New England Metal And Hardcore Festival 19, At The Worcester Palladium


The long running New England Metal And Hardcore Festival held its 19th annual event recently and the lineup was excellent. As usual, fans came from all of New England and even further reaches of musicdom to hangout and rock at the grand old lady of music venues in Massachusetts, The Worcester Palladium in Worcester, MA. Hillarie Jason covered the festival once again for Ghost Cult and shot the awesome pictures for this piece! Continue reading


New England Metal And Hardcore Festival Testament, Sabaton, Sepultura, Katatonia, Hammerfall, Prong And More


 

Sabaton, by Lisa Schuchmann

Sabaton, by Lisa Schuchmann

The long running New England Metal And Hardcore Festival returns for a 19th time with Testament, Sepultura, Prong, Kublai Khan, The Last Ten Seconds Of Life, Varials, Left Behind, No Zodiac, and Precious on Friday and Sabaton, Katatonia, Hammerfall, Amorphis, Caspian, Delain, Swallow The Sun, Battle Beast, Leaves Eyes, and Circuit Of Suns.

. More bands TBD.Continue reading


New England Metal And Hardcore Festival 17: Day 3


new england metal and hardcore april 2 2015

 

Day 3 of The New England Metal And Hardcore Fest drew to a close with a lot of diehards in attendance, but a little less of the fanfare of the previous two days. When you go to a music festival or any show really, typically you are familiar with the bands that you go to see. But just like tape trading was back in the 80s, and downloading a decade ago, a music festival is a great place for music discovery, checking out new bands, and getting outside your comfort zone for fun. A lot of this happened today.

 

By day three of anything, a comic-convention or a destination music festival, people are spun out a little from the last few days of action. Industry folks, (most of) the photographers and the vendors were a lot more relaxed on day 3 with the lighter crowd. I chatted with Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall/Act of Defiance) about his new venture, Manshark Entertainment. It was cool catching up with him and other people from the scene I usually see at these things. At the same time you have to give it to the staff of a venue that has seen an endless stream of people come in and go out in a weekend, metal fans from all walks, and still have them keep their shit together, and do a great job. I gotta give it up to the staff of the Palladium for the work they put in keeping everything moving and everyone safe.

Exalt, by Meg Loyal Photography

Exalt, by Meg Loyal Photography

Sunday is traditionally the “hardcore” day at NEMHCF and the the early bands brought that vibe. There were some killer early performances on Sunday from the likes of the more hardcore bands such as Oath, Living Laser, and Ghost X Ship, the nu-metal stylee-o of Gift Giver, and the phenomenal performance of Lorna Shore. They had their own crew of fans repping New Jersey in the house and I even saw some WSOU shirts on a few people that got me open! Also of note was a killer showing from New York’s Brick By Brick, now fronted by Ray Mazzola (Full Blown Chaos), for a sick set of ignorant (in the best way possible) hardcore and metal. Their set truly was a moshfest!

Brick By Brick, by Meg Loyal Photography

Brick By Brick, by Meg Loyal Photography

 

Later in the day following excellent performances from Sworn In, Vanna, The Color Morale and Cruel Hand on the small stage, Motionless in White took the stage as the final band of the weekend. Putting on a show that an amazing visual spectacle, stellar goth rock showmanship, the band owned the night. Their fans, many I met whom waited all day and checked out all of the bands before them, fell rewarded by a captivating show. The fans sang every word, jumped up and down when Chris Motionless said to jump, and generally yelled fuck you at all the appropriate moments, two middle fingers to the sky. It was a fitting close to a fun weekend. See ya next year Metalfest!

Motionless In White, by Meg Loyal Photography

Motionless In White, by Meg Loyal Photography

 

Motionless In White, by Meg Loyal Photography

Motionless In White, by Meg Loyal Photography

Motionless In White, by Meg Loyal Photography

Motionless In White, by Meg Loyal Photography

 

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WORDS BY KEITH CHACHKES

PHOTOS BY MEG LOYAL PHOTOGRAPHY


New England Metal And Hardcore Festival 17: Day 2


new england metal and hardcore april 2 2015

Day two at Metalfest is usually more like a marathon than a sprint. It’s about going hard or going home, but also taking care of yourself too. You gotta stay hydrated when you’re hot and sweaty, take a breather from time to time, and not eat like crap the entire weekend. I made sure to fill up on some terrific energy boosting organic juice at the Paris of the 80’s Cafe next to The Palladium. Because juicing is metal!

Saturday is also where I spent a little more time with the upstairs bands. While the main-stage has more of the metal bands that I favor, the upstairs is for real warriors. Hardcore is still loveless to the mainstream. Nobody plays this style of music for riches and fame. So there will be violence in the pit, there will be glorious pile-ons, sweaty hands grabbing the mic, and there will be shout-a-long choruses. Catching acts such as No Zodiac, Disgrace, Gods Hate, and the mighty Wisdom In Chains, you can see the past meet the future of music, and the fans who care deeply about these bands.

Shattered Sun, by Meg Loyal Photography

Shattered Sun, by Meg Loyal Photography

 

The first main-stage band I caught on Saturday was Texas-bred Shattered Sun. While they are opening the Dark Roots of Thrash II tour for tonight’s final acts, at Metalfest they hit the stage at about 2:30 PM. They whipped the early crowd into a frenzy with their modern take on neo-thrash. As I was jamming out, I look over to my left and there was Gary Holt (Exodus/Slayer) giving his seal of approval, banging his head.

The main-stage was so good this year, it was hard to peel away for some grub. Worcester (or Woostah if you are local wildlife) certainly has some decent food options, including the stellar Kenmore Diner within walking distance to the venue. I’d love to see some food trucks participate in future years, considering how many awesome ones we have locally.

After catching parts of good sets from Thy Will Be Done and The Agonist, it was time for some more death metal. We haven’t had much classic death bands of late here, so it was cool to see Incantation and Vital Remains on the bill. While the later band is immensely popular here, Incantation ruled supreme. Lots of people were seeing this great band for the first time today and they slayed.

Nails, by Meg Loyal Photography

Nails, by Meg Loyal Photography

The most talked about band before metalfest the last two years has been Nails. Their set last year may never be topped for intensity. Moving down to the main-stage, the entire floor did not devolve into a violent pit of epic proportions as I predicted. However, there was one large circle pit in the middle and some rough stuff up front, but for the most part people were able to enjoy the band and not die, which was good. Nails crushed it hard. That new album cannot come fast enough for me.

Nuclear Assault may be going into retirement, but not before hitting the road and ripping us a new one. They sounded fresh as ever, especially John Connolly’s chirping high screams. I’m looking forward to their new EP in June.

Exodus, by Meg Loyal Photography

Exodus, by Meg Loyal Photography

 

Exodus is another band that has gone through some changes. With a recent album, Blood In Blood Out (Nuclear Blast) and a returning Steve “Zetro” Souza on vocals, the band sounded tight. I was happy with the set list, which included some of their more recent stuff, and of course classics like ‘Toxic Waltz’ and ‘Strike of the Beast’. Props to security for handling all the crowdsurfers and moshers without the usual nonsense I see at other venues.

Testament, by Meg Loyal Photography

Testament, by Meg Loyal Photography

 

Testament closed things out in style with a stage set right out of Iron Maiden’s playbook. And why not? Testament is one of those legacy (pun intended) thrash acts. They had a huge production with creative lights, billows of smoke, and the crazy bursting strobe lights that were a little overpowering frankly. Although they had a slightly over-loud sound mix, the band was incredible as they played only their first two albums, plus ‘Practice What You Preach’. With all of their talents, Testament is like The Avengers, and they are thrash metal’s mightiest heroes.

Testament, by Meg Loyal Photography

Testament, by Meg Loyal Photography

 

Testament, by Meg Loyal Photography

Testament, by Meg Loyal Photography

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WORDS BY KEITH CHACHKES

PHOTOS BY MEG LOYAL PHOTOGRAPHY


Cattle Decapitation, Origin, Fallujah Performing On Bay Area Death Fest


bay area death fest

Bay Area Death Fest has unveiled the Day 1 lineup, which will be held at the Oakland Metro Operahouse on Friday, July 10, 2015.

Cattle Decapitation
Origin
Fallujah
The Zenith Passage
No Zodiac
Disentomb
Condemned
Gortuary
Parasitic Ejaculation
Epicardiectomy
Aethere
Unit 731
Party Cannon
Splattered
Cemetery Rapist
Stages Of Decomposition
Logistic Slauger
Paroxysmal Butchering
Embodied Torment
Scrotoctomy
Nephrectomy
Bloodscribe
Impaled Offering
Septicaemia
Wolf King
A full lineup for the festival is still pending.

Metal Blade Records signed goregrind legends, Cattle Decapitation, confirmed to headline day 1 (July 10th) of the Bay Area Death Fest!

Posted by Bay Area Death Fest on Friday, April 17, 2015


Turnstile, Eternal Sleep and Jagged Visions Added To New England Metal and Hardcore Festival


new england metal and hardcore april 2 2015

The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival has added Baltimore hardcore outfit Turnstile for the Saturday lineup, and Eternal Sleep and Jagged Visions for the Sunday lineup. The event will be at The Palladium in Worcester, MA on April 17, 18 and 19, 2015.

The updated lineup is:

Friday April 17th
Between The Buried And Me
The Red Chord
Cavalera Conspiracy
Corrosion of Conformity
Jasta
Code Orange
Overcast
On Broken Wings
Within The Ruins
Fit For An Autopsy
The Atlas Moth
The Banner
Black Mask
Homewrecker
Discourse
Phinehas
Downpour
Boris The Blade

Saturday April 18th
Testament
Exodus
Nuclear Assault
Nails
Turnstile
Indecision
Incendiary
Suburban Scum
Incantation
Vital Remains
Allegaeon
Rivers of Nihil
The Agonist
Wisdom In Chains
Disgrace
Gods Hate
Thy Will Be Done
No Zodiac
Extinction AD
Vice
Absolute Suffering
Shattered Sun

Sunday April 19th
Motionless In White
For Today
The Color Morale
Vanna
Death Before Dishonor
Cruel Hand
Sworn In
Lionheart
The Plot In You
I Declare War
These Streets
My Ticket Home
Rude Awakening
Lorna Shore
The Last Ten Seconds of Life
World of Pain
Shark Ethic
GhostXShip
Living Laser
Brick By Brick
Nasty
Gift Giver
Oath
Exalt
Unity
Eternal Sleep
Jagged Visions

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Worcester, MA. – Worcester, Massachusetts-based concert promotions company, MassConcerts, is pleased to announce…

Posted by New England Metal Fest on Thursday, April 2, 2015


New England Metal and Hardcore Festival 2015 Announces Next Round of Acts


new england metal and hardcore fest 2nd wave 2015

New England Metal and Hardcore Festival 2015 has announced another wave of artists, held April 17, 18 and 19, 2015 at the Palladium in Worcester, MA. This new batch will be added to previously announced headliners Between the Buried and Me (Friday), Testament (Saturday) and Motionless In White (Sunday). The next batch of confirmed artists include:

Friday, April 17th:
The Red Chord
The Atlas Moth
Phinehas
Code Orange
Discourse

Saturday, April 18th:
Suburban Scum
Allegaeon
Rivers of Nihil
The Agonist
Disgrace
God’s Hate
Thy Will Be Done
No Zodiac
Extinction AD
Vice
Absolute Suffering

Sunday, April 19th:
Lorna Shore
The Last Ten Seconds of Life
Rotting Out
Death Before Dishonor
Cruel Hand
Rude Awakening
World of Pain
Shark Ethic
Ghost x Ship
Living Laser
Oath

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Motionless In White Added As Sunday Headliner For New England Metal and Hardcore Festival XVII


nemhfmiwpressrelease_3

New England Metal And Hardcore Festival has announced Motionless In White as the Sunday headliner to the seventeenth edition of the fest. The event is held at The Palladium in Worcester, MA on April 17, 18 and 19, 2015.

Vocalist Chris Cerulli states, “One of my favorite DVD’s in my collection has always been the 2003 New England Metal and Hardcore Fest DVD. Back then the metal and hardcore world was so stacked with a seemingly endless roster of legendary bands. Needless to say, it’s an incredibly huge honor to be headlining a day on this festival twelve years later after the first time I saw that DVD and after all these years how the fest has proven itself to be an unstoppable force. We hope to add in making this another successful year representing metal and hardcore in New England.”

UPDATED LINEUP FOR NEMHF 2015

Friday April 17th –
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME
OVERCAST
THE BANNER
BLACK MASK
HOMEWRECKER
DOWNPOUR
NO ZODIAC

Saturday April 18th –
TESTAMENT headliner
EXODUS
NUCLEAR ASSAULT (Final New England Appearance)
NAILS
INDECISON
INCENDIARY
WISDOM IN CHAINS

Sunday April 19th –
MOTIONLESS IN WHITE
FOR TODAY
THE COLOR MORALE
MY TICKET HOME