Concert Reviews

Mac Sabbath attack Pittsburgh

Published

5 months ago

November 24, 2023

Can a band be a bit creepy, profound, and enigmatic while offering insightful commentary on our grotesque feeding habits and our society’s behaviors buried under theatrical costumes, stunts, and heavy metal riffs? Mac Sabbath, fronted by Ronald Osborne, provides a twist to a slew of classic Black Sabbath songs. Bringing these masterful metal riffs back to life are guitarist Slayer MacCheeze, bassist Grimalice, and pulling drum duty is a half Hamburgler, half Peter Criss character known as the Cat Burglar.

Mac Sabbath Live Pittsburgh PA Nov 11 2023 By Josh Drespling for Empire Extreme

Mac Sabbath has been crisscrossing the United States for the last few months on the “More Than Meats The Eye” tour with the band of Transformers known as The Cybertronic Spree, along with Playboy Manbaby, who are taking a brief break from their jobs in the fast food industry.

As the band prepared to perform, the air hung heavy with the scent of fried mystery meat and the distant echo of deranged laughter. The intro music began to play, which was coupled with the sounds of hooves of stampeding cattle pounding the ground and long, woeful mooing. The scene was set for a descent into a gastronomic hallucination. The stage was flanked by two larger-than-life plastic Ronald McDonald heads with glowing red eyes that were ripped from the top of a set of exterior trash cans at McDonald’s chain restaurants in the mid-80s.

The four horsemen of the fast food apocalypse emerged onto the stage and blasted into the haunting opening riffs of “Organic Funeral” a parody of Black Sabbath’s “Electric Funeral”. A full minute and forty-five seconds into the song, the groups of fast-food mascots were joined on stage by vocalist Ronald Osborne, clad in a straitjacket. He spent several moments gyrating in an effort to free himself from the confines of the white straitjacket that was stained with greasepaint and what one could only assume was ketchup.

The leader of the culinary renegades of rock stepped up to the mic with a manic energy that was equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. His eyes, wide and wild, scanned the crowd as if searching for souls to devour. He began bellowing the lyrics, “Asparagine in the fries warns you of synthetic food dyes. Warm numbing feeling inside from the poisons that are fried ammonium sulfate. Monosodium glutamate, Monsanto run FDA, ONLY LEGAL IN THE USA!”

As the unholy communion of music and madness continued, the band played “Sweet Beef” (Black Sabbath “Sweet Leaf”) and The Lizard (Black Sabbath “The Wizard”). In this surreal circus of sonic excess, reality and absurdity collided, creating a dimension where the boundaries between fast food and heavy metal dissolved like a cheeseburger in a vat of hot oil. Ronald proceeded to douse the audience with water from squeezable ketchup and mustard bottles.

As the kaleidoscope of characters laid down the songs “In Dreams” (Roy Orbison), “Bread” (KISS “Beth”), and “Love Buns” (KISS “Love Gun”), one began to realize that the experience was not just a concert; it was a psychedelic trip through the greasy underbelly of rock and roll, a journey into the heart of a culinary carnival where the only rule was to embrace the madness and savor the high calorie content of the chaos.

As the carnival of parody and homage wound down, the lead singer, in his carnivalesque regalia, reached out to the crowd like a mad preacher, exhorting the congregation to embrace the madness as the band marched through the tracks “Supersize” (Black Sabbath “Supernaut”), “Chicken for the Slaves” (Black Sabbath “Children of the Grave”), and “Frying Pan” (Black Sabbath “Iron Man”). Ronald shouted, “Cows, we’re going to grind. Hope your stomach is well lined. Do I have the gall? Chopping onions makes me bawl, to the tune of Iron Man.

As the final notes reverberated into the ether, the crowd knew there was more to the orchestrated psychedelic feast for the senses. Mac Sabbath returned to the stage for a two-song encore that featured a collaboration with members of The Cybertronic Spree on the track “Hallowiener Schnitzel” (Misfits “Halloween”), followed by “Pair-a-Buns” (Black Sabbath “Paranoid”), which left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of all who bore witness to their peculiar brand of musical alchemy.

FULL SET LIST:
Organic Funeral(Black Sabbath “Electric Funeral”)
Sweet Beef (Black Sabbath“Sweet Leaf”)
The Lizard (Black Sabbath“The Wizard”)
Grilled by Death (Motörhead“Killed by Death”)
Drive Thru the Void(Black Sabbath “Into the Void”)
In Dreams (Roy Orbison)
Bread (KISS “Beth”)
Love Buns (KISS “Love Gun”)
Supersize (Black Sabbath “Supernaut”)
Chicken for the Slaves (Black Sabbath “Children of the Grave”)
Frying Pan (Black Sabbath “Iron Man”)
Hallowiener Schnitzel (Misfits “Halloween”) with members of The Cybertronic Spree
Pair-a-Buns (Black Sabbath “Paranoid”)

About Author

Josh Drespling

Josh is the Publisher and creator of Empire Extreme and it’s sister publication Kingdom Extreme Magazine. He is an accomplished writer, photographer and graphic designer. He is always conjuring up new ideas and has a amazing passion for the music industry and all the things that surround it.

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Concert Reviews

Sum 41 :Tour of the Setting Sum Baltimore edition

Published

3 days ago

May 1, 2024

Ron

Sum 41 came into Baltimore on their final tour, Bringing along with them The Interrupters and openers Joey Valence & Brea.

Joey and Brea opened up and I wasn’t quite expecting to hear the type of music they play. It’s a cool sorta tribute/Style of the Beastie Boys. They had super energy and was a fun way to open up the show.

The interrupters played next. They are a ska/punk band from LA. This band had super energy as well the guitarists were jumping all over the stage and singer Aimee was a bundle of joy to watch on stage such an amazing voice but also looks like she’s having so much fun on stage and interacting with the crowd .

This was my first and I guess last time I’ve seen Sum 41. I remember when “All Killer No Filler”album came out they were everywhere. My friends were into the punk scene and I checked them out. I loved the energy and remember watching a home video they sold with crazy antics and shooting water guns at drivers and cars.

The set list was a good mix of old and new with the latest and last album “Heaven x Hell” having a good chunk of that set list. I was happy to hear “Fat Lip” live and was blown away by them doing a few seriously metal songs. They did a cool version of “We Will Rock You” and did a cover of Social Distortions version of “Ring of Fire”.

The crowd was filled at pier 6. Young and old were among the crowd that were mostly ur late 30s punk kids and the new wave of punk kids. It was a super fun show and I’m glad to say I’ve seen Sum 41 play at least one show. If you get a chance to check them out while they’re on the final tour go do it, even if it’s just for a quick stroll down the nostalgia highway.

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

YOU WANT BLOOD?YOU GOT BLOOD. THE BLOODIEST BAND IN THE WORLD…….GWAR

Published

1 month ago

April 1, 2024

Ron

GWAR invaded the Baltimore Soundstage once again bringing with them Fuming Mouth and Cancer Bats. Oh yeah and lots of blood.

Fuming Mouth opened up the set. Hailing from Massachusetts, Fuming Mouth got the crowd in a frenzy. Demanding the crowd to circle pit and do a wall of death. Singer/guitarist Mark Whelan also was wearing a GWAR shirt. Fuming mouth was fast and angry and got the crowd ready for the night.

Cancer Bats who come all the way from Toronto Canada were up next. This in your face hardcore band got the crowd right back into going crazy. Singer Liam Cormier was all over the stage. Cancer Bats did a kick ass version of Beastie Boys “Sabotage” and since this was the last show on the tour Sawborg Destructo from GWAR came out on stage sang “War Pigs” from sabbath before killing Liam.

GWAR was up next. This was the first time for us in Baltimore to see the newest addition to GWAR guitarist Grodious Maximus ( he’s not Pustulus). Of course when GWAR comes into town you know chaos and madness will ensue and there will be blood. While I was in the photo pit getting prepared for the onslaught of blood I was grabbed by the back of my hoodie by bonesnapper as he was battling against Sawborg and the blood went gushing all over my back.

GWAR always puts on a hell of a show and the fans came out in full selling out the soundstage. Lots wearing white shirts to keep as bloody souvenirs. There also was an appearance by jesus as this was the day before easter. GWAR played a good set mixed in with new and old songs, some I haven’t heard for a while.

The band always puts on a hell of a show. Blothar, Balsac, Jizmak, and Beefcake thrash and trash the stage always. Grodious was an amazing addition, not only did he slay on that guitar but was all over the stage and a few times jumped off stage to jump into the front of the crowd . Even Balsac joined in on the fun and made his was to the Merch area while the band was playing.

I love going to GWAR shows. It’s always a family reunion with fans of GWAR all reuniting for the enjoyment of horror and rock music. You never know who’s going to be there. Even President Joe Biden was there , he may have been a little confused and eventually annoyed GWAR enough that they took off his head and yes the blood hit the crowd.

About Author

Ron

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Concert Reviews

KK Priest comes to Baltimore and brings with them LA Guns and Burning Witches.

Published

2 months ago

March 16, 2024

Ron

It’s been 2 years since I got to see Burning Witches for the first time at M3, then a couple days later with The Iron Maiden’s and now Courtney Cox of The Iron Maiden’s is in the band permanently. I love the Burning Witches not only are the songs killer, the stage show is always fun but the ladies are so super nice and friendly to their fans. Guitarist Romana had recently hurt her back but when she got to Baltimore was able to sit on the stage and play for us which was awesome to see her out. I can’t wait for them to come back around many more times in the US.

LA Guns was up next and it’s still such a great thing to have Phil and Tracii Guns together on stage, adding Johnny, Ace, and Sean to the lineup makes me so happy and I think one of the better lineups the band has had. I love that Phil was supporting a “PornStatche”. LA Guns always puts on a great show and is a band that’s not to be missed.

I’ve been a huge Judas Priest fan for years but never got the chance to see when KK was in the band. Plus I’ve always been a fan of Priest even when “Ripper” was the singer. So I was super excited to finally get to see KK Priest. They played a good mix of original songs and Judas Priest songs. The stage show was amazing and damn can KK shred.

I don’t ever remember a tour with all the bands who played on the bill to each have such amazing lighting as a photographer we normally get a lot of dark atmosphere and makes it harder to get that shot. Each band lighting just got better and better. Such an amazing tour package and such a great night of rock. The Baltimore M3 crowd came out to support the music.