Man, my hometown sucks. Al The Killer (from our fabulous Fan Forum) and I arrive at Planet Rock and there were about 15 people there to see what could potentially be the best heavy metal show of the year. Don't get me wrong, lots of people here CLAIM to like metal, but theres little evidence of that tonight. But thats okay, because I've seen 3 Inches Of Blood before so I know we're in for an amazing concert.

Bad Wizard was up first and MAN were they some agressive hippies! I dont have much to say about these guys except that they are a less groovy, more rockin version of stoner rock. Al loves all things stoner rock though so he immediately bought all three of their cds. The room may have been empty, but at least they made one new fan! It was pretty good stuff so check them out.

Then came Early Man. I've heard their cd and think they're pretty badass, kind of a cross between early Metallica and Black Sabbath. You can't go wrong there! i was not prepared for what was to come hoever, as Early Man gave me one of the best live performances i have ever witnessed. Not much for lights or smoke, or anything else, just three guys on stage playing pure, unfiltered METAL. This is what it must have been like to have stumbled into a bar so many years ago to discover an unknown Metallica at one of their first gigs. No gimmicks, just straightforward, ass-kicking oldschool heavy metal the way God intended. I'm typing this up a few days after the concert and I'm STILL in awe over the intensity and heart they put into their songs. Recently the music press has lumped them in as a "Hipster Metal" band (because it's still not cool to admit that you like metal) and they are generally mentioned as an afterthought to Wolf Mother. Make no mistake, Early Man OWNS Wolf Mother in every concievable way. Bottom line, if you are into early metallica, if you're into Ozzy era Sabbath, you will dig early Man in a major way. I've seen hundreds, maybe thousands of concerts, and they ar one of the very best I've ever seen.

Finally, 3 Inches Of Blood took the stage. The first band didn't get onstage until about 10:30 so by now it was after 1 and half of the (already small) crowd was ready to leave. As I mentioned, I've seen this band before and thought it was great. Just over the top power metal...like pissed off Manowar playing Dungeons And Dragons. The funny part is that 3 Inches has made a name form themselves by touring the country over and over and kicking the ass of every band they've opened for, but as a headliner they've finally met their match. After the brilliance that was Early Man, 3 Inches just couldnt keep our attention. It was all the great songs off of "Advance and Vanquish" and it was very well done, but you just don't follow Early Man. They were just too good.

WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED EARLY MAN CD!!!