Even though it was cold outside, it was warm inside the Halloween-themed Thought Lot as three bands brought the fire and intensity of death metal roots.

Bound by the Grave, DNA Through Ashes and Sadistic Vision shredded their way into the hearts of locals, resonating with the love of music that demands an audience to thrash around, no matter how small the venue.

Sounds that could have brought The Thought Lot crumbling down, vibrations of strings pushing amplifiers to the max and the pounding of drums that shake your spine were all on display.

At the end of the night, the show was full of genuine guys putting on a show for fun.

Bound by the Grave, hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, took the stage first. Paul Jack Jr., armed with his Dean Flying V guitar, opened the show with colossal riffs, followed by the rest of his band-mates.

Guttural vocals and high-ranged screams projected themes of brutality, death, genocide and more. They were nicely layered with a combination of sludge and breakneck beats, constantly changing the tempo of every song. However, it takes a talented band to transition between those tempos and remain tight. There is a groove that listeners were attached to almost immediately.

The best aspect of Bound by the Grave was that the players let their instrumental sections carry their songs. There was time to unwind and get acquainted.

Halfway through the performance, bassist Greg Meleney stretched things out and did what is known as the “spider pose.” It is an atypical stance in playing the bass guitar, where the player extends his legs, bouncing between feet. It is an expression of being relaxed and enjoying the moment.

Shortly after the band left the stage, Bound by the Grave had a mini-cookout in the parking lot, welcoming everyone to join the after-party.

In addition, drummer Sonny Godsey, guitarist Rez “REZ MAN” Law, Jack and their friend Don all explained that they “have been blessed.”

Bound by the Grave has one EP called “Methods of Disposal,” which is to be re-released under the band’s new label, Lost Apparitions. The band is excited to continue touring throughout Maryland and Virginia and are set to tour across the United States and Canada.

Jack mentioned that the band has a chance to tour with death metal legends Vader. A touring manager is set to make an arrangement in Poland, which Jack said would be “awesome.”

There was very little calm between the storms of bands.

“This event is about listening to music...forgetting about the outside world,” DNA Through Ashes vocalist Stew Chandler said, following up the opening set from Bound by the Grave.

The audience roared in agreement, welcoming the band hailing from Newville. Carrying the consistent element of intensity and engagement, what made DNA Through Ashes stand out was the presence of Chandler, leaning into the crowd.

There was a certain punk element to the group. Despite the band always being on the edge of subsequent beats, their energy was controlled: A commanding balance between their frenetic pacing and restraint.

DNA Through Ashes managed to keep the atmosphere of The Thought Lot searing with the heat of their instruments and Chandler’s vocals. The band paid homage to a number of things: The audience, the bond shared in music, friends, family and soldiers who have passed on, and lastly, Lamb of God, covering the crowd favorite “Omerta.”

As Sadistic Vision was setting up their equipment for the last act, DNA Through Ashes bassist Brian Finkenbinder explained his take on what the band is about.

Although he has been influenced by the sounds of bluegrass and country, he said that all the members share the love of the “aggression of metal and deathcore.”

Finkenbinder and the other members have been together for a full year. To them, it does not matter the size of the crowd. What matters is people enjoying themselves.

“It doesn’t matter if money is involved or not. We just like to play,” said Finkenbinder.

The event ended with an impressive performance by Sadistic Vision. Formed in 1989 in New Orleans, the band had several lineup changes during the ’90s after moving to Hanover, Pennsylvania, but they kept in contact.

During that time, they toured up and down the East Coast. Recently, they have toured with Bound by the Grave and DNA Through Ashes, and a relationship of brothers has been formed.

Sadistic Vision combines the best aspects of Bound by the Grave and DNA Through Ashes.

In the mix of Vision’s sound is a flavor of the technical death metal style. The band harmonizes fast-paced, intricate sections, even during odd-time signatures.

Sadistic Vision has the style of bands like Mastodon and Lamb of God, but guitarist Brian Reed said that members of the band in fact do not listen to either of them, but “it’s interesting to hear that others compliment us in that way. It’s pretty cool to hear that though.”

Much like the other bands of the night, Reed explained that there is “a real good chemistry between all of us. We’re all bros — good friends.”

In fact, members of Bound by the Grave and DNA Through Ashes joined the crowd and thrashed around with the audience.

Despite the angst and brutal nature the three bands sing about, these guys are approachable and friendly.

That was the biggest thing to take away from “A Night of Metal.” The music is what brings everyone together, on a level that goes beyond affection.

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