Savor the Kill - Darkest Hour & Killswitch Engage at the Fillmore

Hey all.

Well to say that life has gotten a bit crazy would be an understatement. I won't bore you with the details, but I have been buried. I even recruited a cohort, who I have not introduced to you yet (it's coming), and he just moved so HE's been nuts, too.

Well, as a result of all this I am catching up on some stuff I shot this summer. And to be totally honest, I have not shot much since Josh Burdette's death. It hit me harder than I thought, and the motivation just hasn't been there. I still have not been to the 9:30 since then and not sure how I'll feel when I do.

Enough with the depressing stuff. I finally went to the Fillmore this summer to check out Darkest Hour and Killswitch Engage. If you want to see and hear some metal, this was a good show. Can't say I love the corporate feel and regimented security at the Fillmore (don't get me started on live nation), but it is a nice space, the sound was good, and most importantly the bands killed.

Darkest Hour was actually a last minute replacement on this tour (due to the odd events involving Tim Labesis of As I Lay Dying), and it provided a chance for them to debut their new rhythm section for the hometown crowd here in DC. They added Aaron Deal on bass and Travis Orbin on drums. Both are EXCELLENT additions to the band. And I think Travis plays the biggest drumsticks I've ever seen. But as usual they put on a great show, and made the hometown crowd happy. We even managed to get a quick band photo in with the new line up that quickly hit the streets promoting everything DH. Since they wrapped up the tour they have been very busy in the studio. Look for a new album from them sometime in the next year. You can see the pics from the show here.

If you are a metal fan, if you have not seen Killswitch Engage, then you are missing out. Those guys are super high energy, and they put on a hell of a show. They didn't disappoint here, and the crowd let them know it. Fast, loud and angry - just the way you like it. When I was backstage, I could hear them literally rattling the pipes. You can see these pics here.

Ok, that's it for now. I'll have more soon. honest.

Till then - see you in the pit.

pete