Festivals!: Border Assault 2020- Laredo, TX USA
Metal Festival season is in full swing. Although it seems as of late that there is less of a season and more of a year-round celebration of brutality if you know where to look domestically and abroad.
With that said, I wanted to highlight Border Assault 2020 as it is the first year that Rick Garaz will be hosting this festival in the border town of Lerado, TX. The festival spans over 2 days with stages in 2 venue The Cold Brew and The Electric Lounge. The fest will feature Death, Black, Thrash and Heavy Metal acts from all over.
Rick Garza has been booking shows in the area since 1990. This is the first festival he has taken under his belt after finding the courage to take the plunge and book enough bands to mold it into something awesome. The festival has been receiving a positive response from all over the U.S.. Attendees are expected to fly in from all over to include myself flying in from Las Vegas, NV.
There will be vendors and distributors set up to sell their goods as well as access to 3 restaurants close to the venue to get your grub on. The venues are a block apart from each other, the bands will not be overlapped so people have plenty of time to walk on over and not miss out on any of the bands they wish to see. While a band is playing at one venue, at the other band will be setting up to play. There will be 7 bands on Friday and 10 bands on Saturday. Doors will open at 5 p.m. on Friday and at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Whether the street between the 2 venues will be closed is still up in the air so if you are attending be mindful of any traffic that might be around to keep with a safe festival experience.
Featured Bands:
Blood Red Throne (Norway)
Helstar (Houston, TX)
Morbosidad
Satanic Goat Ritual (El Paso, TX)
Flesh Hoarder (San Antonio, Maxwell & Austin, TX)
Mortuary (Mexico)
Maiestas (Dallas, TX)
Unholy Desecration (Texas/ Mexico)
Pious Levus
Trench Warfare (Midland, TX)
Anialator (Corpus Christi, TX)
Dream of Nebiros (Mexico)
Chemicaust
Archangel AD (Edinburg, TX)
Venerial Baptism (Laredo, TX)
Astaroth (Laredo, TX)
Human Body Harvest (South Texas)
Tickets
Pre- sale tickets were only $40 for a two day pass and $25 single day passes from November 8- December 6,2019. They are now slightly higher and can be purchased at the door day of the event. Door Prices TBD.
Official Festival Merch
The festival will have 2 T shirt designs for sale to add to your band and festival merch collections.
Venues
Although this might sound like some sort of hipster coffee joint when you first look at the name, this is definitely anything but. Hosting Kareoke, Stand Up Comedy Nights and Live Music this place is popping.
I want to make an electric slide joke but I wont. The venue showcases local talent as well as regional and national acts with a full bar, stellar sound and stage lighting.
Hotels
With every great festival comes specials on rooms for at least one hotel. In this case, Family Garden Inn & Suites comes at you with very affordable rooms complete with microwave and refrigerators.
The amenities include a pool and spa, complimentary hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, lemonade and cold beer during social hour at the Cabana and on site laundry facilities for bands and fans to wash their beer and sweat drenched clothing as they see fit prior to packing it back up in their luggage.
Shout Outs from Rick
“I’d like to thank everyone that has supported the festival. You won’t be disappointed,! I’d also like to thank my sponsors Emperor Services, The Frame House, Med -Point Ambulance Services , Mikes Bail bonds, and The Blitz 100.1 . Looking forward on seeing everyone here this February 28-29. Stay Metal!!”
Plans for 2021
Rick is already coordinating with and looking for additional bands for next year #BorderAssault2021. There is talk of expanding the fest to be slightly bigger the next time around but it already looks like its going to be an EPIC time.
