Deep in the heart of downtown Austin, amidst the folk duos and power-pop bands that dot local bars and venues, there lurked something much darker, much heavier and altogether more sinister. Texas Independence Fest took up residency at the Empire Control Room & Garage this weekend, boasting an impressive lineup of metal bands that ran the gamut from thrash legends Death Angel to modern deathcore forerunners like Oceano and Whitechapel. ORANGE Magazine captured some of the highlights while simultaneously dodging elbows and spin-kicks from fans with neck tattoos and gauged ears.
Photos by Britny Eubank and Bryan Rolli
