Prior to the 2010 edition of the SXSX music festival which went down last week, Seattle death and roll titans Book of Black Earth threw a little send off party at Neumos. Joining them on the 5 band bill was a flurry of local talent that included Salo, Heiress, Samothrace, and Snuggle. (The Helm had to cancel)
Up and coming death metal act Salo, laid a thick coat of hedonistic primer on the evening with dueling vocalists, and malevolent death riffs. Rat-tailed screamer Daniel Stokes made the crowd his bitch by leaping to the floor more than once in a primal rage. His attempt at igniting the early arrivals was met with mixed results but certainly not disdain.
Heiress became the most current local act to have their stock rise sky high on account of Neumos exemplary sound system. A band that has impressed in many venues around town, sounded nothing short of huge on the Neumos stage. The band conjured something mighty and John Pettibone’s revered gut wretch was certainly strong, but one can’t wonder what Heiress may up their sleeve while continuing to fill lower billing positions and seemingly using the gigs to have band practice in front of a live audience.
Samothrace also hugely benefited from Neumos’ powerful sound system and the savvy technicians currently holding down soundboard duties. Having seen Samothrace on two other occasions the musicianship was surely lost in translation as I proceeded to tell Mr. Abramson that a bathroom and Moe Bar break may be in order prior to them taking the stage. I quickly recanted and choked on those words once and for all as the band launched into its now firmly resonated set. Bryan Spinks' guitar work was all but swallowed up in previous attempts, but on this night the mix was perfect and his epic stoner shred left me with red eyes, and a craving for Five Point chicken strips. The transplanted Samothrace now featuring Joe Axler on drums is a local force to be reckoned with, seek and they will destroy you.
Leading up to this show I couldn’t help but wonder what the fuck was a band named Snuggle was doing listed amongst all the heavy bands on the bill, and furthermore who names their band fucking Snuggle in the first place. Once again I ate my fist as the young trio took the stage and did nothing less than kill. Brash and tuneful hardcore punk rock that pisses on each and every band you’ll see at Warp Tour this year; these basement dwellers are the real fucking deal. They incited the evening’s only mosh pit and pretty much pointed a middle finger at anyone who questioned. Snuggle quickly proved their worth and may even be one of the best punk bands operating in Seattle at this very moment. I guess a name is just a name and whoever booked them knew something I didn’t, and for that I’m grateful.
Last but not least TJ Cowgill, Rob Beebe, Joe Axler, and new bassist Ricky Way took the stage and demoed a bunch of strong new material that will no doubt see the light of day some time in 2010. There is no doubt that Book of Black Earth’s crushing demon stomp and equally impressive stage presence equates to a death metal force that easily fits with the upper echelon of metal acts currently operating in the US today. The fact also remains that Book of Black Earth is one of only a select few Seattle metal bands currently signed to a relatively prominent label (Prosthetic Records) at this time; recent Southern Lord signees Black Breath are one of the only others that come to mind. With this said, any and all current or future success is rightfully deserved.
Up and coming death metal act Salo, laid a thick coat of hedonistic primer on the evening with dueling vocalists, and malevolent death riffs. Rat-tailed screamer Daniel Stokes made the crowd his bitch by leaping to the floor more than once in a primal rage. His attempt at igniting the early arrivals was met with mixed results but certainly not disdain.
Heiress became the most current local act to have their stock rise sky high on account of Neumos exemplary sound system. A band that has impressed in many venues around town, sounded nothing short of huge on the Neumos stage. The band conjured something mighty and John Pettibone’s revered gut wretch was certainly strong, but one can’t wonder what Heiress may up their sleeve while continuing to fill lower billing positions and seemingly using the gigs to have band practice in front of a live audience.
Samothrace also hugely benefited from Neumos’ powerful sound system and the savvy technicians currently holding down soundboard duties. Having seen Samothrace on two other occasions the musicianship was surely lost in translation as I proceeded to tell Mr. Abramson that a bathroom and Moe Bar break may be in order prior to them taking the stage. I quickly recanted and choked on those words once and for all as the band launched into its now firmly resonated set. Bryan Spinks' guitar work was all but swallowed up in previous attempts, but on this night the mix was perfect and his epic stoner shred left me with red eyes, and a craving for Five Point chicken strips. The transplanted Samothrace now featuring Joe Axler on drums is a local force to be reckoned with, seek and they will destroy you.
Leading up to this show I couldn’t help but wonder what the fuck was a band named Snuggle was doing listed amongst all the heavy bands on the bill, and furthermore who names their band fucking Snuggle in the first place. Once again I ate my fist as the young trio took the stage and did nothing less than kill. Brash and tuneful hardcore punk rock that pisses on each and every band you’ll see at Warp Tour this year; these basement dwellers are the real fucking deal. They incited the evening’s only mosh pit and pretty much pointed a middle finger at anyone who questioned. Snuggle quickly proved their worth and may even be one of the best punk bands operating in Seattle at this very moment. I guess a name is just a name and whoever booked them knew something I didn’t, and for that I’m grateful.
Last but not least TJ Cowgill, Rob Beebe, Joe Axler, and new bassist Ricky Way took the stage and demoed a bunch of strong new material that will no doubt see the light of day some time in 2010. There is no doubt that Book of Black Earth’s crushing demon stomp and equally impressive stage presence equates to a death metal force that easily fits with the upper echelon of metal acts currently operating in the US today. The fact also remains that Book of Black Earth is one of only a select few Seattle metal bands currently signed to a relatively prominent label (Prosthetic Records) at this time; recent Southern Lord signees Black Breath are one of the only others that come to mind. With this said, any and all current or future success is rightfully deserved.
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