS IT SHOULD HAVE. Black metal, buttrock, a drummer who never saw a stick-twirl and overhead cymbal flail he didn't like, drunks, a dude who cut through the crowd holding in vomit, and then...POWER CUT. Yes, the organizers cut the power mid-song because Venom went over their time and the concert curfew. There was a fight on the stage between organizers, security and Venom's manager -- a total Spinal Tap tableau. The crowd almost rioted. Flashing red and blue lights everywhere as the cops closed in. Crazed heshers looked to get maced. It was excellent.
Basically, the organizers were facing at a huge fine if Venom played too far past time, and so they rightly axed Venom's set at 11:05 or so. I would have done the same. But I also think this is the best way for any band to end their set. It cements an outlaw air, especially for a band with such a fraught and ridiculous history as Venom. It's wild, man! WILD!!!!
The rest of the night was spent killing beers with room 400.
A top-notch weekend. I got legit props for BATTLE HAT and I hope that I'll see someone bite my estilo next year and turn it into a mini trend. The time spent with friends was priceless, and I am so glad that I got to see so many of you guys again: becala, samjolnir, dionysus_petals, blackheart666, beerdiablo, jonsiron, suzgrad, guppyur, Becky (what's her LJ handle?), Eric D., Mercenary Chef, Kairparavel, the other members of the Seattle crew from the 5th floor...who am I forgetting? Those who couldn't make it -- we drank in your honor. I can't wait for next year. \m/