Blind Idiot God

Broken Hope - The Carrion Eaters

Dying Fetus - Die with Integrity

Immolation - Lower

Despised Icon - Bulletproof Scales

Origin - Portal

Suffocation - Clarity Through Deprivation

The Black Dahlia Murder - The Window 5/8 of the Summer Slaughter lineup is trash, but Nocturnal being played in full brings those high school nostalgia feels.

Black Crown Initiate - Stench of the Iron Age

Caught that Morbid Angel tour in Boston last night. WHAT. A. NIGHT. Withered: Didn't move around much, but they were tight and I've always liked their music. A good warmup band. Revocation: One of the best sets I've ever seen from them. Touring with heavier bands really brings out the best in them and the place went wild the minute they launched into Madness Opus. Suffocation: GOD DAMN. One of the best sets I've ever seen from ANY band, let alone them. Eric has really settled into his role as their new drummer, and Kevin... damn. I still miss Frank, but I've known that kid since he was in Pyrexia and he was killing it with them. He was born for this and absolutely ruled the stage and the crowd went insane. I love that kid and I'm so happy for him. Morbid Angel: Morbid is back. End of story. No more Evil D with his soul patch, goofy poses as he prances around the stage, and ruined harshes with cringe-inducing operatic parts needlessly mixed in. Steve Tucker has regained his rightful place in the band and it was great to see all those long-neglected songs get some love again.

Deftones - Beware

Deftones - Geometric Headdress

Scar Symmetry - The Anomaly

Cryptopsy - Graves of the Fathers

Caught the first night of the Devastation on the Nation tour and got to reconnect with plenty of people who I don't get to see nearly enough, plus I had an amazing time in the process. Gloom: I was honestly really impressed. They were heavy, sludgy, groovy, and above all else, tight. I think it was their first tour on a big label, and they're already set to hang with the big leagues. Dysentery: They got to go on after one of the touring acts (granted, they ARE bigger and signed to a reasonably large label) and put on a great performance like they always do because Scott is the best thing that ever happened to that band. Stood back a little bit, however, as the pit ninjas were relentless. The Kennedy Veil: Been a minute since I saw them and got to chill with Gabe Seeber and co., and while they were great live back in 2015, they really upped their game with Monte on vocals. I'll still say that Taylor Wientjes was the better vocalist, but Monte is easily the better performer. The Zenith Passage: In the 11 months that have passed since I last saw them, they got a new drummer and SERIOUSLY upped their performance game. They went from passable to excellent, and Greg in particular has really improved his stage presence. Rivers of Nihil: Tight like usual and their new drummer was killing it, but Jake still needs to up his stage game (it's hard to be intimidating when you're like 5'5", but he does not move around much). Their setlist also had a few left turns; definitely wasn't expecting Birth of the Omnisavior or (sin)chronos. Decrepit Birth: WOW. That's all that I can really say. In the three years that have passed since they last played a show, they somehow managed to hit that next level as a live act. Bill went from a decent frontman to an amazing one, and the crowd went crazy. Gabe also did a great job at doing double-duty and thankfully had a moment to rest earlier in the night as well. Cryptopsy: None So Vile live. Enough said. Flo and Olivier also need to stop being so good at their instruments.

You'd get along well in New England considering how much of a presence punk has here. Hell, we're the birthplace of powerviolence, Siege created it way back in 1984 and Dropdead helped codify it, and my own home state graced the world with Trap Them way back in 2001.

Ion Dissonance - The Truth Will Set You Free

Seeker - Void

Artificial Brain - Static Shattering

Obituary - Sentence Day

The Black Dahlia Murder - Eyes of Thousand

Septicflesh - Prototype

Scar Symmetry - The Consciousness Eaters

Hideous Divinity - Ages Die

Virvum - Earthwork

Allegaeon - All Hail Science