After the 2009 edition of Rocklahoma – a.k.a. the Wacken of Hair Metal – turned out to be an epic fail,  it was announced that AEG live, “the world’s largest producer of music festivals,” had been put in charge of “revamping” the fest for the 2010 version – including helping with “talent booking.” At the time, I suggested that this might be code for “no more hair metal bands,” and as it turns out,  I was right. Here’s the line-up for this year’s fest, in nifty poster form (via Bring Back Glam):

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Janus – Red Right Return: Unspectacular radio hard pop that would’ve fared well as opener for Filter in 1996. Pass.

Last House on the Left – Among Flies: Darkest Hour Swedecore meets deathcore by numbers. Skip.

And Hell Followed With – Domain: Technically sound but completely uninteresting breakdowncore with a tinge of Black Dahlia envy. Pass.

Set Fire to Athens – s/t: Technically proficient metalcore that *might* have felt original in 2004. Pass.

Born From Pain – Survival: Hatebreedcore with dashes of death metal guitar and NYHC shout-along choruses. I need this why?

The first four albums:

(one and a half out of five horns)

Born From Pain:

(two out of five horns)

-VN

[View Musings Part 2.]