The uncanniness of omens should never be underestimated or ignored. It was a Thursday, pleasant temperature as legions of black clad soon-to-be concert goers made their way into town, no doubt ecstatic for the the next three days.
When out of nowhere, the Wisconsin skies turned a ghastly green, merged with the most sinister of black and grey, and through it all the clouds churned before giving way to torrential rain. The wail of sirens confirmed that, while fortunately passing quickly and without issue, this was without question a tornado bearing storm.
As unsettling as it was, an omen it was nonetheless - a sign of weekend of nonstop metal mayhem as the Milwaukee Metal Fest returned to The Rave for the second year since its resurrection in 2023. The intense storm system was, in many ways, the prelude to the hour that the venue's doors opened on Friday, and through which Hell, and over 70 bands and thousands of fans, followed with.
Tales From the Pit & Return to the Blackest Bazaar
Walking through the venue entrance and past security into the basement of The Rave, the endless "Oohs" and "Ahs" echoing in the room made it clear that the wow factor of the heavy metal bazaar was just as strong as last year.
Once again, a multitude of vendors both local and global came together to offer a range of grim goodies, from rare patches and vintage shirts, to records, collectables and even hot sauces. In the off chance this wasn't enough merch to make a bank account cry, more than a handful of other shops could be found around the building with plenty more things to take home.
Upstairs, the three stages were host to one warzone after another as two-steppers threw down for Martyr A.D., bodies went flying over the barricade for The Red Chord and even the sharpest eye lost count of the number of circle pits.
For those in need of a break from the breakdowns, the front courtyard was again converted into a food truck cafeteria. Weary headbangers could choose from pizza, barbeque, burgers and chicken sandwiches, and gourmet grilled cheese to sum to the menu.
Left: Testament; Right: Overkill
The Legacies of Metal or: History In the Making at 300 Beats Per Minute
While heavy metal is as ferocious as ever, as more than a few newer bands would demonstrate throughout the festival, the bands that laid the foundations of extreme music are still as mighty as in days past. With some of the acts boasting nearly forty years together, multiple generations of fans came together to celebrate the genre's rich history of speed and power.
Top: Blind Guardian; Middle: Autopsy; Bottom: Doro
From the epic sounds of Blind Guardian, Doro and Hammerfall, to the gnashing riffs of Autopsy and Deicide, and of course, the raw force of Testament and Overkill, even the members of other bands found themselves hurrying to catch the many legendary sets.
Top: Atheist, Deicide; Upper Middle: Possessed; Lower Middle: Soilent Green; Bottom: Hammerfall, Profanatica
In addition to learning about the roots of modern power, symphonic, and death metal, fans of all ages were front row for master classes in progressive (Atheist) and sludge metal (Soilent Green). Perhaps sharing the sentiment of the veteran metal maniacs in the crowd, countless smiles could be seen on stage as each band brought their finest songs to life.
Left: Lacuna Coil; Right: Avatar
Bringing in the fury of the 2000s and 2010s, the mainstage was where Lacuna Coil enchanted the masses while Hatebreed challenged the crowd to prove that they are truly "As Diehard As They Come". Metalcore heavyweights It Dies Today took the second stage to make their first appearance in Wisconsin in almost twenty years, while also announcing to the audience their intent to pack up quickly to catch their friends Bleed From Within perform.
Top: Bleed From Within; Middle: Municipal Waste; Bottom: Symphony X
Top: Hatebreed; Upper Middle: Incantation, Exhumed; Lower Middle: It Dies Today; Bottom: The Red Chord, Skinless
Left: Slaughter to Prevail; Right: Monochromatic Black, Paleface
A major win for Milwaukee Metal Fest this year was their focus on the new school - the shape of metal to come. Arguably the band with the most accolades, particularly among those too young to buy anything besides water or soda, Slaughter to Prevail dominated the mainstage as the closing act of the weekend. With direct support from the electrifying Avatar, the future of metal burns brighter than ever before if these bands have anything to say about it.
Taking the title of "Scariest Band of the Year" (which this publication awards in retrospect to Vended for last year), Paleface Swiss signaled their presence by engaging in some primal screaming as their pre-show ritual, before decimating the second stage.
Top: Uada, Casket Robbery; Middle: Lords of the Trident, Upon Stone; Bottom: Gatecreeper, Visigoth
Together with Casket Robbery, Gatecreeper, Monochromatic Black and many others, the Milwaukee Metal Fest truly succeeds where other extreme music events can quickly fall short by paying respects to legacies while giving today's heroes and tomorrow's champions a chance to throw down to the most excited of crowds.
With two successful festivals in a row and no sign of stopping, the countdown begins to news of which bands will appear in 2025.
Super special thank you to Katy and Suspiria PR.
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