Damnation

The Devils Bloodbath
Brought to you by the fine people at DeadOnTheWeb!
Featuring:
Damnation, The Smut Peddlers, Two man Advantage, Pistol Grip, And the Liberats.
July 13th @ Chain Reaction, Anaheim CA  
Review By: Snack Baggs  Photos By: Scott Wulfesteig

The Devils Bloodbath at Chain Reaction hosted by yours truly deadontheweb.com was a sold out, event and the kids came early.  And it was a packed house by 9:00 o’clock, all the kids showed up for what was sure to be  an unpredictable night being it was Friday the Thirteenth a rather ominous day of the year.

I missed the opening band the Liberats, but I heard some people talking about their set. From what I got they are sort of AFI ish, but with a little less polish.  Have you ever noticed how Polish and polish are spelt the same? Another weird thing I learned on Friday the thirteenth. Anyway back to the show at hand, the next band that was to take the stage was Pistol Grip.

And pistol grip took full advantage of this to let loose with some intense background music to mosh two. A good warm up for the madness that was soon to occur with the two-man advantage started their set.                

Two Man Advantage ‘s was another  five piece, from New York that screamed N.Y.H.C.  With a NHL hockey thug mentality, and pretty scary singer to boot. Two Man Advantage’s blistering assault to the senses was only matched by the brutality of the pit during their set. With really solid guitars and workman like style TWA even got all the kids with charged hair up and kicking it up front in the eye of the hurricane. Their was a kid passing out on stage the singer flying into the crowd, way two much shit to endure I had to have a smoke. If you like intense Two Man advantage is the band for you.

                So after a refreshing smoke in the open-air sliver of space next to the club, I made my way up to the stage to get a good view of The Smut Peddlers set. I think they're  from the South Bay area down by Pedro, but don’t quote me on that. A four piece punk band with a lot of experience and more planned attack. With a singer that reminds me of a carnival barker, or one of those traveling “medicine man” always directing the crowd in the direction the band wanted them. He always had a little retort to begin each song, the Peddlers  played. With songs about girls,  “Bi –polar girl” and some new songs I don’t think I’ve heard before, but it’s been awhile since I saw the smuts. Though they were lacking in the in your face power of Two Man Advantage, they more than made up for it in good songwriting, sarcasm, and a lot of old school punk attitude.      

                The headliner to this little shin ding was about to take the stage. I really didn’t give the term “Devils Blood Bath” much thought until the opening seconds of the show. That’s when it happened; out of nowhere a torrent of blood splattered the crowd. And I mean a torrent of blood! Before you know it there was blood everywhere, damnation singer Shaun Kama was reeling back and fourth as he decimated the audience with his high-powered stage antics. Damnation is a balls out Punk Rawk band, with strong performers at all elements of the band Great bass , solid drumming. Along with  strong theatrics, hardcore punk music and an intensity that a lot of bands lack is keeping the fans coming back. With all the blood and the pit getting out of control, I figure it was time to retreat to a more safe position for the rest of the show. I was bummed they didn’t play Drunk and Stupid but I guess it is an all ages show. But they did end their set with one of their newer cool songs Viva la Revolution.  This Friday the 13^th  was pretty cool; the only really bad thing that happened was I can’t get the bloodstains off my shoes. DAMN YOU DAMNATION!!!

Snack Baggs