This year marked the second anniversary of the South Texas Rock Fest in San Antonio, Texas. The first festival was held at Hemisfair Park in the lovely downtown area of beautiful San Antone. Maybe just a bit too rowdy for such a historic area. So, this year, it was moved to The Sunken Garden Theater.AXE, The Rods, Dangerous Toys, and a Russian metal band, ANJ. There were a lot of others, but these made an impression on me the most, fore these were the heaviest ones on the bill.Moscow, they traveled a LONG way to be a part of this festival. They are very young, and the only reference to ICP is due to the use of makeup. Other than that, no similarities.Austin with Dead Skin Mask (Slayer Tribute) that I saw. Wow, Jason McMaster hits all those early JP notes with an ease. Check them out if they ever play again.Seattle band that did NOT have that annoying ‘Seattle Sound’ that polluted music in the early 1990’s.

The 2 day festival (May 22nd and 23rd) went off with out a hitch. The weather was a bit on the angry side, but eventually permitted both days to go on with out interruption. The highlights of the show, were Saxon, Queensryche, Adlers Appetite (Steven Adlers new band), SA Sanctuary,

SA Sanctuary, recently back from Japan, put on a great display of furious, fast, mayhem known as ‘Thrash’ metal. Definitely a VERY aggressive tight band.

Saxon, well, they are one of the biggest influences in the metal world, so not too much can be said of how good they are that has not already been said. They closed out the nights and were the highlight of the show, for sure.

Adlers Appetite played mostly all Guns and Roses material, which brought back teenage year memories of dissident youth.

ANJ were interesting. Kind of Rammstein meets ICP. From

Dangerous Toys were there, all original members playing their late 80’s and 1990’s Texas Hard Rock. I have to make mention Jason McMaster Sad Wings Judas Priest tribute is amazing. They did a show in

Queensryche played an amazing set. All the big hits plus alot off of their new release, American Soldier. I must say, this band was my personal favorite of the whole show. I have listened to them ever since they released The Warning. A great

If you can see any ot the bands on this years South Texas Rock Fest, especially the ones mentioned, it is a good idea you will not regret. I really hope Nikita Productions is able to have a 3rd South Texas Metal Fest next year!

See you on the Heavy Side!

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