Concert Reviews

Resistor – Live Review

Published

5 months ago

May 6, 2026

Resistor at Preserving Underground: Knuckle-Dragging, Wika-Wika Fury

New Kensington, PA – By the time Resistor took the stage at Preserving Underground on April 30th, the room had already been baptized. Inferious had spent their opening slot proving why they belong on this tour and Monochromatic Black followed suit. The crowd: sweaty, tired, and grinning stood shoulder to shoulder in the basement of a converted church, ready for the Long Island quintet to deliver the main course. They did not disappoint!

The “Knuckle Dragging Wika Wika Core” Arrives

For the uninitiated, a quick vocabulary lesson is needed. Resistor doesn’t just play heavy music; they’ve patented their own subgenre. They call it “knuckle dragging wika wika core”. The “knuckle dragging” part is the downtuned, beatdown-ready hardcore riffage that makes you want to punch a hole in the nearest wall. The “wika wika” is the turntable wizardry of Anthony Arce, a Manhattan-based DJ whose scratches and samples add an extra layer of chaotic texture to the band’s already ferocious sound.

And on this night, in the intimate confines of Preserving Underground, that sound hit like a freight train with no brakes. The band made up of Anthony Grambo on vocals, Anthony Conti on guitar, Ian Schneider on bass, Peter Smith on drums, and Arce on turntables launched into their set with the kind of immediate aggression that separates headliners from openers. Resistor brought a sharp, more hardcore-infused edge. The bass drum kicks vibrated your sternum. The turntable scratches cut through the mix like a knife. And Grambo? Clad in Selena t-shirt didn’t just sing into the mic, he seemed to be wrestling it for control.

A Set Built for 2026

The band had good reason to be confident. Just over a month before, Resistor released their debut full-length album, BITE THIS!. Produced by Randy LeBoeuf (Kublai Khan TX, The Acacia Strain), the 30-minute, 10-track assault has been described as “an aggressive trip with a hardcore ethos” that blends nu-metal’s cocky swagger with 21st-century heaviness.

Setlist highlights came fast and furious. Opening with “BORN 2 BREAK,” the band immediately established the night’s tone: pummeling, unapologetic, and laced with just enough turntable chaos to keep things unpredictable. “L33CH” followed, with Arce’s scratches adding an almost industrial layer of noise to the already dense wall of guitar. By the time they hit “DEAD SOUL” a track the band has called “the perfect entry point” to the album the pit had fully reignited.

The Secret Weapon: Anthony Arce

What sets Resistor apart from every other heavy band on this tour is the turntable. In 2026, seeing a DJ on stage at a hardcore show feels almost nostalgic. A throwback to the nu-metal heyday of the late ’90s and early 2000s. But Resistor doesn’t use the turntable as a gimmick. Arce’s contributions are woven directly into the fabric of their sound, from the extra chaos on “PETTY FUCK” to the almost Deftones-esque atmosphere of “FROZEN AT 29”.

Live, those moments hit even harder. During “LOVE SONG (BULLSH!T),” Arce dropped into a scratch solo of sorts, that had the crowd throwing horns and nodding in appreciation. It was a small moment, but it underscored something essential about Resistor: they’re not just heavy for the sake of being heavy. They’re heavy with purpose, texture, and a genuine understanding of how different elements can collide to create something new.

Closing Strong

By the time they reached the set’s final tracks “XXXL” and “FEEL LIKE SHIT” the room was a mess of flying bodies, raised voices, and genuine appreciation. The band didn’t overstay their welcome. They played, they destroyed, and they stepped back, leaving the crowd to catch their breath before Filth’s headlining set.

Verdict

Resistor proved exactly why they were chosen for this 10th-anniversary tour. With a new album that’s been called “nothing short of an aggressive trip” and a live show that delivers every ounce of that aggression, they’ve positioned themselves as one of the most interesting heavy bands coming out of the New York scene. The “knuckle dragging wika wika core” label might sound like a joke, but the music is anything but.

Catch them on the remaining dates of the Back To Tha Gutta tour if you can. Just bring earplugs. And maybe a change of shirt.

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

IGORRR NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2026

Published

7 days ago

September 29, 2026

George Archibald

It’s another crowd-packed night at the Roxian as Igorrr takes over the Burgh with The North AMENican Tour. This experimental music act has been making waves across the world as they have been expanding into more areas, and they are here to tackle North America. Igorrr, the brainchild of Gautier Serre, takes elements from black metal, EDM, and baroque music and melds these genres in experimental soundscapes. Also taking the stage in support of Igorr are Secret Chiefs 3 and VOM – Violent Magic Orchestra.

The first act was Violent Magic Orchestra (VOM). Violent Magic Orchestra members hail from France and Japan. VOM’s music is a blend of EDM, techno, noise metal and black metal. From the moment things kicked off, I knew tonight was going to be interesting. VOM turned the Roxian Theatre into a black metal rave; members of the band would jump the barricade into the crowd and encourage crowd members to dance and clap. Strobe lights and heavy trip-hop beats kept the bodies moving as the vocalists growled and screamed. The band was high energy and a lot of fun to watch, along with the video screen in the background.

The next act was Secret Chiefs 3, an experimental rock band founded by Faith No More guitarist Trey Spruance. The band incorporates Middle Eastern, rock, and fusion to create music that is intertwined in mysticism and the occult. Odd time signatures paired with exotic scales and microtonal guitars; this is the thinking musician’s band. The set felt like a big jam session amongst friends, riffs drifting off and coming in. The rock instrumentals kept the crowd bobbing as the band played on.

Igorrr was up next with the stage barely lit; Gautier started the track to “Daemoni”. Hidden in the darkness, dressed in black and adorned in gold accents, vocalist JB began the almost tribal vocals to kick in the track. Onstage joining on vocals was Gerda Iguchi, a German-Japanese opera singer who joined the band in April, after vocalist Marthe Alexandre stepped away from the band. The crowd came to life as soon as the guitars kicked in, jumping and bouncing in the pit to the music. Igorrr audibly had everyone in the venue moving while visually entertaining with lights and their onstage performances. The band played through familiar singles such as “Headbutt”, “ieuD”, and “Viande”, among many others, before wrapping with “Opus Brain”.

If you are looking for a fun tour that veers from what is traditional music, The Igorr North American Tour should be considered. From a rave party to a zone-out session to a full-out audio assault, there is also a lot of fun involved with this tour. If you are looking to experience music that breaks social norms, this is the place to be.

About Author

George Archibald

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Concert Reviews

EIHWAR: NORDIC RITUAL NIGHTS TOUR; BALTIMORE

Published

1 month ago

September 2, 2026

Ron

EIHWAR MADE THEIR WAY INTO BALTIMORE BRINGING WITH THEM FRAYLE

Frayle opened up and I’ve heard of the band before but this was my first time getting to see them live. The stage was set up with a creepy gothic vibe as the band made its way on stage. The sound of Frayle is called Heavy Witch Doom which was exactly how they did sound, very doomy and gloomy and very theatrical. Singer Gwyn Strang brings an element of scary/seductive/sadness to her vocals and performance. She also has a wears a really killer chain face mask. Frayle played songs like Heretic, Demons and did a killer cover of Lana Del Rey of Summertime Sadness.

The stage was now set up for EIHWAR to make there Maryland debut. With just 2 members Asrunn and Mark, EIHWAR brings the chaos and fun of Viking War Trance. Armed with her traditional Nordic and neo pagan outfit , war paint and barefoot, she also had her shamanic frame drum. The whole set and vibe was great energy and the fans from beginning to end had so much fun, you could see them dancing and howling and having a blast.

I really enjoyed watching the band perform it was high energy and chaotic at times and then very tender and spiritual at times too. Asrunn vocals were just amazing and I loved Mark (mortal combat) style when he talked and sung as well. I’ve seen a few bands before that were similar styles before but there’s something about the sound of EIHWAR that brings you in differently. Asrunn also came out after to show to meet the fans and that was a very long line. Such a great experience and I was happy to see them on their US tour debut, when I met Asrunn at the merch table we talked about the interview I recently did with them and she really enjoyed the questions I had and was very sweet.

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

BRISTOW VIRGINIA TOOK A TRIP ON THE WILD SIDE… SHOUTED AT THE DEVIL. AND ENJOYED THE GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS.

Published

2 months ago

August 7, 2026

Ron

MOTLEY CRUE CAME BACK INTO TOWN BRINGING WITH THEM TESLA AND EXTREME FOR THE RETURN OF CARNIVAL SINS TOUR.

Extreme opened up, and not only did they kick ass, but they also took some names, too. Gary sounded amazing on vocals, and of course, Nuno not only rocked the guitar; he gave all the ladies out there heart problems. We got to hear “More Than Words,” “Get the Funk Out,” and “Hole Hearted”.

Tesla was next, and the band always puts on an amazing show. It’s just a good ole rock and roll fun time. We got to hear “Modern Day Cowboy,” “Mama’s Fool,” and “Little Suzi.”

Motley Crue put up the circus tent, and fans were ready for the big top to drop. I was excited because this was the first time getting to see Crue with John 5 on guitar. The stage looked crazy and had things you could look at everywhere, from girls to cages and beyond. Nikki and Tommy looked amazing, and Neil looked healthier than in the past years; he sounded great, and you could see that he was having fun.

I have seen Motley Crue a few times now, but this time I was so close to the stage it was insane. Doing this press gig does come with some perks, and we get to see great bands and get tickets, but this was next level with how close to the stage my tickets were. It gave me such a great experience, not only just being that close and jamming out to songs that I grew up to, but also being with all the Crue fans and just seeing everyone getting excited and rocking out. They were all there for a good time and some kick-ass rock n’ roll.

Motley played a fantastic set too, with some bangers and killer songs from albums up to Generation Swine. Songs like “Wild Side,” “Shout at the Devil,” “Looks that Kill,” “Home Sweet Home,” “Smoking in the Boys’ Room,” “Live Wire,” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” and, of course “Dr. Feelgood” and “Kickstart My Heart.” The show was amazing, and the place was packed and having a great time. This is only the first leg of the tour, so if they come your way, go and see this tour and let yourself go and enjoy live music and rock ‘n’ roll.