Todd Grotenhuis

This was it, the final day of the event. The final show of…ever?

• Incendiary - solid, though a little simple and went too hard into southern rock for my taste. Liked that the singer was positive and cool about helping each other out in the pit.
• The Showdown - the singer did the thing where they were very demanding (almost upset?) about what the crowd does. I really dislike this from bands. If you feel like you have to be really pushy with your fans to get more energetic (or whatever) maybe the problem is your music or performance, not them. Do better.
• Eighteen Visions - not really my thing, but a good show.
• Boys Night Out - ok. Said this was their first show in 15 years, and singer had good stage chatter. Unfortunately, they cut into Extol’s time.
• Extol feat. Bruce Fitzhugh - once-in-a-lifetime thing. Bruce talked about how both bands (Extol and Living Sacrifice) had influenced each other. David Husvik (drums) talked about their 98 release of Burial and Cornerstone festival. Mentioned many of those bands were playing tonight (Norma Jean, Blindside, Underoath). This might be a little anachronistic, as even though that was the right era, I’m not sure all of them played that year (and Norma Jean was still Luti-Kriss). Ole Børud’s American English accent is probably better than mine, and I’m native. Bruce had to use notes, but can you blame him? He just subbed in to sing and did a great job with it, all things considered. (more, more, more)
• Norma Jean - they still got it! Josh Scogin joined for the last song and the place erupted. I’ll add links to my other posts about this.
• Blindside - did a great job for not being a “tour band”
• Underoath - great show, mostly tracks from 20th anniversary, but played a few others at the end. Spencer “leaked” that another album is ready and coming out soon. (more)

For later:

I’ll post show recording links here as I run across them. Feel free to send them my way.

Shorter day for me, because I was dealing with a lot of stuff and there was only one “must see” band for me.

Some of these notes are…not positive. But I’m writing them for my memory and not trying to yuck anyone’s yum.

• Skycamefalling - yes. Great show and great energy.
• Misery Signals - very interesting. Huge turnout and most intense crowd and divers. Swapped singers a couple times and both of them closed out the last song. Sounds like this was their planned final show in the USA.
• Hail the Sun - I noped right out of there. Sounded like whineycore.
• Shai Hulud - instense, good energy, good show
• L.S. Dunes - Singer didn’t seem to know where the notes were and sounded like a worse Spencer Chamberlain
• Snapcase - rad show and the singer was really talking about how we’re all older now and just do what we can dancing or singing-wise. He dedicated a song to parents. :)
• No Innocent Victim - wow, they still did it. For the final song, he called folks to pile up with him for My Beliefs and there was a mound multiple-people-deep all shouting into the microphone. Epic. “I would die tonight for my beliefs!” (more)

For later:

I’ll post show recording links here as I run across them. Feel free to send them my way.

…back to my hotel form Furnace Fest day two.

I was e-biking back and was wearing my With Blood Comes Cleansing T-Shirt and a helmet. (As you do!)

A jeep pulled up beside me jam-packed with folks who were having a good time.

They were rocking out to August Burns Red’s “White Washed” and looking over at me…kinda giving me that look to see if I was one of them.

So as this part of the song hit I started shouting it out and headbanged. They shouted for joy and joined me.

Great times!

Super quick share of my notes:

• From A Second Story Window - did not know them, worth checking out
• Bury Your Dead - same
• Dying Wish - yes, still a great show #femalefrontedmetal
• Oh, Sleeper - never had an album click for me, but the show was excellent (I usually feel the same way about Norma Jean)
• Full of Hell - wins award for most-hilarious commentary and most intense set
• Silent Planet - always a pleasure, always down for angry music about peace & justice & love (more, more, more)
• Haste the Day - not as fun without Jimmy, but still great times (more)
• The Devil Wears Prada - also more enjoyable in person than on-album, but felt like they were trying too hard
• Bane - tried it, but I think I’m not the target market (I usually like my hardcore with a little something more going on)
• August Burns Red - epic “angry music for happy people”. I got up close side stage for this and it was excellent. (more)

For later:

I’ll post show recording links here as I run across them. Feel free to send them my way.