Lamb of God / Anthrax / Deafheaven @ Fillmore Silver Spring 1/17/2016

I went to see Lamb of God with Anthrax and Deafheaven at the Fillmore, Silver Spring ($45). This was a close to if not sold out show- tons of people were there. The rogue's gallery included Kris, Ariel, Ielm, Kris, Jen, Bridget, Dale, Sean, Annie,Scott, Victoria, James, Dwayne, Tom, and Gary!

The Contortionist / Revocation / Fallujah @ Empire 2/18/2015

I went to see The Contortionist /Revocation at Empire ($15) this week. I had heard good things about Fallujah and The Contortionist, but wasn't sure about Toothgrinder. I was curious as to how Revocation would be compared to previous shows (2012, 2013) where I thought they were a bit lackluster. I did see a few friends there - Ariel, John H, Sean, Ashley,  and Scott.

Deceased / Morbius/ Inhumantion @ Empire 2/7/2015

I went to see Deceased's 30th anniversary at Empire ($12) with some other bands I hadn't heard of. I met up with Ariel and saw Omar and Gori, Renee,Gerber, and Luke there as well. This was more of a last minute show, as I was not really too excited about any of the bands, but I needed my FIX, and it would be good to see Deceased again.

Alestorm/ Swashbuckle/ The Dread Crew of Oddwood / Sekengard @ Empire 1/29/2015

I went to see the Piratefest America 2015 featuring Alestorm  ($16-20), Swashbuckle, The Dread Crew of Oddwood, and Sekengard at Empire. I expected this to be a pretty ridiculous show
I saw DanPaytas, Sarah, Evan P, Marie, Sean, Steve Miller, Steve Harris, Russell, Spencer, Ray,  Lauri, Danica, Lex, Kevin, Ethan's cousin,  Nathan and Alie, Ariel, ETHAN, Ray, Patricia and Bobby, Bobbie, Jason, Jen P, Yaniv, Matt, hackerStacy, Mike, Bridget, and a tired Metal Chris. This was one of the first nights of the tour as well!

Onslaught/ Artillery / VX-36 @ Empire 11/3/2014

I went to see Onslaught with Artillery ($18) at Empire for Monday Night Thrash. Striker had dropped off, and there was not much info on other openers. I saw a number of people there- Ariel, Nathan with a J, Greekgirl, Gori, Neil and Michelle, Brian B, Krysia, Ruby, Kyler, MattRice, and Thane and Ronnie. For a Monday night, a number of people I knew, but definitely not a great turnout.

ONSLAUGHTs, featurings Neil Turbins

Arch Enemy / Kreator/ Huntress/ Starkill @ Baltimore Soundstage 10/23/2014

I went to see Arch Enemy at the Baltimore Soundstage ($25) with a variety of supporting acts. Arch Enemy is on tour to support their new album with new singer Canadian import Alissa White-Glutz. Having last seen Arch Enemy in 2011 with Angela Gossow, it had been a while and I wasn't sure what to expect of Alissa live. I had seen The Agonist twice before live, both times Alissa was not doing so hot (singing that is). I thought she did better background vocals for Kamelot, etc. This would be the first stop on their North American tour for "War Eternal," here in MD! I ended up seeing a number of ppl there- Ariel y Ilem, Jose, James, Scott, Ray C, Bobbie n Nick, JACINDA, Russel, Dorothy, Danica, Daniel G, Bridget, Rock and Roll Experience Bob, and of course Metal Chris.

This is Blur Eternal

Suffocation / Kataklysm / Jungle Rot/ Pyrexia @ Empire 10/10/2014

I went to see Suffocation and co at Empire ($20). There were originally  11 (!) bands slotted to play from around 6. I saw Nids, Scott, Sean, Jason, Miss Lindsey, Blake, Ariel y Ilem, Nathan w/ a J, Alie, Chris Crazy Wolf, Dorothy, Dan G., Brian B, Matt R, Luke, Renae, AND Metal Chris there. I had Seen Suffocation last in February up in Baltimore.

Frank

Puya @ the Howard Theater 9/16/2014

I went to see Puerto Rican band Puya ($8.5 goldstar tickets! $25 regular) at the swanky Howard Theater. I met up with Ariel, James, and Raul y su mujer!  There were more than a few boricua there! The Howard Theater intermittently shows heavy concerts, and this was probably the first since 2013's Mago de Oz show. It's so odd what acts they have there, because it is a primarily black music focused, and I think they try to grab the Latin acts as well (which is good because it's a nice place. Nice, but expensive). And then they'll have the random act like Kreator or Ginger Baker.

PUYA!

Skeletonwitch / Ghoul / Black Anvil @ Empire 9/12/2014

I met up with John and we went to see Skeletonwitch ($18) for a one-two punch of heavy shows (yesterday was Overkill). I saw a bunch of people there too- Patricia and Bobby, Kyler, Annie, Renae, the Sanctuary shirt guy from Overkill, Nathan with a J, Allie, Nicole, Dorothy, Ariel y su mujer, Daniel G, Luke, Mary and Jason, Noc, and Metal Chris.

From a very Cloudy Stage

Amon Amarth/ Enslaved/ Skeletonwitch @ The Fillmore, Silver Spring 1/31/2014

We went to see Amon Amarth headline the Fillmore ($25) and there were a TON of other people we knew there. There would have been even more if another more underground show wasn't on the same night (Morbid Saint). We saw John and Kate, Shabba,  Jaime, Ariel y su Mujer, Jose,  miss Victoria, Ethan, Basil, Matt C, Matt R, Jen n  Bridget n Kris, Marysol y su hombre, my bro and his daughter, Sean, Scott, Larry and HIS brother, Ms Sam, Sarah, Dan P, Nick and Dan, Nicole n Dan (too many dans)! I think that's all.... whew

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!

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.

Kreator @ Howard Theater, September 5th, 2012

Went with John to see Kreator w/ Accept and Swallow the Sun on Sept. 5 at the Howard Theater in DC. We metro'd down and got tickets ($32.50). The newly renovated theater was maybe a minute's walk (not even) from the metro. Saw Ruby and Dorothy there. There were about a little over 100 people there.