Smoldering Forge: Gooski's

The year has produced some damn good concerts this year. Keeping it short and sweet.

Ghoul / Occultist / Anthophobic / Oh Shit They’re Going To Kill Us / Ratface

Belvdere’s Bar

Wanna know how I got blood on my vest? The Ghoul show. One of the best mosh pits I participated in, along with a strong local support for Occultist (who would later on make an appearance at Skull Fest 4). Kill-bot barely was able to make it onto Belvedere’s stage and at one point was punch the ceiling tiles out of place.

Hoax / Sqrm / Drug Lust / Liebestod

Helter Shelter

So Helter Shelter still had some life in it this year. The owners were having some word-of-mouth shows and Hoax/Sqrm was one of them. The most intense mosh pit I’ve been in this year was at this show. Hoax and Sqrm set the bar for Boston hardcore toughness. Both bands grounded the audience into a pulp. Easily the best house show of 2012.

False / Bellow / Wrought Iron / Egality

Mr. Roboto

Below’s array of candles and somber tones was, without a doubt, moving. False’s female vocalist shrieked and howled unlike any other black metal vocalist this year. Both bands gave a distinct sound to Minneapolis, Minnesota. First time seeing Egality, they totally kicked ass and I want to see them again.

Goatwhore / Exhumed / Cerebral Bore / Wrought Iron

31^st Street Pub

Best death metal show in 2012 and, FUCK, was it hot at the pub. Everybody was sweating faster than a fat kid in gym class, even without being in the mosh pit. This show was hot as hell, both physically and metaphorically. Wrought Iron has played a ton of shows this year and this their best.

Mutilation Rites / Vrolok / Relique / Abysme

Mr. Roboto

Easily the best black metal show of 2012. It was the first show for Vrolok in ages and Mutilation Rites’ first time at the Roboto. Relique made their first and only appearance of the year here as well. Abysme solid as ever.

Zyanose / Truncheons / Oh Shit They’re Going To Kill Us / Wrathcobra / Ratface

The Gallows

Crazy night. Zyanose and Truncheons brought the noise heavy and hard. A noisy, crusty night of pure joy.

Downfall of Gaia / Vestiges / Humanerror / Egality / Old Accusers

Kopec’s Korner

I still reminisce about this show with friends. I just happened to choose this show since it was happening down the street from my house. Downfall of Gaia and Vestiges invoked a huge emotional response within me, that it was quite chilling. Humanerror was one of the biggest hardcore hits this year and was the purest hardcore band I’ve seen in 2012.

Run, Forever / Adventures / Pray For Teeth / Eyes Wide

Mr. Roboto

I’ve got a feeling that this show will effect my outlook on folk punk, pop punk. I never got into either sub-genre, but this show worked its way into my heart. This was indeed a concert from the heart.

Brown Angel / Derketa / Liquefied Guts

Gooski’s

Brown Angel’s “last show.” Great to see these guys perform one last time. Pittsburgh’s music scene has been changed by Brown Angel’s experimental sound. Hopefully I’ll get to see them again.

Lady Beast / Zeitgeist / Molasses Barge / Murderess

Gooski's

Multi-tier crushing bands. D-beat crust, doom metal, peace punk, traditional metal. The best album release party of the year.

Honorable Mentions:
Skull Fest 4
Midnight
Spectres / Crimson Scarlet
The Body / Argonauts
Antisect / Appalachia Terror Unit

Recently it seems like it’s up to the bands now to bring their own lighting to Gooski’s. But the darkness adds to the atmosphere, especially the green lighting. Makes me want to sing Type O Negative’s “Creepy Green Light.”

Tonight was ladies night. Female fronted metal and punk bands that brightened up the room with their own personas and performances.

Nomad Queen

The newly formed group is made of members from Wrought Iron, Oh Shit They’re Going To Kill Us, and Molasses Barge. So already, the group is heavily packed with veterans of the underground music scene. They’re a lot like the bands of west coast 80’s metal, with some thrash, some glam, and even a pinch of doom. Compared to another local heavy metal band, Lady Beast, they’re not as fast or solo-heavy, but the music composition has a variety of influences that gives Nomad Queen plenty of room to explore.

Icon Gallery

The local punk rock outfit mixes a bit of post punk and rock ‘n’ roll. They’re one of my personal favorites to watch live. Both Chani and Matt are the most animated on stage. Bassist Matt uses a Rickenbacker for laying down the bass lines, which are freakishly catchy. There might be a tie between good bassists and Rickenbackers. These guys are built solid. There were a few shouts from the audience for Icon Gallery to play "Pain," their sing-a-long hit, but, unfortunately, the audience was denied the song. Maybe next time.

Criaturas
Blazing fast hardcore from Austin, Texas. Criaturas explode straight from the start. When they’re not rocking the Texas driving rhythms, the beat goes full throttle into speed punk mode. There’s something cute about their Spanish singing vocalist, like Japanese punk cute, but at the same time she comes out baring her teeth. The whole band is like a rattlesnake, deadly, poised to strike, but charming to those that can admire it. I hope they continue on kicking ass.