Knotfest and SXSW Team Up for ‘Pulse of the Maggots’ Showcase Featuring Callous Daoboys, Escuela Grind, and Others

Down in Austin, Texas this year, attendees at SXSW will get a front row glimpse at some of the most sonically and aesthetically wild acts out there as Knotfest teams up with the event to present their “Pulse Of The Maggots” showcase.

Slated for Saturday, March 18 at the Austin’s Elysium, the showcase will feature six killer acts: The Callous Daoboys, Creeping Death, Escuela Grind, Miliatrie Gun, Soul Glo, and VCTMS.

Originally created as a digital festival during the height of the pandemic back in 2020, Pulse Of The Maggots became a more in-person affair at the Pulse Fest UK last year. Following the success of that event, SXSW organizers said adding the showcase to their offerings this year just made sense.

“[SXSW is] thrilled to partner with KNOTFEST for their first-ever official showcase. As a festival that’s focused on highlighting new and upcoming artists in the heavy scene, KNOTFEST and Pulse of the Maggots are a perfect fit and are helping us expand more into the growing metal and hardcore scenes. We are excited for everyone to see what is in store for the night.”

Previous bands that have participated in past Pulse Of The Maggots events include: Sylosis, Orbit Culture, Heriot, Spiritworld, As Everything Unfolds, Lotus Eater, Gaerea, Baest, Elyne, Abbie Falls, Cult of Lilith, Capra, Superbloom, Earthists, Pupil Slicer, and Druid. And that’s not even all of them, but you can see the list is super eclectic and features some of the more interesting metal acts out there today.

So if you’re in the area this March or attending SXSW, there are probably worse times to spend your Saturday night — and those don’t involve seeing killer acts like the Callous Daoboys and Escuela Grind.