Richmond, VA – Escuela Grind returns to Richmond to throw down with Massachusetts death metallers Bonginator, Augusta, Georgia’s blackened thrashers Krypt, Knoxville, Tennessee’s thrashers Quiescent Mantis and regional support provided by Staunton, Virginia’s hard rock band Four Thirty Four.
Quiescent Mantis started the night off with a short set of songs mostly from their EP “Chapter 1”. They displayed a lot of energy as guitarist Chris Trainor bounced back and forth playing on stage and in the crowd, which was surprisingly light. If you get a chance to catch these guys, check them out.
For me, Krypt simply kicked ass and was the surprise band of this lineup!!! There is a lot to take in with them from thrash to black and death metal as well as hardcore elements to their music. It makes for very interesting music to listen and bang your head to. Most of their set was songs from their November 11, 2022 album “Ripe With Sin” and I wanted to hear more. I recommend that you get the opportunity to see Krypt, don’t miss them!! I would like to see these guys play an upcoming Carolina Chainsaw Massacre.
Krypt SETLIST
Blasphemy
Lethal Injection
Nosophobic
Evangelical Bloodletting
Satanic Sex Fiend
Desolation
Vultures Will Feast
Four Thirty Four has played a number of places in Virginia and this was my first time seeing them live. They are by their description a hard rock band so I find it interesting that they are playing a show that is a combination of thrash, death, black metal and grindcore. Placing them in the middle of the lineup changes the show’s overall intensity and not in a good way, especially after Krypt’s set. This is not meant as a slam on Four Thirty Four’s part, it is my opinion that they should have opened the show rather than play as the third band in a five band lineup. And while the musicianship was solid, particularly Scott getting some sick tone out of his Fender Telecaster, I had problems with Mike’s vocals which seemed less like singing and more like talking. A number of people in the crowd liked what they heard and were having a good time and that is what matters.
Four Thirty Four SETLIST
Glass Ceiling
Red Eye
Whiskey Fist
Thirty
Dope Bag
She Knows
High Roller
TenFo
I like bands with a sense of humor and Bonginator has it in spades. Initially, they reminded me of Cannabis Corpse, the Richmond, Virginia band that took Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel songs and turn them into jams about weed, but Bonginator takes it to a new level. The songs are funny, but brutal as Hell as they got the pit going for the first time. This is in part because the crowd finally showed up for them and Escuela Grind. If you haven’t heard Bonginator, you are definitely missing out!!!! I would love to see Bonginator play Carolina Chainsaw Massacre, I think they would be a good fit.
Bonginator SETLIST
Intergalactic Gorebong of Deathpot
Zombie Party Rockers
Brined, Smoked, and Deep Fried
The Doinkinite
War; On Drugs
Dank Nugulus
Chopped 2 Pieces
I first caught Escuela Grind when they played tour support for Exhumed when Hulder had to drop off due to medical reasons and they kick ass live!!! Tons of energy and attitude to spare considering the amount of time they have been on the road. The crowd wasted no time in giving the band what they wanted, a combination of a two-step and hardcore dancing pit. Their set consisted mostly of songs from their September 30, 2022 album “Memory Theater” with the added bonus of their new song “Ball and Chain”. This was a fun show that I felt a number of people missed out on for various reasons. If you get a chance to see Escuela Grind throw down, just go!!!!
Escuela Grind and Bonginator are on tour tour through April 14th playing Harrisonburg, Virginia at the Golden Pony.
Escuela Grind SETLIST
Endowed With Windows
My Heart, My Hands
Forced Collective Introspection
All Is Forgiven
Cliffhanger
Ball and Chain (new song)
Punishment Ritual
Meat Magnet
Filth (Hatebreed cover)
Show Date: Friday, April 7, 2023
