Inkcarceration shines a light on the thriving heavy culture of the Midwest

Posted by Ramon Gonzales in Culture on July 18, 2023

See the comprehensive photo gallery featuring Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Coal Chamber, Lamb of God, Pantera, Volbeat, Megadeth and so many more.

There just aren’t many destinations that offer the kind of unique backdrop for a music festival like the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, OH.

The location made famous in the film, The Shawkshank Redemption, has become a synonymous with the Mid West hard rock and metal contingent as the home of the still ascending The Inkcarceration Festival – a yearly tradition that bridges a mammoth music line up with a roster of globally recognized tattooers for one massive three-day celebration.

For each of the last two years, Inkcarceration has drawn some 75,000 attendees over the three-day stretch, establishing a winning track record with both fans and bands alike. For the 2023 edition, a fever pitch of excitement was in the air as headliners Limp Bizkit, Pantera and Slipknot ensured the intensity of the Inkcarceration faithful got their fill.

Among the additional standout performances included the likes of Megadeth, Volbeat, Lamb of God, Hatebreed, In This Moment, Highly Suspect, Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm, Motionless In White, a reunited Coal Chamber, Underoath and so many more. The weekend touted several highlight performances, driven by the kind of energy that coursed through the grounds all weekend long among the fans.

Covering the action from the field, photographers Lexie Alley, Nathan Zucker and Steve Thrasher were on-hand to capture the sights and sounds of the three-day Midwest heavy culture celebration. See the set of spectacular images from Inkcarceration 2023 below.