Darkness Descends – POWERMAD to Perform at Surly Brewing’s Darkness Day 2012

It’s that time of year for Darkness Day, the annual party to celebrate the release of Darkness, the worldwide-celebrated Russian imperial stout beer produced in limited quantities by Surly Brewing. It’s held outside at the brewery (4811 Dusharme Dr., Brooklyn Center, MN 55429) and, of course, is generally the only place to purchase bottles of this highly sought-after beer. Other Surly beers (including limited releases and cask beers) will be available to purchase and drink on-site, and a number of local food trucks will also be there. Full details about the event, including the procedure for purchasing Darkness, are available at the Surly website. The event is free and open to those under 21 accompanied with a parent or guardian, but you will want to bring cash for food and beer.

There’s also a fantastic lineup of local metal bands playing in the afternoon, and headlining will be Powermad, the sorely overlooked speed/thrash metal band that released an EP through Combat Records and an outstanding EP and album, Absolute Power, through Reprise in the late 80s. What I did not know is that Surly’s head brewer and mastermind, Todd Haug, is the guitarist of Powermad.

Watch the video for "Nice Dreams" from Absolute Power.

I recently spoke with Todd to get all the details about the bands playing at Darkness Day. It was a wide-ranging interview that also covered details of the new Powermad album that is currently being mastered for release next year and his incredible journey from metal to brewing beer. Look for the full interview to be published here soon – Todd’s story and his rise to the upper echelons of the craft brewing business are remarkable! Along with the expected older material, Powermad will also be performing two new songs, “Souls Descending” and “Hypocrite”, from the upcoming album. One of the songs, “Souls Descending”, was released through the Powermad website last year and is still available for free download. Have a listen and check out the video for “Souls Descending”:

The other bands playing at Darkness Day are Profound Lore recording artist Wolvhammer, We Are Legion, and God Came From Space. Each band will be playing an hour-long set with God Came From Space starting at 11:00 am, We Are Legion at 1:00 pm, Wolvhammer at 3:00 pm, and Powermad wrapping up the day at 5:00 pm. The bands will be playing outside this year, as there’s no more room inside the brewery to accommodate a stage.

If you’re a Surly devotee, you know that you should arrive early before the grounds open at 11:00 am. Be sure, though, to stick around in the afternoon for a great day of metal bands.

Concert Announcements - October 19, 2012

Sold out – there are no tickets remaining for Converge, Torche, Kvelertak, and Mourner tonight, Friday, October 19 at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis.

The Throw The Fight show scheduled for Friday, October 27 at the North Star Room in Mounds View has been canceled. According to an October 16 post at the venue’s Facebook page, the North Star Room is “changing directions” and “taking a break from shows.”

New Jersey-based black metal band Krieg launches an East Coast assault with Minneapolis’s own Profound Lore recording artist Wolvhammer and Doomsday that lands at the Hexagon Bar in Minneapolis on Saturday, October 27.

Progressive doom/hard rock band Royal Thunder takes the stage at The Nether Bar at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis on Sunday, October 28. Joining them is two of the Twin Cities’ best grind/sludge bands, Ambassador Gun (newly signed to Prosthetic Records) and Blue Ox.

Local power metal band Dawn Of Valor has secured the support slot for ex-Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate at Mill City Nights on Sunday, November 4.

The P.O.D. and Nonpoint show at First Avenue in Minneapolis on Friday, November 16 has been canceled. A statement on the First Avenue website reads: “Due to a scheduling conflict with P.O.D., the November 16 show has been canceled. Etix sales will be automatically refunded. Any tickets purchased at First Avenue or our local outlets can be refunded at The Depot Tavern.” You can still catch P.O.D. on Saturday, December 8 at Myth in Maplewood in support of 3 Doors Down and Daughtry.

Due to the above cancellation, Nonpoint has been re-booked on Friday, November 16 for a show at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis.

Alternative hard rock band Candlebox will be playing in Burnsville at the High Five Bar & Grill on Saturday, December 1. I believe the High Five is the same venue as the now-closed Primetime Bar & Grill.

West End Motel, the side project of Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds, plays the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis on Sunday, December 9 with support from Ricer for an 18+ show. Tickets are $10 and go on sale today, Friday, October 19 at 12:00 noon through etix and other local First Avenue ticket outlets.

Returning to Mill City Nights in Minneapolis on Thursday, December 20 is the one and only Steel Panther. This is an 18+ show. Their last show here sold out, so get your tickets soon—they go on sale today, Friday, October 19 at 10:00 am through the Mill City Nights website or AXS, their box office, and Electric Fetus in Minneapolis.

Chicago’s legendary hard rock band Styx returns to the area for a show at the Mystic Lake Showroom in Prior Lake on Friday, December 28.

Poison frontman Bret Michaels is back again, this time for a show at Treasure Island Casino in Welch on New Year’s Eve, Monday, December 31.

Full details about the Doro and Sister Sin show on Valentine’s Day, Thursday, February 14 have been released, and the big news is that Station 4 and Swordlord Productions are presenting this as a FREE show. It’s a 21 and up show and doors are at 7:00. Get their early and be sure to show your appreciation by being generous at the bar.

As if hosting Michael Schenker on Saturday, October 27 wasn’t enough, Neisen’s in Savage will also present legendary guitar god Uli Jon Roth on Saturday, February 16. No ticket information is available at this time.