Ahhh…my first show of the year! And what a show it was. I didn't catch the first couple songs of Keep of Kalessin's set due to delays getting my ticket. But the final portion of their set revealed a band that is fierce, fast, and hungry to make it to the top of the metal heap. Former members include Norwegian black metal luminaries Atilla Csihar, now back with the formidable Mayhem, and Frost from Satryicon.

Next up was the Pride of the Polish black metal scene, Behemoth. These guys are totally fucking insane, lashing out with their unique brand of metal mysticism. No wonder the guys who created Dethklok sent the art staff to a Behemoth show to show them what they wanted a metal band to look like onstage! During the final number, lead vocalist and shredder extrordinare Nergal donned his trademark death mask, and the crowd went wild.

Unfortunately, Dimmu Borgir didn't fare so well on their headlining slot. The last show of the tour is usually a dark triumph for them, but their Foreshadowing Furnace was clearly running out of steam. Part of the blame I'm placing on the sound guy. I wanted to go smack him upside the head, ask him which faders the guitars were on, and shove them up past unity gain. Vortex was clearly displeased with his arias, and I could see the scowl on his face after the spotlight dimmed. However, the slideshow on their backdrop was quite interesting, showing vintage photos of the band's earlier days when they had to do things on the cheap. And they finally fucking played "Puritania"!!

- Ruin