Avatar
Hailing from Gohenburg, this eclectic five piece brings their theatrical blend of melodeath and groove metal to American shores this summer. Fresh off the release of their newest record Avatar Country, the elaborately-clad Swedes assault listeners with a unique mix of aggression and tenderness. From the soulful, clean and delicate “Regret” to an in-your-face headbanger’s anthem in “Hail the Apocalypse,” Avatar has something for everyone. Coupled with Johannes Eckerstrom’s (Vocals) signature “Freakshow” clown persona, Avatar puts on a bombastic set with infectious energy and numerous peaks and valleys of intensity. Eckerstrom’s stage presence is imposing and convincing- he as well as the rest of the band own larger festival stages as if they play in front of arena-sized crowds every night. The pure mania of their set is a carnival of madness you won’t want to miss. If you’re looking for the most unique band on Carolina Rebellion’s 2018 roster, look no further.
WHERE TO SEE THEM
Welcome to Rockville April 28
Fort Rock April 29
Carolina Rebellion May 4
Parkway Drive
Aussie Metalcore titans Parkway Drive return to America to promote their upcoming record, “Reverence” (Out May 4, Epitaph). Brimming with aggression and the trademark Australian-UK “bounce” groove, Parkway Drive is sure to get crowds off their feet like few other bands can. Their select few club shows in the US this past year featured incredible production- pyro, impeccably timed strobes and even a rotating cage around the drum kit. The flexibility of the larger festival stages coupled with their ambitious production will ensure Parkway’s set will be one you won’t want to miss. As Parkway evolves with the release of this album, the Carolina Rebellion crowd will be among the first to hear “Reverence” live and experience a new era of Parkway Drive. As one of the heavier bands on World’s Loudest Month, this is a definite must-hit for those fans who love the anarchic art form of the mosh pit.
WHERE TO SEE THEM
Welcome to Rockville April 27
Carolina Rebellion May 4
Northern Invasion May 12
Bullet for My Valentine
Bullet for My Valentine have been mainstays in the british metal scene since the release of their hit “The Poison” in 2004. From anthems like “Scream Aim Fire” and “Tears Don’t Fall," to their newer more hardcore-influenced sound showcased in “Raising Hell,” Bullet has been fueling rabid circle pits for more than a decade. These veterans are no stranger to massive stages- having played Rock Am Ring, Graspop and more (several times over) in Europe, the Welsh quartet whips huge crowds into a frenzy with ease. This veteran mindset is a definite reason to check out Bullet’s set -- nothing beats an infectious buildup riff by a band that knows how to break the tension cleanly and take advantage of the pure adrenaline of an eager and active crowd. If circle pits are your thing, you’d be a fool to miss Bullet for My Valentine during World’s Loudest Month.
WHERE TO SEE THEM
Fort Rock April 28
Welcome to Rockville April 29
Carolina Rebellion May 4
Rock on the Range May 19
Dance Gavin Dance
While they’ve only been booked on one date of WLM, Dance Gavin Dance may be one of the best early-day bands of the month. The post-hardcore five-piece blends dreamlike progressive guitar parts with gut-punch riffs to accompany the harsher elements of their material. With song names as whimsical as their band moniker itself- "Chucky v. the Giant Tortoise," "Flossie Dickey Bounce," and "Privilously Poncheezied," to name a few -- DGD’s onstage production is far from the ridiculousness those titles suggest. The rapid, jagged transitions between vocalists Jon Mess and Tilian Pearson’s two starkly contrasting styles adds an effective element of chaos to the group’s sound. Will Swan’s lead guitar parts stitch these two halves together seamlessly, forming a cohesive and unique whole that is distinctly DGD (even despite numerous vocalist changes). If you’re a fan of chaotic, rapidly-changing progressive hardcore and enjoy soulful, soaring cleans and progressive mathcore influenced instrumentals to couple with the traditional “core” sound, then Dance Gavin Dance is your must-see band of World’s Loudest Month (or later on their tour supporting Underoath, who also is on several WLM dates).
WHERE TO SEE THEM
Rock on the Range May 18
CODE ORANGE
In a weekend of metal and hard rock, Code Orange injects a little something different into the lineup. The Pittsburgh-based hardcore group brings the grimy, angry, classic hardcore punk vibe to Carolina Rebellion and Rock on the Range -- reminding audiences of the punk roots that eventually gave rise to metalcore. With grooves that will turn any floor into a mosh pit to crushing breakdowns (example: Slowburn, 01:34. Thank me later), Code Orange will be the big surprise of the weekend. When Lamb Of God’s Randy Blythe is singing your praises, you’re doing the heritage of Punk music proud. While, again, Code Orange’s filthy and underground feel is far from what you’d expect from Carolina Rebellion or RotR, missing one of the most raw and genuine acts of the weekend would undoubtedly be a regret.
WHERE TO SEE THEM
Carolina Rebellion May 6
Rock On the Range May 18