2013 Retrospective

2013 Retrospective

In 2013, I went to a TON of shows and spent a lot of money, and had a ton of fun! Overall a great year for shows, friends, and music in general. Let's hope 2014 is even better (but perhaps a little cheaper!). Well, without further ado, here we go:

Iris Divine/ Pain/ Opteryx/ Feritas/Silence the Blind/Cammo Shorts at Tally Ho Theater 12/20/2013

I went to the December to Dismember II at the Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg ($13 at the door, I should have thought ahead). It was the first I had been to that venue, but I've heard good things since LA Guns (among others) played there.  I saw Scott and Nids, Annie, Joel, Brian B, and Mike G and Dan there too. The couple who was at The Agonist was there too... I really can't recall their names but they recognized me!?

All That Remains / Asking Alexandria/Devour the Day at Ram's Head Live

Went to see All that Remains at Ram's Head Live ($22) as part of 98 Rock's sold out Not So Silent Night. I met up with Josh and Erin and we hung out. I also saw Mr Rock n Roll Experience there. Everyone else there was as expected, with ball caps, affliction shirts, and maybe some neck tats. Someone in a Bane cosplay (Dark Knight Rises movie version) was there also, for who knows what reason.

Finntroll/ Blackguard/ Metsatoll/ March to Victory/ Demiz @ Cafe 611 12/9/2013

We went to see Finntroll's last date on this tour ($15) after seeing the first stop on the tour at Empire. This is an odd show- usually we're fine with 1 tour stop, but when we heard they were coming to the tiny Cafe 611, we knew we had to hit that up, shiz gonna be cray cray.   We saw a number of people there- DanPaytas, Ethan, Sarah, Joel, Ulrich and Trigger, Heimdall, Patricia Lynn, Paul and Michelle, Zach, Dylan, Ms Victoria, Crystal, new friend Russ, and the older couple who goes to Fredneck shows!

Alestorm/ Trollfest @ Baltimore Soundstage 12/4/2013

We went with John and Kate to see Alestorm ($10)!!  There were several people that we knew there- Danpaytas  and Meghan, his sister, Ethan, Larry M, John S, Brittany, Marie + Rolland, Lex's friend. What was funny was that Alestorm and Halestorm were both playing in Baltimore, a couple blocks away from each other. It would have been amusing to see fans show up at the "wrong" show. Megadave was also in Silver Spring this same evening, but we had made Alestorm commitments, so no Dave Mustaine/Megadeth for me :/ 

Fates Warning/ Halcyon Way/ Brave/ Iris Divine/ Bachs of Rock @ Empire 11/29/2013

I went to see prog metal legends (?) Fates Warning ($18) at Empire. I am only somewhat familiar with them, but liked the few songs I had heard, so why not? There were a number of people there- Dave, Ariel and a friend, Bridget, Kris, Tom, Bobbie and Nick, Omar y Gori, and Michelle.

Rob Zombie/ Scar the Martyr @ 9:30 Club, 11/27/2013

We went to see Rob Zombie on an off date, the last last day of his Night of the Living Dreads tour (w/ Korn and Scar the Martyr, thankfully Korn was NOT at this off date) ($45 + fees uggh).  This was ALSO a sold out show, 2nd in two days.  Thankfully, by the time we got there, we didn't have to wait very long to get in.  Shabba and Michelle were definitely there, as well as my brother from another mother, Enrique.

Lamb of God/ Killswitch Engage/ Testament/ Huntress @ Fillmore Silver Spring 11/26/2013

I went to see the sold out last top of the tour for Lamb of God, Killswitch, Testament, and Huntress ($35) at the Fillmore.  Even though this was a sold out show, I saw a ton of people there.  They included Ariel y su Mujer, Jaime,  Dwayne, Brenda y su hombre, Scott, DanPaytas, Victoria, Meghan, D'andre, Dorothy, Jen P, bridget,  and Bill from work.

Overkill/ Kreator/ Warbringer/ A Sound of Thunder @ Empire 11/22/2013

I went with John to see Overkill headline on this night of thrash ($30!) at Empire/Jaxx. Now, this was a pricey show, but it was a night full of thrash. This was a nearly if not sold out show (a rare sight at Empire these days!), so it was strangely crowded. I saw Dorothy, Ariel y su Mujer, DanPaytas, Scott, Bobbie, Dave, Tom, Brittany, Ms Lindsey, Nathan with a J, Ray, Michelle, Neil, Nicole and Dan, and more!

Slayer/ Gojira/ 4Arm @ Fillmore Silver Spring 11/19/2013

We went to see SLAYER (w/ Gojira) at the Fillmore (a pricey $45!!), for an insanely packed show (must have been close to if not sold out). I figured this may be one of the last times to see them again, with drama and then Jeff Hanneman's recent passing. So of course a ton of people were there- I don't think I recall all of them. Ms Lindsey, Marie and Rolland,Ariel y su Mujer,  Kim and her friend, at least (Sangriiiiiiiiiaaa).

Nekrogoblikon/ Quadraxis/ Demonic Sonogram @ Empire 11/16/2013

I went to see Nekrogoblikon at Empire ($15). I saw Larry M and John S, Jen P, Kris, and Tom there. Surprisingly a decent number of people I know for a kind of... obscure band.

Appetite For Destruction/ Red White & Crue/ Poison'd @ The FIllmore, Silver Spring 11/15/2013

I won tickets off of bookface ($0) to see a horribly promoted show even *I* didn't hear about until the day before, hair band cover bands at The Fillmore (I think it was like $16 for a normal ticket). The bookface post had 25 pairs of tickets to give out. so that was about 50 tickets. I met up with Josh P and we hit up this free show

Morbid Angel / VadimVon/ Yesterday's Saints/ Visceral Disgorge @Baltimore Soundstage 11/9/2013

I went to see Morbid Angel ($25, seemed a bit pricey) up in Baltimore at the Soundstage. I am actually not that familiar with Morbid Angel, but they come highly recommended by several friends. There were a number of people, Ms Lindsey, the AWESOME STEVE HARRIS, Ethan, DanPaytas, Dorothy, Ariel y su mujer, Jaime, Matt R, Sean, Jason, and maybe someone else

Rock Harvest II: Ashes of Ares/ A Sound of Thunder @ House of Rock, 11/7/2013

I went to the much metaldramafilled and kind of Pricey ($25) Rock Harvest II to see Ashes of Ares and A Sound of Thunder. This was the first concert of 3 shows at the House of Rock that was initially slated to have like 30 bands of various fame levels, but many rarely seen, to play for the charity Fallen Blue. Various reports of bands dropping off, reasons why, conflicting stories, and a tiff with Metal Sludge's Stevie Rachelle all fed into the who is actually playing factor. Bands dropping off until and including the day of! This is no Maryland Deathfest here, people. I did see a number of people including Nick and Bobbie, Dave, Tom, Brian B, the A Sound of Thunder crew, and maybe someone else.

Finntroll/ Blackguard/ Metsatöll/ Yesterdays Saints/ Sekengard @ Empire 11/4/2013

We went to see Finntroll's opening night of their 2013 North American tour ($20). This was also an interesting night because it would be the first time we would see Blackguard in ages, and the debut of local folk metal band Sekengard. We met up with John and Kate, Annie, Mike G, Sarah, Dan P, Robbie, ChrisWolf, Marie, Chris, Heavy Metal Chris, Iri, arch nemesis Ethan, Patricia, Scott, Antonio, Joel, Sean, Jason, Dorothy, Ariel y su Mujer, Jaime, Paul and Christine, LEX, and maybe a couple  more.

Watain / In Solitude/ Tribulation @Baltimore Soundstage 11/3/2013

I won tickets off of bookface to see Watain! Brought ms Lindsey to hang out. This was the last night of the tour, so that's 2 last nights in 2 days. I had not seen Watain headline, and was not sure about the openers. It had been too long since my last black metal show, but I was feeling a bit tired for corpsepaint. oh well. I saw a number of people at this show- Sarah, Lindsey, Jose, Sean, Jason, Dorothy, and maybe another.

Dying Fetus / Exhumed/ Abiotic/ Rivers of Nihil/ Visceral Disgorge @ Empire 11/2/2013

I went to see Dying Fetus, one of several shows in the area, at Empire. This was the last night of the tour, and you could tell cause they had maybe one Dying Fetus design. It was pretty full by the time I got there, and a ton of people I knew were there too! Nick and Dan, Ariel, Jaime, Jose, Dorothy, Kris,
Bridget, Lindsey, Tara, Shelly, Sean, and Jason. I think that is everyone.

Death Angel/ 3 Inches of Blood/ Battlecross/ Revocation @ Empire 10/30/2013

I went to see Death Angel at Empire w/ a variety of pretty fun bands. In particular the true metal of 3 Inches of Blood \m/ Unfortunately a couple of friends were ill and could not make it :(  However, there were a number of cool people there! Neil and Michelle, Ray, Renae, Ariel y su mujer, Jaime, Jose, Sean and Annie, Cooley, and Nathan with a J!

Arkona/ Fallen Martyr/ Yesterday's Saints/ Burning Shadows / Vitality @ Cafe 611 10/28/2013

We went up to Cafe 611 to catch Arkona on the first stop of their headline tour!  We apparently got there way early, because we actually got to see the first band (unheard of at Cafe 611).  We met up with a buncha fun friends- Iri, Ashley, their friend, Larry, Brittany, Nathan with a J, Annie, and even the couple who goes to a lot of these Fredneck shows.

Coheed and Cambria @ Rams Head Live, 10/21/2013

We went to see one of my favourite bands on my birthday- Coheed and Cambria! Met up with John, Kate, Timmy, his cousin Nate, and Ms Oksana and we also saw fellow Coheed fan Scott! Now even though I was PUMPED to see Coheed again, they always choose... IMO... less than amazing openers (similar to the Cult, who pulls the same BS). But hey it's their tour, so whatever whatever.

Obituary/ Strong Intention/ Survive the Demise/ Krass Judgement/ March to Victory @ Cafe 611 10/19/2013

We went to see Obituary up in Fredneck. I'm not a huge Obituary fan, but it is nice seeing something a bit different. There were 12 (!) bands on the bill, supposedly starting around 6PM, so this was going to be a long night. We eventually saw Bridget, Gerber, Lindsey and Jeremy, Zach, Matt, Tom, and met Bessy y Alberto, GIO, Michelle and LUKE. WHEW.

Primitivity @Strathmore Mansion 10/16/2013

We went to see a homegrown version of Apocalyptica/Eklipse/ people playing cellos and the like in a very energetic fashion- Primitivity at the Strathmore Mansion for their CD Release show.

Stitched Up Heart/ Serpent Witch/ Flag of the White Rose @ Cafe 611 10/12/2013

We went to see Flag of the White Rose, and stayed for the rest of the bands ($10) up in Fredneck. We met up with Bobbie and Nick and met Casscade.

UFO/ Convictus @ Empire 10/9/2013

Went to see the mighty UFO at Empire \m/ Several old school fans were there, like Neil and Michelle, Ruby, Brian B, Kirs, and Tom!

Avenged Sevenfold/ Deftones/ Ghost @ Baltimore Arena 10/8/2013

I wen with my brother and his daughter for her first metal (well close enough) concert! I got there in time to go around the block a couple times, looking for parking, and to see Ghost. I forgot how nervous these big concerts/venues make me. I also saw Dave's buddy Kevin there (Y&T!!!) with his wife. I think there must have been.... one other person I know there... maybe?

Deicide/ Broken Hope/ Disgorge/ Necronomicon/ Krass Judgement @ Empire 10/4/013

Went to see Deicide, after a long day at work. I saw a number of people there- Ariel y su mujer, Jose, Dorothy, Sean, Will, and maybe someone else. I saw Deicide last time, but wasn't too impressed. I think it was their old schoolness that I appreciated but thought that other bands sounded better.

Trivium/ Devildriver/ After the Burial/ Hydra Kyll @Fillmore Silver Spring 10/2/2013

I went to see Trivium and Devildriver at the Fillmore, Silver Spring. Met up my buddy Josh, and also Scott, Iri, Julius, ChrisWolf, Jen P, Bridget, Ariel y su mujer, su amigo Jose, and met some new friends- Patty, her friend, Cooley, and the most badass bouncer.

Kix/ Nightsbridge @ Rams Head Live 9/28/2013

We went to see Kix at Rams Head Live (again).  M won tickets from DC Heavy Metal (hey this isn't a metal show, but close enough), so I was pretty pumped.  As this was a Baltimore show and this was Kix, it was going to be a wild night. Saw Tom and Brian B there. I think Rachel was there but I'm pretty sure she got there at some early hour to get up front.

Vektor/ Earthling/ Borracho/ Midnight Eye @ the Fillmore, Silver Spring 9/26/2013

We went to see DC Heavy Metal's 4th anniversary show at the Fillmore. There were a number of people there- Sean, Nick and Dan, Amanda, ms Nicole, Kris, Heavy Metal Chris, Tom, Ms Lindsey, ChrisWolf, and MAYBE someone else.

Death Ray Vision/ Sworn Enemy/ Acaro @ Empire 9/20/2013

Went to see Death Ray Vision at Empire ($15- $2 coupon=$13) this past week. I wanted to see this side project of Brian Fair (Shadows Fall) and the guy from Killswitch Engage before they became defunct. I missed out on Times of Grace (who, on a side note, are superior to this side project), so as I am a pretty decent Killswitch and Shadows Fall fan, I figured I should see these guys. I saw Bridget S., Jen P., and Kris there, all hangin' out. Apparently at least Bridget went to the show the previous night before...

Metanium/ Throwdown Syndicate/ Red Torment @ Cuzco 9/19/2013

So, with so many shows (Death Ray Vision- Frederick, Day of the Beast- Baltimore, Metanium- Hyattsville, probably another one too) on the same day, work eating up too much time, and being tired- the choice was difficult. I eventually decided to hit up Metanium's free album release show at Cuzco in Hyattsville- free, could see Death Ray Vision the next day at Empire. It being in Langley Park, Metanium being a Spanish language metal band, it being free, and not sure how big the place was, I figured I should get there early.

Anathema / Alcest/ Mammifer @ Empire 9/13/2013

We went to see Alcest... and a couple other bands at EMPIRE (Empire). We saw surprisingly a large number of people, and several that we knew- Heavy Metal Chris, Ethan, Antonio, Joel, Marie + her dude, Iri, and I think Marysol was there too. And this to me was surprising cause this was not really a heavy show. I'm using a pic of Alcest here, cause I think their pix came out great.

ZZ Top @ Wolf Trap 9/11/2013

Went to see ZZ Top at Wolf Trap. I thankfully got a ticket before hand, because judging by the number of people there- it must have been sold out!

Kamelot/ Delain/ Eklipse @ Baltimore Soundstage 9/3/2013

We went to see one of my favourite Power metal bands of all time; KAMELOT in godforsakenbaltimore. We saw not as many people as we usually see- Dorothy, Lindsey, Marie (and her dood), Annie, and photographergirl. Bobbie and someone else were allegedly there but we didn't see them.

The Cult @ the Fillmore, Silver Spring 08/20/2013

I went with Tony to see The Cult at the Fillmore, Silver Spring. Met up with Ariel and Mrs Ariel, Tom, and def saw some hair band ppl (Vince/Hogan! T Ranny).

Enuff Z'Nuff / Bang Tango/ Ted Poley @ Nabb's Creek, Glen Burnie, MD 8/18/2013

I went to meet up with Tony to see some hair bands at Nabb's Creek Dock Bar in Glen Burnie. I saw Rachel  (and that guy who looks like Hulk Hogan/Vince Neil) there.

Midnight Eye/ Exar Kun @The Pinch 8/8/2013

I somehow was done work earlier than anticipated so accompanied to Midnight Eye's free show for their EP release in DC at The Pinch. There weren't too many people at this show that I knew (Sarah, Metal Chris, Catherine, and maybe one more person. Met Grant there too). 

Wintersun/ Fleshgod Apocalypse/ Arsis/ Starkill/ Fallen Martyr/ March to Victory @Baltimore Soundstage 8/6/2013

We went to see WINTERSUN and a bunch of killer bands at the Baltimore Soundstage. The venue was supposed to be the Fillmore, Silver Spring- but for some reason was moved to the Soundstage. I don't know why, maybe the advance sales were less than anticipated? We saw a slew of friends there, including Sarah, Marie, Dorothy, Larry n his bro, Ariel y su mujer, Kate, Lindsey, Zach, Crystal, Ethan, Nick, John n German girl, Metal Chris, and I am probably missing someone.

Havok/ ANimas/ @ Empire 8/5/2013

Went w/ John n Kate to see Havok at Empire. Got some cheap tickets ($10) from Animas, and needed a break from work (and maybe a starter for Wintersun the next day!). Ran into Ariel n his buddy, Marie, Matt R., Rachel (out of her hair band element!),  and maybe one more person.

Pentagram / A Sound of Thunder/ Despite Charm/ Sons of Eddie @ Empire 8/3/2013

I wanted to catch A Sound of Thunder again, Sons of Eddie, and wanted to check out Pentagram (again, after dropping the ball when they opened for Down). I saw a bunch of people there- Neil n Michelle, Dorothy n Thereze, Brian B, the Sound of Thunder gang, Mr Nina, Bobbie, Dave, Metal Chris, and I think maybe a couple more people.

Black Sabbath @ Jiffy Lube Live 8/2/3013

We went to see Black Sabbath at Jiffy Lube Live. I had never seen Black Sabbath (W/ Ozzy) or Ozzy live before. I had to go, even if it was just lawn seats (tho $47 at the gate after fees- Jesus!)

Mayhem Fest @ Jiffy Lube Live 7/24/2013 Part II

part II  (Part I here) of the Mayhem Festival. We traveled to the main stage at this point. See the part 1 for the list of friends (and enemies...John...) that we saw this day! There was not much break between Children of Bodom and another one of the bands we explicitly came to see- Amon Amarth!

Mayhem Fest @Jiffy Lube Live 7/24/2013 part I

We went to see Mayhem Fest  with Kate. It was a hella long day- noon to 11PM. We eventually met up with John, Shabba, and Michele. We saw SO MANY PEOPLE- Jessica and her friend, Iri and Julius, Ariel y su mujer y hija, Tom, Scott, Bridget, Pheobe n Matt, maybe even one more!

The Agonist / Fallen Martyr/ Demiz/ March to Victory/ Area 52 @ Cafe 611

After a long holiday, we came back to MD to catch The Agonist and a bunch of local bands at Cafe 611 ($15). I'm not a big Agonist fan, but I guess we didn't feel like going all the way to Baltimore to see Incantation et al. We ended up seeing several people including Scott, Paul n Christine, and Dorothy! And Zach of course!

Amaranthe/ The Kobra and the Lotus @ The Note (West Chester, PA) 7/18/2013

We were on holiday and happened to be able to journey up north to see number 1 dance metal band Amaranthe in West Chester, PA. This venue was actually not that far from us (2hr or so drive, normally)- which is good information for the future as well. We saw Bobbie, Nick, and Carolyn from MD there as well!

Holy Grail/ Strong Intention/ Area 52 @ Metro Gallery 7/1/2013

I went with John and Kate to see HOLY GRAIL ($10) up at the Metro Gallery (never been there before). There were a TON of people... that I knew there. Outside the venue, met up with Lindsey (who was going to another show), and met Dorothy, the Day Drinkers and Dogs (Dan, Robin, Erich n Eric) Jen P, Bridget, and Zach (Strong Intention- finally got to see them!)! So 11 (including myself) of the about 50 people there I knew. 1/5 of the crowd. That's madness!

Lillian Axe/ Streetlight Circus/ Wrecking Crew @ Empire 6/28/2013

I went to see Lillian Axe at Empire last night. I only was familiar with a couple songs, but it was mostly a 'blind' show for me. It was a long week at work and about a week since my last show (longer if you only include heavy shows), so I figured for $15, they'd probably be alright. I saw Neil and Michelle there... and met a few people as well~

Zac Brown Band @ Merriweather Post Pavilion 6/22/2013

Andrew, Bret, and I went to see Zac Brown and his band at Merriweather Post Pavilion with about 19,000 other people. I always seem to forget how popular these country shows are- white people as far as the eye could see!  (Yes, I do go to some non metal shows)

Lamb of God/ Decapitated/ The Acacia Strain @ Rams Head Live 6/19/2013

We went to see Lamb of God up at Ram's Head Live. We also wanted to make sure we saw Decapitated (who we had thought were on first), so we got there a little early. We saw Scott and maybe someone else there!

Alice Cooper/ Marylin Manson/ GWAR @ Merriweather Post Pavilion 6/17/2013

Went to see Alice Cooper w/ John and Kate. Met up with Shabba n Michelle, Bobbie and her dude, Tom, and even Ms. Lindsey and Zach! So many people! I was convinced to get some pit tickets ($80), which were about double the lawn. I was a bit hesitant, mainly cause I am not a Manson fan- but Alice is always great.

Killswitch Engage/ Miss May I/ Darkest Hour @ The Fillmore, Silver Spring 6/12/2013

We went to see Killswitch Engage at the Fillmore, and met up with Tony and a couple of his buddies. We saw Scott and Dorothy there as well! This was not a sold out show, but pretty damn close. I love Killswitch- they are one of the few metalcore bands that I really dig, but their choice of tourmates IMO was.... lacking. Note that some bands replaced As I Lay Dying, due to Tim Lambesis' ... recent legal troubles... forcing them to drop off the tour. I would have been fine with Shadows Fall instead....

A Sound of Thunder/ King Giant/ Blood Corps/ Sons of Eddie @ Empire 6/8/2013

We went to see A Sound of Thunder's album release show for their just released "Time's Arrow."
Saw Bobbie, Dave, Sako + Greg, Neil + Michelle (and their brood), Matt, Zachary, Ray, and Heavy Metal Chris! Great company!