'Welcome to Deathfest' documentary coming soon

by Doug Moore

MDF

If you follow our metal coverage, you know that we’re big fans of Maryland Deathfest, which has become the preeminent North American metal festival over its eleven-year run. MDF is a rarity; organizers Ryan Taylor and Evan Harting run the entire thing virtually on their own. Given that MDF now draws thousands of people every year, theirs is an extremely impressive logistical feat. Both men have devoted their lives to it, and they work on it full-time and year-round.

An upcoming documentary called Welcome to Deathfest promises a glimpse inside the machinery that makes the festival run. This isn’t the first time someone’s made an MDF documentary; Canadian filmmaker David Hall has made two concert movies at MDF, and has more footage in the works. But judging by its presentation, Welcome to Deathfest will take a more behind-the-scenes look at what goes into pulling the party off. Even if you’re not a metal person, this flick should provide an interesting look into the mechanics of festival organization. No release date has been announced for the movie yet, but you can follow it on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

MDF 2014 happens May 22 – 25 and the initial line-up includes Nocturnus A.D., Cancer, Ulver, Candlemass, Sarke and more.

Stream some early footage from Welcome to Deathfest below.