Metal rules at first Albany Metal Fest | PHOTO GALLERY

ALBANY — The Southwest Georgia metal scene proved its legitimacy last week at the first Albany Metal Fest.

More than 350 metal fans and musicians came to Albany’s downtown State Theatre for the all-day metal mayhem. Fifteen bands from around the South played for an enthusiastic crowd of metal-heads.

Mobile users click here for photo gallery

“Overall, I think it went well,” Metal Fest organizer James Gillham said. “We brought out a little over 250 people total for the event, which is pretty solid, in my opinion. Especially when you take into consideration that my last show at the State Theatre brought out a little over 100 people and an average metal show in Albany brings out anything from 40 to 90 people.

“For being the first show of its kind in Albany in quite a few years, I thought it was successful.”

Artists from four states performed at the gathering that was recognized by GeorgiaMusic.org as one of the Top 10 Georgia Music Festivals of the spring.

“It was great to be able to perform with, and for, a very enthusiastic group of people,” Albany band Dog Head singer/bassist Jason Lodge said. “The bands that we had the pleasure of sharing the stage with were all class acts and showed up to entertain what I feel was the most loyal fan base and scene any musician could ask for.”

Gillham said there was enough interest from musicians, fans and sponsors to justify a second Metal Fest.

“Yes, it is something I think I could pull off again, though it will be sometime before I take on such a large task again,” he said. “I’ve already toyed with the idea of making it an annual event providing the circumstances line up. I think there was enough support from the fans, enough interest from the bands, and enough support from small businesses and local organizations to pull it off again in the future and make it larger and more robust in terms of the entertainment offered.

“I’ve got some pretty awesome ideas of what I could do to make it better and have more of a legitimate festival feel to it. We’ll just have to see how things line up over the next year.”