Music fans will soon feel the concussion of metal on metal.
The city's annual screech of guitar strings and thunder of drums comes to a head on Aug. 14 and 15.
The event happens at Brookside Resort about 60 kilometres west of Prince George, so the sound won't cause any seismic events in the city but the effects will certainly carry all the way here. Many of the goods and services to stage the event are rooted in the local economy, and bands and fans are coming from all over Canada to take part in the power spectacle known as Metallion Two.
Co-founder Brad Foster said the inaugural edition last year was musically successful but most importantly the behind-the-scenes aspects also worked.
"Year one was a learning curve for us but we pulled it off," he said.
"Not only did we pull it off, there was less than a half a bag of garbage for me to clean up on Sunday morning last year. Pure success. Also, everyone we talked to said it was their favorite weekend of the summer."
Foster's band Deveined was lamenting their lack of opportunity to perform around the city, or have their comrade bands perform with them. That's how the idea came together to have a festival. Out of that idea, things grew beyond their initial belief.
"The 22-band lineup this year spans from Prince George bands like Deveined and The Hellsmen to a band from Winnipeg, Tyrant's Demise," Foster said.
"Included are west coast heavyweights West Of Hell, Saturday night's headliner from Vancouver, and Death Toll Rising from Edmonton, Friday night's headliner.
"Aggression is on their 30th anniversary tour and we welcome back the band that rocked when everyone else was thrashing last year, the ultimate party band, Cocaine Moustache.
"Hands down the favorite performance of last year's fest belonged to them.
"Also great bands like Iron Kingdom, The Golers and God Said Kill, all from Vancouver."
According to Foster, "the whole purpose of the fest, to show off B.C. Interior metal," so a heavy emphasis is on local and regional acts, or acts from afar like Edmonton's Tides of Kharon or Vancouver's Pyramidion that have former area residents in their ranks (TOK has Garrett Nelson on vocals while the latter has Adam Repetowski on guitar and Max Matthews on drums).
While the stage personas of metal bands might project an image of post-apocalyptic violence and barbarian lust, the speed and precision to accurately play this form of music requires a studious mind and devoted heart.
These same players are often successful in trades and academics because that mental rigour transfers to broader life. Foster said he likes the sound of the music but he loves the people who make it.
"A little known fact about the bands we get is that every single band is our friend," he said.
"We don't allow bands on that aren't great people, aside from being great bands. If you are anything less than a great human being, you might never get an invite from us.
"The owners of the Brookside Resort, Pam and Percy, who in their own right are great people, were amazed at the talent of the bands in year one, but more so with the level of people who attended. To invite a couple hundred people to live on your property for a few days and walk away smiling says a lot.
"Myself and Robert Belanger were the last two to leave last year and the first thing Percy said to us was 'let's do it again!' So, let's do it again. Bring your friends."
The experience will get an upgrade in vendors, this year, and an on-site raffle (prizes include signed and limited edition items from Megadeath, Hatebreed, Lamb Of God and other star acts) will benefit the Child Development Centre. There is also a Facebook nomination process to get free tickets into the hands of people who love metal but can't afford to attend a live music event. All kids under the age of 12 are free.
"We aren't in it to make money, we are in it to make memories," said Foster.
Tickets for Metallion Festival Two are $70 until the week of the event, at which point they go to $80. Camping is included for free.
Day passes will be available at the gate for $40 and do not include camping.
Weekend passes and raffle tickets are available at Electron Sound & Percussion.
Passes only are available at the Brookside Resort (Cluculz lake), Earthenware (Vanderhoof) and the Fort Loonie Bin (Fort St. James).
