Review: The Nightmare Before Christmas 12.17.2006

#57
Sunday December 17 2006
The Nightmare Before Christmas fest featuring:
Napalm Death
Dying Fetus
Necrophagist
As Blood Runs Black
Sonar

I didn't find out about this show until after I had a ticket for last night's show, so I ended up going to both. I especially wanted to see Necrophagist again since I recently missed them at Jaxx (with Cannibal Corpse). The people who booked this fest are the same that put together the Fredericksburg fest back in the summer. The flyer I was handed for this show while leaving Jaxx on Saturday night lists 23 bands, though I don't know if they all played (for example, I couldn't find any evidence that Anal Cunt actually played...).
I ended up getting there just in time for Necrophagist. Yay! They play super-fast and super-technical death metal. I definitely enjoyed it.
After their set, I didn't go to the Club Stage to see The Faceless (though if I'd gotten there earlier I could have seen both The Faceless and Skinless...). Hmmm.
Baltimore's own Dying Fetus was up next on the Main Stage. It was good. Not really my thing, though their bass player certainly is an ideal man - beautiful hair, sexy arms, fancy bass. Yes, yes. Some really drunk girl who was sitting on her boyfriend's shoulders flashed the crowd. These two dudes standing next to me were discussing how they'd never seen that at a show before and I just stood there thinking that they must not go to the right kind of shows because I saw the same thing happen on Friday night...
I did check out As Blood Runs Black on the Club Stage. I thought they were alright, though I agreed with the mimicked yawn of another club-goer. I get what they're trying to do but it just wasn't that good. I think they need to practice more or get more sleep or something.
After that it was back to the Main Stage area to bother A Life Once Lost's guitarist and watch Napalm Death again. I was talking to one of the spanish-speaking Jaxx patrons who had also seen them the night before. I saw him during the show walk up in front of the barricades to take a photo and since all the security were dealing with the pit, he was able to stand up there for the rest of the show. Pretty cool. Napalm Death didn't play quite as long as at Jaxx, but it was still a great set and there was an actual crowd watching, which must have been an improvement for them. I still can't get the stamp off of my hand (it's Tuesday now)...