I knew it was going to be a good night when it only took me the regular 40 minutes to get to Baltimore (see my summer slaughter review for an alternate experience.) Ben Falgoust from Goatwhore was standing outside Sonar chatting with fans when I pulled up, he was looking tan and happy after having shot a new video from their brand new (fantastic) album Carving Out The Eyes of God. Gave him a quick hug and moved on inside.
I was super glad that I showed up early because not only did I get to catch the last couple songs from SWWAATS, (buy their merch) but I got a seat at the bar. Ahhhhhhh 
For you Abysmal Dawn fans out there, GO to this show. I don’t think the kids in the room knew who they were, which has to suck when you’re a decent band with a good set. Things got a little blurry in there (probably the crown and diet at which point I switched to Stella) and got into side conversations with the other fun people at the bar, including a little time with Ben and some catch-up with Jason Netherton from Misery Index, fresh off their overseas tour. Their next show is a house party in Baltimore that I just may be attending…
During all of this, Daath took the stage and I didn’t even recognize that it was them until they started playing “Ovum.” I’m honestly not sure if that’s their fault or if it’s mine… I hadn’t known that Kevin Talley had quit Daath (oh yeah – Kevin Talley has quit Daath!) and couldn’t figure out why Zach Simmons from Goatwhore was playing with some random band. Gonna have to pay better attention the next time I see them and see what the real deal is.
Sammy Duet has hair now. I’ve NEVER seen him with hair. Threw me off. In a good way. I even went up to him after his set and told him he looked good which is kind of hilarious… But the Goatwhore set was phenomenal, they played 6 new ones and a smattering of old ones, ending their set with Alchemy of the Black Sun Cult, a definite fan-favourite. Apparently they are co-headlining this tour with Abigail Williams so it will be back and forth all summer between the two bands closing the show.
I finally met Ken Sorceron (I don’t know what to tell you. I’m shy. Sometimes it takes me awhile to get up the nerve, in this case…it took three shows. Gonna have to work on that…) Anyhow, the Abigail Williams set was highly satisfying, the mix was good (it’s always annoying to go see black metal when the keyboards blast out all the rest of the instruments – not the case with them.) I set up an interview with Ken for the next time they’re around in DC which will be July 24th at Jaxx, so feel free to send me questions to ask them…
Definitely a show to hit this summer – do it and tell ‘em I sentcha.
_. 7/07 – Edmonton, AL – Starlite Room
_. 7/08 – Calgary, AL – The Underground
_. 7/10 – Victoria, BC – Sugar
_. 7/11 – Vancouver, BC – The Biltmore
_. 7/12 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
_. 7/13 – Portland, OR – Satyricon
_. 7/14 – San Francisco, CA – Thee Parkside
_. 7/15 – Los Angeles, CA – Whiskey a Go Go
_. 7/16 – San Marcos , CA – Jumping Turtle
_. 7/17 – Las Vegas , NV – Cheyenne Saloon
_. 7/18 – Farmington, NM – Gators
_. 7/19 – Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge
_. 7/20 – Kansas City, MO – Riot Room
_. 7/21 – Nashville, TN – The Muse
_. 7/22 – Danville, VA – Plan B
_. 7/23 – New York, NY – The Blender Theatre at Gramercy
_. 7/24 – Springfield, VA – Jaxx
_. 7/25 – Hartford, CT – Webster Underground
_. 7/26 – Montreal, QC – FouFounes Electriques
_. 7/27 – Toronto, ON – Wreck Room
_. 7/28 – Rochester , NY – Penny Arcade
_. 7/29 – Cleveland, OH – Peabodys
_. 7/30 – Mokena , IL – Pearl Room
_. 7/31 – Urbana, IL – Canopy Club
_. 8/01 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave