When it comes to creating a memorable connection between music and art, nobody may have had a better partnership in rock and roll over the years than Metallica’s relationship with Pushead. The striking visuals are recognizable around the world, making language and culture a non-factor to instant camaraderie over a familiar brand.
Pushead and Juxtapoz go way back, with his work being featured in the 20 year magazine group show as well as a Pushead-curated issue of the magazine within recent memory, so when we were invited to Rock on the Range this year with Metallica as the headlining act, we had to make the trek to Ohio to see how the Bay Area’s legends are holding things down these days.
In fact, many of the bands in the lineup have worked with artists featured in Juxtapoz at one time or another. The Alex Pardee & Primus relationship is an easy one to point out. He’s also done work with the band In Flames, who has also done work with Derek Hess. Other notable projects like Ron English’s recent cover artwork for Korn, Nick Steinhardt’s connection to both Coheed & Cambria and Deafheaven, and Hibiki Miyazaki’s relationship with Gojira all cross those boundaries to create a cooler, more encompassing package than either just the art or the music would do alone.
Weather in Ohio can be fickle this time of year, but despite rain delayed sets, evacuations, and muddy festival grounds, the show went on and everyone was in good spirits. We caught great sets from nostalgic bands like Live and the Offspring, to mind-blowing energy and technical wizardry from bands like Coheed & Cambria, Zakk Sabbath, and The Dillinger Escape Plan.
As expected, Metallica stole the show and blew the entire stadium away with an extended-curfew set Sunday night that included several new songs mixed in with favorite bangers like “One,” “Creeping Death,” and “Master of Puppets,” not faking a single downpick and delivering on what everyone had endured the elements to see.
Rock on the Range 2017 was awesome despite the disagreeable weather. Special thanks to our friends at Danny Wimmer Presents and AEG Presents for putting on another amazing festival.
