Clutch – Killswitch Engage – – Cro-Mags JM Live at The Capitol Theatre


In one of the killer tours of late summer, Killswitch Engage armed with their new album and Clutch riding high on a series of new covers/singles totally lit up the night at The Capitol Theatre. The quaint and historic theater in sleepy Port Chester, New York has been around forever. It’s known as “The Original Rock Palace” for a reason.  When a co-headline tour like this comes around the place fills up and the pit jumps off! Opening the show on this tour was Cro-Mags JM (as in John Joseph and Mackie Jason). The band played their hits, and considering they were both early influences on both bill toppers, this pairing is a great fit! Clutch has been on fire the last few years and are a must-see band live! Few frontmen can command a crowd as Neal Fallon can. Lastly, KsE came armed to the teeth with new music to play. The crushing ‘Unleashed’, and the soulful Punk energy of ‘I Am Broken Too’ are straight-up face-melters from their new album Atonement (Metal Blade) which was not quite out at the time of this show. Check out Rosa Miller’s photos from the night and do not miss these bands when they hit your town for a show!

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REVIEW: (Hed) P.E Live at The Cavalier Theatre, La Crosse Wisconsin


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There are just some bands that a person has to see whenever there is an opportunity, plain and simple. I made the mistake of not going to a concert in 1993, citing that I would see them next time, well, there was no next time. Since that moment in history, I rarely miss the shows of bands that are meaningful to me. One of the bands that I have on my must-see list is (Hed) P.E., I am hoping they are on your list too. My youngest spawn asked me a while ago how many time I have seen (Hed) P.E. and I surprised myself when I counted the shows I had attended.Continue reading


REVIEW: Neurosis – Bell Witch – Deafkids Live at The Paradise


Fresh from their summer tour of Europe with Godflesh and YOB, Neurosis did a quick run of dates in the USA as well. The band is not only supporting their last full-length album Fires Within Fires (Neurot Recordings), but the and has just released a re-mastered and deluxe version of their excellent Neurosis + Jarboe album, remastered by Bob Weston (Shellac), at Chicago Mastering Service, with all new artwork from Aaron Turner (Sumac, Old Man Gloom) and released it on vinyl for the first time ever (also Neurot). Ghost Cult’s Hillarie Jason took in the Boston date of the tour at The Paradise Rock Club with acclaimed Doom band Bell Witch and Neurosis’ hardcore protegees Deafkids opening.Continue reading


REVIEW: Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow Revue Live at The Cavalier Theatre


I have always fancied myself as unique and quirky, to quote Winona Ryder in the blockbuster movie Beetlejuice: “I myself am strange and unusual”. My penchant for things out of the ordinary led me to an ensemble opulent in all things strange and unusual, Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow Review.Continue reading


The Dirty Heads – 311 – The Interrupters – Bikini Trill – Dreamers: Live at Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion


Pop, Punk Rock, Ska, and… Hip-Hop?! Alright, I’m in! Gilford, New Hampshire was host to what is probably the most fun-loving tour of the summer, the co-headlining tour of California’s The Dirty Heads and Nebraska’s own 311, along with The Interrupters, Bikini Trill, and Dreamers.Continue reading


Deicide – Krisiun – Damim Live at The Underworld, Camden, UK


Anoxide takes to the stage and the room starts to fill. Occasional blastbeats growls, and riffs a-plenty, this local Death metal act make a good impression on the people around me as much as myself, with the headbanging the best indication that, despite the early start, they are certainly worth their spot on the bill. The room is busier than expected by the end of their set and their tight set is worthy of the applause they get.Continue reading


Gruesome – Absolution – Violated Flesh. Live at The Flapper, Birmingham


Situated a stone’s throw from the Birmingham NIA, The Flapper might be dwarfed by it’s rather more impressive looking neighbour but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the noisiest venues in the city. A warm and friendly pub by all appearances, but venture downstairs and because of the ven, you’ll usually find yourself in the midst of something far less wholesome. And I’m not just talking about the toilets.Continue reading


The Dwarves – The Hip Priests Live at The Underworld, Camden UK


 

The Hip Priests open proceedings for the evening as the sole support and the small crowd around for when they arrive welcomes them quite warmly. While the numbers grow slowly but steadily through their set, this warmth continues throughout, with the newcomers showing a respectable level of appreciation for what is a well-played, in your face Punk set. They are tight and well up for the gig, doing themselves justice with their performance, with the Midlands five-piece giving their all despite the lower turnout by the time of their set, with at least one of their songs surely known by those around me, given their split single with our evening’s headliners, The Dwarves,  they deserve a bigger crowd than they have, but at least do have some new fans to show for it!Continue reading


Killing Joke – RDF Live at KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton


A single support in RDF (Radical Dance Faction) are in store for the hundred or so that are here with me by the time they come on stage, the numbers a touch disappointing for a gig that is sold out for the full tour. Against their name, their music is actually more eclectic Dub, making little sense at first in terms of who they are supporting, though this notion changes as they get further into their set, with a bit more of their stated Punk side coming out to play. While not awful, the audience around me doesn’t seem particularly engaged, with plenty of chatting going on, though there is some polite applause at the end of each track, while a few people do seem to genuinely enjoy some tracks. They occasionally bring on another vocalist to help out, though not to any particularly great effect. In all, a fairly forgettable support act, which is a shame given they have existed for over three decades at this point, as they just don’t feel right for the act they are supporting.Continue reading