Legendary Southern sludge metallers, Down, blew the roof off of Philadelphia’s Electric Factory venue with a bulletproof cast of supporting bands including Pentagram, haarp, and Warbeast, with Blow The Scene on hand to capture the show in photos for your viewing pleasure.
New Orleans’ quartet, haarp, kicked off the opening ceremonies with their patented blend of sludge rock that proceeded to melt faces with a barrage of dense melodic movements, all heavily down-tuned and brooding. The band is currently supporting a new, 3-song full-length on Housecore Records entitled, Husks. The album has been a hit amongst niche critics and followers in the underground scene as the band continues to gain momentum with a live show that punctuates an engaging and unique take on the sludge genre. Definitely a band to keep an eye on as we head into 2013.
The classic-metal-meets-modern-thrash sounds of Warbeast set the second set in motion as the band continues to support their latest LP, Krush The Enemy on Housecore Records. Vocalist Bruce Corbitt was the voice of infamous 80′s thrash act Rigor Mortis, who carved a name in the metal world with success on Capitol Records in 1988. Other members of the band boast resumes including Gammacide, Demonseed, and more. Warbeast originally formed under the moniker Texas Metal Alliance, with plans of only playing one benefit show for Hammer Witch bassist/vocalist Wayne Abney. A demo of original material eventually found its way to Philip Anselmo (Pantera, Down,) who signed the band to his new imprint, Housecore Records. Given this rich musical history entrenched in the original wave of underground thrash, it was no surprise the band delivered an authentic set of furious tunes that got the crowd’s head in the game on the quick.
We were very excited to catch legendary cult rock band, Pentagram, who after headlining The Power Of The Riff East Fest in NYC, also announced a few select dates with Down. Sundance Selects / 9.14 Pictures, in conjunction with MPI Home Video released the award-winning Pentagram documentary, Last Days Here on DVD format in the US and Canada on July 31st. Last Days Here is based on the life and struggles of vocalist / founder Bobby Liebling and metal pioneers Pentagram. The film most recently won the Jury Award for “Best Documentary” at the Calgary Underground Film Festival and described as “A Masterpiece” by Vice Magazine along with a slew of praise from leading music and entertainment outlets. These godfathers of sludge didn’t disappoint in the energy, flair, or passion departments as they ripped through a healthy selection of choice tracks.
Last and certainly not least, headliners and New Orleans’ reigning kings of Southern sludge, Down, enveloped the crowd during a 90+ minute onslaught of metal that proved to be one of the year’s best live performances and a rowdy riff fest from start to finish. After a prolific output of full-lengths over the past 20 years, Down are currently supporting their first EP, Down IV Part I – The Purple EP. The supergroup, who currently features vocalist Phil Anselmo (Pantera, Superjoint Ritual), guitarist Pepper Keenan (ex- Corrosion of Conformity), Crowbar bassist Pat Bruders, drummer Jimmy Bower (Eyehategod,Crowbar,Superjoint Ritual), and guitarist Kirk Windstein (Crowbar, Kingdom of Sorrow), have delivered an underground hit with this latest 6-song offering. Riddled with moody riffs, infectiously harrowing vocals, and unrivaled authenticity, the band remains a driving force in the metal community.
We know you are here for the pictures, so without further ado..
All photos by Blow The Scene Senior Staff Photographer, Dante Torrieri (Useless Rebel Imaging)
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