NOVEMBER 14 & 15, 2003
After a two-hour ride from Long Island and a careful navigation through
the towns bordering Asbury Park, I was greeted by the broken-down
casino, hotels, and shops that once bounced with life at this Jersey
shore attraction. The overall atmosphere was dreary, and the biting wind
made your skin hurt. But this was even more reason to be inside the
Asbury Park Convention Hall for the first ever New Jersey Metal &
Hardcore Festival.
The venue was a concrete, metal, and glass structure that, while it did
cut the wind, still chilled you to the bone. The site of the main stage
was also not designed as a concert hall making the sound reverberate off
the high ceilings and echo through the empty room. But overall, despite
temperature and sound problems, the weekend was killer. The variety of
bands from both the metal and hardcore scenes was top notch and the live
performances were nothing short of brutal. However, the turnout for the
crowd was on the small side.
I don't know if Mass Concerts will be hosting another NJ fest in Asbury
Park or not, but overall, for those who attended, the two days were a
great way to spend the weekend, particularly if you were sharing the
event and a hotel room with a large group of friends. For those who
missed it. . . well, see for yourself. Just wait to kick yourself until
after you are through all the photos. . .
Superjoint Ritual |
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Morbid Angel |
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Dimmu Borgir |
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Nevermore |
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Children of Bodom |
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Hypocrisy |
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The Black Dahlia Murder |
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Novembers Doom |
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Sinai Beach |
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Held Under |
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Strapping Young Lad |
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Beyond The Embrace |
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Withered Earth |
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A Life Once Lost |
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Premonitions of War |
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The Takeover |
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Second Story Window |
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A Perfect Murder |
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Dysrhythmia |
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LINKS |
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METAL JUDGMENT
review of New Jersey Metal & Hardcore Festival 2003
http://www.metaljudgment.com/summary/njmhf1_frames.html
NEW JERSEY METAL & HARDCORE FESTIVAL
http://www.njmetalandhardcorefest.com
CREDITS |
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Photography: Brian Ferry [ brian@metalupdate.com ]
Editor: Brant Wintersteen [ editor@metalupdate.com ]
Webmaster: Sean Jennings [ sean@metalupdate.com ]
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