Extreme metalheads have at least two festivals on their calendars for this fall. Each promises a collision of heavy metal and horror, and both are looking very exciting.
The first is the inaugural Housecore Horror Film Festival on October 24-27 in Austin, hosted by none other than Down/Pantera front man Phil Anselmo and crime author Corey Mitchell. A four day event, it'll host 30 acts at multiple venues, including Down, Gwar, Goblin, Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, Eyehategod, Crowbar, Goatwhore, Warbeast, Pig Destroyer, White Chapel, Pallbearer and Skrew, to name a few.
You'll have some supreme chances to see some horror/metal cross-pollination there, including two separate sets from Italy's Goblin--one day they will be live-scoring Dario Argento's Suspiria, and the other they'll feature songs from movies like Dawn of the Dead.
There's no telling what will happen at this event, from secret sets to musician sightings to premiere viewing of some of the best horror around. Get your tickets now, because you'll be competing with dedicated metalheads, horror buffs, and Anselmo fans.
The second action-packed weekend hits a little bit closer to home. I wasn't able to make it to this festival last year, but I'll definitely be there this year. From October 11-13, the Southwest Terror Fest will invade Tucson for a four-day excursion into the world of extreme metal, with a focus on metal from the southwest.
When the festival, a sort of DIY event booked by musicians for musicians, debuted last year, it attracted an array of desert and worldwide metalheads, and the turnout was impressive.
The fact that this is its second year only confirms the four-day fest is gaining strength.
Set to take place at The Rock, admission fees are low, merch and booze are plentiful, and you're bound to meet an array of metalheads and bands from around the world.
More than 35 bands will be performing, including Evasion, Transient, Kvasura, Territory, Inoculara, Magguts, Angelic to Ashes, SubRosa, Thorncaster, Phoenix's own Landmine Marathon, Sorxe, Ladybird, Sea Will Rise, American Standards, Biocidio and Berith. And they're still announcing bands.
So why am I telling you about these kick-ass metal events now? Because as metalheads, we have a limited amount of straight up extreme metal festivals each year, and they're often held at smaller venues so they tend to sell out. Snag your tickets now while you have the chance.
And take all this extra time to get ready for Rocktober... ahhh. 'Tis the season for horror and metal.
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