Concert Reviews

Asking Alexandria: All My Friends Tour 24

Published

10 months ago

May 8, 2024

Concerts midweek won’t stop the true fans,especially when it comes to metalcore fans presented with an awesome lineup, which is exactly what Asking Alexandria brought to The Roxian in Mckees Rocks, Pa last Tuesday with their All My Friends North American Tour.

They made it definitely worthwhile bringing along with them all their friends in bands NERV,The Word Alive, and Memphis May Fire.

Opening up the night was the California based band NERV, a 4 piece genre bending rock band fronted by lead vocalist Dillon Jones. Though their setlist was short, the band definitely got the crowd going, playing some of their more well known songs such as Low and Bad Habits. The band just released a new single/collaboration with Awaken I Am titled Upside Down. NERV paved the way and prepared the crowd for our next band, The Word Alive.

The Word Alive picked up the pace from the moment they hit the stage. Again, with a shorter setlist the band played a decent amount of songs off of their latest album, Hard Reset, which was released August of last year. This was also the first album released since changing their label and signed with Thriller Records. While playing well known songs off of the new album such as “One of Us” featuring the ever growing popular band Bad Omens, they did play some older songs as well including but not limited to “Why Am I Like This?” from their 2018 album Violent Noise. Needless to say the crowd was rearing and ready to get rowdy with the next group, Memphis May Fire.

With releasing their last album in 2022, Remade In Misery, Memphis May Fire for sure had a descent list of popular songs from songs such as “Bleed Me Dry”, “Misery” and “Blood & Water” for the crowd to mosh, crowd surf, and all around rock out to. The Texas based band also made sure to play their latest single “Chaotic” which released mid-April. Could we possibly hope for a new album in the near future? I guess only time will tell, but for now let’s get back to the review, as we head into our headliner, Asking Alexandria.

Hoping over the pond, we find our english metal band, as well as our headliner, Asking Alexandria. With lead singer and frontman Danny Worsnop leading stage presence, the crowd surely wasn’t disappointed. The band, now based in York, has had a strong following since being formed in the early 2000’s, and their fans didn’t disappoint. Crowd surfing galore, keeping Security busy throughout the performance, and all out jamming for some of the fan favorites so

much so that they had to come out at the end and give an encore performance of their hit song “Alone In A Room” off their self named title released back in 2017. The Song remained on Sirius XM’s Bigguns list for several weeks when it released. Needless to say, AA definitely brought all their friends, and made a memorable night for their fans..

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Shelby Tyce

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Concert Reviews

MARTY FRIEDMAN LIVE DRAMA TOUR 2025: RAMSHEAD ON THE STAGE

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2025

Ron

Marty Friedman is on tour right now with his Live Drama 2025 and he brought Patrick Kennison and Nikki Stringfield on tour with them.

Nikki and Patrick opened up the show with an amazing acoustic set, I’ve got to see both of them many times with their other bands but this was the first time seeing them perform together and it was magical. I loved the way they not only complemented each other vocally with harmonies and more but just the feeling of love on the stage as well. We got to hear some great songs like “Where Demons Lie” and “Numbered” which is about addiction issues and dedicated to Layne Staley. We also got to hear an Iron Maiden cover “Aces High”.

Marty and his band came out on stage and if you’re into high energy and some mind blowing shreds, this is a tour for you. I love that Marty’s band is backed by some amazing Japanese musicians and probably one of my favorite drummers Chargeee, (he’s Insane while playing the drums: he’s like the live action version of Animal from the muppets)

I loved that Marty is from the area and was talking to his band mates about it and the laurel area. There was one time when Marty’s guitar player Naoki played the lead that Marty was supposed to play then they had an argument all in Japanese (the one time I wish subtitles was a real thing) the other band mates gave him the finger then Marty started to shred.

I just the energy that’s on the stage it doesn’t stop and it’s so infectious. The crowd at rams head on the stage were in full capacity for the show and ready to rock and roll with Marty.

We got to hear some of the softer more romantic side of Marty and the band when they played a few songs off the “Drama” album which was fun as well.

It’s insane to watch someone like Marty shred in a small intimate venue, you really get to see how amazing he really is and the passion he has for his craft.

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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Concert Reviews

APOCALYPTICA PLAYS METALLICA VOL 2: DC SHOW REVIEW

Published

2 weeks ago

February 9, 2025

Ron

Apocalyptica is on tour now with Nita Strauss on their PLAYS METALLICA VOL 2.

Nita opened the show and as always put on an amazing show, it’s fun to see Nita on these solo tour when she’s not touring with Alice Cooper. You get to see her shine even more and just put a clinic on with shredding on the guitar. I’ve seen Nita a few times but this night was a little extra special, she brought out Kasey Karlsen of the band Deadlands out to sing a few songs which was great cause normally there’s no vocals at her shows.

This was my first time being able to not only see Apocalyptica but also photograph them. I’ve always been a huge fan of their music and loved the 2 Metallica albums as well. I figured this was more than likely the only way I’ll get to hear Metallica play is with Apocalyptica playing them.

We got to hear an amazing mix of songs throughout Metallica’s career. Opening up with “Ride the Lightning” and “Enter Sandman” you knew you were gonna rock out.

The band is amazing, such awesome and jaw dropping skills on those Cellos. There’s something magical about musicians that come from Helsinki and the Finland area. Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lotjonen and Perttu Kivilaakso are insanely talented but also demand the stage so well and bring in that comedy as well.

We also got to hear songs like “Creeping Death”, “The Call of Ktulu” “St Anger”, “Blackened” “Master of Puppets”, “Nothing else Matters” and ending the night with “Seek and Destroy” and “One”. This was such a great night in a cool setting at Warner Theater in DC. I loved the atmosphere and the blending of not only music with classical and metal but also the crowd was as diverse as well.

If you get a chance to go out and see this tour, you must you won’t be disappointed.

About Author

Ron

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Concert Reviews

NIGHTMARE AFTER XMAS 9

Published

3 weeks ago

January 31, 2025

Ron

ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN WHEN THE POWERS TO BE GATHER FOR THE MOST BAD ASS OF TIME. YES ITS THAT TIME FOR ANOTHER NIGHTMARE AFTER XMAS.

OF COURSE YOU HAVE SPELLBOOK AND WRATH OF TYPHON ON THE BILL, AND HEADLINING PRINCE DIAMOND (This year doing an all Mercyful Fate set) WE ALSO GOT SABBATH WARLOCK AND ZAUBEREI AS WELL.