Admittedly, a live show of this kind is my first rodeo, barely exposed to anything of the Stoner/Sludge variety. Nonetheless, I found myself, once again, at the King's Arms, this time witnessing the old school spectacle that is CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. However, I was in no way anticipating the nature of the support acts.
 

First up were all-female, Hardcore Punk quartet, THE PENNY DREADFULS. A solid set with many tracks, most under 2 minutes each, it was a lively and totally energetic spectacle, with ecstatic stage energy and interaction between band members; lead vocalist Frankie still delivering a powerful belt despite her illness. This setlist was clearly all about fun, with raucous and carefree stage presence; I had only wished them a larger audience; people were late, arriving solely for the main act, a kind of behavior that I find to be far too rude and prominent nowadays.
 

Next up were all-ginger (a fact they pride themselves on) Stoner trio called BLOODNUT who, like CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, love to chuck in the odd Punk and Metal nuance. Exceptionally heavy, with thunderous bass mixing, they were likewise an entertaining performance to both watch and listen to. Capable of technical proliferations, the majority of the songs drowned us in spine-wrenching chugs and infectious grooves, and did very well to set in stone the mood for the night. Oftentimes at concerts I focus on a single member for a majority of the set; whether it's because they're the bassist or their stage presence is particularly entertaining, but drummer Ty killed their set.
 

The main act for the night, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY were warmly welcomed by the highly appreciative crowd, all clearly eclectic and loyal fans of the veteran rockers. There are black-clad preteens at CRADLE OF FILTH concerts lathered in merch that you always see at shows, but then you have  C.O.C fans, who veritably exude the fact they live for the music. And hell, what a performance. Guitarist Woody had a phenomenal stage presence, and his guitar playing is completely phenomenal, displaying dramatic and unusual right-hand techniques, and with enigmatic bassist Mike who appears to have developed a Devin-like persona, knew full well how to rock up the crowd, who were all too appreciative to witness displays from the new album, especially "Brand New Sleep". Replacing drummer Reed is ex-KYLESA hard-hitter Eric Hernandez, who proved himself and more, on the night. The music, as a daily playlist hoon, totally out of my comfort zone, but it was damn well worth the sore neck.

Setlist:
1. Brand New Sleep
2. The Doom
3. Your Tomorrow
4. Psychic Vampire
5. Deliverance
6. Rat City
7. Holier
8. Seven Days / The Moneychangers
9. On Your Way
10. Strong Medicine Too Late
11. Loss for Words
12. Mad World
13. Priest Brains
14. Technocrac