MARYLAND DEATH FEST 2013

I awoke Sunday quite sore from the previous two days, but I was ready for more metal! Heading to the fest around 1pm I didn’t anticipate a huge line. It was so huge it wrapped around a parking lot and down the street a few blocks. Opting not to waste time I got out of line and headed to see Edgar Allan Poe’s grave which is about a 20 minute or so walk from the venue. By the time I arrived back there was still a line, but not nearly as long, and due to the circumstances, either way I missed the performances of SPEEDWOLF and CRUCIAMENTUM.

However, I made it just in time to catch a few songs from France’s GLORIOR BELLI. Although they started out black metal they have more of an indescribable experimental sound now. It was hard to watch as the sun was relentless on this day and it started to heat up.

After their set I headed over to the main stage to catch MIDNIGHT, and so did everyone else. It was so crowded I couldn’t even see MIDNIGHT, but I could sure hear them, as they plowed through You can’t stop steel I noticed CARPATHIAN FOREST bassist Daniel Vrangsinn trying to catch a glimpse of the band. This is when I walked up to him and we rocked out to the rest of MIDNIGHT’s set in the blazing afternoon sun.

I really didn’t want to miss England’s PAGAN ALTAR. It was bad enough that they canceled their appearance at Rites Of Darkness a few years ago, so this was my one and only chance to see them. Upon hitting the stage the band told the crowd it took over 30 years to get to Baltimore. They went on to give a mind bending performance. Vocalist Terry Jones must’ve been hot as hell in his long sleeve black shirt and long jacket. They wowed the crowd with classics like Samhein and The Lords Of Hypocrisy among others. I must say, it was worth the wait to see PAGAN ALTAR.

MANILLA ROAD followed PAGAN ALTAR and rocked the crowd hard, I only got to see a few songs before I headed off to meet up with some friends. As night fell it was time to see some German black metal in the form of ASCENSION. Daniel Vrangsinn accompanied me and stole my camera to take a few pictures of this crazy band. It started out with the longest intro I’ve ever had to stand through. It must’ve lasted a good 10 to 15 minutes before the band actually got onstage and began to play. It’s amazing that the tent was actually full because PENTAGRAM was playing at the exact same time on another stage. If I could’ve split myself in two I would have and it pains me that I had to miss PENTAGRAM. I chose ASCENSION because of their rarity and I don’t know if I’ll ever have another opportunity to see them. One of the most bizarre black metal bands I have ever seen, the vocalist was covered in white from head to tow and was off in his own world. ASCENSION was fierce and hypnotic. Unfortunately some mic problems arose during their set. Without warning in the middle of a song the vocalist’s mic went out, he quickly paced over to the guitarists mic to see if that worked. It didn’t. He tried to continue singing without the mic, but it seemed to bother him. He paced the stage with confusion and aloofness and it suddenly broke the spell of the ritual and made the band look awkward. After a few minutes he reappeared with a working mic and the ritual continued.

It commenced with a bit of a fight breaking out in the pit, which is when I decided to leave the tent and get some air before VENOM. Word has it that the plug got pulled on PENTAGRAM during their set due to time restrictions. People weren’t happy about that. It was now time for the final band of MDF XI, the legendary VENOM. Things started out good with the classic Black Metal. Unfortunately I was too far back to even see VENOM, so I just chose to relax, visit with my foreign friends and listen to VENOM. I left before VENOM was finished and I’m glad I did. They ended up cutting the power on VENOM in the middle of the song Warhead due to curfew restrictions, this didn’t sit well with fans and somehow an altercation between security and fans happened and a small riot ensued. Despite the mishaps MARYLAND DEATH FEST 2013 was a metal dream come true. So many indescribable magic moments. I can’t wait for next year!