Oig Fest 8

Oigs Fest 8: A mammoth ensemble of eclectic music guaranteed to rewire your brain invades Papa Pete’s in Kalamazoo

Oigs Fest 8

During one of the stellar sets of music at Oigs Fest 8, I was talking with Al from Centenary. We both marveled at the confluence of music that Brad (Cavalcade), with help from Ben (Drink Their Blood), had gathered for Oigs Fest 8. If you think about it, it makes sense, given that both of these music lovers and talented musicians are in bands that defy genre labels. The music they make is all over the map, and Oigs Fest reflects their curiosity and willingness to experiment. 

The bands gathered for today’s performance at Oigs Fest 8 are the product of a myriad of influences with the one dominant force: heaviness. Whether it is speed, brutality, dissonance, tenacious grit, or a combination of these ingredients, the bands at Oigs Fest are taking music to the extreme.

Before I regale you with a peek into the madness that was Oigs Fest 8, a shout out to the Oigs Fest team (Brad, Ben, Jeff, and many others whose names I sadly don’t know), they worked throughout the day to bring us another incredible festival of music. Also, a shout-out to the crew at Papa Pete’s, some of the nicest and most accommodating people on the planet. Finally, to the bands who not only gave terrific performances but stuck around to support each other. This is how you build a strong and vibrant music community.

Malition  

Kicking this off with the metal flag raised high was Malition. The essence of thrash metal is vicious power and speed. Armed with barbed wire riffs and face-smashing brass knuckle rhythms, Malition screamed with malicious rage. Go see this band and enjoy an evening of violent fun.

Lucius Fox 

I’m sure I sound like a broken record when I tell you I’m left in slack-jawed amazement each time I witness Lucius Fox. Just like many of the wonders of our universe that inspire their music, Lucius Fox creates soundscapes that are breathtakingly beautiful and endlessly intriguing. They craft fierce and passionate poetry that is simply astonishing.

Misery Bay 

Tapping into the dark dungeons of primeval metal and doom is Misery Bay. A true power trio, this band is a keeper of the flame stoked by such bands as Candelmass and Cathedral. Stripped down to essential heaviness, they embraced the crowd with an iron fist. 

Disco Behemoth

As soon as Disco Behemoth began their set, I knew I was in trouble. This is because I lack the skills to adequately convey the mad genius of their music—electric trumpet and trombone, drum machines, and samples seeth, spit, and roar. Disco Behemoth is the brass band of the apocalypse.

Blind Haven 

There are plenty of amazingly heavy bands in Michigan, but few can match the celestial magnitude of Blind Haven. Obliterating riffs, devastating rhythm, and tortured vocals joined in a symphony of ruination. Within this sonic maelstrom, we find solace and breathtaking beauty.

Bronson Arm 

Rising from the sludge swinging a fucking sledgehammer at your head is Bronson Arm. This isn’t a noise band screaming, “Listen to my insanity, isn’t it cool” – no, no, dear friends, this is a proclamation. A middle finger salute to mediocrity. A requiem of buried melodies within a malignant roar. Listening to Bronson Arm, you are compelled to tear your preconceptions to pieces and watch them burn. 

The Lurking Corpses 

Horror metal freaks, The Lurking Corpses, emerged from the shadows to swallow our souls. While the imagery, including black cloaks and horror masks, maybe B movie grade, the metal is first-rate classic metal. Crypt Keeper intros were followed up with one throat-slashing metal frenzy after another. Beware the Lurking Corpses, as they will drag you into hell.

Centenary

For those who love a roaring fire while cuddling a chainsaw, Centenary is for you. Their performance was a malevolent storm of death. The blasting hook-riddled riffs, scorching bass, pulverizing drums, and monstrous vocals tore the gates of Hell to pieces. Centenary provided the soundtrack to an onslaught where the living dead feast on the living. 

The Black Temple

Unleashing a sonic blastwave from hell was The Black Temple. Combining hammering drums, punishing bass, and searing guitars, this is black metal in the vein of Marduk and Dark Funeral. Relentless, terrifying, and bleak, this is the sound of ruination. It is the music that plays as the world burns down and covers the dead in ash.

Mouthful of Locusts

They say you should dress for the role you want. In the case of Mouthful of Locusts, you dress for an 80s workout because delivering a set of musical chaos takes buns of steel. Their performance is more akin to a car crash on acid. It’s as if your brain realizes that something terribly violent and jarring is happening outside your skull, but you are digging the shockwaves and decide to just roll with it. Fans of Child Bite and Dillinger Escape Plan will wet themselves after experiencing Mouthful of Locusts.

Sexy Toxins

Finishing off Oigs Fest with a leather and faux fur dance party was Sexy Toxins. Crotch rocking beats, hip shaking grooves, and glittering with glam, the music demanded that you dance. Traveling all the way from Sweden via Germany into Kalamazoo, Sexy Toxins strutted their stuff while cranking a rock and roll groove that would make the New York Dolls envious. They capped off the evening with a jumping, pumping, thumping set of high-energy fun.

Pictures

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