For the last near-decade, Maryland Death Fest has been a Baltimore Institution, bringing the best current and historic extreme metal bands to Sonar in Baltimore to play for thousands of fans. It’s literally the best and most interesting metal related event in the US. Spanning over several days (4 this year), dozens of bands play to a crowd of thousands, who travel from all over the world to be there. Because of it’s prominence, many bands choose to reunite to play it, or have their last show there, or play for the first/last/only time in the US there. Basically, it’s an amazing event. And this year’s, the Ninth Annual, starts today and last til sunday. For a list of bands and set times, click here. Chris from DC HeavyMetal posted a great Death Fest Survival Guide here.

Below are some of the favorite photos I have taken at previous Death Fests:

Bobby Liebling of a reunited Pentagram.

Bolt Thrower, who played two sets in 2009, one a surprise.

Pig Destroyer.

Dan Lillker playing with Autopsy.

Wolves In The Throne Room.

Entombed.

Converge.

Napalm Death.

Deceased.

Jimmy Bowers of EYEHATEGOD.