Skeletonwitch @ Ottobar 9/29/2012

Went to see Skeletonwitch @ the Ottobar in godforsakenBaltimore with John last night. Got the hookup from a local band for tix. We got there a little late so didn't get to hear what they sounded like live, but the dude Sean was pretty cool. Parking lot was pretty full when we got there around 8:30. Saw Ruby there a little before Skeletonwitch came on and the Spanish guys who were at Def Leppard/Scorpions/various black metal shows.

Inside, Early Graves was on (a little earlier than anticipated), and they sounded loud and thrashy. I was not familiar with them, so I was fine with heading back, checking out the merch, scope out the crowd, and get a drink. There was a pretty good crowd on the floor- not packed, but well attended. If you wanted to stand in a particular place you could, and walk between the people in the pit to get someplace else.

There was a TON of merch for Skeletonwitch and a lot for Havok and Early Graves. Probably like 8 shirts and a hoodie, bandana ($5), pint glass!($5), stickers, posters, CDs, vinyl, wristbands, and maybe something else. Havok def had CDs and shirts (including the infamous No Karate in the Pit one). I grabbed a bandana, pint glass, and Havok's 2nd album.

Early Graves sounded OK, but I was still getting acclimated at the venue, so I really don't have much positive or negative to say about them. The vocals were rubbish, but the rhythms were good enough to mosh to. High energy.

Havok, a band I had heard a bit about being some good old school thrash, was up soon after. I liked them overall. They suffered from horrible/muddy sounding vocals (as expected), but their old school thrash mix sounded good to me. Some good pits were going around, and the crowd was very receptive. A number of people def had Havok shirts on, I must note that faux pax was rampant.

Skeletonwitch came on a little later to a pretty fired up crowd. Vocals were a little better than Havok and Early Graves but pretty indecipherable as expected. They sounded brutal and that was good for me. Pushed John in the pit during "Soul Thrashing.." They barely took any breaks and pretty much powered thru their little over an hour set. They played pretty much every song you could ask for and that bonus track too. They ended a bit earlier than expected and we were on the way home around 11:30 after some discount hot dogs.


Photos:
Early Graves 
Havok
Skeletonwitch

Setlists

Havok (approx 9:20 -10)

? (probably Covering Fire)
? 
Fatal intervention  
Scumbags in disguise
From the Cradle to the Grave
D.O.A
Time is Up


Skeletonwitch (approx 10:20- 11:30) 

The Horrifying Force (The Desire to Kill)
Reduced to the Failure of Prayer
Erased and Forgotten
Submit to the Suffering
My Skin of Deceit
Baptized in Flames
Crushed Beyond Dust
Upon Wings of Black
Choke Upon Betrayal
Beyond the Permafrost
Infernal Resurrection
Vengeance Will Be Mine
Bringers of Death
Repulsive Salvation
Sacrifice for the Slaughtergod
Soul Thrashing Black Sorcery
Of Ash and Torment
Cleaver of Souls
Shredding Sacred Flesh
Within My Blood