I think the only disappointment I had during the whole show was arriving late and missing 1/2 of Skeletonwitch's set. Hailing from Ohio, Skeletonwitch has been making an amazing live impact for unsuspecting concert goers; walking into the venue to see the headlining act and leaving with Skeletonwitch bleeding through their cerebellums. Skeletonwitch's high intensity shows, combined with their black-death-thrash sound, makes for a perfect opener. Playing select songs off their breakthrough debut album "Beyond The Permafrost" during this show, Skeletonwitch will be going into the studio to record their sophomore album with a tour to follow. Skeletonwitch is the real deal, with no frills or gimics. It's a band that just bleeds metal. Hail the Witch!

Up next on the bill was Lazarus A.D. I was supposed to check out Lazarus when they were on tour with Armon Armoth and Skeletonwitch back in April, but had to cancel at the last second. So this was my first time seeing them live. Performing for nearly 30 minutes, Lazarus A.D played a good heaping of old school thrash from their debut album "The Onslaught" (mixed by James Murphy of Testament) and got the already riled-up crowd into it. Lazarus A.D.'s motto is "thrash or die", and I don't think they like the alternative. 

As Journey came over the PA (ya, that Journey), Unearth took to the stage for a 45 minute, unrelenting show. Giving it their all and adding a great sound and style to the bill. Performing such tracks as Zombie Autopilot, Black Hearts Now Reign, and a few tracks from their 2008 release, "The March", Unearth was on and high energy as always. I have seen this band a dozen times or so and they never get old. They always deliver 100%.

During the set change, and a few beer runs, the crowd was pumped for Testament after enjoying the opening bands. As the lights went dim, the PA blared with a pre-recorded track, The Evil Has Landed off their 2008 criticly acclaimed release "The Formation of Damnation". Chuck Billy and company ran onto the stage, said hello to the crowd, and launched right into The Preacher. Testament is like good whiskey, they just get better with age, and they have really perfected their live sound over the years. Testament had a great setlist with songs spanning their 22 year career, such as Disciples of the Watch, Over the Wall, The Haunting and a few tracks from their heavier, faster works. These veterans of metal can keep up with anyone, and play circles around most.

This was a rare show, as everyone was just "on", from Skeletonwitch right through Testament. Usually a few bands lag on a tour, but everyone gave it their best and then some. Being over a mile in elevation, it seems Denver gets lesser, unenthusiastic crowds, as well as bands, but that was not the case. Testament, Unearth, Skeletonwitch, and Lazarus A.D. could not have nailed it better, as a whole, and this was the best show I have seen in the 2009 concert series.

Hail!