The Hatebreed-frontman shares how the passing of beloved Black Dahlia Murder frontman Trevor Strnad inspired him to act on the longtime dream to revive the brand.
Regarded as the biggest and longest-running metal festival of it’s kind in the domestic United States, the Milwaukee Metalfest has long been the stuff of legend. Responsible for playing host to an international roster of some of extreme music’s most iconic bands, the generational mainstay was a huge part of the Midwest’s metal music identity.
Considered the precursor to cultural shifting festivals like Ozzfest and Mayhem, Milwaukee Metalfest was a fixture in heavy culture throughout the 90’s – curating an internationally respected roster of artists that had major implications for the proliferation of metal music during the era.
That influence resonated big with many current ambassadors of the genre, specifically with Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta. Regarded as a prominent voice within the community of heavy music, Jasta is taking his role as generational leader to the next level, acquiring the rights for Milwaukee Metalfest with the clear intention of restoring the banner to it’s storied glory days.
“I am so grateful and thrilled that [founder] Jack Koshick has passed the Milwaukee Metalfest torch off to me,” Jasta shares. “He is a visionary and we will carry on the MMF legacy for years to come. So many of us have great memories from Milwaukee Metalfest, and the time is right for it to return.”
Koshick spoke about the legacy of the brand and how Jasta is the ideal person to lead the charge into the next generation. “Milwaukee Metal Fest has been a labor of love for me. I started working on it when I was 29; I am now 66. I want to thank all those living and dead for making this dream come true. Most of all, I want to thank the bands, fans, and crews that made this happen. The time has come to move on. I feel Jamey Jasta and his partners will do a fine job representing the brand. Until we meet again, I love you all.”
Aside from his fond memories of the Midwest tradition, Jasta explained how the move was especially personal for him and how the passing of Black Dahlia Murder’s Trevor Strnad prompted him to make the dream a reality. “On a recent podcast I did with the late [Black Dahlia Murder singer] Trevor Strnad (RIP), I fantasized about bringing the fest back and even wanted Trevor to curate it with me,” Jasta confides. “In light of his death, I feel the need to see it through and relaunch the festival in 2023.”
Fans are encouraged to visit the Milwaukee Metalfest website to sign up for updates.
In addition to the news of the festival endeavor for Jasta, the multi-hyphenate is also hard at work on his forthcoming solo album, …And Jasta For All. Hitting his social media recently to share a video of Anthrax legend Scott Ian shredding for a guest spot, Jasta revealed the progress on the album and called it a “love letter to all things thrash.”
Jasta also listed a handful of additional appearances confirmed on the album that is set to arrive sometime later this year. In addition to the previously mentioned Scott Ian, Testament frontman Chuck Billy, former Exodus vocalist Steve “Zetro” Souza, Viol-lence guitarist Phil Demmel and Nuclear Assault/former Anthrax bassist Dan Lilker are all included in the project.
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