Another M3 has come and passed. Even though the weather this year was rainy and cold, the fans came out and enjoyed what I believe was a great lineup. 

Friday opened up with Count 77 starting off the festival. This was my first time seeing the band, and I thought they put on a really solid set. 

Lizzy Borden was up next and this was one I’ve been waiting for at M3 for a long time now. Lizzy put on a hell of a show which included some crazy outfits and even some black roses and putting some bloody hand prints on the fans upfront. Lizzy was hands down one of the best acts of the whole weekend. (Keep a look out on the site for the interview with Lizzy). 

Doro was another band I was super excited to see. Doro has to be a vampire because she still looks and sounds amazing. The queen of metal always puts on a hell of a show and never disappoints.  

Saturday was another chilly and rainy day but once again the fans and I traveled back to merriweather for day 2. 

Highlights of todays lineup had to be Enuff Z’ Nuff coming in last minute to replace Extreme. It’s always a good time when Chip is in the house, and always love to see Tony Fennell giving me the look and putting his guitar right into my camera. Lilian Axe and Vain both put on a blistering set. Stephen Pearcy of Ratt was amazing as always. I’ve been a huge Ratt fan my whole life and have them high up in my favorite bands of the genre. Of course it wouldn’t be a Pearcy show if we didn’t get to hear “Round and Round” which I was lucky enough to watch from side stage. Blue Oyster Cult put on a great show as well, I know I heard little talks about how they aren’t in the genre and didn’t belong there but then again everyone always bitches about the same bands playing year after year. I thought BOC put on a killer set, of course I love me some “Burning for you” and “Don’t Fear the Reaper”. 

Ending the night was Tom Kiefer of Cinderella fame. Tom still has those chops..WOW..Tom always brings it to the stage and just puts on a hell of a show. The way he still sings “Nobody’s Fool” still gives me chills. 

Sunday the rain stopped but the temperature was still chilly, but it was about to get hot really hot when The Burning Witches hit the stage. Switzerlands own The Burning Witches making their first US tour run stopped by to melt the faces of M3. This was another set that I believe was top 3 of the whole festival. Laura/Jay/Larissa/Lala/Romana are kick ass and such a great band and super nice people(Look out for a interview with them coming soon). 

LeatherWolf, Quireboys, Xyz and Zebra all had some great sets as well, adding to the changing lineup of M3. Yngwie blew me away, man I knew he was a guitar god but damn I didn’t know that he was gonna bring the thunder down with him. Yngwie kept shredding and shredding putting on a clinic. I even got lucky enough to get myself one of the million of guitar picks he was throwing/kicking into the crowd. 

Stryper once again put on a hell of a show and showed that even if you’re a “Christian” band you can still rock M3. I love that Michael Sweets microphone stand says 777 instead of the normal 666 at metal shows.

I would say the biggest highlight of M3 this year was Erik Gronwall and Skid Row. I’ve seen many versions of Skid Row and in my opinion other than Sebastian Bach, Erik is hands down the best frontman they have had. His stage presence was all over and those high notes were killer. Playing songs like “Slave to the Grind”, “18 and Life” and “Youth gone Wild”. Skid Row slayed it. Tough act to follow that’s for sure. 

Tesla was that band and still put on a hell of a show themselves.  Opening up with “Modern Day Cowboy”. Tesla ended the M3 festival perfectly. 

Like I said it was cold and rainy but true M3 and 80s Rockers came out to enjoy the “Family Reunion”. I always enjoy M3 and it’s weather that fluctuates between the years doesn’t stop me. This was the 13th year of M3 and I think they hit it out of the park with this one. Can’t wait to see that the 14th is going to bring us. 

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.

See author's posts