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FIDLAR 930 CLUB REVIEW

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Hi Empire Extreme, We’re back with another live show review, and this one was an absolute powerhouse. The iconic 9:30 Club in DC played host to a wild night, with rising stars Sugar Pit opening for punk legends Fidlar. From the moment the doors opened, you could feel the buzz in the air—everyone knew they were in for something special. Let’s start with Sugar Pit. If you haven’t seen these guys live yet, prepare yourself. They don’t just perform; they turn the stage into their playground. The lead singer, a true performer in every sense, makes an entrance you’ll never forget. Picture this: the lights go down, the crowd is roaring, and suddenly he strolls out on stage wearing nothing but his underwear. Yes, you heard that right. The guy starts the show half-naked, casually getting dressed right there in front of a stunned crowd while the band starts playing. It’s a wild, almost theatrical moment that perfectly sets the tone for their raw, no-holds-barred energy. From there, they launched into a high-octane set, blending punk rock grit with an infectious stage presence that had the audience moving. With their EP dropping on November 1st, they’re clearly on the rise, and after a performance like this, it’s easy to see why. This band is not just making music—they’re making moments. But the night really hit another level when Fidlar took the stage. The lights dimmed, the crowd surged forward, and the anticipation was palpable. They kicked things off with their fan-favorite “Fix Me,” and from the first note, the entire room was singing every word, jumping in sync with the beat. It was electric. Lead singer Zac Carper was in full form—charismatic, wild-eyed, and feeding off the energy of the crowd. By the second song, Zac yelled into the mic, “Let’s open this pit up!” And boy, did the crowd deliver. What followed was an eruption of chaos—a massive mosh pit that swallowed half the venue, with fans crashing into each other, screaming, and absolutely loving it. The energy in that room was next-level, like a bomb had gone off and everyone was caught up in the explosion. Fidlar didn’t let up for a second, ripping through their set like they had something to prove. They played around 20 songs, diving into tracks from all their albums, blending the gritty garage punk of their early days with the more polished (but still rowdy) tunes from their later work. Zac and the band kept the energy at 100, never giving the crowd a moment to catch their breath. It was pure, unfiltered punk rock in its finest form, with every song hitting harder than the last. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any crazier, the band came back for not one, but two encore songs. The crowd went wild, screaming for more until Fidlar hit the stage again, and those final moments felt like a pure adrenaline rush. The sweat, the screams, the total release of energy—it was punk rock catharsis at its best. By the end of the night, the 9:30 Club was a sea of exhausted, exhilarated fans, still buzzing from the experience. It was one of those rare shows where everything comes together perfectly—the venue, the bands, the crowd—and creates something truly unforgettable. If you weren’t there, you missed one hell of a night, but keep an eye on both Fidlar and Sugar Pit because these bands are on fire right now.

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Live Review: W.A.S.P. at Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA – A Night of Nostalgia and Power

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A Night of Nostalgia and Power

Heavy metal titans W.A.S.P. unleashed a night to remember at Pittsburgh’s Stage AE, delivering a performance that was equal parts nostalgic and incendiary. The evening featured the band’s iconic 1984 self-titled debut album performed in full, followed by a fiery encore of fan favorites, cementing their legendary status in the metal world. Joined by Armored Saint as the opening act, the night became a powerhouse celebration of classic heavy metal.

Armored Saint: A Thunderous Opening Act

Setting the stage for an unforgettable night, Armored Saint delivered a blistering performance that electrified the crowd and set the perfect tone for the chaos to come. John Bush, the charismatic vocalist, commanded the stage with his powerful voice, a seamless blend of raw grit and soaring melody. Tracks like “March of the Saint” and “Can U Deliver” pulsed with intensity, each riff and drumbeat reverberating through the venue, igniting the crowd’s energy.

With their signature blend of melodic yet muscular metal, Armored Saint proved why they remain a revered force in the heavy metal world. Their performance was a thunderous reminder of their enduring legacy and a testament to their ability to shake the rafters, priming the audience for the monumental act to follow.

W.A.S.P.: Reliving the Birth of a Legend

When W.A.S.P. stormed the stage, the room exploded with electrifying energy. Frontman Blackie Lawless, an enduring icon of heavy metal, led the charge as the band launched into their groundbreaking self-titled debut album, performing it in its entirety. Joining him were longtime bassist Mike Duda, guitarist Doug Blair, and the drumming powerhouse Aquiles Priester. Together, this seasoned lineup forged a connection with the crowd that bridged decades of metal history.

The show opened with the explosive anthem “I Wanna Be Somebody”, sending the audience into a frenzy as they belted out every word. This 1984 hit encapsulated everything that made W.A.S.P. legendary: searing guitar riffs, thunderous rhythm, and Lawless’s magnetic stage presence. The band’s chemistry was undeniable, with Blair’s razor-sharp guitar licks, Duda’s commanding basslines, and Priester’s thunderous precision propelling the performance.

Tracks like “L.O.V.E. Machine” drew roars of recognition, its seductive groove and infectious riff a nostalgic throwback to the band’s early MTV dominance. The haunting “Sleeping (In the Fire)” highlighted Lawless’s raw vocal power, complemented by Blair’s emotive guitar solo that sent chills through the crowd. Slower yet equally powerful, the song underscored the band’s ability to balance intensity with emotional depth.

The rebellious spirit of “School Daze” brought youthful anarchy to life, while “Hellion” surged with primal energy, its relentless tempo whipping the crowd into a frenzy. “Tormentor,” famously featured in the cult 1984 horror film The Dungeonmaster, captivated the audience with its sinister edge and theatrical flair. By the time they reached “The Torture Never Stops,” steeped in heavy riffs and ominous overtones, the band had cemented their command over the audience.

Closing this extraordinary set, W.A.S.P. proved that their early material remains as potent and relevant as ever. Each note, riff, and lyric was delivered with precision and passion, celebrating the raw energy that first defined the band while reigniting the flames of their legacy. It was a performance that honored their roots, thrilled longtime fans, and reminded everyone why W.A.S.P. remains a towering force in heavy metal history.

Encore: A Theatrical Spectacle of Defiance and Nostalgia

After a brief pause, W.A.S.P. returned to the stage, igniting the crowd with an encore steeped in theatricality and a celebration of their expansive catalog. Kicking off with “The Big Welcome,” the dramatic prelude gave way to a medley of glam metal exuberance, blending “Inside the Electric Circus” (from their 1986 album), the raucous “I Don’t Need No Doctor” (a 1987 single), and the cinematic anthem “Scream Until You Like It” (featured in the Ghoulies II soundtrack). The medley was a whirlwind of 80s-era flamboyance, high-octane theatrics, and unrelenting energy.

One of the encore’s most captivating moments was their cover of The Who’s “The Real Me,” from their 1989 The Headless Children album. Doug Blair’s blistering guitar work added a sharp edge to the classic track, while Blackie Lawless’s powerful vocals roared with intensity, paying homage to the rock legends who inspired them.

The mood shifted with “Forever Free,” a poignant ballad that showcased the band’s introspective side. This reflective moment seamlessly transitioned into the epic title track of The Headless Children, an apocalyptic anthem with complex arrangements and evocative imagery, illustrating W.A.S.P.’s evolution beyond their glam metal origins.

The night reached its fiery climax with “Wild Child,” from their 1985 album The Last Command. Its sultry swagger and rebellious energy had the crowd singing along in unison. Finally, they launched into the quintessential party anthem, “Blind in Texas,” bringing the performance to an electrifying conclusion.

Before diving into the final track, Lawless delivered a fiery speech accompanied by projected imagery of Donald Trump and banners that divided opinions in the room. While polarizing, the moment underscored W.A.S.P.’s long-standing defiance, their willingness to court controversy, and their refusal to conform—an enduring hallmark of their legendary career.

A Divisive Ending: Alienating the Faithful

Before launching into “Blind in Texas,” Blackie Lawless addressed the crowd with a fiery speech. As the band played, massive banners depicting Donald Trump appeared on stage, alongside the infamous “fight” photo from the 2016 assassination attempt scare during Trump’s campaign. The overt political display stood in stark contrast to W.A.S.P.’s legacy of championing themes of rebellion against oppression and tyranny.

For many lifelong fans, it was a jarring and disheartening moment. Lawless, whose lyrics have often skewered authoritarianism and celebrated individual freedom, seemed to align himself with a figure many view as embodying the very oppression he once fought against. The juxtaposition between the band’s anti-establishment ethos and this display of political allegiance left many in the audience visibly uncomfortable, if not outright alienated.

Chatter following the show was ablaze with frustration and confusion, as fans expressed their disappointment in what they perceived as Lawless’s shift from metal’s defiant ideals to a politically divisive stance. For some, it was a betrayal of the principles that made W.A.S.P. resonate so deeply over the decades.

SET LIST:
I Wanna Be Somebody

L.O.V.E. Machine

The Flame

B.A.D.

School Daze

Hellion

Sleeping (in the Fire)

On Your Knees

Tormentor

The Torture Never Stops

Encore:

The Big Welcome

Inside the Electric Circus / I Don’t Need No Doctor / Scream Until You Like It

The Real Me (The Who cover)

Forever Free / The Headless Children

Wild Child

Blind in Texas

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Concert Reviews

The Nothing That Is Tour

George Archibald

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Another fall evening in the Burgh, the air was crisp and cool, setting the mood for a great night for metal. The Roxian in McKees Rock, PA, hosted The Nothing That Is Tour tonight, featuring Fit For An Autopsy. Bodysnatcher, Distant, Sylosisand, and Judiciary. Fit For An Autopsy brought some of the heaviest and nastiest together to throw down for all of you. An eclectic banding of hardcore and deathcore acts that are making waves in the metal community. 

Judiciary kicked things off, their music a blend of hardcore, thrash, and punk. Their songs had thrash riffs with hardcore rhythms and breakdowns, with an occasional solo thrown in. With horns raised in the air, the crowd gave these Texas natives a well-received welcome. This band was a great start to the night, bringing the energy in the room up quickly. 

Sylosis came out to a fury. Their vocalist ripped at the crowd from the start, asking for a circle pit as they kicked off. This band had moshers and crowd surfers amped up as waves of bodies started coming over the front barricade. Throughout the set, the energy never let up, as this band kept pushing the crowd. This energy came to a high when their newest single, “The Path,” was performed. High-paced hardcore mayhem throughout the set, this band had a vast amount of tricks in their bag, from solos to even groove to bring to the party.

At the midpoint of the show, Distant took the stage. This band is over-the-top heavy, riding low-tuned grooves into devastating breakdowns. The vocalist has a wide range, from high-pitched screams and growls to bottom-of-the-barrel gutturals. Distant announced their newest album, Tsukuyomi: The Origin, is a week away from coming out. Which kicked off the single “Torturous Symphony.” At this point, no one was standing still on the floor as moshers were on the move. Bodies colliding into each other until the band finally stopped, at this point the crowd was completely warmed up.

Deathcore veterans Bodysnatcher took the stage next to show Pittsburgh how to throw down. This band rides a low groove while keeping the energy high, accompanied by the unrelenting low growls of vocalist Kyle Medina. The band kicked off with “King of Rats” and went right into “Dead Rabbit.” The floor was swimming with bodies as the band raged on. Other standout songs were “Take Me to Hell” and “Black of My Eyes” before closing out on “Murder8.”

Headliners Fit For An Autopsy took the stage with a fury, kicking off with “Lower Purpose” into “A Higher Level of Hate” for a nasty one-two punch out of the gate. Seasoned veterans now in their careers, the band looked very polished and primed. FFAA just released their newest album, The Nothing That Is. The band played through several hits, “Black Mammoth”, “The Sea of Tragic Beasts”, and “Hellions”, before diving back into their latest album with “Hostage”. The crowd stayed up and moving through the set as Fit For an Autopsy is a Pittsburgh favorite, having visited the city several times during their tenure. 

The Nothing That Is tour showcases some of the heaviest bands touring right now. Fit For An Autopsy have updated their live show and look ready to take the world fresh off the new album. If you are looking to release some steam or to hear some new music, The Nothing That Is tour will not disappoint.

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STRYPER ON A SUNDAY. YES PLEASE

Ron

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STRYPER was just in Baltimore the other day on the 40 years of Stryper tour. Playing 2 sets spanning those 40 years. I’ve only ever seen Stryper play at M3 so it was amazing to get to see a full on set then another full on set right after. 

For the 1st set we got the 1984-1990 set which included songs like “Loud N Clear”, “Soldiers under Command” and “To Hell with the Devil”. 

The second set we got 1986, 2004-2024 with songs like “No More Hell to Pay”, “This i Pray” and ending the night with “Sing along Song”. 

It was a great night for Music and sadly more then likely the last show at RamsHead Live I’ll be ever to attend as the are closing their doors (hopefully will be open again with a new venture) but the show was amazing to see Stryper play on the stage. Such great guys and a great band. I love that Stryper is fully engaged with the fans and the show is always amazing. I love that they put their religious beliefs 100% on display but the show never feels preachy or judgmental. If you get a chance to see Stryper play in your city I fully recommend it such a great time and a great band to see play live.    

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