‘Metal isn’t about selfies and celebrity’
Photos by Ritchie Tongo/EPA
Vernon Go is beside himself.
You can feel it in his email.
Describing some of the best parts of the recently concluded Pulp Summer Slam, he crows: “All performers brought their best game to the stage. But Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed picked up 30,000 people in his hands and tossed them around with his no-holds-barred performance style.”
Breaking attendance records
Yep, 30,000.
That’s how many sweaty bodies jammed the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City to get their devil horns on as 14 bands—7 homegrown, 7 foreign—played this year’s edition of the annual metalfest.
“We brought in 5,000+ more people this year,” he told Yahoo Philippines in an email.
What makes it special
If the sheer size of the crowd alone doesn’t convince you Vernon is on to something special, he’ll spell it out for you.
“We are the longest running metal festival in Southeast Asia,” he says, with this year’s fest marking its 14th year.
“That is what makes this year and every year special.”
Metal isn’t about selfies or celebrity
Plus, he believes in the innate power of metal.
“Metal and all heavy music is about passion. Getting up. Jumping up and down. Going nuts and letting off some steam...,” he says.
It’s not about “sitting around taking selfies with flower power or something inane and ridiculous,” he explains. “It's not about celebrity. It's not about who has what. It is about the music!”
Legendary performances
This year, the lineup came from all corners. The local contingent consisted of Galaw Tao from Cardona, Rizal; the female-fronted Voice of Tranquility, David vs Goliath from Davao, Embercore from Laguna and Tubero from Fairview, Quezon City.
From farther reaches were Kreator (Germany), Asking Alexandria (England), Bullet For My Valentine (Wales), Hatebreed (US) Crossfaith (Japan), the Black Dahlia Murder (US) and Death Angel (Fil-Ams from California, US).
Some of the best included “the legendary performances” of Death Angel and Kreator, which Vernon describes as “epic milestones for the Philippines.” Bullet For My Valentine and Asking Alexandria also delivered “polished sets” and a “visually stunning” show.
Metal fandom
If Vernon sounds more fan than producer, he is.
In fact, he credits fandom for the continuing success of the annual metalfest.
“Metal fans and music fans of hard and heavy music do not follow trends. They follow their hearts. And our hearts grow, not flit between what is fashionable.”
Biggest achievement
His biggest achievement?
“Keeping everyone happy. Band. Fans. And myself!”
Though he won’t share details, Vernon writes, “I already know what will happen at Pulp Summer Slam 15! ARRRWOOO!”
Check out the Pulp Summer Slam photos:
