Fear, Emptiness, Decibel: Choosing Death Fest “Grimposium” to Feature Members of Misery Index, Pig Destroyer, Kreig, and More
A couple of years ago, we had some advertorial slogan for the Deciblog along the lines of “because we don’t stop thinking about metal when the magazine is done…” And that’s true! Aside from the times I think about running out of the office screaming and starting a new life as a Katy Perry stalker, I never stop thinking about metal! That said, come mid-April, you, me and anybody remotely cool in the city of Philadelphia will have no choice on the matter.
On Friday, April 15, the fifth Decibel Magazine Tour will will conclude at Philly’s Union Transfer (Crypt Sermon is our hand-picked regional opener for murderers row Abbath, High on Fire, Skeletonwitch and Tribulation). On Saturday, April 16, the inaugural Choosing Death Fest (also at Union Transfer) celebrates editor-in-chief Albert Mudrian’s revised and expanded edition of Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal and Grindcore with the insane lineup of Dying Fetus, Nails, Misery Index, Deceased, Noisem, Horrendous, Magrudergrind and Taphos Nomos. That’s 13 bands in two days, and, oh yeah, we’re not done. The afternoon of Choosing Death Fest, a who’s-who of extreme music personalities will gather for Choosing Death Fest: Grimposium!
This special, separate ticketed event will occur at Philly’s Underground Arts, just a five-minute walk from Union Transfer. Masterminded by Albert and Grimposium’s Vivek Venkatesh, a variety of awesome events will occur from noon to 4 p.m.:
DEATH by MetaL advance screening
This exclusive presentation of the documentary DEATH by MetaL brings the story of legendary death metal composer Chuck Schuldiner—and his legacy through the music of Death—to film for the first time. Director Felipe Belalcázar will be on hand to participate in a Q&A session following the presentation. View the trailer below:
Creative writing workshop with J.R. Hayes
J.R. Hayes—author, lyricist and vocalist with grindcore legends Pig Destroyer—will lead an intimate and interactive workshop session with attendees interested in seeking ways to exorcise their inner and outer demons through the written word.
The Art of Death Metal panel discussion
Authors Albert Mudrian, as well as Ian Christe (Bazillion Points), Justin Norton (Decibel) and renowned extreme metal artist Dan Seagrave as they reminisce about the key events that influenced the creation of the visual ethos that is so unique to death metal.
The Politics and Economics of Extreme Metal panel discussion
Panelists Jason Netherton and Mark Kloeppel (Misery Index), Neill Jameson (Krieg), Evan Harting (Maryland/California/NetherlandsDeathfest) and Jeffrey Podoshen (Franklin & Marshall College) debate issues surrounding racism, misogyny, and shifting patterns in the creation and running of niche festivals in the global extreme metal scene.
This all happens for a mere $5! Make this insane weekend complete and grab your tickets NOW!
