Doomed & Stoned Festival III
☽ Words and Films by Melissa Marie ☾
Another booming year of the Indianapolis Doomed & Stoned Festival is finally in the books! I often times will get asked what all it takes to pull off a multi-day festival with so many bands (19 total). The answer is never easy but the short version is this: reliable and dependable individuals in your community, a great networking capability, a solid reputation, and start-up funds. None of this would work if absolutely no one in my town knew who I was, or if I didn’t have any money to put where my mouth is. Despite what so many people think, organizing these festivals are difficult but surely not impossible with a strong sense of direction.
2018 proves that the third time is not necessarily the lucky one. Anyone who paid attention to the event was sure to notice the ever changing lineup. It is no secret that both original headliners plus quite a few support bands had to drop off, some even within the 30 day mark. Worry not, because the Doomed & Stoned Festival crew brainstormed as if our lives depended on it, and the result was an incredible one - one that shows the power and determination behind community and sticking together. In the end, it was more than I could have ever hoped for.
Day Zero
On Thursday, October 4th, Tonesmith (Drew and Jordan Smith, stage managers of Doomed & Stoned Festival) were able to host a pre-fest show over at the Kuma’s Corner Garage, directly across the street from the legendary metal themed burger joint, Kuma’s Corner.
The evening took a progressive sludge vibe with Howling Giant and Forming The Void, as well as Indianapolis’s very own Drude. It was nice to see this gig so friendly welcomed by all who attended. Forming the Void is still on fire from the release of the infectious ‘Rift’ (2018), Howling Giant was happy to be back since playing Firebreather Festival back in April 2018 and Drude always wows Indianapolis. Thanks in part to the pre-fest show, anticipation was high for Doomed & Stoned Festival kicking off the very next day.
DAY ONE
With very strict time sets to keep to, we started off Friday, October 5th sharply at 5:40 with local superstars Astral Mass, and Chicago up and coming rockers Black Road.
With these two kicking off the evening with exploratory space rock followed by melodic rock respectively, the room began to fill as did fists in the air. Even Wino was spotting nodding his head to both bands, which really helped to further the strong sense of community that Doomed & Stoned Festival brings.
Day One typically takes a strong stoner rock sense, however we kept things stimulating with Chicago’s sludge-tinted Pale Horseman, followed by something fully different – the pagan rock tribe that is Wiccans complete with flute and keys.
The evening continued with Doomstress and their sultry cover of Coven’s “Wicked Woman,” the high intensity Oakland, California riff slayers that are War Cloud, stoner rock legends Mos Generator as Tony Reed serenaded us all with “Lonely One Kenobi” and “Step Up.”
Finally the man himself, Scott “Wino” Weinrich of Saint Vitus and The Obsessed fame took the stage stage, who was rather charming with just his acoustic guitar.
Pale Horseman
Wiccans
War Cloud
Doomstress
Mos Generator
Scott 'Wino’ Weinrich
DAY TWO
After a very memorable first day, it seemed surreal to wake up and have Saturday, October 6th, be here already. The second day of Doomed & Stoned Festival is the longest, so I commend the diehards who have the stamina to brave both days from beginning to end.
Moonbow was eager to kick off the day and came over from Kentucky to do so. Featuring David McElfresh from Hank 3, Hermano drummer Steve Earle and Valley of the sun bassist Ryan Mcallister, some heavy riffs are sure to be found!
Local Ripple-signed rockers Devil to Pay played followed with their now second appearance at Doomed & Stoned Festival, before handing the stage off to Wolftooth who damned near burned the entire building down with their hot as hell performance, all before even 5pm.
The Judge followed with their brand of proto metal, which provided a nice transition into the darker side of doom that is to follow.
My new friends in Witchkiss took the stage and were so incredibly heavy that it even began to storm which provided very surreal atmosphere.
Traditional metallers Cruthu were back for another Indianapolis performance, this time in front of the audience they so much deserve.
By this point, it is nearing dinner time for most. Our food truck had cancelled yet, most seemed only to hunger riffs. BoneHawk was up next and ready to satisfy that urge with catchy and melodic riffs oftentimes left out of modern stoner rock.
Up next was Great Electric Quest who were undoubtedly one of the most talked of bands performing on the festival and they did not disappoint even one person! Simply put, this is a band that needs to be experienced and not one I will ever forget.
Youngblood Supercult were brave to follow after, still leaving an equal impact on the crowd. They started off with “Into The Dawn”, and as long time supporters of Doomed & Stoned Festival will remember, this song was the anthem of 2016 when Youngblood Supercult also dominated the stage, before moving onto songs from 'The Great American Death Rattle’ (2017).
Finnish doomers Cardinals Folly were up next. I am very humbled that they traveled from the other side of the planet with their crushing traditional sounding doom. Even more impressive, their drummer is blind and still brought the thunder.
Fistula closed the stage out late, and I do believe this could have been their best performance to date, or at least that I’ve seen. This is in great part to their new drummer Ken Easterly, and also a surprise appearance by the now inactive Coffinworm’s vocalist Dave Britts!
I’m not sure how to measure success on these festivals, but I certainly will call 2018 another success. I saw a ton of happy people, got to meet the fine folks from Ripple Music once again. I got to meet new people who offered so many words of encouragement. I saw the stage crews, sound tech, and staff all work together to ensure the best possible experience of all. I saw photographers and die hard lifers in crowd mingling, all in the name of rock and roll. After it’s all done, what more could you want?
Moonbow
Devil To Pay
Wolftooth
Witchkiss
Cruthu
Bonehawk
Great Electric Quest
Youngblood Supercult
Cardinals Folly
This week, we’re taking a closer look at the line-up for the 3rd Annual DOOMED & STONED FESTIVAL in Indianapolis, the original flagship fest of www.DoomedandStoned.com. It takes place this Thursday and Friday, October 5th & 6th, at Indiana City Brewing Company – we couldn’t be more stoked!
Billy Goate, Editor in Chief and host of The Doomed & Stoned, visits with Executive Editor and festival organizer Melissa Maire about each band and play some of our favorite cuts. We’re thrilled to have Scott “Wino” Weinrich (The Obsessed, Saint Vitus) headlining Day I and the mighty Ohio doom crew Fistula headlining Day II.
This is the first year that we’re doing a pre-fest show on Thursday, October 4th, in coordination with Tonesmith and Kuma’s Corner Indianapolis.
Big thanks to sponsors Black Arts Toneworks, Ripple Music, Indy Metal Vault, Electric Beard Of Doom,and Argonauta Records! Poster by Brainvault Illustration.
Get your tickets now through Wednesday here (tickets also available at the door). Come join us as we welcome the darkness of the changing seasons and celebrate the music of the heavy underground!
PLAYLIST
- Introduction (00:00)
- Scott “Wino” Weinrich - “Release” (00:26)
- Pre-Festival Show Discussion (06:19)
- Drude - “Barbelo” (10:11)
- Howling Giant - “Visions” (19:53)
- Forming the Void - “Arcane Mystic” (27:32)
- Festival Day I Discussion (32:22)
- Astral Mass - “Rise Armada” (36:35)
- Black Road - “From Hell” (42:45)
- Pale Horseman - “Witches Will Gather” (50:48)
- Wiccans - “Street Weed” (56:36)
- Festival Day I Discussion - continued (59:59)
- War Cloud - “Give'r” (1:05:17)
- Doomstress - “Rainbow Demon” (1:09:27)
- Mos Generator - “Shadowlands” (1:14:15)
- Wino & Conny Ochs - “Sound of Blue” (1:18:50)
- Festival Day II Discussion (1:22:00)
- Moonbow - “Towards The Sun” (1:26:30)
- Wolftooth - “Forged In Fire” (1:31:45)
- The Judge - “Empty Halls’ (1:38:00)
- Witchkiss - "Seer” (1:42:36)
- Festival Day II Discussion - continued (1:50:00)
- High Reeper - “Soul Taker” (1:53:18)
- Cruthu - “Lady in the Lake” (1:56:46)
- BoneHawk - “The Scout” (2:03:18)
- Great Electric Quest - “Anubis” (2:06:36)
- Festival Day II Discussion - continued (2:09:54)
- Youngblood Supercult - “Draugr” (2:14:22)
- Cardinals Folly - “Worship Her Fire” (2:18:50)
- Fistula - “Whore Cancer” (2:25:12)
*also streaming on Soundcloud