With the continued – and intentional – contraction of SXSW in 2017, an effort between SXSW, the business entity, and the city of Austin to scale back the number of event permits issued, the genre of heavy metal has taken its biggest hit yet… well, at least since the mid-2000's or so, prior to which there wasn't shit for metal up until then anyway. Barring some future re-engagement with metal promoters on behalf of SXSW organizers in the future, it looks like the presence of metal at the festival will turn out to be a brief aberration in the long history of South By, roughly spanning the years 2005-2015 before a return to the status quo.
Make no mistake, there is still an abundance of indie rock, electronic, Americana and hip hop, but if your tastes run toward the heavy stuff almost exclusively there is less reason than ever to travel to SXSW this year. However, if you're already going to be here by hook or by crook below is a mini-guide for what little you can expect out of our chosen genre for 2017. Tighten your belts, bitches.
[UPDATE: 3/10]
Y'know, it never fails. As soon as I post my guide the good shit starts to actually roll in. It's like washing your car right before the clouds burst. Anyway, impossible-to-get-into Mastodon show aside they just announced the most momentous metal gig yet:
Skull of the person close-up on a black background.
Friday, March 17 – Saturday, March 18 @ Town Square HQ (3rd and Trinity)
RSVP NOW –> http://trib.al/nEXnHfK
Loudwire x CLRVYNT Presents
@ Townsquare HQ – FREE TO THE PUBLIC
310 E. 3rd St. (3rd and Trinity)
Friday, March 17 – Loudwire x CLRVYNT Presents Party Smasher Inc.
6 PM – Doors open
7 PM – God Mother (only area appearance)
8 PM – Primitive Weapons (only area appearance)
9 PM – Giraffe Tongue Orchestra, featuring members of Mastodon, Dillinger Escape Plan, Alice in Chains, Mars Volta and Dethklok (first US appearance ever)
+ Special Loudwire & CLRVYNT DJs
Saturday, March 18 – Loudwire x CLRVYNT Presents
3 PM – Doors open
5 PM – Fister
6 PM – Ringworm
7 PM – Thou
8 PM – Pig Destroyer (only area appearance)
9 PM – Power Trip (only festival appearance)
+ Special Loudwire & CLRVYNT DJs
Thursday, March 16 @ Grizzly Hall
DEATH OF A DREAM 8:00pm
HOGWASCHE 8:45pm
ECSTATIC VISION 9:30pm
RIVERS OF NIHIL 10:15pm
TOMBS 11:00pm
RINGWORM Midnight
Thursday, March 16 – Sunday, March 19 @ Lost Well
The Lost Well, Worshiper Cabinets and the people that bring you Southwest Terror Fest are proud to present to you the very first Austin Terror Fest.
Thursday:
2:00 – Glassing
3:00 – Communion
4:00 – Great Electric Quest
5:00 – King Buffalo
6:00 – Demon Lung
8:00 – BLK OPS
9:00 – Crankbait
10:00 – Aseethe
11:00 – North
12:00 – Pinkish Black
1:00 – SECRET SET
Friday:
2:00 – Illustrations
3:00 – Recluse
4:00 – Cleric
5:00 – Koza
6:00 – Weak Flesh
8:00 – SECRET SET
9:00 – Call Of The Void
10:00 – Genocide Pact
11:00 – Sex Prisoner
12:00 – PLF
Saturday:
2:00 – Thunderkief
3:00 – Mountain Of Smoke
4:00 – Tyrannosorceress
5:00 – The Ditch And The Delta
6:00 – Rozamov
8:00 – Barghest
9:00 – Fister
10:00 – Dead To A Dying World
11:00 – -(16)-
12:00 – Thou
Sunday:
2:00 – Bridge Farmers
3:00 – Ecstatic Vision
4:00 – Amigo The Devil
5:00 – Nate Hall
6:00 – Unstoppable Death Machines
6:30 – Terror Fest Death Match featuring Masada vs. The Hipster Hearthrob Casanova Valentine
8:00 – Tight Fright
9:00 – ASS
10:00 – Widower
11:00 – Tolar
12:00 – Iron Reagan
With special appearences throughout the weekend from Amigo The Devil.
Friday, March 17 @ Grizzly Hall
Set times to be announced. Doors @ 7 PM
King Buffalo
Le Matos
Gost
Dead Meadow
Carpenter Brut
Spin Evening Showcase: Friday, March 17 @ Empire Control Room
Mastodon: 12 AM
