Art

Something Bloody Metal Fest
Review + Photo Essay

Sean

Published

August 12, 2013

All Photos & Text by Hillarie Jason

Something Bloody Metal Fest – July 27th-28th @ Dusk in Providence, R.I.

Here in New England, we have a very healthy and diverse “metal” scene (whatever the hell “metal” even means anymore). There are so many great bands from the area, great venues in which to see them and It’s also a regular stop for most touring bands from all over the country and the world. People regularly go to shows here and the people are very supportive of the musicians and what they do. So what are we missing? What would make it even better? A fest. Yeah, I know, there is the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival in Worcester every year but that’s not exactly what I’m talking about. I’m not trying to take away anything from the NEMHF but I mean a fest for, what some might call, the more extreme bands. Something that could showcase a more refined “metal” musical palette. Well, it happened, or at least, I think it’s starting to happen. Enter the recent fest put on at a place called Dusk in Providence, R.I. called the Something Bloody Metal Fest that ran for 2 awesome days on July 27th and July 28th. Most of the bands that played I had seen before, some a number of times. Even so there were still some highlights to the line-up for me which included Krieg, Churchburn, Lolita Black, Elder, Dawnbringer, Obsidian Tongue(who played the best set I have ever seen them perform), Abnormality, Malignancy and Satan’s Satyrs.

Now, I know I wasn’t the only one that had sort of low expectations for this fest. Not because of the bands or the location or anything like that. I don’t know, I just figured it was going to be a little fest thrown together sort of last minute just for fun. Well I was wrong. I was totally blown away when I showed up to photograph this fest on the first day. When I saw the outside stage area, it sort of reminded me of something like what a mini MDF would look like. OK, so the outside stage was not as well lit and maybe it didn’t have all the bells and whistles that the bigger fests have, and no, Bolt Thrower wasn’t on the bill but it was not a rinky-dink set up by any means whatsoever. The sound was really good, it was organized incredibly well, the staff was great and it seemed to me that a lot of time and effort was put into it. There were vendor tents, food trucks, drink tents, and even some benches to sit on. Inside what is actually the bar/venue Dusk, was where the “second stage” was and although it is a bit tight in there, it’s still a great place to see bands. Both stages on both days ran almost like clockwork and everything was run exceptionally well as far as I could tell for a fest of any size, let alone a first time fest in a brand new venue.

I truly hope this becomes a yearly fest. I was a great time, with great people. And with all the room they have outside, if it gets bigger, I could see another stage set up out there. Fingers crossed for a 2nd annual Something Bloody Metal Fest!

DAY ONE

Dawnbringer