Concert Reviews

CANCER CULTURE 2024

Published

10 months ago

May 6, 2024

It has been several years since Decapitated has been in the states touring, the last time was cut short due to unforseen events. These death metal veterans are now back traveling with a tour de force. The 2024 Cancer Culture tour with Septic Flesh, Kataklysm and Allegaeon at Pittsburgh’s own Preserving. Preserving has become a go to venue to catch heavy acts traveling through the area. A former church serves not only as a place for concerts but, also a full record store and museum dedicated to heavy music. It’s a must stop for any one into heavy music and the touring band scene.

Opening the night was Allegaeon, hitting the stage they werr full of energy warming up the crowd. Concert goers were head banging and push moshing away as the band played through Iridescent into Of Beasts and Worms. The guitar work of Greg Burgess and Micheal Stancel were on point throughout the set as the guys egged at each other while keeping the energy high and playful. Vocalist Ezra Haynes also kept the crowd engaged through out as he paced the stage furiously.

Kataklysm was next churning an already excited crowd into the gears of a machine. Their grinding death metal styling got the crowd moving and churning along. Kicking things off with Goliath the band kept a relentless pace. Crowd surfers and moshers a like threw down as the band ripped through Crippled and Broken and Bringer or Vengeance before closing out.

Septic Flesh came out with their own flare of symphonic death metal. The crowd at this point was like an open sea with ebb and flow to each beat like waves reverberating. Each song having a grand cadence, marching their fans even further into the chaos. Kicking off with Portrait of a Headless Man, a blanket of fog and blistering strobes set the mood. The band played throughNecromancer and Martyr as the crowd continued to thrash and sway, other standout performances were Persepolis, and Anubisbefore closing out with Dark Art. Many times vocalist SpirosAntoniou, addressed the crowd thanking them with arms raised to the sky, for all of the welcoming energy and support as they came a long way from Greece to be here with everyone.

Decapited closed out the night. As the last few bars of From Whom the Bell Tolls played out the stage went dark, kicking right into From the Nothingness with Love right into CancerCulture, the crowd exploded. Moshers and crowd surfers went off, so much so that guitarist Waclaw ‘Vogg’ Kieltyka addressed the crowd asking them to watch rushing the stage. The chaos kicked right back up as the band ripped through Just a Cigarette. Other stand outs from the night were Sphere of Madness, EarthScar and Iconoclast, which the band dedicated to Vitek their former drummer who had passed.

Cancer Culture 2024 tour is running until May 19^th where it wraps in Los Angeles, Ca. If you have a chance to catch this tour live, you won’t be disappointed, just be prepared to mosh or crowd surf to your hearts desire.

About Author

George Archibald

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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.