KZUM Benefit, Presented by The Metal Manifesto: The Metal Inquisition to Feature a Full Day of Metal

By Madisyn Hahn
Sept. 26, 2019

This year is the first year of The Metal Inquisition which will be held Sept. 28 at Gray’s Keg located at 104 N 20th Street starting at noon until 2 a.m. The event is held by The Metal Manifesto which is a weekly radio show, playing metal of all styles and genres, that airs on KZUM every Friday night and Saturday morning from midnight to 3 a.m.

The host of the weekly Metal radio show, “The Metal Manifesto,” Jon Kruse said, “I organized this benefit to help assist in raising money for the station. I contacted and secured the venue with the assistance of local bands I’ve gotten to know and then acquired some backing through sponsors from local businesses in Lincoln and other Nebraska communities.”

With shirts at Gray’s on sale for $15, attendees can wear the shirt the day of the show and get into the event all day for free, or pay $10 at the door the day of the show. The events personal goal is raising at least $1000 for KZUM in its first year presenting the event and an expectation of 250-300 people in attendance.

“We have 13 bands from numerous Nebraska towns including Lincoln, Kearney, Grand Island and Omaha. Sam from Cosmic Eye Brewery will be there during the day to serve up samples of his awesome beer, some of which will be available at Gray’s all day. We will be having a silent auction with local band merchandise, some limited edition “Metal Manifesto” stocking caps, CD Warehouse and Recycled Sounds Gift Cards,” Kruse said.

Performances start with Quicksand Devil at noon, followed by Griffoctopuss, From The Arc, Peace Love and Strychnine, Flux Amuck, Pharis, Gorilla Spank, Broken Skulls, DND, Deadend, Molten, Cynge, Mobius, and ending with a local band jam.

“We need to encourage people to take a chance and go out to see local music, to support these musicians and their craft. Metal as well has always been the industry’s “black sheep” that for the most part gets ignored and pushed to the side that is why I wanted to make this event,” Kruse said. “Personally I’m excited for a couple of things, one, the chance to give back to KZUM for them giving me the opportunity to live out one of my dreams and passions by having my own radio show. Also, being able to see a few bands on the bill live for the first time that I’ve yet to catch at a show. Lastly, as nervous as I am, I’m very excited to get the opportunity to get up on stage and be one of them if even for just a moment.”