Death and Decay Metal Fest: Part 1

The first-ever Death and Decay Fest packed ten bands into one sweaty, chaotic day at The Owl, proving that southern Alberta’s underground metal scene is very much alive and kicking. Here’s the breakdown of the first half of the day, five bands that each brought something different to the table.

Nox Solaris – A Slow Burn with Surprising Depth

Nox Solaris had the unenviable task of kicking off the festival, but they leaned into it like pros. Their set was textbook progressive metal, sprawling, dynamic, and willing to take its time. They only fit three songs into a thirty-minute slot, but each one felt like a journey.

One of the first things that caught my eye was their rhythm guitarist playing left-handed with an upside-down-strung guitar, not something you see every day, and it instantly gave the band a weird little edge that stuck with me. They also had a dual-vocal setup: the clean singing came from a newer member, while the growls were handled by the guitarist. The way they layered clean, undistorted sections into heavier blasts kept the energy moving even without a lot of stage antics.

The early crowd was thin and subdued, typical for the start of a long day, but the ones who were there gave Nox Solaris a great reception after every song. I had no expectations walking into their set, but they impressed me enough that I’d absolutely catch them again, hopefully with a longer slot to really dig in. 

Tatara – Youthful Firepower That Ignited the Night

If Nox Solaris got things warmed up, Tatara came in and lit the place on fire. I saw this young Edmonton band once before and had high hopes, they did not disappoint. In fact, they upped the ante. With more stage presence, more energy, and more raw exuberance than last time, they made it clear they’re not a flash in the pan. 

Tatara didn’t just play to the audience, they played with them. They threw themselves around the stage, fed off every cheer, and made it obvious they love what they do. When the pit finally broke open, it was during their set, and once it started, it didn’t stop. Circle pits in a place as small as The Owl are absolutely nuts, but somehow, nobody seemed to care. It was pure chaos in the best way.

One of their newer songs stood out as a real highlight, tight, fast, and heavy, but honestly, the entire set blurred together into one high-energy barrage. Guitar picks being tossed, setlists being snagged by fans after the set… little things like that made it feel like these guys are already on their way up. I can’t wait to see where they end up next. 

Void of Mood – Doom-Laden Grooves and Sharp Crowd Work

Void of Mood brought the night back into darker, heavier territory. Their sound lands somewhere between doom and black metal, with a hazy, crushing atmosphere that still leaves room for flashes of melody. It’s a hard balance to strike, but they nail it without sounding like anyone else around.

It was my second time catching them, and once again, the standout wasn’t just the music, it was their bass player. The guy has magnetic stage presence, joking with the crowd, calling out slackers, and basically treating the venue like his living room. At one point he even blasted the older crowd for letting the kids dominate the pit, it was hilarious and perfectly in the spirit of the night. 

Even though the pit action had cooled a little compared to Tatara’s set, Void of Mood still pulled the crowd in tight. Their sound washes over you more than it punches you, but it hits just as hard in the end. They’re consistent, they’re growing, and they’re one of those bands that feel like a crucial piece of the local scene’s DNA. I’ll always be down to catch another set. 

Godfall – A Dual-Vocal Assault That Left a Mark

Godfall rolled out a six-piece lineup, two singers, two guitarists, bass, and drums, and immediately grabbed the room’s attention. Visually, they were striking: the harsh vocalist was all energy and interaction, while the clean female vocalist stayed locked into her performance without needing to hype the crowd. It worked, the contrast made their set feel dynamic rather than chaotic.

Sonically, they came across like a heavy mix of Evanescence and Linkin Park, with shifts between sludgy breakdowns and soaring melodic sections. The rhythm guitarist even had a Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit) vibe, slightly theatrical and a little out of place visually, but it somehow fit. 

They did have a brief hiccup early on with some guitar feedback, but it was quickly dealt with and didn’t derail anything. Once they hit their stride, the pit opened right back up. Godfall’s ability to bounce between tempos, from almost angelic intros to pit-worthy riffage, made sure nobody got too comfortable. 

I had no idea what to expect from this band, but they completely won me over. I’ll be looking out for more from them for sure. 

Built to Decay – Hometown Heroes That Never Miss

Built to Decay came in like a freight train and proved once again why they’re one of the most exciting bands around here right now. High energy, a tight sound (as tight as their punk/metal blend can allow), and the kind of confidence that only comes from grinding it out at show after show.

This wasn’t even the first time their drummer hit the stage that day, it was his third set of the festival, and he still played like it was his first. Insane stamina and precision, the kind you miss when you think about how much older you are now than the kids going hard in the pit. 

Speaking of the pit: Built to Decay know how to stir it up. Some of it comes from being a hometown favourite, but most of it comes from the music itself, urgent, raw, and impossible to stand still to. They even pulled out a Dead Kennedys cover mid-set, dedicating it to one of the local regulars in the crowd, who ended up on stage raging with them. It’s little moments like that that remind you why local scenes matter so much. 

Built to Decay have the sound, the energy, and the guts to go a lot farther than this. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them headlining bigger festivals like Loud As Hell in a few years. 

Final Thoughts

The first half of Death and Decay Fest set a hell of a bar. Whether it was the slow-burn mastery of Nox Solaris, the all-out chaos of Tatara, the heavy haze of Void of Mood, the polished dual attack of Godfall, or the hometown triumph of Built to Decay, every band brought something real and memorable. If the second half of the night kept pace, Death and Decay Fest could be well on its way to becoming a new must-attend event on Alberta’s metal calendar.

Read part two.