Thursday (3/14) Picks
AFTERNOON:
Hoeks Metal Fest 2013
2 PM – 1 AM @ Hoeks Death Metal Pizza (map)
This is literally the only metal option that I've found for Thursday afternoon. Admittedly Course of Ruin is the only band playing during the daytime that I'm at all familiar with, and even then that's only because they're a local band. Doing a little digging, though, proves that this isn't just an Austin line up: Godhunter are from Tucson, Blood Tribe is from Indiana and Abolishment of Flesh hails from DFW. You might not discover your new favorite band here, but I bet you bang your head to some dependable extreme metal.
EVENING:
MetalSucks Presents South By South Death
8 PM – 2 AM @ Dirty Dog Bar (map)
Going for the hat trick, this is MetalSucks' third year hosting metal events at SXSW, as usual they've booked one of the premier showcases for the week, and frankly the only metal event featuring top notch talent for Thursday period. Goatwhore alone are worth the price of admission (not officially set, but usually in the $10-15 range if past events are any indicator). On top of that you've got the spazzed out tech of KEN Mode, Norma Jean's brutal metalcore, Howl will be showcasing new sludge from their upcoming Bloodlines LP, and retro sounds from Royal Thunder and Gypsyhawk. Get there early: with lack of any real competition, this could sell out early, and even if you have a badge or wristband I wouldn't wait until the last minute to get in.
THE REST:
Nothing really, aside from the continuation of the Hoeks Fest into the evening. Other one off hardcore and metal shows include Derrick Green of Sepultura fronting electronic side project Maximum Hedrum 8 PM at the Main (map) and Junius also 8 PM at Hickory Street (map). If you don't make it into SxSDeath it's gonna be a long night.
