Minds were blown wide open as monstrous musical talent ran loose on the stage of Papa Pete’s in Kalamazoo for Oigs Fest 7
Oigs Fest 7 – The Taking of Kalamazoo
You can sense when a strong and supportive community of musicians and fans has come together. The room fills with the sensations of celebration, reunion, and shared admiration. The feeling of community was nearly overwhelming at Oigs Fest 7.
Previous Oigs Fests were held in Lansing. Led by Brad from the mind-bending Cavalcade, Oigs showcased some of the best bands in the state from their hometown. Sadly, there is a dearth of small venues willing to host experimental and heavy music in that area. Fortunately, Kalamazoo still has a soft spot for the extreme at Papa Pete’s. This is mainly due to a thriving heavy music scene in Kalamazoo championed by the phenomenal Drink Their Blood.
Brad, working with Ben (Drink Their Blood), put together an eclectic mix of music that spans genres while keeping it just how we like it – heavy. Making every band sound huge while staying tight and focused was Jeff (Drink Their Blood). He scampered about the stage as fast as a fox, dialing in each band just before lift-off. Ensuring that handoffs between bands were quick and orderly was the mega-music fan Jacob Niven. He was running around nearly as quickly as Jeff to get bands on and off the stage without a hitch. Dues as stage manager complete, you’d find Jacob on point at the front of the stage to headbang and cheer with the rest of us. Well done fellas. Thanks to you and the great staff at Papa Pete’s for making Oigs Fest 7 terrific.
Sierra Miffed
When I read the name of the first band Sierra Miffed, I imagined a glass of Sierra Mist getting pissed when someone brings fucking Mountain Dew to the party. Playing feisty punk rock and having fun in between songs with stories of losing a mood ring in a package of summer sausage, Sierra Miffed rocked. Their originals were insightful and sardonic. Throwing in a Green Day cover, you could say they were a lemon-lime citrus surprise for our musical taste buds. Hail the champions of thirst-quenching punk.
Means of Entry
Ever listen to a band, and in less than a minute, you are hopelessly captivated by their sound? Means of Entry was such a band at Oigs Fest 7. Showcasing bands that defy categorization and blur genres is what makes Oigs Fest special. With Means of Entry, you get bouts of frenetic energy that subside into the humming heart of the universe. They dive into the shadows, only to burst open again in an electric shower of thrumming rhythms and howling guitar. Means of Entry gave a cleansing bath of violence, which left you feeling zesty and refreshed.
One With The Riverbed
Upon my first encounter with Kalamazoo’s One With The Riverbed, I was in love. Their music is both ethereal and earthshaking. When listening, you can imagine the chest of the universe ripped open, vulnerable, and raw. It is as if the cycle of life has been transformed into sound. At Oigs Fest, One With The Riverbed gave us the sounds we need to unleash the anguish, pour out the pain, and fill up with the joy of being alive. Witnessing a band this powerful live is a gift.
Cavalcade
Watching and listening to Cavalcade at Oigs Fest, I felt my mind struggle once again to think of a way to convey to you the experience. Their music speaks with the brutal truth and inherent honesty revealed through their earnest performance. Their angular music, at once dissonant and jarring, becomes melodic and serene. As I watched, it was as if the music possessed them. Each drum beat, pulse of bass, strum of pick on string, whisper, or scream seemed to consume the members of Cavalcade. They, in turn, transfer that emotional energy to each of us. I realize my words fail to convey a meaningful description of Cavalcade’s performance. Perhaps one day, I’ll find a way. In the meantime, I urge you to behold them for yourself, and we can share notes afterward.
Centenary
It was time to throw the horns and get into the pit with the bone-grinding flesh-eating purveyors of death, Centenary. Furiously hammering drums and bass whip the chainsawing guitars into a murderous frenzy. The hellish vocals spit, roar, and shriek before the lead guitar attacks with a hailstorm of notes designed to rend tissue from bone. Centenary encapsulates all that you love about great horror movies and renders them into thick and oozing slabs of death metal. Centenary stands shoulder to shoulder with the greats such as Entombed and Dismember. They are the emperors of death.
Coyote Man
The heavy grooves and insistent rhythms of Coyote Man were enthralling. Their instrumental music is progressive with touches of psychedelic rock. Looking at the band, you can see the passion, grace, and fire their music delivers written on their faces. Closing your eyes, the feeling of soaring across an endless expanse with the weight of the world lifted took hold. The strong and formidable music of Coyote Man uplifted my soul. With goosebumps on my arms, I felt almost high and invigorated after hearing their music. I hope these guys will come back to Michigan soon.
Drink Their Blood
The avant-garde and hypnotically progressive metal of Drink Their Blood stands alone in the world of heavy and extreme music. This band’s creativity and originality are breathtaking. Who else can seamlessly throw a jazz sax solo into a malevolent maelstrom of progressive death? The kicker is that Drink Their Blood does this and makes it sound natural. I believe this is because the music is genuine and authentic art created by supremely gifted musicians. Drink Their Blood challenges your ears and your mind, making you a better person in the process.
Stonecutters
What I love about great metal music is that snarling rush. Picture yourself with your nose curled in a snarl. Your fists are clenched and shaking as you roar with all you have into the sky. Can you feel that glow? That release of tension? If so, you are close to the sensations that burned through me as I watched Stonecutters perform at Oigs Fest.
I have been a fan of the band for years, yet this was the first time I’ve seen them live. Playing many tunes off their fabulous new Eye Of The Skull album, Stonecutters was devastating live. Their set was filled to the brim with pulverizing drums and bass. The monstrous guitar riffs and searing twin guitar leads hit you squarely in the chest with shocking force. Stonecutters are pure metal fury, and I’m thankful to have finally experienced the power of this band. If you love metal music, you should definitely see this band now.
Throne
Conjure the ideal soundtrack to classic sci-fi horror movies like Event Horizon and Prince of Darkness, and you have the music of Throne. The sheer speed and technical precision of this band are terrifying. When you add in their genius songwriting, hellish vocals, and blistering live performances, Throne is from another dimension. Listening to and watching this band at Oigs Fest was like watching a falcon screaming down from above to snatch its prey. There was hardly time to breathe as Throne fired off song after song, promising savagery with every note. Throne was horrifically amazing at Oigs Fest.
Mouthful of Locusts
Mouthful of Locusts is unhinged, chaotic, weird, and wonderful. Dressed in nuns’ habits and a priest frock, they hit the stage like a bomb. Seriously, I felt like an explosion had gone off, and people were running for their lives in panic. Or you could imagine scenes from Cloverfield where the monster is rampaging through town, destroying buildings and leaving the humans cowering in the subway tunnels praying to their god for a salvation that will never occur. Honestly, reliving their performance in my mind has me sweating. If you dig bands such as Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, or Fuck The Facts, you’ll dig Mouthful of Locusts.
Bonehawk
When Bonehawk took the stage, I couldn’t help thinking of Monty Python and their catchphrase, “And now for something completely different.” This is the beauty of Oigs Fest. You can go from all-out dissonant chaos to sublime and burly jams in the blink of an eye. It is so good to see Bonehawk back on the stage. This band exudes cool, and hearing them jam “Hot Mary” and “Warchild” under the funky purple, pink, and green lights at Oig Fest was pure delight. Jeff had the sound dialed in perfectly. The drum and bass were popping, and the thick riffs dripped with fuzzy goodness. Bonehawk served up a heaping plate of rock music covered in their special harmonic gravy. Delicious!
Cult of Spaceskull
If big-time wrestling, B movies, and human sacrifice tickle your fancy, you’ll dig Cult of Spaceskull. Seriously, this band is a trip. Chalices of blood, dining on organs, disembowelment with swords, and so much more. All this while convulsing to punk rock anthems such as “Fucked Up” and “Future (is Fucked).” At one point, Al from Centenary saw I was no longer shooting photos and shouted, “How come you aren’t taking pictures?” or something like that. I smiled and said, “I can’t capture all the chaos.” The only way to convey the essence of a Cult of Spaceskull show is to be there. If you left Oigs Fest early, you missed one hell of a show.
Pictures
Head over to our gallery for more pictures from Oigs Fest 7. Share and tag us on Facebook and Instagram, then leave a note and tell us what you think.
Become a Supporter!
We wholeheartedly invite you to join our Life In Michigan community. Your support is not just appreciated—it is vital. It is the lifeline that allows us to continue unveiling the unique and captivating narratives that paint Michigan in its true, vibrant colors. Whether you buy us a beer or choose to offer more sustained support via Substack, every contribution enriches our mission.
If our content has resonated with you, we urge you to become ambassadors of our stories. Share our work on your social media, or forward a link to someone who would appreciate it as much as you do. We are grateful for your support in every form. You breathe life into our cause and keep the spirit of Life in Michigan thriving.
Stay Connected
We’d love it if you’d like our Facebook page. Better yet, subscribe to our newsletter through Substack. Life In Michigan posts and our Sunday Sip Newsletter are delivered directly to your email. You can also find us on Instagram.
Cheers!
