Still, the pit can be a tricky proposition. It can escalate to a bad place quickly, either because someone's just actually beating the crap out of people or because it gets to the point that the music becomes an afterthought. There is a subtle art to getting it right, to finding the frenzy without the fight. Finlandian death metal band Children of Bodom made its way to Summit Music Hall last night, where its fans put on an absolute clinic. Just truly masterful stuff. Photographer Brandon Marshall was there to capture the technique the rest of us can learn from.
See also: Photos -- Children of Bodom and Death Angel at Summit Music Hall
Do: Find the biggest dude in the circle and run straight at him. You're not here because it's a winning battle. You're here because that dude represents your shitty boss. Do: Keep moving. Don't be that guy trying to stand in the middle of the mosh pit for some reason. Don't: Hit people in the face. Keep that shit from the collarbone to the belly-button. Do: Know your role. If you're at the edge of the circle, it's your responsibility to contain people. It's a good policy to keep your hands up to catch the bodies flying at you. Notice the exquisite form demonstrated by our friend on the left. Solid eye contact, anticipatory arm movements. Good stuff. Don't: Choke people? Is that not obvious? Do: Help people off the ground. There is no trampling allowed in the mosh pit. Do: Smile occasionally. The whole point is to let off some steam, but there's a fine line between lively human contact and assault. Don't get close to it.• BACKBEAT'S GREATEST HITS • - The fifty best rap lyrics of all time - The ten biggest concert buzzkills - Five more concert buzzkills - From Phish to Floyd, the ten best light shows
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