Though it is a relatively new fest, Psycho Las Vegas has quickly become a destination festival. Now in its third year, the organizers have once again put together a lineup that, when combined with Vegas’ neon lights and unique atmosphere, won’t soon be forgotten. Decibel anticipates the festival with our picks for five bands you can’t miss at Psycho Las Vegas 2018.
If you don’t have them yet, get your tickets here. Viva Psycho!
With the Dead (Saturday)
Containing ex-members of Cathedral, Electric Wizard, Bolt Thrower and others, Lee Dorrian-fronted doom outfit With the Dead will deliver a hypnotic, heavy performance informed by decades of playing heavy music. With the Dead also contributed a flexi to the Decibel Flexi Series in June 2017.
Elder (Thursday)
Reflections of a Floating World was one of last year’s best stoner/doom albums and what better way to see Elder than at the Paradise Pool Pre-Party? Their psychedelic/prog influences couldn’t be more at home than Las Vegas, either. Look for Elder to steal the show on Thursday night.
Batushka (Saturday)
It’s a safe bet that Batushka will be one of the most talked-about sets of the weekend. The Polish group bases their appearance, performance and themes off of Eastern Orthodox variants of Christianity. Based on live video from performances like Full Terror Assault and the rarity of their live shows in the U.S., it would be a mistake to miss this robed, anonymous sect.
Uada (Saturday)
Uada have become one of the most buzzed-about black metal bands with the release of Cult of a Dying Sun, and with good reason. Their brand of European-influenced melodic black metal, combined with tight songwriting and a strong sense of direction, is catchy and accessible without sacrificing the black metal core.
Witchcraft (Friday)
Swedish psych/fuzz legends Witchcraft will make a long-awaited return to the States, their first performance on US soil in almost a decade. They’ve put out two albums (2012’s Legend and 2016’s Nucleus) since that performance, and who knows the next time you’ll be able to see them?
