Spring Metal Festivals Roundup: Part 1
Spring time for metal and Germany.
The festival scene is upon us! Like the swallows of Capistrano and the McRib, massive metal fests have returned with the warming of the weather. With so many good bands playing in so many places, it’s entirely possible that people could miss out. We’ve gathered together some info on fests taking place this Spring (now until June). Don’t get your swimmies in a twist, we’ll get to the summer fests soon enough. For now, here’s the shows that you need to knows.
Roadburn Festival
Tilburg, The Netherlands
April 9 – 12
http://www.roadburn.com/roadburn-2015/
Tune in. Turn on. Drop dead. Roadburn is back again if you can see through the billowing smoke. Weekend tickets are sold out and there are just a limited number of tickets for Thursday and Saturday. Don’t sit on your couch mindlessly giggling to Spongebob cartoons and stuffing Funions into your gaping maw. Prepare your neck for constant bobbing and nodding.
Bands: Wovenhand, Eyehategod, Goblin, Enslaved, Solstafir, Acid Witch, Zombi, Fields of the Nephilim, Kayo Dot, Anathema, Gnaw Their Tongues, Tombs, Thou, and tons more.
****Late Update****
It looks like the airline Kayo Dot used has lost their luggage and gear. They’re supposed to play on the 11th. Will update when more information is available.
Ragnarok Festival
April 10 – 11
Stadthalle Lichtenfels, Germany
http://www.ragnaroek-festival.com/
Germany calls down the gods and embraces their wrath with Ragnarok Fest. I know it’s a little disappointing that Amon Amarth aren’t involved with something called “Ragnarok” so raise your hammers high in their honor. Beards and battle axes are required to attend. Goblets made out of the skulls of your enemy is optional, but strongly encouraged.
Bands: Behemoth, Amorphis, Melechesh, Skyforger, Equilibrium, Moonsorrow, Graveworm and more.
New England Metal and Hardcore Fest
Worcester, MA, USA
April 17-19
http://metalandhardcorefestival.com/
Break out the mosh shorts and combat hats. NEM&HF returns to Worcester, MA for all of your spinkicking needs. Watch out for flying fists and guys in FSU shirts. Be prepared to be incredibly sweaty and have zero room to move if you head upstairs to the second stage. Day 1 and Day 2 should have a lot of appeal to a wide variety of metal and hardcore fans. Day 3 should appeal to ipecac enthusiasts. The fest is far removed from it’s early 2000’s heyday, but fun could still be had.
Bands: Between the Buried and Me, Death Angel, The Red Chord, Cavalera Conspiracy, The Atlas Moth, Code Orange, Testament, Nuclear Assault, Exodus, Nails and more.
Manitoba Metalfest
April 17 & 18
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
https://www.facebook.com/events/620286668076814/
I’m not sure if this really counts as a fest so much as it’s just two good metal shows over two days. If we’re being fair, it’s not like there’s much going on in Winnipeg, so let’s just call it a fest. The people have to do something when the Jets aren’t playing. When else are you going to get to see Into Eternity any time soon?
Bands: Into Eternity, Ninjaspy, Laika, Razor, Sacrifice, and more.
Neurotic Deathfest
April 17 – 19
Tilburg, The Netherlands
http://www.neuroticdeathfest.com/
The land of windmills and tulips will soon be overtaken with the stench of death. Strap your clogs on tight for 3 days of death and destruction, Dutch-style. There’s a whole bunch of hurt going on with this one, so stretch properly. You can’t bring forth death and destruction with a sore neck. Despite what the poster says, there probably won’t be any well-endowed zombie ladies. Even if there are zombie ladies, they probably wouldn’t want to talk to a poser like you, what with your pink flesh and breathing and stuff.
Bands: Bloodbath, Hate Eternal, Immolation, Pyrexia, Jig-Ai, Devourment and more.
NYDM Spring Bash
Cudahy, WI, USA
April 23 – 25
https://www.facebook.com/pages/NYDM-Spring-Bash
Despite having “NY” in the name, this death metal fest is actually taking place in Wisconsin. I seem to recall “NYDM” being some sort of Myspace crew. If anyone can confirm, hit me up on MS. Does Wisconsin have a big death metal scene? Again, hit me up on MS. I hope every brutal, vile, disgusting song is dedicated to the human White Out bottle, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. Before we move on, please take a look at the commercial for this fest.
Bands: Whiplash, Deceased…, Novembers Doom, Bongzilla, Hellwitch, Malignancy, Artillery, Viking and more.
Welcome to Rockville
April 25 – 26
Jacksonville, FL, USA
http://welcometorockvillefestival.com/
Jacksonville, Florida isn’t exactly the most ideal place to hold a metal festival, but you may be on an episode of COPS. If you make a wrong turn in town, you could end the starting quarterback of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Welcome To Rockville spreads out the welcome mat for a mix of metal and hard rock bands. Oh, and Phil Labonte will be there exercising his second amendment rights. Or pulling on his nipple rings. Maybe both!
Bands: Slayer, Korn, Marilyn Manson, Ministry, Suicidal Tendencies, Testament, Geoff Tate-less Queensryche, Live, Breaking Benjamin and more.
Karmøygeddon Metal Festival
April 30 – May 3
Korpervik, Norway
http://karmoygeddon.no/
Man, Scandanavia is all about the metal in the warm months. All that snow and fish probably does a number on them. This one is another fest full of diversity. Ever wanted to see Swallow The Sun, Hammerfall, and U.D.O. in the same day? Well now you can! Get there early to see Backstreet Girls. I have no idea what they are so you’ll need to report back. I can only hope they’re an all-girl cover band of a boy band from the late 90’s. And there better be choreographed dancing with chairs!
Bands: Hammerfall, Kvelertak, Arch Enemy, Kalmah, Swallow The Sun, U.D.O., Wintersun and more.
Rock on the Range
May 15 – 17
Columbus, OH, USA
http://rockontherange.com/
It’s not purely a metal festival, but Rock On The Range brings the heavy to 15th largest city in the US. Thank Google! Columbus also has the advantage of not being Cleveland or Cincinnati. The lineup is diverse, which should allow you to see some great bands on smaller stages. Ultimately, it’s a good thing because it means you might be able to convince a friend to go with you. And possibly drive.
Bands: Judas Priest, Slipknot, Volbeat, Minstry, Anthrax, Godsmack, Marilyn Manson, Dillinger Escape Plan, Hatebreed, Babymetal and more.
Maryland Deathfest
Baltimore, MD, USA
May 21 – 24
http://www.marylanddeathfest.com/
For those that say the US couldn’t support a big extreme metal festival, I give you Maryland Deathfest. MDF has been around since 2003 and keeps getting bigger every year. Thousands of longhaired weirdos travel from across the country and the world to see the incredible (and incredibly diverse) lineups. Good luck trying to see every band you want as every stage has something awesome. If it’s not completely sold out yet, it will be. You don’t even have to be a fan of most of these bands to know that it’s going to be an incredible time. Side note: Sell deodorant and nose plugs right outside the gates and live like a king.
Bands: Neurosis, Amorphis, Suffocation, Obituary, Yob, Origin, Skinless, Tsjuder, Napalm Death, Portal, Razor, Sodom, D.R.I., Cephalic Carnage, Aura Noir, Melt Banana, and holy crap more.
Temples Festival
Bristol, UK
May 29 – 31
https://www.facebook.com/TemplesFestival
The UK is chock full of festivals, but while others appeal to huge swaths of rock fans, Temples Fest goes straight for metal. I don’t know if the poster is 100% accurate, but it looks like Pig Destroyer is playing twice. You’ve got some heavy hitters and plenty of lesser known bands. Be the cool kid in your flat, show up early, and claim you liked these bands before anyone else.
Bands: Converge, SUNNO))), Earth, Pig Destroyer, Triptykon, Between the Buried And Me, Bongzilla, Skitsystem, Today Is The Day, Nails, Pallbearer, Portal, Goatwhore and more.
Stick around for Part 2!
