Photos from Hopscotch 2017

 Year of the Ox at the Primitive Ways Day Party

 Darth Kannabyss at the Primitive Ways Day Party

Aleph Naught at the Primitive Ways Day Party 

Jerkagram at the Primitive Ways Day Party

 

 Datura at the Primitive Ways Day Party

Bask at CAM, night one

Kayo Dot at CAM, night one 

Pallbearer at CAM, night one 

Mourning Cloak at The Pour House, night two 

King Woman at The Pour House, night two 

 Thou at The Pour House, night two

I did a little less Hopscotching this year than in years past, but still saw quite a few good shows. Asheville's Bask released one of my favorite albums this year, so I was looking forward to finally seeing them live. They more than exceeded expectations, as did Pallbearer, whom I haven't seen since Hopscotch 2012. Best surprise of the weekend was King Woman. I admit I wasn't taken with their latest release, but the live antics of singer Kristina Esfandiari made for an enthralling show. 

Suppressive Fire and Noctomb photos and video

Suppressive Fire

Deathcrown

Dreaded

 Noctomb

Suppressive Fire has released a killer new album of Teutonic-style thrash, which I reviewed for Metal Bandcamp. They held an album release party on Jan. 14, 2017 at the Maywood with a selection of openers from across the metal spectrum, including sludgy doom (Raleigh's Noctomb), black metal (Greensboro's Dreaded) and straight-up death metal (Richmond's Deathcrown). Check out the videos below.