We asked Metal Injection contributor Frank Huang to reflect on his Top 5 Shows in 2011. Frank shot extensive video of all the shows mentioned in this post, as well as many other NYC area shows, which you can view at Pit Full of Shit.
1.Pallbearer w. Loss, Sewer Goddess at Saint Vitus Bar 2012.05.19 AND Pallbearer w. Royal Thunder, Inter Arma, King Destroy at Knitting Factory 2012.09.11
The little rock quartet has ruled all the year end lists in 2012, and naturally they are also on this one. The first time I saw them was the exclusive one off show at Saint Vitus by BrooklynVegan this May. Judging just from the line up I would imagine it was an amazing show. Pallbearer’s live set has a unique quality. It’s warm and heavy, just like watching Sunn O))) you can feel the sound wall surrounding you but in a nicer and more pleasant way. And the best part of that night was after they played at Saint Vitus, they headed to The Acheron for the after party. But due to the drunken nature of the show, it would never be out on video (sorry!). Later this year they came back to plat another amazing set at Knitting Factory, and they came prepared for the track in their 2010 demo, Gloomy Sunday which they didn’t get to finish at The Acheron. And not to mention the mighty Royal Thunder (my favorite band in 2012) easily blowing up my mind with their awesome tune.
2. Saint Vitus at Saint Vitus Bar, 2012.09.25
Saint Vitus played Saint Vitus at Saint Vitus, do I need to say anything?
3. Power of The Riff East\Scion Rock Fest 2012
Unlike last year, I finally got to check out some of the festivals in the US this year, such as Scion Rock Fest and Power of The Riff East, etc. I travelled with Phobia down to Tampa, Florida for Scion Rock Fest in June. Though people have different opinions on Scion investing the scene, I have to say they do a pretty good job and they clearly know what they are doing instead of rich people doing superficial works. The line up was perfect, friendly vibe, even the stages are selected for specific genre (Too bad I didn’t get to check out Czar Bar.). Not to mention the great crew who made my life a lot easier with getting in the venues. Then later this year, Brooklyn and Southern Lord Record finally brought the famous Power of The Riff series to east coast. You can never go wrong with a two day festival filled with bands like Coffinworm, Winter, Sunn O))), Pentagram, Xibalba, Dead in The Dirt, and Repulsion, etc. Though there are moments like seeing Agnostic Front ruining their own old songs not to mention they did a terrible cover on The Ramones which made me wanna bash my head into the wall, the amazing performance from Coffinworm, and Xibalba really balanced it out. But mostly what really shocked and blew my mind was Sunn O)))’s almost an hour and a half set. I was at the balcony of Warsaw, and my body was shaking the entire time they were playing. (Since the venue was heavily fogged during Sunn O)))’s set, it was impossible to film it. But you could still turn your speaker WAY UP to enjoy the heaviness.)
4. Pig Destroyer w Ken Mode, Early Graves, Encrust at Public Assembly, 2012. 10.18
FINALLY!!! PxDx has finally put out their new record Book Burner this year. I was lucky that Metal Injection, MetalSucks and 1000 Knives manage to get them playing at NYC in this year’s CMJ festival. Along with Ken Mode, Early Graves and Encrust, this show was one of the craziest and most intense one I’ve ever been in. There were several times the camera literally flew off my hand since people won’t stop stage diving right on my head during PxDx set…. Also after just recorded a new album, Ken Mode had the most intense set, make sure you check them out too.
5. EYEHATEGOD at Saint Vitus Bar 2012.11.27, 2012.11.28
EYEHATEGOD TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW. EYEHATEGOD TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW. EYEHATEGOD TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW. EYEHATEGOD TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW. EYEHATEGOD TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW. EYEHATEGOD TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW. EYEHATEGOD TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW. EYEHATEGOD TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW. EYEHATEGOD TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW. EYEHATEGOD TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW.
