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, eight of the best death metal and grindcore bands on earth will descend upon Philadelphia’s Union Transfer on Saturday, April 16 for the inaugural Choosing Death Fest. But before Dying Fetus, Nails, Misery Index, Deceased, Noisem, Horrendous, Magrudergrind and Taphos Nomos decimate the stage, Vivek Venkatesh (Grimposium) and Mudrian are pleased to announce a special, separate ticketed event prior to Choosing Death Fest, just a five-minute walk from the venue.
Choosing Death Fest: Grimposium
noon – 4 p.m., April 16, 2016, Underground Arts
$5 at door (or can be purchased here)
1200 Callowhill St., Philadelphia, PA
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—and his legacy through the music of Death and Control Denied—to film for the first time. Director Felipe Belalcázar will be on hand to participate in a Q&A session following the presentation.
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 (Uneasy Sleeper/Grimposium), art educator Jason Wallin (University of Alberta), and journalist and writer Justin Norton (Decibel).
The Art of Death Metal panel discussion
In celebration of the seminal Choosing Death tome, join author Albert Mudrian, as well as Ian Christe (Bazillion Points), Justin Norton (Decibel) and renowned extreme metal artist Dan Seagrave as they reminisce about the key events that influenced the creation of the visual ethos that is so unique to death metal.
The Politics and Economics of Extreme Metal panel discussion
Join panelists Jason Netherton and Mark Kloeppel (Misery Index), Neill Jameson (Krieg), Evan Harting (Maryland/California/Netherlands Deathfest) and Jeffrey Podoshen (Franklin & Marshall College) as they debate issues surrounding racism, misogyny, and shifting patterns in the creation and running of niche festivals in the global extreme metal scene.
