MARYLAND DEATH FEST 2013

Saturday was perfect fest weather; cool, breezy and mostly overcast. The day started off early, at 1:15 in the afternoon Chicago’s blackened horde KOMMANDANT got things underway. Quite militant and threatening looking with their gas masks, three drummers, two guitarists, bassist and a vocalist perched upon a pulpit KOMMANDANT commanded your attention! Either the bass was turned up too loud or they just have that much sonic power, but they nearly blew the roof off the tent and left me deaf. KOMMANDANT dominated with their belligerent black metal and they are mesmerizing to watch, whenever there is silence the members stand at militant attention. I must say that the ending to their set was one of the weirdest I have ever seen. While beginning to go into another song the mic suddenly popped and gave out, this resulted in the vocalist, Marcus Kolar, just walking off stage, and then the other members slowly followed suit. The crowd kind of stood there wondering what was up for a moment and then slowly applauded.

Next it was time to slow things down and get heavy with Seattle’s doom and gloom band ANHEDONIST. Now I know why the bass was turned up inside the tent. Although their set was rather mellow in comparison to others it didn’t lack head banging. Even the security guard at the front of the stage was getting into the music and a couple times I caught him with his eyes closed just losing himself in ANHEDONIST’s trance inducing doom riffs. It was as much fun to watch him as it was the band. I have to say this performance from ANHEDONIST was one of my favorites from the fest. Their power really creeps up and then entrances you.

After their set it was time for a little break, and while walking the festival grounds you never know who you’re going to run into. It was nice to see the members of DOWN out carousing with fans for a little while. At this point the sun started to come out and it was time to see some classic death metal. Copenhagen Denmark’s INIQUITY was the band to watch. Though I caught the middle of their set they were spot on and sounded like it was still 1991. With heavy hearts they dedicated a song in memory of their deceased member Brian.

After sweating in the sun for INIQUITY it was time to prepare for some French black metal. AOSOTH was one of the draws for me this year and they did not disappoint. They began their set with Arrow In Heart and it was fucking incredible. Mkm is one of the most intense and animated vocalist I have ever seen. Don’t look away because you might miss something! AOSOTH was astonishing and relentless in their live delivery. Nearly all jaws hit the floor. Their remorseless set featured three songs from their new album Arrow In Heart and then a few from III.

It was over all too soon and left the crowd rabid for more. And speaking of rabid next up was Canada’s REVENGE and they just fucking destroyed. You have got to see this band live to really understand what they are all about, because if you just listen to a song on the internet or CD you will never get the point. REVENGE was just violent in every aspect and the crowd went absolutely nuts. This black/death metal three piece with dueling vocalists did everything short of shredding the place apart. After witnessing this I recommend to see REVENGE live if ever given the opportunity!

The brutality didn’t stop there as French black metal band ANTAEUS was up next to close the night. This would be the second performance in one day for vocalist Mkm and some of the other members. You couldn’t tell though. Mkm sounded fucking ferocious. Their ritual was obliterating and terrorizing. Everything you could ever want from vicious black metal. ANTAEUS pulled out all the classics from Cut Your Flesh and Worship Satan To Blood Libels. The violence within the music that emanated from ANTAEUS was immeasurable. The pit was so insane that even the security guards decided to join in. I have to say that these last three bands’ performances were the highlight of MDF for me.