Misery IndexWhen I entered the dark, cave-like Fontanas, Rhode Islanders Howl just finished moving their gear off the stage, which meant Complete Failure was minutes away from sonically demolishing a room full of CMJ-ers. It also meant I missed death metallers Gloominous Doom, who started the night off after Crystal Antlers, Nebula and Naam played the BrooklynVegan day showcase.

Beneath a Chinatown sidewalk, which was soaking in heavy rain, Complete Failure rumbled up a whole other storm. Complete Failure consists of four extremely angry dudes. Drummer Mike Rosswog threw his cymbals on the floor as he disassembled his drum kit. The man was equally as mad after the band's set as he was during.

Black Anvil played an as always evil, heart darkening set. Because the New York-based black metal group is releasing a follow up to 'Time Insults the Mind' in April via Relapse, they gave Fontanas a preview of their new heavy tunes.

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CMJ Showcase: Misery Index
Black Anvil
Justina Villanueva

Noisecreep Test

    Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

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    Mastodon at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Mastodon at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Crowd at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Neurosis at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Neurosis at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Crowd at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Baroness at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Baroness at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

    Baroness at Scion Rock Fest 2009 held at the Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, February 28, 2009

    Brian Manley for Spinner

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Revocation was the newest band to perform on the showcase. When the trio took their shirts off on the sweaty stage, vocalist and guitarist David Davidson told the audience their 'Triad' completed.

Salome drew the biggest crowd of the night. The Southern doomsters also played the speediest set I've seen from them yet. Frontwoman Kat Katz delivered monstrous vocals bigger than life. Well, not really, but definitely larger than the size of the petite vocalist, guitarist and drummer put together. For the grind lovers of New York City and CMJ, however, the real party started when Misery Index took the stage.

Bassist and vocalist Jason Netherton called out "all the guys in leather jackets" to get a high quality pit going. For the first time I've seen, Misery Index -- made up with half parts Dying Fetus and Criminal Element members -- was talking to the crowd instead of zipping through their set list. It must have just been getting to the delirious point of the night. Even though the room was not as full as it was for Salome, those who watched Misery Index could not help themselves but chant the chorus to "Traitors" when the band ended the night.

Lucky Australians and New Zealanders can catch deathgrinders Misery Index in April 2010.

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