The 14th Annual Native Rez-olution Youth concert took place at the Southern Ute Fair on September 7. Concert-goers in black T-shirts and black leather boots moshed around to an all-Indigenous lineup of seven heavy metal and rock bands. The alcohol and drug-free event has a unique lineup of bands every year. The concert was started years ago by Robert Ortiz, Graphic Specialist for the Southern Ute Drum.
Loren Anthony, a Navajo actor and motivational speaker, played bass with the band Hellthrone, which traveled from Phoenix, Arizona, to perform at the Rez-olution Youth Concert.
“The scene has still shown nothing but love, nothing but community, nothing but unity. This type of event promotes not drinking, where people can come and feel safe and have a place to be. Metal music in general, has always been aggressive and has a lot of true meaning to its words. A lot of the lyrics that a lot of these bands write are music that's about real life, about the struggles,” said Anthony.
Heavy metal is more than just music. It gives people an outlet to express frustrations and societal challenges faced by many Indigenous communities. In fact, a specific subgenre of heavy metal has developed in Native American Communities called Rez Metal.
“We come here, and we promote love and peace. It's weird to hear that from all these metal bands, but there's a lot of people that don't feel like they belong. There's a lot of pain. When people are struggling, they need to feel like they are heard and they belong. When you come to something like this, and you see the moshing, and you see all the pain, and the anger, we're allowing the misfits to fit. We're allowing everybody to leave here with a smile,” said Ernest Capono, guitarist for Hellthrone.
Secret Earth, a band that hails from San Felipe Pueblo, mixes hip-hop with heavy metal. Lead singer Patrick Velasquez feels right at home performing their experimental music at the tribal fair.
“We come from tribal fairs and feast days. Everybody being here is kind of what we're used to, people gathering, and it's really humbling. It's a driving force for us to be around our own kind. Being up there and seeing everybody from different tribes made me want to scream harder,” said Velasquez.
Dylan Eustace, the guitarist for Secret Earth, agrees.
“I usually get nervous and stuff. But playing shows and playing out here for my brothers and sisters, I don't feel nervous. I feel good,” said Eustace.
Velasquez and Eustace share an encouraging message for youth at the show.
“If you want to do something, just do it. It doesn't really matter, as long as you're not hurting anybody and you're having a good time. Just make sure that you put everything into it,” said Velasquez.
“Don't be afraid to be a little bit out there. Don't be afraid to commit to your art if you think that it sounds good,” Eustace said.
The Rez-olution Youth concert takes place every year in September at the Southern Ute Fair.
