With Midwinter Music Meltdown in its sixth year, House of Rock, 422 Water St., hopes to bring the rock with local, veteran bands playing this Saturday.

Joe Gunderson, in charge of promotion and booking at House of Rock, said the Meltdown always has a large turnout, with near capacity attendance. He expects an even larger turnout this year.

“This is the best line-up for the region or local areas,” Gunderson said.

He booked four bands from Eau Claire, including Orestus, Mors Mortis Machinatio, Silenize and headliner No Loving Place. The fifth band, The Ottoman Empire, is from Madison.

Rick St. Germaine of No Loving Place coordinates the show every year and agreed with Gunderson that this year’s lineup should make the concert a really good time.

“We’re showcasing some of the area’s best hard rock metal bands,” St. Germaine said in a phone message.

No Loving Place has been around for nine years and has always had a good time playing at the Meltdown for the last six years, St.Germaine said.

The Ottoman Empire lead singer Mary Zimmer said she loves playing at House of Rock as well.

“The crowd is always awesome and super friendly,” she said. “You wouldn’t expect a heavy metal fan base in Eau Claire, but there is.” Zimmer added how playing at House of Rock is like playing a hometown show because her band has played there so many times, even though they are from Madison.

Freshman John Vessely thinks all kinds of people can appreciate heavy metal and it’s music scene.

“It’s a place for people our age to go and let out our emotions with people we can feel comfortable doing it with,” he said.

Although Vessely is not of age to attend concerts in Eau Claire yet, he said he hopes to take advantage of it when he is 21.

Zimmer agrees that many people can enjoy the kind of music her band makes.

“Anybody could like good heavy and melodic music,” she said.

Zimmer has had people come up to her and say they usually aren’t a fan of metal but can appreciate The Ottoman Empire because it’s more melodic. Fans of Iron Maiden and Megadeth can appreciate The Ottoman Empire because these are just a few bands that have influenced the group,, Zimmer said.

Gunderson thinks some people are more likely to appreciate the Meltdown than others.

“Kids who are into the heavy metal music are going to take a liking to this show,” he said.

St. Germaine and Gunderson both described No Loving Place as being “heavy, moody, and melodic metal.”

Gunderson hopes to have new people come out the night of the concert. While there is a strong, local following in metal, he hopes that the Meltdown will “keep expanding the base.” Gunderson would like more students around 21 and 22 to come because it has mostly been a mid- to late- twenties show.

With Saturday night approaching, Zimmer is getting more excited to play, and she hopes to have a good time and accomplish something from playing at the Meltdown.

“I hope to bring metal to Eau Claire and to share our music with new fans and our old friends.”