What a glorious start to Oblivion Access Festival. With the likes of San Jose, CA trio Duster, mesmerizing New Mexico artist Midwife, the twisted brilliance of doom/grind/post-punk harsh noise outfit Elizabeth Colour Wheel, and the obliterating hardcore that is Oklahoma City’s Chat Pile, it was a perfect evening welcoming fest goers into the abyss with the darkest embrace. Expect more of these ridiculously stunning and awe-inspiring performances taking over the Red River Cultural District at Empire Control Room, Elysium, Mohawk, Valhalla, Central Presbyterian Church on E. 8th, Chess Club and The 13th Floor.
This year’s Oblivion Access line-up is massive, celebrating underground music and art on the darker end of the spectrum, from grindcore to doom metal, hip-hop to punk, dark synth to noise rock and beyond. Just a smattering of AMM picks include experimental artist Jarboe; hip-hop outfit clipping; Toronto dark wave artist and AMM fave TR/ST (featured on today’s AMM, and the photo above by Pooneh Ghana); doom metal band Pallbearer; experimental duo Yellow Swans; and of course, Drab Majesty; along with local artists Thor and Friends, noise rockers USA/Mexico, Mugger, and F— Money.
For more Oblivion Access picks, check out KUTX host Ryan Wen’s badass selections, and check out the fantastic feature about the festival by Texas Standard. And find Oblivion Access ticket info at this link here.
*One more thing: The AMM would like to send an extra shout-out to KFC Murder Chicks, playing at Empire Control Room this afternoon at 5:30 p.m. I’ve had “Tsundere 2.0” on repeat for two days in a row. Go get your face melted.
