Maryland Coverage: PIG DESTROYER’s ‘Book Burner’ Record Release Show at the Ottobar in Baltimore

OTTOBAR
October 19th, 2012

Coverage Provided by Ryan

PIG DESTROYER‘s Book Burner Record Release Show at the Ottobar Friday night was widely anticipated by pretty much every metal fan in the Baltimore/DC area.  The Ottobar was a natural choice for PIG DESTROYER to do the release show, as is further discussed by J.R. Hayes in a recent interview with DCHeavyMetal.com HERE.  Supporting acts WARGAMES, NECROPSY and ILSA were all excellent choices in preparation for PIG DESTROYER‘s headline set.  ROYAL THUNDER, on the other hand, was a bit of an awkward choice, with their progressive Southern rock style not really fitting in with the show’s more extreme bill.

I arrived at about 8:50pm, which was 10 minutes prior to the Ottobar opening its doors for the show.  There were a handful of people outside, but not the drove I expected.  That drove would trickle in throughout the night, and by 11pm, the place was pretty packed.

WARGAMES started the night out at about 9:45pm with their aggressive, straight-edge hardcore style.  This was my first time catching these guys live, and they definitely delivered a high-octane punk attack.  WARGAMES played for about 30 minutes, setting the night off right.

Now enter Atlanta’s ROYAL THUNDER, who took to the stage after WARGAMES and brought with them a vastly different style.  The Relapse Records act took the show in a different direction with their more progressive, Southern rock style.  ROYAL THUNDER pushed out a solid set nonetheless, which blended progressive elements with traditional groove rock.  The elegant voice of Mlny Parsonz, who also contributes bass, only served to bolster the elemental sound of the band.

NECROPSY got the crowd in a wild fury with their aggressive death/thrash style.  The kids out of Baltimore are crazy talented and play their asses off every time out.  I saw these guys last in Silver Spring, MD opening for DECEASED, and they continue to get better with every set.  The pit was officially awakened, as NECROPSY poured fuel on the fire and did not disappoint. 

One of my local favorites, ILSA, took to the stage next.  These guys take everything that is great about the extreme scene, blend it up, and deliver some great crust/death/doom that is original and intoxicating.  I was a big fan of their debut album Tutti Il Colori Del Bruio, and their upcoming A389 Recordings album Intoxicantations is just as solid.  Intoxicantations is due to drop on November 23rd, and a review of the album will be up on Axes to Grind shortly.  ILSA finished their set with one of my absolute favorite tunes, “Blue Moon Haze.”

PIG DESTROYER came out to a hail of applause and shouts – well deserved for the DC area natives.  Book Burner marks the band’s fifth full-length, and the band’s first in over five years.  PIG DESTROYER ripped through their set, which was jam-packed with their trademark grindcore imprint.  The set also included guest vox from both Kat Katz (AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED, ex-SALOME) and Richard Johnson (DRUGS OF FAITH, AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED) – the guest appearances went a long way to making PIG DESTROYER’s set even more memorable.  Book Burner is totally worth picking up, which should be no surprise to those who have followed the band since the beginning.

I also invite you to take a look at the feature that Metal Chris did for his site DCHeavyMetal.com HERE, which has some pretty awesome photos.  He always puts together some great coverage, and this is no exception.

View the entire photo gallery from PIG DESTROYER‘s Book Burner Record Release Show HERE.

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AXES TO GRIND
For All That’s Heavy!!!