Concert Reviews

Corrosion Of Conformity – Live Life Loud Tour Review

Published

2 years ago

December 3, 2022

Pittsburgh, PA – By Jason Sealand

Corrosion of Conformity brought their Live Life Loud Tour to Pittsburgh with supporting acts The Native Howl and Spirit Adrift. The Pittsburgh show is their second to last stop of the tour as they finish up in Grand Rapids tomorrow.

Native Howl had the honors of opening up the show and they instantly injected an energy into the room as they totally knocked the audience off guard with a blistering set no one saw coming. The Native Howl play fast and tight as they infuse American roots bluegrass into thrash metal. Something they like to call “Thrashgrass”. They opened with the song “Harvester of Constant Sorrow” a 2019 single. Check it out here: The Native Howl – Harvester of Constant Sorrow Official Video. Below is one of my favorite shots of the night I got of Alex Holycross.

Next up was Sprit Adrift, which is a 2015 solo project start up of of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Nate Garrett, who is also from Tempe Arizona based Gatecreeper. Spirit is melodic, riff-forward doom metal which kind of reminds me of a Dio inspired Black Sabbath with some Maiden mixed in. They seem to have dumped everything that is good metal into their bags from metal legends of past and shook it up to deliver something new yet familiar to the ear. The crowd was headbanging for most of the set and the band set the stage for what was to come. Spirit Adrift is playing 3 more dates as a headliner and finishing up in Little Rock Arkansas at the White Water Tavern. A shot of Nate Garrett below:

When Corrosion of Conformity took the stage at Mr. Smalls Theatre this Saturday it was immediately clear that the audience was filled with metal heads looking for that COC fix, blend of punk and metal that the band is famous for. I got a peek of the setlist and was instantly stoked for what I was about to see. I knew it was going to be an incredibly loud and heavy setlist and I was not disappointed.

The band came out washed in the shadows with a cutting light of red hues as bassist Mike Dean opened the show with a deep yet rumbling chug of a doom bassline with a bit of audio feedback as the band took the stage before tearing into the opening song, “Bottom Feeder” Whereas headbanging was the preferred audience show of appreciation for the opening bands, an instant circle pit opened up. Anywhere you looked people were smiling and having the time of their lives. Corrosion of Conformity fans knew all of the words and they screamed them as loud as they could. COC fed off of this crowd energy and gave all of it back and more.

The setlist contained material from the band’s back catalog of albums and included the slow groove of “13 Angels” from Americas Volume Dealer along with “Who’s Got The Fire”. Before closing out the night with an encore containing “Albatross” and “Clean My Wounds” from 1994’s album Deliverance. The setlist flowed incredibly well with no drop in energy nor time to rest. Guitarist and lead vocalist Pepper Keenan, were joined by bassist Mike Dean, lead guitarist Woody Weatherman, and drummer Jason Patterson of Cry of Love who is currently sitting in. The band played tight and were totally in control and clearly loving the energy in the room, Corrosion of Conformity looked as if they were having as much fun as the audience. As a fan I cannot wait to see them again and I am keeping my ears to the ground hoping for any news as far as new material coming out.

I have included their setlist below.

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY SETLIST:

1. Bottom Feeder (Wiseblood ’96)
2. Paranoid Opioid (In The Arms Of God ’05)
3. Shake Like You (Deliverance ’94)
4. Seven Days (Deliverance ’94)
5. Diablo Blvd. (Americas Volume Dealer ’00)
6. Senor Limpio (Deliverance ’94)
7. Wiseblood (Wiseblood ’96)
8. Who’s Got The Fire (Americas Volume Dealer ’00)
9. Stonebreaker (IN The Arms Of God ’05)
10. 13 Angels (Americas Volume Dealer ’00)
11. Vote With A Bullet (Blind ’91)
12. Born Again For The Last Time (Wiseblood ’96)
13. Albatross (Deliverance ’94)
14. Clean My Wounds (Deliverance ’94)

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY

SPIRIT ADRIFT

NATIVE HOWL

About Author

Jason Sealand

Jason is one of the newest talents that has joined forces with Empire Extreme. Not only is he a skillful photographer and journalist, he is owner and founder of Mad Viking Beard and Mustache Company and Brewtality Coffee Co. www.madvikingbeard.com

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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.