The Artery Foundation has made a reputation for itself as bringing some of the biggest and best bands in the hardcore world to South by Southwest, and this year was no exception.

The lineup this year included performances from The Amity Affliciton, Chelsea Grin, Woe Is Me, Miss May I, Of Mice & Men and Dance Gavin Dance, and it finished up with an unforgettable performance from the metal band Whitechapel.

The SXSW veterans are as hard as an 18-wheeler running into a brick wall at full speed, and their fans are just the same. From the first pound of a double bass pedal, a monumental circle pit engulfed the entire crowd and everything in its way.

Egged on by the slightly intimidating vocalist Phil Bozeman, the circle-pit enthusiasts kept the destruction going throughout the entire show and nearly took out the little white tent that made up Emo’s Annex. Almost all fans left the little venue with bruises, black eyes and giant smiles on their faces from one of the most intense metal shows SXSW had to offer.