Havok & Warbringer & Exmortus Live at the DNA Lounge In San Francisco 03-16-17

For anyone that knows me, knows that I grew up loving thrash metal. In the mid 2000’s there was thrash metal revival here in the Bay Area and Southern California and other spots around the country. Needless to say I loved every second of it and my brother Tommy and I went and supported as many thrash metal bands as we could.

Unfortunately, like any other music scene bands come and go and eventually the scene dies down, but there were a handful of those bands that have built up a large following and are still going strong today.

Jump ahead to this past Thursday night, the DNA Lounge in San Francisco played host to three of the most popular thrash metal bands from the last ten years, Havok, Warbringer and Exmortus. All of these bands I have seen many times over the years whenever they toured through the Bay Area. It’s been a few years since I have seen these bands live so my brother Tommy and I couldn’t miss out on this show.

As we were walking up to the DNA Lounge we were expecting a line going into the main room but to our surprise we saw signs and people going upstairs to DNA Lounge’s upstairs venue (usually reserved for smaller shows). I heard through the grapevine that the show was moved last minute from the main room to the upstairs smaller venue, my guess is maybe advance ticket purchases were low and the bookers thought maybe it was going to be a low turnout…which turned out to be false. I wish that wasn’t the case because the room was full of metalheads and became hot as hell. During the middle of the show as I was walking outside for air I saw a sign that said “Sold Out” which to me was a great sign that a ton of people came out to support the show (I guess a lot of people showed up last minute to buy tickets at the door) but at the same time reminded me this show should have stayed booked for the main room so everyone had more room to walk around.

For the show itself, all three bands sound awesome, however the sound in the upstairs DNA Lounge level needs improvement. All the bands sounded very echoey and didn’t sound as full as I know they can be, not their fault though, it’s just the layout of the upstairs venue.

Exmortus played first and from what I heard from other people in the crowd, stole the show. It’s been years since I have seen Exmortus live, I think last time I saw them was either at the Gilman or Oakland Metro. Exmotus setlist was great. I love the variety of thrash metal with deep growling vocals filled with classical influence melody. Right before they played their last song they ripped into a cover version of Boston’s “Foreplay” which the crowd loved and started “whooooo” along with them, watch my video below to see for yourself.

It’s been years since I have seen @exmortus_official live and they crushed it this past Thursday night at the @dnalounge in #SanFrancisco. I posted my concert review, photos and videos on @1077thebone’s website: https://www.1077thebone.com/ #Exmortus #RideForth #Warbringer #Havok #DNALounge #BayArea #HeavyMetal #ThrashMetal #Metal

A post shared by Baby Huey (@babyhuey83) on Mar 19, 2017 at 9:59am PDT

Warbringer was up next and they ripped into their set with the first four songs from their upcoming new album “Woe To The Vanquished” which is due out on March 31st. I love the sound of their new material, my favorite from the songs we have heard so far is “Remain Violent.” I can’t wait to hear the rest of the album. Warbringer finished off their set by playing a variety of songs from their older albums. The pit was insane their set. I have seen Warbringer so many times over the past 9 years and to this day still sound amazing, especially John Kevill’s vocals, I’m amazed at the range he can cover from deep growls to high pitched screams.

This past Thursday night at the @dnalounge in #SanFrancisco, @warbringermusic reminded me why they have been one of my favorite thrash metal bands from the last ten years. #Warbringer sounded badass and I can’t wait to hear their new album “Woe To The Vanquished” when it comes out on March 31st. I posted my concert review, photos and videos on @1077thebone’s website: https://www.1077thebone.com/ #WoeToTheVanquished #Exmortus #Havok #DNALounge #BayArea #HeavyMetal #ThrashMetal #Metal

A post shared by Baby Huey (@babyhuey83) on Mar 19, 2017 at 10:39am PDT

Havok finished off the night and I love their new songs as well from their new album “Conformicide” which is out now. The band members energy was very high and they looked like they were having fun on stage headbanging into the crowd. I can’t say it enough all three bands were incredible but I just wished the DNA Lounge’s upstairs room had better acoustics. I still think they should have kept the show in the main room. But overall it was a fun night and glad to see the show had sold out proving that thrash metal is alive and well, especially in the home of thrahs metal, the Bay Area. Also, it was great seeing Ted Aguilar and Will Carroll from Death Angel back from tour and out supporting the bands as well. Good times had by all and I’ll see you at the next show. Horns up!

It’s been years since I have also seen @havokbandofficial live and they sounded killer finishing off the show this past Thursday night at the @dnalounge in #SanFrancisco. I posted my concert review, photos and videos on @1077thebone’s website: https://www.1077thebone.com/ #Havok #Conformicide #Exmortus #Warbringer #DNALounge #BayArea #HeavyMetal #ThrashMetal #Metal

A post shared by Baby Huey (@babyhuey83) on Mar 19, 2017 at 11:37am PDT

Here are some videos Baby Huey filmed from Exmortus’ set: