As mentioned, Orion Music & More happens this weekend in Atlantic CIty's Bader Field from June 23-24 and is being headlined by Metallica both nights, who play Ride the Lightning in full on Saturday (6/23) and The Black Album in full on Sunday (6/24). Other bands playing include Arctic Monkeys, Modest Mouse, Hot Snakes, Fucked Up, The Gaslight Anthem, Titus Andronicus, Best Coast, Liturgy, A Place to Bury Strangers, and more, plus a heavy stage with Suicidal Tendencies, Sepultura, Torche, Red Fang, Kyng, Landmine Marathon, Black Tusk, Thy Will Be Done and others. The heavy stage (aka "Damage, Inc.") isn't the only place you can catch heavy bands though. The festival also includes Baroness on the Orion stage, The Sword on the Fuel stage, Liturgy on the Frantic stage, and Ghost on the Orion stage. You can check out the full schedule of both days and all four stages HERE.

Orion Music & More is the first NYC-area appearance for Hot Snakes since the reunited band played The Bell House and Maxwell's in December. They'll play another area show (also in NJ) at ATP I'll Be Your Mirror in September.

As mentioned, it's the first time in a while that Modest Mouse will be in the NYC area. They play Orion on Saturday (6/23) before heading to Randall's Island for Governors Ball, which also happens this weekend.

There's a ton of stuff going on at Orion other than live music too. You can pick up rock 'n' roll memorabilia at Ktulu's Rock 'N' Roll Emporium, check out film screenings hand-picked by Lars Ulrich at Hit The Lights Films, skate the Motorbreath Mini Ramp, have a glimpse into Kirk Hammett's creepy personal collection of horror film memorabilia at Kirk's Crypt, surf, nerd out at the ESP Guitar Experience, check out the Metallica Museum, show your support for a variety of charities, or check out the car show.

If you're heading out to Atlantic City for the fest this weekend, head here for directions. If you're driving, there's no on-site parking at the field, but there are a number of parking areas nearby and free shuttles that run from the lots to Bader Field. If you're taking the train, you can get there via the Amtrak or the NJ Transit Rail and there will be a free shuttle from the Atlantic City terminal to the festival. Once you're there, this map should help you get around. We're also told that it's about a 20-30 minute walk from the boardwalk.

Tickets for the festival are still available.

In related news," Kirk's Crypt" isn't the only place Mr. Hammett will be indulging in his love of all things creepy. He'll be publishing a book titled Too Much Horror Business - The Kirk Hammett Collection this October via Abrams Image with photographs of his personal collection of horror memorabilia. The book also includes Kirk's own handwritten captions for many of the photographs. He'll be putting out limited edition toys, like the ones he's been collecting his whole life, along with the book this October. You can pre-order the book at Kirk's online toy store. He'll be discussing the book at Kirk's Crypt at 4 PM each day.

Maybe his old friend Glenn Danzig will add it to his book collection...

Continue reading "Metallica's Orion Fest is in Atlantic City this weekend; Kirk Hammett releasing horror memorabilia book"

The rumored two-day NJ Metallica festival is true, and it's happening on June 23 & 24, 2012 in Atlantic City, NJ. 22+ artists (music and comedy) will play with Metallica headlining both nights with special setlists. Metallica will play the Black Album in its entirety on one of the nights "for the first time ever on US soil", and... Ride The Lighting on the other night! The venue is Bader Field (an abandoned airport).

Other bands are:

Arctic Monkeys • Avenged Sevenfold
Modest Mouse • The Gaslight Anthem
Cage The Elephant • Fucked Up • Best Coast
Hot Snakes • Titus Andronicus
Gary Clark Jr. • Lucero • Roky Erickson
The Black Angels • The Sword
A Place to Bury Strangers • Liturgy
+ more TBA

There will be a MET Club Ticket Presale on Feb 8 at 10am with a special MET Club presale price of $125 for two days. Public sale begins Feb 11 at 10am. Early bird tickets will be $150 for two days, or $175 if you wait to buy them.

"More than just music, the festival will also feature a lifestyle element showcasing the band's individual interests - and allowing fans to interact directly with each of the band members. More details soon!"

The festival is in partnership with C3 who also does Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits.