| Metal For The Brain |
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| 1991 establishments | |
| australian music festivals | |
| metal festivals | |
| 2006 disestablishments | |
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HISTORY In 1990 Canberra teenager Alec Hurley was left severely brain damaged after a fight outside a hotel. Left permanently disabled and with little government assistance, his close friend Joel Green of local Death Metal band Armoured Angel organised the first Metal for the Brain concert in late 1991 to raise money for his benefit. The first event featured only six acts including two popular punk bands, The Hammonds and The Hard Ons . Joel and Armoured Angel organised the festival each year until 1996 , when Armoured Angel split up. Since then, the event has been put together by another Canberra band, Alchemist , who remain the only act to have appeared at every Metal for the Brain. Originally held at the Australian National University , licensing and crowd restrictions saw the festival moved to Canberra University in 2000 , where it has been held ever since. THE FESTIVAL Even in a country where heavy metal bands are neglected or reviled even by the alternative music press and industy, Metal for the Brain has grown consistently since its inception. By 2000, the show had grown so big that it necessitated a move to a new venue from its long-time home at the ANU. From a bill of only six bands in 1991, Metal for the Brain now features more than 30 and extends for more than 14 hours across three stages. In 2000, an international act was added to the show for the first time when Canadian metal pioneers Voivod headlined the event. German Thrash band Destruction were booked to play MFTB in 2002 ; however due to insurance problems the show was cancelled for the first time ever. Over the years, the musical focus of the event has moved from exclusively death, thrash and Black Metal bands to a variety of styles and in recent years Nu Metal , Industrial , Hard Rock , Progressive Rock and Hardcore bands have taken to the various stages. This has caused some discontent among some sections of the heavy metal fanbase but MFTB remains as the single largest event on the calendar for Australian metal fans. Overseas touring commitments for Alchemist meant the festival was not held in 2004 , but returned in February 2005 . The next Metal for the Brain will be held on September 2, 2006. BANDS The following bands have appeared at Metal for the Brain shows over the years.
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