I last caught Kithkin at the Crocodile for its CD release show with Master Musicians of Bukkake. That band’s psychedelic brand of goth doom metal coupled with the front man’s terrifying stage getup (which conjured images of an unholy tryst between True Detective’s Reggie Ledoux and Bob from Twin Peaks) prompted many to leave, a few muttering, “This is the scariest shit I’ve ever seen.” Those who stayed were rewarded to see this self-dubbed Cascadian treepunk band—which happens to count SW writer Kelton Sears among its members—absolutely slay. Tribal rhythms, ritualistic choruses, and inexhaustible energy are but a fraction of what makes these guys so great live. Bassist Sears can somehow play his four-string with a style typically reserved for an axe-slayer like Ronnie James Dio, all the while screeching at the top of his lungs, leg-kicking the air, and handing out either sprays of sweat or high-fives to anyone in the front half of the room. kithkin.bandcamp.com

Read all of our picks for Arts & Culture, and explore the rest of this year’s edition of Best of Seattle.