Reviews

The Black Dahlia Murder Pittsburgh Show Review

Published

3 years ago

October 6, 2021

George Archibald

Up From the Sewer Tour 2021

Review and photos by George Archibald

What better way to kick off the month of October than with some of the heaviest band in the land converging on The RoxianTheater in Pittsburgh Pa. The Black Dahlia Murder, After the Burial, Carnifex, Rivers of Nihil, and Undeath all joined forces to bring the Up From the Sewer Tour 2021 to western Pennsylvania. Concert goers came out in masses for a great night of metal, many of them extremely elated to be able to attend as many of the dates of this tour have been sold out across the nation.

Up first was Rochester New York natives Undeath, even though this is the band’s first official tour they did not seem like rookies onstage. The band churned out several tunes emblazon with their own signature sound of death metal; their set was very energetic,and the pit started to show movement early in the night. This Prosthetics Record’s artist sounds like early Cannibal Corpse meets Morbid Angel; I am hoping to see more from them in the future.

Rivers of Nihil took the stage next, fresh off the debut of their new album The Work which released on September 24^th. The band has been touring nonstop since their last album Where Owls Know My Name snowballed in popularity. The band seems very seasoned and at home on stage. The band played through several hits including the single Clean from their newest album.

Carnifex took the crowd by shock and awe with lit Pentagrams and red lighting as they began their set. World War X kicked off the set for the band, as they worked their way through their extensive catalogue. Slit Wrist Savior was a crowd favorite, which got the crowd really moving. The band even played Graveside Confessions off their newest album by the same name for the night. Scott Lewis vocalist even proclaimed that we are taking back to the early 2000’s tonight. Indeed, it did for the line-up to follow was very reminiscent of the old school Myspace days of deathcore.

After The Burial came out blazing hot from the start kicking things off with Lost in The Static. The highly energetic set seen many concert goers surfing the crowd at this point to get as close to the stage as possible. The band even brought in additional lights for their stage set which really brought another element to the atmosphere of The Roxian Theatre. Closing the set vocalist Anthony Notarmaso asked attendees if they brought a friend or loved one out to the venue that night, and to put an arm around them to make this a memorable moment as they broke out into Berzerker in memory of former guitarist Justin Lowe, before closing out with A Wolf Amongst Ravens.

I Will Return kicked off The Black Dahlia Murder’s set, before breaking into Verminous off their latest album by the same name. Vocalist Trevor Strnad was out in full force, casting spells and pumping fists throughout the set. A crowd favorite The Black Dahlia Murder has made Pittsburgh a touring staple for many years. The band broke into Nightbringers next which is one of my personal favorite songs written under guitarist Brandon Ellis. The band’s set consisted of many songs throughout the different evolutions of the band before concluding with Deathmask Devine and Miasma. Overall if you are looking for a night of nostalgia or to headbang your neck off make sure to catch the Up From The Sewer Tour 2021, you will not be disappointed. Everyband brought their A game out and performed their asses off.

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George Archibald

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Reviews

Collective Soul “7EVEN YEAR ITCH” Greatest Hits 1994-2001 Vinyl

Published

4 months ago

January 4, 2024

Ron

I’ve always been a big fan of Collective Soul and have been lucky to have seen them a few times. This band has always been in my music mixes since the 1990s.

The vinyl release is exactly what you would want for a greatest-hits album. All the best songs that collective soul had from 1994–2001 If you were a teenager or an adult in the 90s, you can’t tell me that you didn’t jam out to songs like “Shine,” “Gel,” and “December.”

With other great songs like “Heavy,” “Run,” “The World I Know,” and “Forgiveness,” This greatest hit album sounds amazing on vinyl as well. Craft Recordings has done a really great job of keeping the magic and sound of these amazing songs.

The sleeve cover has some cool photos of the band throughout the years. This vinyl just came out in Collective Soul fashion in December, and is ready to be part of your vinyl collection, and just brings you back to a great time in life.

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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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Reviews

Otep – Hydra 10th Anniversary Vinyl

Published

5 months ago

December 15, 2023

Ron

I received a copy of the album, and when I first opened it, the artwork struck me first. Otep has always been a great visual artist, with her amazing drawings and characters. I even have one of them tattooed on myself. When you see the artwork on this vinyl release, you will really be drawn in and appreciate the artistry.

The sound of this vinyl is amazing. It’s been years since I’ve listened to anything on vinyl and forgot how much I loved the sound of the medium compared to CDs and digital releases. I love the songs on this album because, as with all Otep albums, it has such raw power and emotions, mixed with the anger and beauty of Otep’s poetry. Otep is one of the greats.

The album starts off with the track “Rising,” and this initial song sets the tone for what you’re about to hear from the balance of the album. The standout tracks on this album have to be “Necromantic,” “Apex Predator,” “Voyeur,” and “Feral Game.” Over all, the album as a complete piece of art is amazing. I would encourage you, if you’re a fan of Otep or a collector of vinyl, to add this vinyl to your collection.

About Author

Ron

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Reviews

WEDNESDAY 13: Performs Muderdolls Lititz PA Show Review

Published

5 months ago

November 24, 2023

Ron

Wednesday 13 came into Lititz, PA, on November 18th, bringing the music, or The MurderDolls, with him. Continuing the legacy of Joey Jordison and Ben Graves.

Wednesday 13 is on a tour now; that’s all MurderDolls. 21 years have passed since Beyond the Valley of the MurderDolls came out, and 13 years have passed since Women and Children Last was released. Wednesday and his bandmates are sharing the stage with Infected Rain and Gemini Syndrome on this tour.

The show was amazing; this was our first time covering a show at Mickey’s Black Box. The venue, the staff, and our media contact were so hospitable. The venue was amazing, with a cool balcony on the second floor to watch the show as well.

We got to hear a full set of 20 MurderDolls songs, which was pretty much every song on both albums. There were some songs I haven’t gotten to hear in a long time, like “Grave Robbing USA”, “Drug Me To Hell”, and “Summertime Suicide”. Of course, it wouldn’t be a MurderDolls show if they didn’t play “I Love to Say Fuck” and finish the night with “Dead in Hollywood.”

It’s always a blast to see Wednesday 13 in concert, and I was so excited for the band that a lot of these shows were sold out. It was also a special night because it was my GF’s “50th” birthday and my buddy’s GF’s birthday the next day. We got the MC of the show, Don Jamieson, to give them a little birthday shout-out.

Although it’s sad that Joey and Ben are no longer with us, I’m sure Joey is loving that Murderdolls is still kicking ass after all those years, and I know that Wednesday 13 is so appreciative of what MurderDolls has done for his career.