New England Hardcore and Metalfest 2013 Reviewed
Look, I could literally write for days about insane number of bands I was able to see this past weekend. A 'fest' is a tricky thing. Abbreviated sets often leaving you panting and unsatisfied or drudging through bands to get to the 'good ones'. What is unique about NE Metalfest is that the precision planning makes it run so smoothly that time literally flies by.
Lessening their 'no entry' policy the staff of the Worcester Palladium though exhausted were always polite, informed and upbeat. The Worcester hardcore scene is brutal. I find the roughest shows at this venue and I started off pretty damn concerned Id break a nail or something. Yes there was blood and no it wasn't mine and yes when there was an unfortunate event security was there to HELP not harm and that's saying allot to a house full of adrenaline and Monster energy drink frothing metal heads.
Friday night was the beginning and newbies looked nervous while anyone and everyone was attempting to push through the pulsating and massive crowd of people everywhere you turned. Hatebreed were breathtaking, while Every Time I Die gained a new fan; I'd never listened to them much before, but now I can't stop. Their live performance was insane and that feeling definitely transcends into their records. Staying till Anthrax, the show was a never ending loop of the best hardcore bands in the scene, and this lineup was brilliant.
Saturday night was owned by Ensferium. Strangely disappointed with Dillinger Escape Plan but when you've had to follow Born of Osiris and Katatonia, things happen. Day twos crowd was none the worse for wear but the free Monster Energy Drink was a good plan. Again, the Festival coordinators had this planned with flair.
The energy pumping and the moshing painful-looking, the absolute best bands of the whole fest were the obvious Anthrax and Suicidal Tendencies, but The Plot In You, Job For A Cowboy, and Texas In July deserve immense appreciation for the way they handled what was a pretty tough crowd. Two bands at once, you kinda have to beat the other guys out. Those three certainly attracted a younger crowd, and though maybe they didn't fill the whole place up like the headliners, they definitely got a huge amount of people to listen to them, which is exciting even as a fan. Those five bands also all played the same night, making it a back-to-back of phenomenal performances that I was luckily enough to see. Even though I may not listen to hardcore all the time, I'm definitely starting to again after these shows. Metal lives on, man.
