When it comes to the dark and grim side of life, any who knows me personal knows that I can get worked into a crazed frenzy from time to time. So what does one do when they have a terrible bleeding black lust for Black Metal? You get your ass to a show!!
I was fortunate enough to get into the WORMREICH show at Club Baltimore, which featured some top quality American Black Metal.
So first I offer my apologies to the bands, I know this shin dig took a little longer than usual to get underway.
When I arrived with my mistress of lust and decadence (or as many know, Michele, my girl / photographer), we were quite early. None of the bands had arrived yet, so it was sit and wait for a while. I did get lucky enough to make way inside to the bar. Which thank you to the bar tender for sliding us our first drinks on the house.
Club Baltimore is under new management so things were a little disheveled at first, but once they got to work and straightened up for the show, the real potential of the venue shone bright as Lucifer himself.
The first act to take the stage was ARCHAEL. Now these guys were the openers, but I see no reason why they couldn't headline their own tour. The music was fast, evil, grim, pretty much everything we love about our Black Metal. It makes it even better that they are local to my area. This was the first time I had heard of them, and I would certainly see them again, and even purchase their cd. Now in speed metal it takes a real dedication to perfect music that is so fast and violent, and ARCHAEL show their dedication and passion for the music they play. The whole band just shredded. Of course to break down the performance, everybody was one queue, and together. The timing was on, and the songs flowed smoothly. It was certainly a great start to a great evening of Black Metal.
The second group to hit the stage was ANTIKOSMOS. Now the cool thing for me about ANTIKOSMOS, is that they are local to my area as well. I had actually met their vocalist Victoria several times prior to this show, at other shows around the area. Having a female vocalist was one that set the group apart. Not to say that the Metal scene doesn't have plenty, but I can't say I've heard too many KVLT bands with a front woman. Needless to say I had a chance to meet the members and chat with them a bit (Actually you get to read my interview with Victoria a little bit later.) Now ANTIKOSMOS is a brand new group, at the show they had a short set because they only have a few songs down, but they took the stage like professionals. They are as grim and evil as you could hope for. The only problem I found with their set was that Victoria's mic was not turned up quite enough. I, of course, do not fault the band for that. They were together and on queue. One thing she did that I particularly enjoyed, was the beef blood. Yes, she drank the blood, it ran down her chin, and she even shared with the crowd. True Black Metal "showomanship"!! I can't wait to hear the new stuff they write and I am really looking forward to their album being completed.
Third in the evenings line-up was FIN. They are a two man project, but that in no way limits there ability, sound, or performance. These guys shredded. The drums were fast and relentless, along with the eerie flowing guitars and superb vocals. This was another band I hadn't heard of previously, and I'm definitely happy to have seen them live. The boys were together and right on the whole time. Bands like this make me proud of the American Black Metal Scene. I could have sworn that these guys were tried and true strait from Norway. Thus far, my black lust for the grim has been thoroughly indulged, and these guys helped it greatly. They were just awesome.
The Fourth and 2nd to last band to hit the stage was the mighty ANCALAGON, up from Atlanta. These guys had a bit of a misfortune right before the show, as one of the members bailed on them after they had already been on their way up here. That however, seemed to have no effect on their music what so ever. They took the stage in some nasty corpse paint, and black hooded robes. They then proceeded to deliver some top quality music. Again like all the other bands before them, they were right on with everything. I did chat with them a good bit during the evening, including an interview, but my dumbass lost their interview and had to make it up with an email interview following the show. They were both a couple of awesome guys, and very interesting to talk to. They actually handed us some free merch as well, including a promo copy of the album. I am really looking forward to receiving the finished final copy to review for Metal Temple!
Finally we've reached the climax of our sinful debauchery. WORMREICH took the stage. Unfortunately, as it was getting to be 1 am and I had to be up for work at 4, I was unable to stay for their entire performance. I did however catch enough of it to understand that these guys are a force to be reckoned with. Their sound is grim, eerie, brutal, yet melodic. I hadn't been too familiar with them prior to the show, but I did check out some of their material the days before. WORMREICH certainly keep those majestic hell flames burning bright in all their glory. Their stage act was downright bad ass. They got all painted up, and took the showmanship to the level that a Black Metal band should. This is a band that any self-respecting black heart needs to hear. As a band they were dynamite; in sync, on time, on queue. Simply put FUCKING AWESOME!!!!
All in all the evening was a fun, bombastic night of great evil music, a bunch of fellow black hearted fiends, and even some free beer. I would certainly take the time to see any of the bands again, as well I will be buying cd's and doing what I can to support and promote these great acts.
I do recommend them all to any Black Metal fans out there who don't already know who they are. If club Baltimore continues to have awesome Metal shows like this, I think I could get comfortable going there. So Thank all of the bands for their great music and performances, and thank the club for allowing us black hearts to congregate for an evening of righteous unholy Black Metal.
