BANGIN’ IN THE ROCK
FRIDAY 12/9-SATURDAY 12/10. Rev Room. 6 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday. Single-day pass $45, weekend pass $80.
A brave alliance of underground musicians active in death metal, hardcore and power violence are beginning to appear in the Central Arkansas area in rapid numbers, and one spawn from this small slice of subculture is the Bangin’ In The Rock Fest, curated by Stan Liszewski, Evan D. Grove and friends. The fest brings in some of the heaviest hitters in the country (Racetraitor, Genocide Pact and Dead Heat, just to name a few), but it’s not solely about the music. Old and new friendships are evolving, and the heavy music momentum that’s been simmering during the pandemic promises that buzz about Arkansas among metal critics and bloggers is not an ephemeral phenomenon. Led by Liszewski’s group Terminal Nation, alongside Grove’s newest group, Morbid Visionz, festival organizers are playing host to 23 of the nation’s most extreme artists. Expect sets from Xibalba, Creeping Death, Fugitive, Brat and Fuming Mouth, and from Arkansas outfits like Second Life, Scorched Earth, Open Kasket and more.