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SLAYER

RIOT FEST

September 14

by Anthony V. Fraccalvieri
photo by Martin Jausller

Winding down their final lap of the world as the leading name in thrash, Slayer have four decades at the forefront of metal to look back on. Their genre-defining breakthrough Reign In Blood has sold more than five million copies worldwide, and was named “heaviest album of all time” by Kerrang! Twelve studio albums, two live LPs, a box set, and countless performances in every corner of the planet have solidified the band’s place in the “big four” alongside contemporaries Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax. Such a prolific run always has its twists and turns, though, and Slayer have certainly endured their share over the years — from the tragic loss of guitarist Jeff Hanneman in 2013 to the departure of founding drummer Dave Lombardo to lawsuits blaming their content for violent actions. All the while, the punishing Slayer machine rolls on with Paul Bostaph and Exodus’ Gary Holt on drums and guitar, respectively.

8:30-10:00 PM
Riot Stage

BLOC PARTY

RIOT FEST

September 14

by Anthony V. Fraccalvieri
photo by Rachael Wright

To celebrate 20 years at the forefront of modern indie rock, England’s Bloc Party are revisiting the album that secured their place in music history: 2005’s Silent Alarm. The LP has sold over a million copies worldwide, and was universally adored by critics and fans of the time. To pay proper tribute, the band has booked a handful of dates across Europe and the UK playing the album in its entirety. Select tracks from this run were also assembled in order and released as Silent Alarm Live earlier this year. Frontman Kele Okereke and lead guitarist Russell Lissack are the only remaining members from the original Silent Alarm lineup, however, as drummer Matt Tong and bassist Gordon Moakes left the band in 2013 and 2015, respectively. Rounding out the current lineup is bassist Justin Harris and drummer Louise Bartle, who also appear on Bloc Party’s latest studio release, 2016’s Hymns.

8:45-9:45 PM
Rise Stage 

ANDREW W.K.

RIOT FEST

September 14

by Rene Cobar
photo by Nina Ottolino

The man. The myth. The blood-soaked legend. Ladies and gentlemen, Andrew W.K. It has been nearly 10 years since the release of I Get Wet, Andrew W.K.’s debut album that launched a thousand beer pong balls and neon-colored panties across college dorms countrywide. The colossal anthems that songs like “She Is Beautiful” and “It’s Time to Party” became helped cement W.K. as the rock madman our country sorely needed in late 2001. In despair and fear, one could still find a reason to smile. Andrew W.K. proposed a simple practice: be rebellious, be loud, be yourself, and celebrate that every day. Immortalized on the controversial cover of I Get Wet by famed photographer Roe Ethridge, Andrew W.K. has become an idea, a symbol for the liberty of expression we all crave. At Riot Fest 2019, that symbol will be presented to the masses once again to signify what it always has: freedom.

7:30-8:30 PM
Rebel Stage

ANTHRAX

RIOT FEST

September 14

by Jake McKenzie
photo by Jimmy Hubbard

Mixing dark and brooding heavy metal with a fast and furious punk rock spirit, Anthrax (along with Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer) would definitely be carved into the Mount Rushmore of thrash metal. But unlike those three West Coast bands, Anthrax got their start in New York City. Further distancing themselves from the likes of Metallica, members of Anthrax have also demonstrated a keen sense of humor over the years. Satisfied with blending metal and punk while pioneering speed metal, Anthrax even set their sights on hip-hop. Ultimately collaborating with Public Enemy in 1991, Anthrax blazed the trail into rock-rap territory, completely stumping most rock critics at the time with a sound that would dominate alternative rock radio waves in just a few short years. Though Scott Ian’s beard is now mostly gray, he hasn’t lost one ounce of energy at live performances. Seeing him and Bello frenetically pluck their strings is an experience that should never be missed.

6:20-7:20 PM
Riot Stage 

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