Maryland Deathfest, 2010 edition. You need to check this out.

[Palabra de Dios]

What would you include as the other 3?

I'm always going to think that PP is #1 no matter what, and MDF is the only other yearly fest I've been to. As far as festivals I've either been to or know about that have happened in the past, I had a fuckton of fun at Chicago Powerfest the year that Saturnus, Solitude Aeturnus, Novembers Doom, and Martyr played. I mean, Jesus Christ, that was a monster lineup, that's up there in terms of quality bands. Ozzfest, when it was still good (early 2000s) was a solid good time, for a rock show (hardly ever metal, even when it dabbled in things like Meshuggah and Dimmu). NEARfest, from what I understand, is a solid pick for great yearly fest.

I know that Milwaukee Metalfest has been the soure of many jeers in its recent incarnations, but I doubt anyone can deny the fact that that fest introduced so many quality bands to the States.

Heathen Crusade is a festival I wish hadn't bitten the bullet as quickly as it did. Maybe it was the location, the time of year, or maybe there aren't enough metalheads in America who realize how awesome those bands are that are the reason it ultimately became a financial failure, but god damn. I wish I could have gone to the ones that did happen, because I could add Thyrfing, Bal-Sagoth, Ancient Rites, Manegarm, Skyforger, among others to the list of bands I've seen. In other words, my life would be even more complete. Other bands to have made big appearances at this fest include the mighty Primordial, Moonsorrow, and Vreid. Holy shit.

And the one fest I wish I could have seen, even more than the unbelievable lineups of Heathen Crusade was the Day of the Equinox fest up in Canada. Green Carnation's North American debut complete with a full performance of "Light of Day, Day of Darkness," Agalloch actually playing a show on the eastern portion of their home continent, Novembers Doom who are awesome no matter what they play, Unexpect, a band that I have thankfully seen twice now, and Woods of Ypres--just an awesome band that blends what I love about Agalloch, Katatonia, and such together perfectly. That would have been the experience of a lifetime. Unfortunately, I had neither the money nor the time to attend.

The point is, when you negate past awesome fests, MDF and PPUSA are probably 1 and 2 still running, but certainly not the ONLY fests to be awesome.

 

[Diabolik]

I'm always going to think that PP is #1 no matter what, and MDF is the only other yearly fest I've been to. As far as festivals I've either been to or know about that have happened in the past, I had a fuckton of fun at Chicago Powerfest the year that Saturnus, Solitude Aeturnus, Novembers Doom, and Martyr played. I mean, Jesus Christ, that was a monster lineup, that's up there in terms of quality bands. Ozzfest, when it was still good (early 2000s) was a solid good time, for a rock show (hardly ever metal, even when it dabbled in things like Meshuggah and Dimmu). NEARfest, from what I understand, is a solid pick for great yearly fest.

I know that Milwaukee Metalfest has been the soure of many jeers in its recent incarnations, but I doubt anyone can deny the fact that that fest introduced so many quality bands to the States.

Heathen Crusade is a festival I wish hadn't bitten the bullet as quickly as it did. Maybe it was the location, the time of year, or maybe there aren't enough metalheads in America who realize how awesome those bands are that are the reason it ultimately became a financial failure, but god damn. I wish I could have gone to the ones that did happen, because I could add Thyrfing, Bal-Sagoth, Ancient Rites, Manegarm, Skyforger, among others to the list of bands I've seen. In other words, my life would be even more complete. Other bands to have made big appearances at this fest include the mighty Primordial, Moonsorrow, and Vreid. Holy shit.

And the one fest I wish I could have seen, even more than the unbelievable lineups of Heathen Crusade was the Day of the Equinox fest up in Canada. Green Carnation's North American debut complete with a full performance of "Light of Day, Day of Darkness," Agalloch actually playing a show on the eastern portion of their home continent, Novembers Doom who are awesome no matter what they play, Unexpect, a band that I have thankfully seen twice now, and Woods of Ypres--just an awesome band that blends what I love about Agalloch, Katatonia, and such together perfectly. That would have been the experience of a lifetime. Unfortunately, I had neither the money nor the time to attend.

The point is, when you negate past awesome fests, MDF and PPUSA are probably 1 and 2 still running, but certainly not the ONLY fests to be awesome.

Here in November....we are having Novembers Doom and Woods of Ypres playing together...come on up for it. Agalloch just played an amazing show here too last month.

 

[lifesadream]

Rocklahoma doesnt have a lot of metal bands but from what I witnessed it seemed to be a very well run festival. Everything was organized and the set up was suburb. I would go again if they keep the metal bands

 

[Diabolik]

Some of the lower bands that aren't as "classic" as the headliners are well worth checking out.

Coffins = awesome doom/death band from Japan

Portal = really cool, sick/twisted/avant-garde black/death

Gorod = one of the best tech-death bands around, miles better than the shit from America

Impaled = if you don't know this band, do. They took Heartwork-era Carcass and made like 4 great albums just from that sound alone

The Chasm = hands down, one of the best death metal bands around; originally from Mexico, now living in Chicago I believe. Sounds similar to Immolation/Morbid Angel, only better.

Melechesh = one of the biggest reasons I love this lineup. Amazing black/death metal from the middle east. Originally from Israel, I believe, but relocated to Europe b/c of backlash from the anti-religious lyrics.

yeah....the Chasm now are in Chicago. I run into one of the guys every week or so at Metal Haven. really a nice guy. Good band too.

 

[Metalmilitia2000]

Rocklahoma doesnt have a lot of metal bands but from what I witnessed it seemed to be a very well run festival. Everything was organized and the set up was suburb. I would go again if they keep the metal bands

I hope you are joking... I was working backstage for number 2, it couldn't have been MORE of a clusterfuck, it is easily one of the WORST run festivals in America. Everyone has a job there, and it's to be as fucking dumb and confused as possible, haha.

 

[Jasonic]

Another fest in the States that I think has it right in trying to do something unique is the ALEHORN fest in Chicago.
Some great bands have been brought through there.

 

[War Ensemble]

Heathen Crusade is a festival I wish hadn't bitten the bullet as quickly as it did. Maybe it was the location, the time of year, or maybe there aren't enough metalheads in America who realize how awesome those bands are that are the reason it ultimately became a financial failure, but god damn. I wish I could have gone to the ones that did happen, because I could add Thyrfing, Bal-Sagoth, Ancient Rites, Manegarm, Skyforger, among others to the list of bands I've seen. In other words, my life would be even more complete. Other bands to have made big appearances at this fest include the mighty Primordial, Moonsorrow, and Vreid. Holy shit.

I was at all 3 of the Heathen Crusade festivals. The first one was one of the best shows that I have ever attended.

 

[War Ensemble]

I hope you are joking... I was working backstage for number 2, it couldn't have been MORE of a clusterfuck, it is easily one of the WORST run festivals in America. Everyone has a job there, and it's to be as fucking dumb and confused as possible, haha.

I have heard that they moved Rocklahoma to Memorial Day weekend this year. It will be head to head with MDF.

 

[Diabolik]

Another fest in the States that I think has it right in trying to do something unique is the ALEHORN fest in Chicago.
Some great bands have been brought through there.

The issue with Alehorn is that they do zero promotion for it. Look who we have had play there already....

Manilla Road
Slough Feg
Cresant Shield
November's Doom
Winterhawk
Twisted Tower Dire
Hammers of Misfourtune
Argus
Ludicra
Bible of the Devil
Pharoh
Icarus Witch
Superchrist

and a few others in the past 4 years.....this is as close to the Keep It True Festival and maybe like 60 to 80 people show up each year. This year since it was free was the most crowded its been. They really need to start spreading the word about this fest. It is always a great time.

 

[Metalmilitia2000]

I have heard that they moved Rocklahoma to Memorial Day weekend this year. It will be head to head with MDF.

Rofl, that's awesome. Fuck them, I hope they fail, they were idiots when I was working there and treated all of us like shit, save for a few of their staff that were quite cool to us. I plan on going to MDF, would be my first one, but boy I love me some Sodom!

 

[AeonicSlumber]

I have heard that they moved Rocklahoma to Memorial Day weekend this year. It will be head to head with MDF.

Last year's MDF drew close to 3,000 people and this year is expected to draw even more. Pretty impressive considering the fact that it's still an underground fest only 8 or so years running!

 

[Spiderpact]

Melechesh and Naglfar, nuff said!

I haven't been yet, but last years show really made me take notice! Getting Bolt Thrower on U.S. soil was to the BT fans, the same as Glenn getting Fates Warning for a one off PPUSA exclusive!

Here's to future badass MDF lineups!

I also have expectations that Rocklahoma could continue to improve and become quite a treat in itself. They had some pretty damn fine bands on the bill this year alongside the expected B-team hair bands

 

[War Ensemble]

I hope you are joking... I was working backstage for number 2, it couldn't have been MORE of a clusterfuck, it is easily one of the WORST run festivals in America. Everyone has a job there, and it's to be as fucking dumb and confused as possible, haha.

Rofl, that's awesome. Fuck them, I hope they fail, they were idiots when I was working there and treated all of us like shit, save for a few of their staff that were quite cool to us.

I take it that the Catch The Fever staff will not get a Christmas card from you this year.

 

[War Ensemble]

Last year's MDF drew close to 3,000 people and this year is expected to draw even more. Pretty impressive considering the fact that it's still an underground fest only 8 or so years running!

I was there last year. It was a great lineup & I had a blast. I am planning on going again this year.

I haven't been yet, but last years show really made me take notice! Getting Bolt Thrower on U.S. soil was to the BT fans, the same as Glenn getting Fates Warning for a one off PPUSA exclusive!
...

Bolt Thrower hadn't done a show in the US in 16(?) or more years. I think that appearance, in 2009, meant more than a Fates Warning one off (not meaning to diss Fates Warning, Glenn, or PP).

.... I plan on going to MDF, would be my first one, but boy I love me some Sodom!

Let me know if you go.

 

[Metalmilitia2000]

I take it that the Catch The Fever staff will not get a Christmas card from you this year.

No, it will be a nice Christmas package, filled with my severed foot with a quaint little note attached, "Shove it up your ass!".

Fuck em.

 

[Metalmilitia2000]

I have nothing good to say about them, seriously. I almost died because of their negligence.

 

[Spiderpact]

Bolt Thrower hadn't done a show in the US in 16(?) or more years. I think that appearance, in 2009, meant more than a Fates Warning one off (not meaning to diss Fates Warning, Glenn, or PP).

Key word here is "I Think". You think, it was more important. So we'll put you in the "Bolt Thrower fan" category. I'm sure many Fates fans would strongly disagree.

 

[Metalmilitia2000]

Key word here is "I Think". You think, it was more important. So we'll put you in the "Bolt Thrower fan" category. I'm sure many Fates fans would strongly disagree.

He did say "think", not "know", meaning he was strictly giving his opinion... no need for your response really.

 

[Pellaz]

I see the maturity of some people here is amazing. I see you have nothing to add to this thread...what a surprise.

Funniest Post of the Week.

 

[Kez]

Well, at least extreme metal fans are a friendly and cordial lot, as evidenced by this thread. (No this statement was not necessary either, but it made ME laugh).

Regardless, if you can't laugh at that poster, then you just don't have a sense of humor.

Serious question here: Is it essential to not be able to read the band name? Is the band more extreme if their logo is more indecipherable? I'm really not making fun now, but absolutely curious. I've always wondered.