Back in 2007, I, Aaron "Goregrowler" Mendiola decided to gather some of my closest metal friends from around Texas to help celebrate my 30th birthday. I mean I was turning 30, and my birthday happened to fall on a Saturday this year. It started off as just a 1 day show with a few bands, and it rapidly grew to a two day event which featured over 30 local, regional, national bands which most all had members who are personal friends of mine. The one's who were not too familiar with me, have now become some cool friends of mine. I didn't want to call it something like "Texas Death Fest" or anything like that, and since it was my birthday celebration, I called this fest THE GOREGROWLER'S BALL!
After the 2007 fest was over, I kept getting requests for a 2nd year in 2008, so what the fuck was I supposed to do?!?! THE GOREGROWLER'S BALL II was created! Again it was help in the month of November, but this time around it wasn't a birthday fest. It was just a fest, but I kept the same name.
The Ball 2 grew to a 3 day event which held stage to over 50 bands from around the country. This time the line up was more diverse featuring some thrash, black, and death metal bands which some are well known names, and others not so much. As soon as the fest was over, I quickly began working on a line up for 2009.
We are now entering our 3rd year in existence. The Goregrowler's Ball so far has been one of the sickest Extreme Metal fests in South Texas. We have featured the best in the Texas Underground, all the way to Internationally known headliners. We will continue to bring The Ball to San Antonio as long as the crowd keeps coming!!!
PERSONAL STATEMENT FROM THE ORGANIZER:
"When I created this fest, and even now, I want all of you to know that I am not into this as a competition to other fests around the US or world for that fact. I remember in 2007, during my first year in existence, I posted up the info on such sites as blabbermouth, and various forums. This was done just to let the readers know about the fest. It's called promotion, assholes! I mean, shit... there are a lot of metal heads in Texas, and even San Antonio who are more glued to the computer for info rather than going to the local record shop to pick up a flyer.
Of course as expected, there were shit talkers with their cute little remarks about my fest. Calling it a local shit fest... asking who the fuck are these bands... even giving my fest name a hard time! Funny thing is this... I even saw a posting from a well known fest organizer making fun of my fest. Wow! What class, and what professionalism. I know that Goregrowler's Ball will never be Maryland Death Fest, or even The Central Illinois Metal Fest. I know that Goregrowler's Ball will remain an underground fest who will feature all kinds of bands from local to regional. I will always try to book a well known headliner for each day. For now this will be my format, as I am just one person without corporate sponsors, without a partner(s).
One my final note I will say this... Within the past few years I have seen a high abundance of festivals popping up all over the country. I think this is great! I will never make fun of you. I am here for advise, help, etc... We have publicly seen festivals such as Monster Fest in Ohio or even The Thunder of Gods Fest in Texas fail miserably at the attempt to be a legit fest. Well I have survived a very successful year and a so-so year, and I am still going strong and will always continue!" -Aaron "Goregrowler" Mendiola
