In celebration of Decibel Magazine editor-in-chief Albert Mudrian’s revised and expanded edition of Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal and Grindcore, Dying Fetus, Nails, Misery Index, Deceased, Noisem, Horrendous, Magrudergrind and Taphos Nomos will descend upon Philadelphia’s Union Transfer on Saturday, April 16, for the inaugural Choosing Death Fest.
Earlier that day, Vivek Venkatesh (Grimposium) and Albert Mudrian are pleased to announce a special, separate ticketed event prior to Choosing Death Fest, just a five-minute walk from the venue. Five dollars gets you the following onslaught of expertise, opinion, and heavy culture. Bring a flask and a notebook!
“The Art of Death Metal” panel discussion
In celebration of the seminal Choosing Death tome, join author Albert Mudrian, NYC-based art director Jaci Raia, Ian Christe (Bazillion Points), Justin Norton (Decibel) and renowned extreme metal visual artist Dan Seagrave (Morbid Angel, Entombed) as they reminisce about the key events that influenced the creation of the visual ethos so unique to death metal.
DEATH BY METAL – advance film screening
This exclusive presentation of the documentary DEATH BY METAL brings the story of legendary death metal composer Chuck Schuldiner (Official)—and his legacy through the music of Death (Official) and Control Denied (Official). Director Felipe Belalcázar will be on hand to participate in a Q&A session with Missi Callazzo (Megaforce Records) and Vivek Venkatesh following the presentation.
WATCH THE TRAILER: https://vimeo.com/
Creative writing workshop with J.R. Hayes
J.R. Hayes—author, lyricist and vocalist with grindcore legends Pig Destroyer—will lead an intimate and interactive workshop session with attendees interested in seeking ways to exorcise their inner and outer demons through the written word. Joining J.R. will be filmmaker David Hall, art educator Jason Wallin (University of Alberta), and journalist and writer Justin Norton (Decibel).
Death metal vocal workshop with Leila Abdul-Rauf
Leila Abdul-Rauf (composer and multi-instrumentalist solo musician and band member of Vastum, Hammers of Misfortune, Ionophore, Cardinal Wyrm) will lead you in a workshop on developing death-growl chops! Warm up is highly recommended before entering the hall!
“The Politics and Economics of Extreme Metal” panel discussion
Join panelists Jason Netherton and Mark Kloeppel (Misery Index), Méi-Ra St. Laurent (Université Laval, Québec), Paula Hogan (Candlelight, Manic Music), Neill Jameson (Krieg, Decibel), Megan Osztrosits (Couch Slut), Evan Harting (Maryland/California/
that was a lot of fun!