Feb. 2 aka ground hog's day, this year also super bowl Sunday, was held the DARK TRANQULLITY, OMNIUM GATHERUM, and EXMORTUS show at the Baltimore Sound Stage. This show gave us an insight as to who the true Metalheads are. The crowd was a bit light, but it was my pleasure to be among those who showed, covering these three great bands. We all had a little scare because DARK TRANQULLITY's bus broke down in the middle of the woods in Virginia. But all the groups except the local opener made it there to rock it out with the fans. I got to meet a lot of the fellows performing and all of them despite the stress and uncontrollable issues we're just great guys. The staff was very friendly and the whole experience despite the cancellation scare was just amazing.

EXMORTUS, from California, was the first act to take the stage. Now I was slightly familiar with the group, but not that well. I must say they definitely got the crowd pumped. They ripped and shredded thrill they had to stop. The guys in the band after their set made their way to the merch table, where they personally set up and sold their merchandise, and mingled with the crowd as well. These fellows were definitely right on target. Everybody was together and the whole set flowed nice n smooth. The vocalist had a great harsh scream as well as a killer clean scream, and I'm talking Rob Halford killer. Another thing I thought was pretty awesome is the two guitarists kind of wrapped themselves around each other and did a completely awesome guitar solo/duet (whatever the hell you want to call it). The boys in EXMORTUS were definitely passionate. I was very impressed with their act. Keep Rocking guys!!

The second act in the show was the ever awesome OMNIUM GATHERUM. I knew guys a little better than I did EXMORTUS, but not overly well. Now these guys just blew me away. They are great live. The boys all had tremendous energy. Now OMNIUM GATHERUM are from Finland, and this was their very first tour in America, and it was my absolute pleasure to be there, and be a part of that. The singer made his way around the stage locking horns with the fans during the songs and really got the crowd pumped. Unfortunately because of the tour bus issues, they had their set cut a little. They also had some minor technical problems, but that didn't stop them at all. The guys put on a hell of a performance. Those familiar with them know their brutal yet melodic sound. Again the whole set was smooth, and right on queue. I was hoping to get a live interview, and they said they would be happy to, but unfortunately lack of time prevented that. No fault of the band. You guys as well keep rocking. I can't wait till they come back around.

Setlist:

1. Luoto
2. New Dynamic
3. New World Shadows
4. The Sonic Sign
5. Soul Journeys
6. Living in Me
7. The Unknowing

The headliners, of course, were the fellows of DARK TRANQULLITY. They destroyed. Flat out hands down destroyed. They are absolutely amazing live, and really know how to get the crowd pumped and into the set. The singer ran around the stage slapping high fives to everyone he could reach. Again as with the other two acts, you can tell these guys absolutely love what they do, and are passionate about the music and the fans. They all had amazing energy as well. (Even after having to wait three hours on a broken down tour bus.) Their set was smooth, they were on top of their game, and really put on an amazing set. As pioneers of the melodic Death Metal scene, it is no wonder these guys are legends. I did have to opportunity to do a live interview with their front man despite the time issues, and he is just an awesome down to earth fellow. It was certainly my pleasure to able to chat with him for a while. They also had some minor technical issues and blew right threw them. Yes, it was an awesome show. Keep killing it guys, I can't wait till you come around again.

Setlist:

1. The Science of Noise
2. White Noise / Black Silence
3. What Only You Know
4. The Fatalist
5. The Silence in Between
6. The Wonders at Your Feet
7. The Mundane and the Magic
8. Monochromatic Stains
9. Terminus (Where Death Is Most Alive)
10. Endtime Hearts
11. Lost to Apathy
12. ThereIn
13. Misery's Crown

So overall the crowd was thin because of the super bowl, and there were a couple issues that began to threaten the show, but everything got resolved and we had a killer time. All three bands did an amazing job. Bottom line. The staff was very friendly and did what they could to make up for the inconveniences. Things happen though that we can't control, and despite anxieties everything turned out just fine. To everyone who chose football over the show, you missed out. All the guys came out at one point to do a little mingling, and have some beers. It was a great night.