Concert Reviews

M3 Rock Festival 2023: Full Show Review

Published

2 years ago

May 11, 2023

Ron

It’s another M3 in the books. Of course it wouldn’t be M3 if we didn’t have great hair metal bands, fans dressed up and Maryland weather (Hot and Rain).

This years lineup was a great one for the 14th year of M3. Saturday started up early with count 77 and Baltimore’s own Child’s Play. Highlights for me on the opening night were Quiet Riot ( This Was Rudy Sarzos first M3… watch out for an interview with Rudy coming soon). I loved watching Quiet Riot play songs off the 40yr anniversary of Metal Health album. Lita Ford( watch out for an interview with Patrick and Marten). Lita always kills it and still sounds and looks amazing, damn can she shred. And the almighty Styx( who were the best band hands down this year). We got to hear MR ROBOTO. We also got a last minute replacement for Extreme with the band Voyage which is a Journey Tribute band. I thought they were really good the singer Hugo not only looks like Steve Perry he sounds like him as well. Britny Fox, Slaughter and Winger all had great sets as well.

Sunday opened up with a prom of sorts with some rock school kids playing on stage. The Backstage Rock Academy Band. Then back to the 80s with Heavens Edge, then the gorgeous ladies of Vixen. It’s always nice to have a few ladies of rock, bring down the house at M3, Vixen is no exception. Singer Lorraine is a powerhouse and so fun to watch and you can tell that they all really enjoy playing on stage together. The highlights of Sunday was deff not the rain, but Steven Adler and Ari always kill it and bring that GNR swagger. Riley’s LA Guns, Firehouse and Great White all had amazing sets as well. Warrant put on a hell of a show too, Singer Robert Mason is a madman with that microphone stand. The ending of M3 was a little amazing and a little sad at the same time. Amazing because we ended M3 this year with Baltimore favorite band Kix, who always put on a show that’s not only fun to watch, it’s just a great great rock n roll show. The sad part was that Kix made an announcement that this year would be the last time Kix will play and tour ending a 45+ career and ending it all off at Merriweather on Sept 17th.

Overall this years M3 was a great one. A lot of people like to whine and cry about certain stuff but what can you do. I’m looking forward to what’s gonna happen on the 15th anniversary of M3 and what’s gonna happen with Kix not being there since they have played every year.

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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Related Topics:Empire Extreme featured M3 Festival

Concert Reviews

STRYPER ON A SUNDAY. YES PLEASE

Published

2 days 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

2 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.

About Author

Ron

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Concert Reviews

ITS TIME TO GET YOUR BODY BEAT AND LET THE BLOOD FLOW

Published

2 weeks ago

October 29, 2024

Ron

Combichrist came into Lovedrafts in Mechanicsburg with an old school electronic set and the return of PA’s own DeathMaschine.

Combichrist took the dark stage armed with Eric on the synths/sampler and Andy on Vocals and an open stage to rampage on. I got to hear some killer kick ass songs I haven’t heard in a while like “Today I woke to the rain of blood”, “This is My Rifle” and This shit will fuck you up”.

The crowd were super excited to watch the set and everyone was having a good time, dancing to the beats, and singing all the songs and having an amazing time. I’ve been wanting to see Combichrist do these old school sets and have always loved that era of the band. We also got to hear “Like to Thank My Buddies” and “Shut up and Swallow”. We also got a super rare treat for an encore Andy went back even further in his musically roots and pulled out an Icon of Coil song “Dead Enough For Life”, which got the crowd in a frenzy.