814 Metal Fest Dials Up the Noise

Friday, Jul. 12 -14

Ah, the bucolic Erie County Fairgrounds at Wattsburg — the ideal backdrop for showing off the region's sharpest livestock — and headstocks? Amplifiers will be turned way up and tuning pegs will be turned way down as the 814 Metal Fest invades the site of the Erie County Fair a whole month-and-a-half before the cows come home. No bull(s) here, just 20 of the area's heaviest bands charging hard for your eardrums with a full stable of punishing riffs, blistering solos, and pulse-pounding blast beats.

As usual, the event features a wide representation of metal subgenres, a very friendly price of admission, and an even stronger sense of community. Camping is both free and encouraged, as it tends to foster the kind of bonds that can only be forged from heavy metal. 

The 8th Annual 814 Metal Fest lineup is as follows, with another bumper crop of best-in-show-caliber band names: Aspirant, Atomic Rize, Bravura, Brotherhood of the Jam, Gelatin Skeleton, Joe Nameless, Manokin, Narwhal Bloodbath, Neuroticism, Never to Suffer, Obelus, One Wicked Bender, Pathos Departure (reunion performance), Sacred Decay, Sentinel, Skull'rz Bane, Slaughter in the Meridian, Sudden Frost, 15 Wallz, 415.

For discounted pre-sale tickets, contact any of the bands above — they'll make sure you're plugged in before they rock out. — Matt Swanseger

Music from 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday at noon (performance slots TBA) // Erie County Fairgrounds, 13993 PA-8, Wattsburg, PA 16442 // Pre-sale $25, at gate $30 // facebook.com/814metalfest