Thursday August 18th
Black Bone Exorcism/Storm the Tower/Rhine/Odyssian
The first time I saw Black Bone Exorcism I was pretty floored. Floored as in I had a few too many at the Victory Lounge that night, but also I was pretty impressed. So impressed that I drunkenly hollered over the wood rail (as they were loading out) that I thought they ruled and asked where they were from. I blame Pam for the liquid courage. Turns out, they were local, and their brand of Neurosis influenced durge would become one of my favorites around town. Rounding out the bill is Storm the Tower, Rhine, and Odyssian; three bands I’m not at all familiar with but after checking out some of their music I’m pretty excited to see live. This should be a pretty solid night of heavy. -James Ballinger
$8/8PM/21+/Substation/645 NW 45th St.
https://www.facebook.com/events/521963241324127/
Friday August 19th
MRSA/Tacos!/Wolfgang Fuck/NEVRS
Some might say black metal vocals and metallic punk rock don’t mix. I however, am not one of those people. Seattle’s MRSA do just that, complete with big ol’ rock and roll riffage and it’s pretty damn sweet. Their Tad Doyle mastered Evil Infection demo is free on bandcamp- go get good and pissed. Making this bill complete are Tacos!, one of the best two piece “chunka-chunk” bands around these parts and the world’s only (maybe, but not really) Teen Wolf inspired punk bands, Wolfgang Fuck. Watch your guitar cables, shit might get spilt. -James Ballinger
$10/9PM/21+/Sunset/5433 Ballard Ave. NW
https://www.facebook.com/events/221454891580681/
Saturday August 20th
Lord Dying/Child Bite/Joel Grind
Portland’s heavy metal champions Lord Dying have really been making a smoldering mark across the country. Last year saw the Relapse Records release of their newest album, Poisoned Altars, a monstrous shredfest of intense pummeling riffs. Since then, they’ve continued with their track record of relentless touring, supporting acts like Toxic Holocaust and Weedeater. Having seen Lord Dying perform a handful of times, I can safely say that they are a band that really brings it live, and by “it” I mean non-stop crushing heavy metal riffs. This week, they will embark on an epic nationwide headlining tour, bringing along Detroit’s Child Bite and Portland’s Joel Grind. Hardcore post-punkers Child Bite are a frenetic, cacophony of atonal guitars, explosive rhythms, and manic vocals. Producer and Toxic Holocaust founder Joel Grind will be performing epic, retro horror influenced synth instrumentals, which should provide an appropriately dark mood to start the night off. Definitely one hell of a tour package, and worth showing up on time and staying late for. -Brian Kim
9PM/$10/21+/Highline/210 Broadway Ave. E
https://www.facebook.com/events/252772128424741
Dreadnought/Ford Theatre Reunion/Un/Morrow
Those looking for something more ethereal and atmospheric would do well to find themselves at Black Lodge come Saturday evening. Denver’s psychedelic progressive post-metal outfit Dreadnought will be making a return to Seattle in support of their brand new record, Bridging Realms. Dreadnought are a band with a broad range of styles, going from ambient and folky to crushing, blackened doom, to tense, jazzy grooves, all with surprising ease. Bridging Realms might be one of the most interesting and ambitious heavy records of the year, and the opportunity to see some of it performed live should not be missed. Lexington’s Ford Theatre Reunion will be joining Dreadnought on tour, dishing out an eclectic yet surprisingly smooth blend of circus punk, progressive metal, folk, and doom. Show up early to catch outstanding local support from funeral doom sludge-slayers Un and atmospheric black-metal shoegazers Morrow. -Brian Kim
8PM/Black Lodge
https://www.facebook.com/events/1755478958032860
Linda’s Fest 2016 Featuring Fred & Toody (Dead Moon), Acapulco Lips, SSDD, Sashay, Bad Future, World Bank
For the last seven years, the good people over at Linda’s Tavern have put on a one day summer festival that rivals just about any bill all year. This year is absolutely no exception headlined by Fred and Toody of legendary Portland punk outfit Dead Moon. Now performing as a duo, the influential couple play stripped-down acoustic versions of songs from their career and shouldn’t be missed. But that’s just the headliner folks. Fuzzed out surf band Acapulco Lips recently released their self-titled full length LP, and it’s just pure fun. Steal Shit Do Drugs (SSDD) are slowly becoming a Seattle institution with their infectious brand of noisy post-punk fronted by former Monogamy Party singer Kennedy Carda. Local queercore group Sashay just might be my favorite punk band in town, followed closely by Bad Future. Kicking things off early is World Bank, whose self-titled EP is full of hook based post-punk, and it’s fucking killer. The show starts early, so plenty of time to catch it all, then “superfan” over to one of the other shows going on around town. -James Ballinger
5PM/FREE!/21+/Linda’s Tavern/707 E Pine St.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1708311916087952/
