After the last few years of false starts and other covid related shenanigans the Manchester Metal 2 the Masses is once again underway. You probably know the drill, across the UK and slightly further afield, there are competitions held by Bloodstock festival. Unsigned bands compete in a battle of the bands format across the regions, and the winners get to play on the New Blood stage at the festival itself.
Manchester, New Hampshire. ManchVegas, as it’s sometimes called, was the site of the March Radness Tour: Part 2 kickoff show for New England metal heroes Lich King alongside former tour mates, StoneCutters, and Toxic Ruin at Jewel Nightclub. And let me tell you, this night was an adventure to say the least, more on that later…
The Wellmont Theater in Montclair NJ was burning inside when Ministry, Melvins and Corrosion Of Conformity took the stage on Saturday night.
The theater itself seats about 2000 people with general admission on the floor which is perfect for a swirling mosh pit. Built in 1922 as an old vaudeville house, it was enovated and reopened in 2008. Now under the Live Nation umbrella, it hosts some major acts and The Montclair Film Festival. It should be noted that if you are going to a show there, plan to arrive early as parking can be a challenge of Herculean proportions.
It’s really good to visit The Chance for a show after two years. It’s a long Metro-North Railroad train ride from the city but it’s always worth it once you’re there.
As we return back to concerts, one not to be missed is the current tour with Underoath, Spiritbox, and Bad Omens (with Stray From the Path jumping on at a later date). I made the trip to San Antonio this past weekend full of nerves in anticipation of what I knew was going to be a killer show. I was not alone in my thoughts as I noticed a crowd of people lined up block long all clamoring to get into The Aztec Theatre. As I joined the line myself, I could sense the excitement of those nearby as we slowly made our way inside the venue. Continue reading
Death metal has been a constant in my life for well over 30 years (yes, I’m a bit old). Within that time frame Incantation and Nile have been an integral part of that genre and have consistently released album after killer album. So, when they announced The Age of Vile Divinities Tour, I knew I couldn’t miss it. The openers for this tour are Dallas, Texas I Am, and Columbus, Ohio’s Sanguisugabogg– both new up and comers to the metal scene.
Life of Agony made a stop in East Stroudburg, Pa. On their Lost at 2022 tour, featuring Dog Eat Dog and local opener Empire Fallen for the Lost At 2022 Tour. Despite a sizeable snowstorm that pounded the entire region, loyal fans of LOA gathered patiently outside The Sherman Theater comparing stories and recalling how many times they had seen the band since 1993 when the Brooklyn based band was supporting their first album. So now tonight, after 2 years, the LOA familia were not gonna let a snow storm or any other act of God stop them from being reunited with this band that has been the soundtrack of so many of their lives
With a wave of excitement you could feel in the brisk winter air, fans filed into the Reno Events Center for the first date of the Ghost and Volbeat co-headline tour kickoff show. Ghost had been through town right before the pandemic began, and for a lot of fans I talked to, this was their first show back. Not only is the band a singularly interesting and creative Heavy Metal band, their faithful followers are fast becoming legends on their own for their voracious appetites for all things Ghost. And they didn’t disappoint on this night, many dressed in costumes and churchly garb, as a tribute. Over ten years in existence, the rapport between the band and flock has been inspiring to watch them bloom over time.
It was a clear and cold night on a wintery Sunday in Detroit, Michigan when Death Metallars, Inhuman Condition brought their “Tourantula” 2022 Tour to town. They arrived at a local’s favorite live music joint, The Sanctuary, along with Midwest’s own Micawber and Crusadist. The quaint-sized venue was the perfect fit for the fans to experience an intimate and enjoyable encounter with these Death Metal experts. Cozied up in the small town of Hamtramck, The Sanctuary caters particularly well to the heavy. With concert spots like this, plus the local acts that opened the evening, Nethergate and Centenary, showed us that the metal scene in Michigan is alive and well.
I haven’t been to a show downstairs at The Middle East since 2014 when Septicflesh and Fleshgod Apocalypse tour together for the Conquerors of the World Tour, so needless to say, this was both an exciting and nostalgic night. Dragon plated shoulder armor, Dungeons and Dragons lore discussions, and a theory about a giant tortoise God that will take over the universe alongside Cthulhu fill the air with anticipation for the first band to take the stage.