Salome
Samantha Marble

BV-BBG official 2009 CMJ show - pics (Salome, Misery Index, Howl, Revocation, Black Anvil, Complete Failure & more)

words by BBG, photos by Samantha Marble

Kat of Salome
Salome

After a massive afternoon, the party was just getting started when Gloominous Doom kicked off the BrooklynVegan-BBG/Relapse CMJ showcase at Fontana’s on 10/23. Nebula, Ume, Goes Cube, Naam, and Crystal Antlers all played killer sets in the afternoon, but I was itching for sheer brutality. Fortunately, I had seven great preformances to keep my energy going on through the night.

The Gloominous Doom opened the show, and every metal bill could use a band like this. Metal is a very self-serious genre which is great in some respect, but laughable in others. It’s always refreshing to see a band like this, Municipal Waste, or on a local level, Copremesis, come in an make people realize that metal can be fun/wacky too. GD plays what has been described as kitchen sink metal, a bit of death metal, grind, and even ska (!), playing songs with titles like “Urine Trouble”. Good times, and by the way, NO ONE rocks a cowbell like Jeff GD (on his prosthetic leg!).

Howl followed GD, and obviously I have gone on record about how killer this band is on its EP and live, but in the basement of Fontana’s, their sound seemed especially large. If you dig EARLY Mastodon, crust, and even (Stockholm) Swedish Death Metal (Entombed, etc) make sure and pick up their EP. Look out for an interview with vocalist/guitarist Vincent coming soon.

Complete Failure was after Howl, a band that I have been a fan of since seeing them with the great Antigama at Europa. Anchored by the killer fills of Mike Rosswog (ex-Circle Of Dead Children/Today is The Day) and featuring a thrashing wildman in Joey Mack on vox, Complete Failure do a great crusty grind hybrid that is absolutely fierce live. ComFail recently let me post their entire album for FREE DOWNLOAD, which thankfully has popped up all over the net. These guys rule.

Black Anvil followed, and hopefully you know by the amount of times I have seen them, that these ex-Kill Your Idols folk would tear Fontana’s a new one, and they did. The band also previewed some new tracks from their upcoming LP.

Revocation was next up, dispelling the notion that technical death metal can’t still be brutal. Tons of live energy from these youngn’s, and you can expect to hear much more for them in the near future. Their new, and highly praised album, Existence is Futile is out NOW.

I have a soft spot for Salome, and this band was beyond destructive at this show. Bowel-shaking riffs and stunning vocals were only equaled by tense moments of feedback and silence before the world came crashing down again. A seriously epic performance from this band… I can’t wait until their new album blasts off on Profound Lore! And to the wise-ass audience member, it is NOT pronounced “salami” (ha).

Misery Index capped off the night, opening with what could be one of my favorite intros this side of the “Imperial Theme” from Star Wars… “We Never Come in Peace” from Traitors. Brutal, intense and unbelievable set from this Baltimore crew who pulled mostly from their latest LP, Traitors. Misery Index is currently cranking out new jams for the follow up to Traitors, so look for that next year!

To conclude, thanks again to everyone who made it out to Fontana’s during the day and/or night. I’d like to personally thank all bands that played, Fontana’s, CMJ, Betsey and Relapse Records, and especially Dave Ehrlich from Relapse. Most impoortantly, I couldn’t have done it without the support of you. Many thanks!

More pictures below…

The Gloominous Doom

The Gloominous Doom

The Gloominous Doom

The Gloominous Doom

The Gloominous Doom

The Gloominous Doom

Howl

Howl

Howl

Howl

Howl

Howl

Howl

Howl

Complete Failure

this portrait by Paul Birman
Complete Failure

Complete Failure

Complete Failure

Complete Failure

Complete Failure

Complete Failure

Complete Failure

Black Anvil

Black Anvil

Black Anvil

Black Anvil

Black Anvil

Black Anvil

Black Anvil

Black Anvil

Revocation

Revocation

Revocation

Revocation

Revocation

Revocation

Revocation

Revocation

Revocation

Salome

Salome

Salome

Salome

Salome

Salome

Salome

Salome

Misery Index

Misery Index

Misery Index

Misery Index

Misery Index

Misery Index

Misery Index

Misery Index

Misery Index

Misery Index

Misery Index

Misery Index