Concert Reviews

KISS: THE END OF THE ROAD TOUR BALTIMORE SHOW REVIEW

Published

12 months ago

December 4, 2023

Ron

Well, all good things must come to an end. Tonight in Baltimore was the last time we will get to see KISS, and boy did they put on one hell of a show.

Opening up the evening was Amber Wild, who is fronted by Paul Stanley’s son Evan, with Marshall Via on guitar, Jake Massanari on bass, and Thomas Lowrey on drums. The band has a very 70s-inspired rock sound to them, with some hints of KISS in there, but you can tell they are not trying to be another KISS.

I’ve got to see KISS a few times over the years, but I’ve never seen the original lineup. This was my first opportunity to photograph the band, which felt somewhat surreal since, according to the band, this is mostly likely the last time the band will be touring. The KISS backdrop was in place, and the fan’s excitement was building for the curtain to drop. Before it dropped, I got to see Shannon Tweed walk past me.

There were these huge statue-like figures of the band members in the corners of the stage that looked awesome, and everyone was trying to figure out how to sneak one off the stage and take them home.

As the banner dropped, the band came down on platforms with so many fireworks and pyro. I’ve always been curious about how much KISS spends on each show just for the pyro/fireworks/confetti alone.

KISS opened up with “Detroit Rock City” and “Shout It Out Loud.” Trying to photograph KISS during those two songs was fun and nerve-wracking at the same time. It’s such an iconic band that’s in front of you and songs that you grew up listening to, but you know you need to focus and get some good shots as well.

KISS played an epic setlist with songs like “War Machine,” “I Love It Loud,” “Cold Gin,” and “Calling Doctor Love.” Of course, you know you’re going to get a killer bass solo from Gene with the iconic blood spit and “God of Thunder,” which raises Gene to the top of the arena. You also know you’re going to get “Love Gun” with Paul using a zip line to the B stage, and while he is there, they also played “I Was Made for Lovin’ You.” We also got to hear Eric come off the drums and play a little piano song called “Beth.” You also know that it’s not a KISS show without ending the night with “Rock and Roll All Night.”

This was such an epic show and a huge bucketlist band to be able to photograph. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, for sure. The fans that get to be in NY for the final two shows are in for one hell of a night, and as for us in Baltimore, we sold out the arena and made it one night that the band and the fans will remember forever.

If this truly is the end of the road for KISS, then Baltimore wanted the best, and they got the best. The hottest band in the world… KISS!

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

The Nothing That Is Tour

Published

5 days ago

November 18, 2024

George Archibald

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.

About Author

George Archibald

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Concert Reviews

STRYPER ON A SUNDAY. YES PLEASE

Published

1 week ago

November 13, 2024

Ron

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.

About Author

Ron

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Concert Reviews

King Diamond brought the Halloween party to Silver Spring MD

Published

3 weeks ago

November 2, 2024

Ron

King Diamond who’s on tour now with Overkill and Night Demon.

Overkill always puts on a great show and shows that face pace thrash metal is still kick ass. Led by NJ’s Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth Overkill has that distinctive sound with Bobby’s high pitched and raspy vocals. With songs like “Scorched”, “ Rotten to the Core” and “Hello From the Gutter”, Overkill got the crowd into a frenzy and warmed up the stage before the king.

You know it’s gonna be a good night when it’s 3 days before Halloween and you get to see a kick ass set from King Diamond. King Diamond who’s 68 right now still commands that stage and sounds amazing with his insanely falsettos. The stage show at a King Diamond show is always such a great sight to see. With a multilayer setup of stairs and little pieces of elaborate set all over it’s such a great view and perfect setting to watch a King Diamond set.

The set list was amazing too we got to hear songs from such a great career like “A Mansion in the Darkness”, “Halloween “, “Spider Lilly”, “Welcome Home”, and “Eye of the Witch” and of course ending the night with “Abagail”.

If you’re a fan of King Diamond or just a fan of great music that adds that Halloween haunted asylum themed stage performances then you need to go out and check this tour now. King Diamond never disappoints and always puts on one hell of a show.