4

MONDAY

I’ve never particularly liked death metal—and anyway, I suspect Britney Spears has her ear closer to our Dark Lord than any of those head-stabbing freaks—but God Forbid may yet make a believer out of me. This New Jersey quintet has been described as “equal parts Pantera, Hatebreed, and early Sepultura,” but what I hear is the manic rhythm of early-’80s hardcore slathered in Satanic guitar splooge and cortex-crushing metal riffs. Like some sinister SST experiment left to ferment for decades in a jackboot, the band’s Determination album will leave you debating whether to sacrifice the family pet or slamdance with it. And between singer Byron Davis—whose banshee wails sound like V1s falling on London—and the mad-dog brother team of Doc and Dallas Coyle—whose guitars are reminiscent less of Cradle of Filth than the battle of Kursk—God Forbid will bring you as close as you’ll need, or want, to come to reliving WWII. The band plays with Gwar and Goatwhore at 7:30 p.m. at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $15. (202) 393-0930. (Michael Little)