One of the most beautiful things about music is that there is always more to explore. Having lived near Seattle for more than 10 years, I’ve had a lot of chances to catch some local talent. But occasionally, you miss a band for a while. However, having finally caught local Death Metal/Grindcore trio Rat King, I can say that sometimes you must follow the hype. Continue reading
Hatebreed celebrated their 30th anniversary as a band in Wallingford, Connecticut at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre on St Patty’s Day 2024 with The March Metal Matinee. This show was extra special as it was the band’s biggest “hometown show” in the band’s amazing history and also guitarist Wayne Lozinak birthday. Continue reading
I could not have picked a better night to go out to Oakland to see the headline tour from Crosses. I remember seeing their debut tour over a decade ago when I lived in Boston, at the Paradise Rock Club. That night, the venue was packed to the gills, and I distinctly remember being by the soundboard and seeing the separate rack settings and notes for Chino Moreno’s microphone and effects. It was a pretty cool glimpse inside the live sound of the guy who I have followed since the mid-nineties with Deftones. But much like Maynard James Keenan and Puscifer, it does seem like Crosses is his favorite child and passion. Along with his partner Shawn Lopez, formerly of the awesome and now defunct Sacramento band Far. They make for a sick team of creatives. Continue reading
Rolling into DNA Lounge on a Friday night I was disappointed to learn that the doors opened earlier than expected and the first band had already played by the time I walked in. Generally speaking, I always have a good time at DNA Lounge, but this was pretty disappointing, as I like to try to catch all the bands if I can. Despite my old-man at the club status, I do believe in supporting every band on a bill. The number one thing you can do as a club is just be consistent about the basics. Moving on.Continue reading
On a quaint main street in the East End section of the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut next to dance studios and gastro pubs, lies a soon-to-be well-known music venue called Park City Music Hall. It boasts a full bar, a menu with options for everyone, incredible sound, lighting, and not just lights, and a green room as large as the event space itself. Almost beyond belief is a large parking lot in the back, in addition to the available on-street parking. A substantial investment is clear but, what stands out even above all of this is the staff. Everyone was friendly, attentive and makes it their mission for the bands and patrons alike to have the best experience possible.Continue reading
The Bay Area is a funny place. In the three-plus years I have lived here I have seen countless great shows in venues large and small. When it comes right down to it, the best shows have been the intimate ones. The uncomfortable ones. The ones when you are right up against people to an unhealthy level, but you’re all feeling every moment of the music together, the ritual, the metal of it all. These are the unforgettable ones that are burned into my brain. Having never been to Thee Stork Club before, I can tell tonight was going to be one of those nights as I headed over for The Decibel Tour, featuring Hulder, Devil Master, Worm, and Necrofier.Continue reading
The Brainsqueeze Tour. Holy shit this is one of the best tour packages I’ve seen in a good number of years. Stacked from start to finish with veteran bands performing at a level I haven’t seen from them in some years. Dead Heat started things off, I was unaware of them beforehand but left me intrigued and wanting more, plus the crowd at the Brooklyn Monarch showed up early, excited, and ready to throw down for this mosh fest of an evening.Continue reading
Riffs and breakdowns were on the menu this past Tuesday night at the Worcester Palladium, courtesy of your international team of chefs on the Superbloom Tour. Welcome to the stage this evening, Long Island NY’s own Johnny Booth, from the west coast of Sweden we have the masked collective of Aviana, all the way from Melbourne Australia we have Thornhill, and capping off the night… the star cooks of the evening, from Azusa, CA… Silent Planet. Let’s jump right into course one, shall we?!Continue reading
February 9th and 10th the Footprint Center stage, in Phoenix, AZ, lit up with the powerhouse that is Tool with direct support from Boston bred/and mostly now Germany-based band Elder. Elder started by warming up our ears to their heavy riffs and long instrumentals. This was my first time experiencing Elder, and I had never heard of the band until then. After this one experience though, I can easily see how the band fits and compliments Tool on this tour, as they too have some psychedelic and captivating soundscapes that just simply fits. Continue reading
Kicking off 2024 with bang, we headed out to the first show of the year at legendary The Warfield! Hometown heroes Machine Head have not played the city in a few years, and joining them on this epic tour was Fear Factory who missed last year’s show in the city with Static-X. Joining them on this joint are current buzz band Orbit Culture who just got signed to Century Media Records, and Gates To Hell from Louisville opening This is a very strong bill top to bottom especially with two of the most dominant and enduring names in Metal from the nineties still at the top!Continue reading