On March the tenth Jacob held the third Backwoods Metalfest at the Trigg County Recreation Complex in our fun-filled town of Cadiz, Kentucky. These concerts are the first of their kind to grace Trigg County. Around 130 to 140 people listened to five great bands and had a helluva good time for only five dollars. A few people got a little roughed up in the mosh pit, but they came back twice as strong.
The first band to come onstage was FSN, from Clarksville, Tennessee. They put on a really good show and got the crowd riled up for the rest of the night. The lead singer, Alexis Brown, has a really strong yet feminine voice, and she had a kick-ass band to back her up. Besides the microphone cord going out during one of their songs, the set went relatively mistake-free. FSN put on a unique show, and I hope to see them come back to the complex soon.
Once the second band Malfunction Crew (from Nashville) took the stage, it was obvious that they came to impress. Everyone I talked to that night absolutely loved them. They played with such passion that you could really feel what they were trying to say with their music. Despite having a 103 degree temperature, guitarist Beau Morgan lead the Crew through their heavy set (cut short by three songs due to his health). This very intense group mesmerized us with their heavy lyrics and a band that was far from amateur.
The third band to take the stage was Krakt from Paducah, Kentucky. Some of my friends and I got to spend a little bit of time with the band after the show. They were a lot of fun to chill with and I hope to do an interview with them soon. Anyway, they put on an awesome show for us at the complex. Ranging from relaxing material to out and out moshing music, this band came to prove that they can play with anyone. What struck me most was the vocalist’s range. Despite his smallish frame, he belted out the lyrics with an intensity that blew us away. If they come back to Cadiz again I recommend everyone seeing them.
The fourth band of the night was Flood from Clarksville, Tennessee. To tell you the truth, I really didn’t have high expectations for them. I listened to their CD "Tripwire" not long ago and the vocals weren’t very strong. But when I heard them perform onstage my opinion of them changed completely. Their vocals are awesome and their music totally kicked ass. Vocalist/guitarist Mark Slaughter invited FSN’s guitarist Dustin Wright onstage to help do some vocals on one of their songs. That was definitely a highlight. Flood is definitely one of those bands that you have to see if they come around again.
Taking the headliner’s spot in the line-up was Nashville-based Lower Unit. This is the second time that I’ve been able to see them, and the second time they broke the stage. Lead singer Ryan Agee was very aggressive in his performance, and he even jumped down off the stage to mosh a couple times. Ryan invited Jacob’s brother Jordan to come onstage with them during "Simplified", and he blew everyone away with his performance. Every time I see Lower Unit they get better, so I recommend you check them out when the chance comes up again.
At the end of the night after the last band played and the nachos sold out we packed up to go home. A lot of people were sore the next day but everyone had a hell of a lot of fun. After all, what’s a little soreness if you had a good time getting that way? Anyway, the bottom line is the concert only costs five dollars, and if you like metal at all you’re going to have the time of your life their. This is the only place around here that you’re going to be able to hear five great bands for only five bucks; check it out.
