The Metallion Festival has announced its roster for the summer.
This year, their fifth annual, the event will feature a major metal headliner. The Saturday spotlight will push, pull and destroy with Michigan metal mashers Battlecross on the local stage.
"This is going to be epic. We can't wait to see the pit for this," said main organizer Brad Foster, anticipating the mosh pit in front of the stage for most metal concerts.
The festival offers a slate of local/regional acts, a set of national-level bands, and always some headliner muscle but Battlecross represents a new benchmark for the Prince George extravaganza of darkeness.
"Gladius Sky from Vernon/Vancouver will headline our Friday," said Foster. "The return of Cocaine Moustache from Vancouver to our stage will be one to remember - one of the bands who laid the foundation for Metallion."
The full set of bands announced so far include: Azrael, Kleaver, Hellsmen, Widows Peak, Crucible Of Scorn, Tessitura, KOSM, Tides Of Kharon, Stab Twist Pull, Cocaine Moustache,
Gladius Sky, Handlebars, Infamous Conduct, Sword of Damocles, Vth Circle, Seraphic Nihilist, League of Corruption, Throne Of The Dead, Protosequence, WMD, Quietus, Hellchamber, Aggression, Battlecross, and perhaps more to be added.
The latter headliner has a strong enough profile in the metal market that Metallion will likely have its largest tourist reach ever, adding more to the local economy and giving local hardcore music fans an extra layer of friends.
The festival is also a concurrent site for vendors, artists and other entertainment features. Foster said one interactive audience contest has struck a pleasure centre and got a lot of positive feedback.
"This year the Deathcathlon returns," he confirmed. "Ten events with 10 competitors with the final winner getting a huge prize-pack full of swag, music and treats from the bands, and whatever other random things we decide to put in there. Will last year's winner Jesse Valstar defend his title? Only one way to find out."
Buying tickets early is always cheaper, for the Metallion showcase. The early bird price of $70 is now in effect for a weekend pass. That discount holds until March 1 when it goes up to $90. Online ticket purchasing is available on the Metallion Festival 5 event page on Facebook.
The Friday-Saturday event happens at Brookside Resort (halfway between Prince George and Vanderhoof) on Aug. 10-11.
