Damnation 2017 Boasts One Hell Of A Lineup

Real talk, I am actually jealous as fuck that I'll be missing out on this killer two-day event!

Death's Grip Records have accumulated 20 solid reasons as to why you should attend 2017's annual Damnation event at Sydney's Red Rattler; which is primed to a veritable mental time. The Brisbane label has achieved this by constructing a collective 20 band line up featuring some of Australia's best underground hardcore/metalcore/metal talents, all being displayed over the course of two heavy, noisy, mosh-filled days on Saturday, July 1st and Sunday, July 2nd.

Day one features sets from prime Perth heavy hitters, Cursed Earth (pictured) and fellow Perth locals Statues, who will both be touring nationally together this July. Representing (R)Adelaide is the always menacing Falcifer, and hailing from our nation's capital is the brooding crust outfit Mental Cavity (which is made up of members from I Exist). Then there is Burning Season, who dropped an evil-sounding two-track release - 'Fatal Eucharist/Grave Flowers Wilt' - back in February and who are keen to show it off live.

Helping to round out the first day's bill will also be Newcastle's Ill Natured (who are getting overdue for a new release by my account), Melbourne metalcore crew Death In Bloom, as well as fellow local newcomers, Blinded.

Not bad at all for a first day.

[caption id="attachment_1090724" align="alignnone" width="760"] Cursed Earth, March 2017. PC: Bree Wallace. (Shot for Killyourstereo.com).[/caption]

Now, onto the second day and the final 10 bands of Damnation 2k17.

Day two features a pair of my personal favourite national acts; Melbourne's hardcore pack leaders Outright - whose 'Avalanche' LP is a modern day classic - and the oddball yet brilliant boys in Dregg. (Both of which are pictured above). Wollongong quintet, Easy Life will provide a breath of fresh, less-intense heavy air with some much-needed emphasis on emotions, dynamics and melody with material culled from 2015's wicked 'Ambient Activity'. I actually wasn't aware of this band before their announcement on the Damnation bill, and I'm kicking myself for not discovering them sooner! Also on the emotionally-tinged melodic front, South Australian lovers of short songs and chorus guitar tones - World View (also pictured) - will make an appearance, and one can safely expect a run through of their damn fine 'Waking Up' EP, and maybe even their solid Turning Point cover. 

Melbourne youngbloods Broken will be travelling interstate for day two of Damnation 2017, who will be armed right to the teeth with their recent four-track release, 'The Saving Grace'. Elsewhere, Sydney's Primitive Blast, Queensland's Nerve Damage, Brisbane's gruff and tough Furnace and Newcastle hardcore-punk newcomers The Hard Word will also help to ensure Damnation's second day is one of sheer sonic destruction. 

This Sydney two-dayer also marks a handful of important milestones for three of its Brisbane-based bands. Day two will feature a reunion from Queensland's own Third Strike, and day one will be the final show for Time Crisis yet the first ever show for new blood Deathbed, who just dropped a short but vicious four-track, 'Views From My Deathbed'. (Apparently, that Deathbed EP will be one of the final releases from Death's Grip Records before the label undergoes a transitional period of sorts. As for what that exactly means and what'll become... your guess is as good as mine).

[caption id="attachment_1089197" align="alignnone" width="760"] Dregg, Invasion Fest 2016. PC: Andrew Bromley. (Shot for Killyourstereo.com).[/caption]

So all up, that's a pretty fucking solid 20-band line-up spread out across two hectic days, no?

The only other inclusions that I could possibly think of to make such an event truly perfect would be to add New Zealand wrecking crew Antagonist A.D. or Brissy noise-makers Manhunt onto the bill - one per day to help keep things even. But oh well, a man can dream. Other than that, Damnation 2017 is set to be a fuck-off good time!

The event's first 100 tickets went/are going for only $50, and you can score yours over via Death's Grip records. Otherwise, you can snag up individual day tickets right here (day one) and over here (day two) for which day ever gets your motor running the most.

Also, holy fucking shit, that's a lot of hyperlinks.