Photo by Greg Cristman
Gregory R. Cristman

Nasum played Europa with Brutal Truth, Dropdead, Magrudergrind and Grudges (pics, review)

words by Lauren Jackson, photos by Greg Cristman

Nasum at Europa 5/24/12
Nasum

“We all hate people–except you guys. Tonight, we don’t hate you. Tomorrow, we’ll hate you again.”

With this statement, Sweden’s Nasum (who we recently interviewed) opened their set at Europa on Thursday night (May 24th). The band, who have spent 2012 on a “farewell” tour (which also included Maryland Deathfest the next day), appeared in high spirits during their set, grinning, raising fists, and playing with childlike exuberance that only served to intensify their aural assault. In a refreshing change of pace from many active grind bands today, they approached their fans lightheartedly and graciously, caring little for the pretense of a hardened image.

Grudges, Magrudergrind, Dropdead and Brutal Truth were there as well, bolstering an already very rare experience, keeping the night consistent but never tiresome. Likewise, fans were equal parts diverse and enthusiastic; those keeping the pit raging from start to finish ranged from a guy in a yarmulke to a group of people shouting in Japanese.

The gritty affair started punctually and with gusto thanks to NYC locals Grudges who stirred the pit up early with death grunts and a fast, hardcore-infused set. Without a moment to recover, Magrudgergrind cranked it up more than a few notches and shattered the room wide open, turning nearly the entirety of Europa into one gaping swarm of flying bodies and stomping feet.

Brutal Truth followed Dropdead’s vitriolic set (with no shortage of social critique, which is par for the course) like a kid brother, distinctly mischievous and tongue-in-cheek throughout. They set the rest of the night on a spirited trajectory that Nasum carried through to the finish. But make no mistake: jokes, laughter, or lack thereof, all bands brought their A games to Europa on Thursday, and their A games were, in a handful of words, fast and heavy as fuck.

More pics from Europa (unfortunately, none of Grudges) are below…


Magrudergrind

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Brutal Truth

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Dropdead

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