Today, the lineup for the third incarnation of Kentucky’s Louder than Life Festival was announced. Like many of the other regional festivals that have been announced in the last month or so, the lineup splits the difference between metal and hard rock, with many of the biggest names in both. Slipknot, Disturbed, Korn, Slayer and Avenged Sevenfold are among the headliners, with newer bands including Crobot, Skindred, Twelve Foot Ninja and ’68 making appearances as well. Except this time, more people are paying attention. “Metal’s Monster Comeback,” a headline in Billboard proclaimed, while an article on the indie rock-leaning Stereogum asked if metal was poised for a comeback after it’s writer attended Rock on the Range.
The truth is that metal hasn’t really gone anywhere – it’s just getting packaged better. In between fests like Ozzfest Meets Knotfest are fests that, like Louder Than Life, are produced by Danny Wimmer Presents. Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman, who was behind the now-canceled Mayhem Fest, gives props to Wimmer for putting their festival shows on weekends and also finding markets that have lots of rock radio support. Lyman also gave props to the balancing of the mainstream acts.
The Stereogum article is written from the point of view of the author, who attended Sunday because At the Drive In, Deftones and Death From Above 1979, or as he put it “the ‘cool’ bands,” were playing. Then again, the Red Hot Chili Peppers headlined the third day of ROTR. That, combined with the aforementioned “cool” bands, suggests that the barriers may be starting to break down between metal and more mainstream music. Either way, rock and metal are having a moment.
Returning for its third time toChampions Park in downtown Louisville, this year’s Louder than Life festival will once again celebrate the region’s bourbons and food, as well some biggest names in rock and metal. The festival is set to take place on Saturday October 1st, and Sunday October 2nd. Headliners Slipknot and Avenged Sevenfold will see direct support from Slayer and Disturbed, as well as 35 other bands on 3 stages. The full lineup by day is as follows:
Saturday, October 1: Avenged Sevenfold, Slayer, The Cult, The Pretty Reckless, Pierce The Veil, Cheap Trick, Chevy Metal, Anthrax, Motionless In White, Hellyeah, Sick Puppies, The Amity Affliction, Avatar, Neck Deep, Young Guns, Being As An Ocean, ’68, Twelve Foot Ninja, Dinosaur Pile Up
Sunday, October 2: Slipknot, Disturbed, Korn, Ghost, Alter Bridge, Clutch, Biffy Clyro, Pop Evil, Skillet, Sevendust, Zakk Sabbath, Parkway Drive, Trivium, KYNG, Skindred, Adelitas Way, Crobot, Smashing Satellites, Sabaton
Tickets for Louder Than Life will be on sale starting tomorrow (6/1) at Noon on the fest’s website.
[Photo: Sean Matthews]
