Last Friday (Nov. 7), Metropolis Gallery in Lancaster, PA hosted the inaugural art exhibition The Sons of Nero for legendary music-based graphic design collective, Sons Of Nero.  The public show opened to more than 2,000 people (!) who came to survey this major retrospective honoring the tremendous impact the multidisciplinary studio has had on Metalcore’s journey and the design pioneers’ underground influences to contemporary fine art forms. Many local and regional news outlets in addition to several online bloggers were present, capturing the excitement surrounding this landmark event. All four “Sons”-Portland (Mathew Hay), Aaron Marsh, Starr James, and Phil Mamula- were there to (humbly) bask in the limelight.

The party didn’t end there, though.  On Saturday, Metropolis’ private event for the Sons, which began at then gallery then moved to a nearby hotel for the festivities, had 200+ music industry people in attendance.  According to Angelo Mardrigale, owner of Metropolis, “Everybody went nuts!”

Check out metalinjection.net’s Issue Oriented video blog, featuring some great clips of the crowd and an interview with Portland and Phil.

Want to see some of Sons Of Nero’s work? Cruise on over to Metropolis’ flickr page.

Metropolis Gallery is a funky gallery/retail store hybrid featuring Mid-Century Modern Furniture, Designer Art Toys, and Modern Art. Metropolis’ founders Lisa and Angelo Madrigale have deep roots in independent music culture, including a combined 30 years experience in music retail. Additionally, Angelo, a former music journalist, has interviewed everyone from Rage Aginst The Machine, to The Misfits, to Henry Rollins. Madrigale has also released three critically lauded albums as drummer for the post-punk outfit Sadaharu. In addition to holding the position of head buyer for Tower Records’ main store in Detroit, Lisa has 10 years of experience as a show promoter in the greater Detroit area, having booked such acts as The Offspring, NOFX, Afghan Whigs and The Jesus Lizard. Metropolis Gallery is located at 154 N. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603. For more information on Metropolis and a preview of their 2009 exhibition calendar, visit www.metropolis-store.com.