Mastodon, Vio-lence, Goatwhore and More Added to Psycho Las Vegas After European Bands Cancel

The grand return of live metal festivals in North America with Psycho Las Vegas later this month has been significantly muted by the emergence of the Delta coronavirus variant spreading amongst the unvaccinated masses. Emperor, Mayhem, Satyricon and Watain are just a few of the acts forced to cancel while travel from most European countries to the U.S. is still quite difficult. This after the 2020 event (also featuring Emperor) was, of course, canceled.

But there is some good news for those attending: Mastodon have replaced Emperor as headliners, and Vio-lence, Goatwhore, Mutoid Man and Knocked Loose are among the other bands newly added. Other acts already scheduled to perform include Mayhem, Obituary, Satyricon, The Sword, Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, Red Fang, Exodus, High on Fire, and MANY more.

Anecdotally, I’ve heard of many folks canceling their plans to attend amidst the current virus upswell. And I don’t blame them: gathering in large groups crammed shoulder to shoulder, even outdoors, feels risky right now (and I believe some of Psycho’s shows are indoors, too). Covid-19 case counts in Nevada are currently at their highest levels since February, although still well below their early winter peaks, with vaccination in the state at 67% for those 18 and up (to the extent folks travel from other places to Psycho, I can’t quantify that). Still, if you’re vaccinated, and you aren’t immunocompromised and don’t live with someone who is (or have kids who are unvaccinated), Psycho should be a fun release for you after a year and a half of no shows.

Psycho Las Vegas will take place from August 20 through 22. Tickets and more information are available here.