Darkness Stole the Sky kicked off this weekends collections of Seattle’s best and brightest. Though not technically perfect, these guy put on a high energy and fast paced set. Following suit, Seven Shades of Anger put on what in my opinion was their best performance to date. Timod took to the stage next, in a completely different incarnation of their band than I have ever seen. Several months ago I saw this band perform as an acoustic duo, and not well at that. Apperently this was due to one members inability to make the engagement, but with all three band members on board, this band really put on a great punk set. Up next, Black Sovereignty made the stage their own, with an energetic and enthusiastic stage presence, paired with incredible technical skill. She Chose Down followed with a much less aggressive, but for many a much more listenable set. Though plagued by technical problems, they plowed through, leaving much of the audience none-the-wiser. Probably one of the harder working, and more accomplished bands from the Seattle/Tacoma area, Sea Jane Trip put on an excellent performance. With a sound that is edgy, yet very accessible to the mainstream, this band could make a comfortable fit onto almost any bill. Portland Finalists, The Brutes, put on a great and unexpectedly tight performance. Though a young band, they earned their stripes with a well planned and well performed set. An energetic stage presence, matched with a sound reminiscent of The Clash showed us what set them apart from the crowd in Portland. Of the 200+ bands that I have seen this year, Frankfurt 11 was the first to appear in a full suit of armor. Their stage antics and excellent guitar work caused an uproar in the crowd, leaving the stage looking like a bomb went off in a Victoria’s Secret outlet. Miles of Misery followed with another amazing set. Though a metal band at heart, these guys draw from a wide range of influences, making them palatable even to those who are not inherently metal fans. Up next were They Come in Swarms. Though essentially a hardcore band, to label them so plainly would be very misleading to the reader. Their intricate and interweaving guitar parts, driving and dynamic rhythm section, and their front-man’s intimate interaction and ability to play to, as well as feed off of the crowd make this band one of the most memorable bands I’ve seen in years. Their masterful use of dynamics, sparing and tasteful use of alternating vocalists, and an overall attention to the direction of each song, as well as to their set as a whole, paired with engaging and inspirational speeches between the music, reminded me of the reasons I fell in love with hardcore music years ago, and the direction it should have gone…before bad haircuts, girl pants, and Hot-Topic ruined the scene for music lovers. Following closely behind, Open Rebuke, kept that momentum going with a balls out metal set, showing excellent guitar work, and amazing vocal range, these guys show a lot of promise for the future. Closing out the evening, Dudley took the stage with an excellent performance. Biting, but not abrasive guitar work, a solid rhythm section, and above all, attention to songwriting, this band, if properly marketed has the potential to go all the way to the top.