Blood Bath 2: The Kickoff of the Fall Season

By Ashlee Harcar

Music Journalist

Texas State’s campus is buzzing with energy as both new and returning Bobcats flood classrooms, many excited to fully embrace the unique culture of San Marcos. As clouds fill the sky and the leaves begin to crisp, the city’s charm is in full swing. Whether you are a newcomer to the music scene or a seasoned veteran, your fall semester initiation kicks off at the Blood Bath 2 show on Friday, September 13th. Dress in your most terrifying attire, get ready to mosh, and prepare to douse yourself in the bloodiest night you have ever experienced.  

San Martians could never forget the first Blood Bath of last October, organized by Hannah Baratang and Cristina Mauri. Vendors, bands and DJs alike showcased their talents amid the perfect chaos. From wrestling in a pool of fake blood, to bodies soaring atop the dirt and grass, to the rhythmic echoes of local musicians. Private Park became a stage and a studio for raw expression. The upcoming Blood Bath 2 show with its fresh lineup is set to impress even the most seasoned San Marcos locals. Known for its intense atmosphere and unforgettable performances, the show promises to take the chaos and energy to another level.  

Kicking off our lineup is Poorvida, an exciting sound system from Austin, Texas. Poorvida said, “I resonate with a wide variety of electronic music. I really love hard techno, hardstyle, industrial, and a little bit of EBM (electric body music).” Since their debut at the start of 2024, Poorvida has been making waves with appearances at events like Three for Thursdays at Empire and various themed shows at Pearl Street Co-Op. Their distinctive sound and dynamic performance are set to kick off next week’s Blood Bath with a powerful start. 

After the waves of techno dissipate, screamo and emoviolence band, Harmony’s Demise, will set the stage, keeping the intensity high. Harmony’s Demise is a four-piece band from San Antonio who began their music journey in late December of 2023. As their sound transformed over time, the energy they bring to shows never fails to disappoint. With Jay Espinoza’s powerful vocals, Bron Garcia’s razor-sharp guitar riffs, Angel Fuentes’ impressive bassist skill and the thumping of Adan Anaya’s drum set Harmony’s Demise is destined to bring the crowd and the mosh to life. 

Tetsuo, a deathcore and emoviolence band new to the live music scene, will appear under the string lights of Private Park. This four-piece band came together from separate corners of Houston, but their practice space is “in the heart of downtown, a good middle ground for all of us.”, a member of Tetsuo said. “At the very start, we had planned to go the sasscore route, one of the main inspirations being the band Daughters (their first two releases 2002-2003), but as we keep developing our sound, we’ve been wanting to incorporate more deathcore and emoviolence elements.” So far, the band has only played one official show this past August. With that said, catch the soundscapes of this band while it’s fresh, as they will leave San Marcos yearning for more. 

Just when you thought that you couldn’t get enough of techno, Austin-based DJ Sewa is pouring into Blood Bath to play beats unlike any other. Sewa’s genres of preference include different indigenous dance genres from around the world, such as tribal (3ball), kuduro, batida, gqom, guaracha, changa tuki, and more. Sewa began performing as a DJ and musician in 2022, starting with her collective called BPM. Show up and show out to indulge in an around-the-world sound experience as Sewa transforms Private Park into a multicultural and ethereal soundscape. 

Prepare for a sonic twist as God Shell, a veteran of the central Texas music scene, steps up to deliver a surprising set at Blood Bath. As a performer at countless venues and shows, this seven-year running music group is cranking up the heat this week. The band said, “I’ve seen people call us blackened noise or blackened doom before, but for bloodbath we’re actually going to be playing a live techno set, which we like to do from time to time.” Watch out San Martians, this immersive techno experience might just sweep you off your feet. 

Locals can expect a night of relentless mosh pits, thrashing guitar riffs and theatrical blood-soaked performances by wrestlers that make Bloodbath such an iconic event. The new artists bring their own unique twists, adding diversity to the lineup without losing the intensity the show is known for. If you’re experiencing the madness for the first time, this Bloodbath will leave a lasting impression and further cement Private Park’s reputation as a must-see San Marcos spectacle.