Day Three of the Metalfest is traditionally mostly the hardcore bands day to rule the roost. The early champions of knuckle breaking, head bashing music were bands such as Brick By Brick and The Greenery. Beyond the Shore was the first main stage band I saw and there were a solid metalcore band able to pass muster with the fans able to get up early. The band that really had me excited was Waking The Dead which features ex-Suicidal Tendencies axe-man Mike Clark. As a first time front man, Mike was holding down the rhythms, shredding all the solos and also singing lead vocals too. In addition to playing some ST rarities such as ‘Master of No Mercy” they of course did ‘Waking The Dead’. Joined by Devin Pahl on Bass and Rob Woods on drums, the band played a nice set of crossover anthems. There was even a small circle pit that opened up at one point during the old No Mercy song, ‘Widespread Bloodshed’. I’ll be looking forward to their debut album coming out this fall.Continue reading →