CENTRAL VALLEY DEATH FEST - 2005

Date: Saturday, May 21st, 2005
Location: The Workshop in Ceres, California
                                    LET THIS DIE   

First Death Festival I have ever gone to and I was not disappointed at all.

The original line-up had more bands than what showed-up (see flyers), but it was still good to see bands that did come and some of them were last minute add-ons.  11 bands in-all from California performed for us dedicated fans.  The Workshop is a good hour and a half drive for me, but for $7, why not.  Although originally planned to start at 12 noon, the first band came on at 1:30 pm.

But before I start with the reviews of each band, I will give you a break-down of the atmosphere:  It was more like a backyard band party.  Small place, no food but a vending machine for fluids, oh and BYOB.  Food and other items were available within a short walking distance, which I took advantage of since in-and-outs were allowed.  It was very hot, so the early bands had to deal with the sun and heat with no cover.  A lot of people drinking alcohol and having a great time, some more than others but who cares.  Only one incident with one individual but they were removed from the premises swiftly.  The people who did attend had fun and enjoyed themselves and so did the bands.  All in-all it was a good day for death!  I did take some photo's of the show, so use the link below to look at them.

Here is the link to the Photo's:

Here are links to the Flyers: 

Killgasm up first.  This is a very good band however we could not hear the drums (snare specifically) at all.  But overall they did a good job.  I would like to see this band again but in-doors as I believe they have the equipment for an in-door show and not for out-doors.  Killgasm is from Sacramento.  Oh, I which the guitarists would turn and face the front.  Hope to see you soon Killgasm!

Let This Die should do what the band name states.  They were terrible.  The musicians were all over the place and not playing together at all.  Individually I see talent, but so far as a band not good.  I know nothing about this band as far as where they hail from or how long they have been together, hell I could not even locate a logo.  But I can make a recommendation to them and that is practice more before the next show.

Embryonic Devourment is a great technical death metal band from Mendocino County.  Currently a 2 member band as the vocalist/bassist left the band earlier this year.  But still drummer Luke Boutietta and guitarist Lauren Pike gave a brilliant performance with technical drumming and mesmerizing guitar riffs.  I have always liked this band since the first time I heard them about a year ago as they have originality in the death metal scene, and it is the originality that makes them stand out from the crowd.  I look forward to them getting a vocalist and bassist and to see them again live.

DeadEyeStare was more hardcore than death metal.  I am not a hardcore fan at all.  Oh, I forgot to mention that in the previous band reviews there was a pit going, but this pit was very brutal but then when are they not for hardcore bands.

Cursed plays Death/Black metal.  Death metal music with black metal lyrics but not really black metal style vocals, but still very good.  Made up of members from other bands, primarily Infestation, and have been together since 2001.  I hope to see this band again.  They are from the central valley and had a good following at the show.

Savagery was a surprise and a very good one.  From Southern California this death metal band has been together just one year but they sound and perform like they have been together for a lot longer than that.  Members of this band are young and that is good to see that still we have death metal bands being created all of the time.  I believe they are friends of Intestinal Strangulation as they used their drum set.

Intestinal Strangulation was awesome.  After they performed I picked-up a shirt and CD (demo) of there's.  The theme for this band is Gore and Horror and it shows.  Brutal music and brutal lyrics.  They plan on releasing a full length CD at the end of this year and I cannot wait!

Sleep Terror is a 2 member band (guitar and drums) with no vocals.  Experimental instrumental death metal is a good classification for them.  However I did not take a liking to this band due to the fact they changed things up now and then with a little jazz injected into the songs.  I recognize the talent of both musicians but every time they slowed down to the jazz part I lost total interest.

Mummification is well known within the California death metal scene and this was my first time seeing them.  They did not disappoint me at all.  Playing songs from their recently released CD 'Runes Of Blood' they got the crowd back into it.  Yes the crowd had settled down, I believe that was because it had already been a long day in the sun and for those who drank so much earlier they were wiped out.  Anyway, this band is a must see and I hope they tour again soon.

Decrepit Birth started a little rough but that was not their fault.  Problems with the P.A. system which I found out was new and the person running it hasn't had time to get use to it.  But after the first song it came together.  Bill and the rest of the band do not hold back no matter where they play.  A lot of fans were on hand to watch them play even in the darkness with a few lights on the band.  A pit was going and everyone else was head banging away.  I did not know these guys were going to play until I heard rumors they were not going to show, but then I saw Bill and the rest of the band show-up.  This completed the night for me although their was one more band to go.

Meat Shits were a disappointment.  Not the music, just the state of the lead vocalist Robert.  What I knew about this band I had already assumed I would not like them due to the fact they play grindcore, but it didn't matter.  Because what really blew it was the fact that the lead singer was drunk of his ass.  This guy had been standing in front on the 'stage' the entire day while other bands played.  And when it came to his turn he could not even stand.  They put him on a chair put that didn't last as he fell off that.  When he did sing it was as if you were at a bar with a karaoke machine and just before closing time, the guy sitting at the end of the bar, drinking the entire night, got up and and started singing.  I just left!

So this was a long day lasting about 9 hours but well worth it.  What Northern California needs is a yearly Death Festival that will attract more bands, especially from out of state, so I hope that can been achieved.  But a BIG thank you goes out to those involved in getting this one put together.  I hope to go to next years festival if their is one.  That's it, nothing else to say except if you didn't go to this show then you suck!

Written by:  Steven Ansell