Cannabis Corpse, Infernal Stronghold, Coffin Dust, Tombstalker, and Lady Piss
Sunday July 17th at Strange Matter
On Sunday, July 17th, Strange Matter was graced with yet another, hazy, sticky, dank show that will live on in the annals of Richmond history. I’m talking about the Cannabis Corpse CD release show, which celebrated the release of Beneath Grow Lights Thou Shalt Rise on Relapse Records, arguably the most influential extreme music record label putting out music today. Despite the fact that it was nasty hot inside and outside of the venue, and most people don’t have the money to drop on a nice vinyl slab this time of year, people were out in droves, buying merch and supporting the bands, proving once more that the Corpsemiesters are much loved in their hometown.
Cannabis Corpse, Infernal Stronghold, Coffin Dust, Tombstalker, and Lady Piss
Sunday July 17th at Strange Matter
On Sunday, July 17th, Strange Matter was graced with yet another, hazy, sticky, dank show that will live on in the annals of Richmond history. I’m talking about the Cannabis Corpse CD release show, which celebrated the release of Beneath Grow Lights Thou Shalt Rise on Relapse Records, arguably the most influential extreme music record label putting out music today. Despite the fact that it was nasty hot inside and outside of the venue, and most people don’t have the money to drop on a nice vinyl slab this time of year, people were out in droves, buying merch and supporting the bands, proving once more that the Corpsemiesters are much loved in their hometown.
The first band to play was Lady Piss, who describe themselves as post-punk, and who didn’t quite fit in with the other acts. However, there was a definite hardcore influence to their music reminiscent of bands like Daughters and Ceremony that made them a good, slightly-less-hard-hitting opening act. Although I was skeptical about them at first, infusing post-punk with old school death metal kept things sounding lo-fi and almost made it feel like a show straight out of the ‘90s.
Next up was Tombstalker, who set the metal pace for the rest of the show. Similar to Cannabis Corpse and the next band up, Coffin Dust, Tombstalker have that crusty, groovy, old-school death metal sound that combines elements of punk and thrash to create a uniquely satisfying experience in brutality. Unlike many recent crusty-style metal acts, these three bands manage to stand out with their sound, and aren’t afraid to stray from the typical punk formula with guitar solos and slightly longer and more complex songs. Hailing from Kentucky, Tombstalker are on tour with Coffin Dust this summer and have just released a split EP with them, entitled Cemetery Wolven Ritual. Tombstalker crushed through a 40-minute set of straightforward, groovy, catchy metal tunes, and while they are by no means groundbreaking musicians or stunningly original, they managed to keep the audience entertained and never fall flat or get redundant, the way so many similar bands tend to.
Following them were split album-mates Coffin Dust, with whom I was even more impressed than I was with their Kentucky buddies. The Dust play a very similar style of music, but with a bit more finesse then Tombstalker. All of their songs have extremely catchy riffs and most have solos, breakdowns, and much more variation in general then I initially expected. I was a little bit concerned about how this extended thrashfest would go over in a city noted for straightforward three-minute punk songs, but everyone seemed really into them during their whole set, moshing and greatly appreciating the solos and guitar work. I definitely hope these guys make it down here from Philly again!
Infernal Stronghold, also from Philadelphia, have been longtime favorites in Richmond, and their particular blend of crust, d-beat and black metal has always struck a chord with me. Something about their recent sound disappoints me, however, and I felt that the mild, bored reaction to their set was markedly different from the amazing crowd reaction they received at past Heart of Winter festivals and various other appearances in the city. Much of their newer material is more experimental black metal, but they are keeping with the underproduced, raw sound, and the result is muddled and hard to listen to. They seemed bored during the few older songs they played that I recognized and liked, and looked as if they were waiting for the show to be over. Although I realize it was extremely hot in Strange Matter and every band has an off day, it seemed like their hearts weren’t in it at all.
Cannabis Corpse took the stage last, appearing in a haze of fog-machine smoke and all-green lights that set the stage perfectly for the grand finale. It is almost unnecessary to mention at this point in time how great the energy was during their set; as usual the boys were giving 150% and the crowd was loving every minute of it. Every song went off not only without a hitch, but with a furious energy not at all lessened by their having played that particular song thousands of times before. What is worth mentioning, however, is how much the guys have actually grown musically. I must admit that although I have been a huge Cannabis Corpse fan from the getgo, I was always just really into the concept, live energy and basic old-school sound, and kind of took their music for granted. Beneath Grow Lights shows a lot of musical growth, however. Almost every riff on the new album is standout and catchy, which is one area I thought the band was slightly lacking in before. Andy Horn’s vocals have also increased greatly in range, his highs and lows now as abrasive as his live personality and impressive headbanging. Great songs off the new album that they played include the title track and “Dead by Bong,” which are both extremely catchy and memorable tunes.
The Cannabis Corpse CD release show was a stunning success overall. Buy the new record and be impressed with their music as well as their live show! And check out Tombstalker and Coffin Dust for more raw, thrashy, old-school death metal in the vein of our local heroes.
