Grumpiness takes over too easily on most Monday evenings, but after seeing the parade of kids with Mohawks all clad in black, a pure energy set in. We got there during Municipal Waste. From afar, it sounded like Anthrax and I was thrown back to the time when my life changed from Def Leppard to the dark side.

Neurotoxin played really fast and did an amazing Slayer cover. I think that Nighthorse was yelled at for playing “jazz,” though it was blues-inspired jam-rock. There were a few blank spots between the stages, and PBRs, too. Dr. Know reminded me of the reaches of Nardcore–even to the far mid-east-west of Ohio. They stirred the pit with dancing and stage diving far beyond what I’ve ever seen in L.A. at any “adult” rock show. And the memory picks up again at Crom; they’re always great–even with shirts on their bodies. But the big present under the tree was Annihilation Time.

The kids rolled into the small stage area like a high tide. As the band was setting up, the energy rose. Once they kicked off their set, I think that the band was even surprised by the enthusiasm of the crowd. Annihilation Time: the best band ever now.

I was so drunk with Annihilation Time’s power that I missed the headliners Municipal Waste. This fall, vote for rock ‘n’ roll–it seems to be the only thing that really matters all the sudden.

– Rita Kassak