It is difficult to imagine a “meltdown” of any kind, frosted within the 40-below wind chills of arctic air currently (as I write) blasting this part of the country. But I will take whatever respite I can get, even if it comes in the form of a sonic metaphor. And one would be hard pressed to find a warmer spot in Eau Claire on the seventh, both literally, in terms of living bodies packed into a room, and figuratively, in terms of volcanic noise, than the House of Rock’s hosting of the 7th Annual Midwinter Music Meltdown. Enterprising local metalhead Rick St. Germaine has put together another stellar musical package, easily on par with the sterling legacy of past Midwinter Music Meltdowns, which introduced the Eau Claire area to the likes of Black Flood Diesel, Gingerjake, and The Pimps. This year’s lineup will see local scene veterans: No Loving Place (who celebrate their 10-year anniversary as a band, more on that another time), Mors Mortis Machinatio, and The Jaggernauts sweating it out alongside newcomers: Nameless Feeling and Kaptivating Kate. While, collectively, these bands may not be able to conjure the providential power it would seemingly require to immediately dispel the icy grip of winter, they should, for an all too brief yet precious time, be able to ameliorate the doldrums oft associated with this season. And that, my friends, is no small feat. Raise those horns high!

7th Annual Midwinter Music Meltdown • Saturday, Feb. 7 • House of Rock, 422 Water St., Eau Claire • 9pm • $6 • ages 21+ • 838-0158 • www.house-of-rock.com