This weekend, the sound of metal on metal will reverberate across the Nechako Valley.
Brookside Resort is the site of the fourth annual Metallion Festival, the yearly summer stomp that calls out the best of local heavy bands and lines them up alongside some of Canada's darkest demons of sound.
This year's marquee act is Aggression, with other headliners line Terrifier, Gladius Sky and Touch The Sun drawing major attention.
The show opens with local recording artists The Burden at 2:45 on Friday.
They will be followed chronologically by Swords Of Damocles, Kleaver, Crucible Of Scorn, Throne Of The Dead, Mathias Rock, Hellsmen, Slagduster, Bleed, Eye Of Horus then Touch The Sun at
11 p.m. and Terrifier at midnight.
Saturday starts with Northern Steel at 1:15 p.m. followed chronologically by Tombstone, Seraphic Nihilist, League Of Corruption, Mammoth Grove, Tides Of Kharon, Protosequence, Quietus, W.M.D., Golers, then Gladius Sky at 10:50 p.m. and Aggression at midnight.
"The owners of the site, Pam and Percy, have allowed us to invade their campsite once a year for an unforgettable experience," said festival key organizer Brad Foster.
"Camping is included in the cost of tickets and is a first come, first served basis, including RV hookup sites."
Brooksite has a restaurant, corner convenience store and liquor outlet all on site. Inside the festival gates, merchandise purchases are cash only.
As per usual festival protocols, Metallion can't allow pets and patrons are urged to be careful with glass and garbage to keep the site clean and healthy.
"Also because of the fire season we have had, it is a no-brainer that open flames are not allowed," said Foster. "You can have barbecues. Propane fire pits will not be allowed. We love our province and want it to be as safe as possible."
Tickets are $84 (includes free camping with ticket purchase) available on the event's website or at Electron Sound & Percussion (3658 Massey Drive). There will be day passes in limited amounts at the rate of $50 each, while supplies last each day. "So if you can't make it out Friday, don't miss Saturday," said Foster.
He added that special effects this year were even being supplied by nature "if the skies are clear enough," Foster said. This weekend represents the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower which, according to astronomers, will throw 80-100 javelins of light per hour these nights.
"There's always a little magic at Metallion," Foster said.
