Rolling into DNA Lounge on a Friday night I was disappointed to learn that the doors opened earlier than expected and the first band had already played by the time I walked in. Generally speaking, I always have a good time at DNA Lounge, but this was pretty disappointing, as I like to try to catch all the bands if I can. Despite my old-man at the club status, I do believe in supporting every band on a bill. The number one thing you can do as a club is just be consistent about the basics. Moving on.
I did manage to get into the venue and catch most of Inhuman Condition, who were phenomenal! Playing a few tracks off of each of their releases, you’ve got to really hand it to Jeremy Kling, best known as a drummer in many death metal bands. Here as the frontman, he was excellent! Pacing back and forth across the stage, snarling at the crowd with a fantastic vocal delivery, that could rank among the best in the game. Highlights of the set were “The Neck Step,” “I’m Now The Monster,” an epic Death Metally cover of BOC’s “Godzilla,” and when he helped a blind fan realize a dream by helping him stage dive safely! It warms the cockles of your goddamn blackened heart!
One of my favorite bands ever to see live in the Death Metal genre is Origin. They are so fun, technical, and tight as hell after all this time, twenty-five-plus years. Before the show, I connected with Jason Keyser at the merch table and we reminisced past shows. He is not just a killer vocalist, but a good ambassador for metal. Bring back the “wheel of setlist” shows, my dudes!
Meanwhile, the band just absolutely raged during their nearly impossible-to-top 10-song set. They played a selection of tracks from across their career, pretty much a little bit from everything released. Keyser gave the crowd a little bit of grief for our enthusiasm level and as usual San Francisco responded by stepping up dramatically. One of the defining traits of this band is just their great chemistry on stage live. John Longstreth is still one of the pinnacle drummers in Death Metal. They have now had the same lineup since 2011 and it shows. Personally, as a former bassist, I love watching Mike Flores just abuse his bass for an hour. 
Last up tonight was Vader and of course, this is their 40th anniversary tour, so they will pull out all the stops here. Playing a long 18-song set, they really took you through a journey of their entire 40-year career. Song after song, classic after classic of Black and Death Metal greatness peeled off and the band really seemed to be enjoying themselves. Typically the sound DNA is a mixed affair. But for whatever reason Vader’s sound work perfectly with the setup, from my vantage point. Highlights of their set were of course the opener “Decapitated Saints,” “Dark Age,” “Black To The Blind” the classic “Epitaph,” “Come and See My Sacrifice” and the amazing “Triumph of Death.”
Overall it was a great night of death metal, continuing the streak of excellent shows to start the year.
WORDS BY GHOST CULT KEEFY
PHOTOS BY ANITA FRAUSTO