Paleface Swiss

Chaos in Tejas, Housecore Horror, and Austin Terror Fest live on in local metal lore, so Big Texas Metal Fest now stomps and snorts into the ring. Like last month’s Austin Death Fest at Mohawk, this three-day debut stirs the void of a heavy music capital historically trailing San Antonio in metallic worship yet second to none in extremity sophistication. Hatebreed headlines a metalcore tempest by marking 30 years of thrash/punk/death pits. Friday also marquees Power Trip nucleus Fugitive and excoriating ATX heroes Portrayal of Guilt. On Saturday, Californians Atreyu notch almost as many years and cap like-minded hammers including Austin’s At All Cost and Paleface all the way from Zurich. – Raoul Hernandez