Concert Reviews
The Pain Remains Tour:Pittsburgh Review
As the packed crowd waited to enter The Roxian Theater in McKees Rocks on the last US date of The Pain Remains tour you could feel an energy in the air. People were lined up and down the block eagerly awaiting a chance to see their favorite bands perform tonight. What a show they will see, a list of all killers for the night with headliners Lorna Shore, and guests Aborted, Ingested, Angelmaker, and Ov Sulfur; it would be a headbangers and moshers paradise for the night. Each band has their own distinctive take on death metal and deathcore; from heavy slams to intricate melodies, and even blistering solos, all ends of the spectrum would be covered tonight.

Ov Sulfur took the stage first. Lead by Vocalist Ricky Hoover, formally of the band Suffokate brought their style of blacken deathcore to the Pittsburgh crowd. A few technical issues cut into the first songs of their set but that didn’t stop the crowd from throwing down during the set. Heavy lows and screaming highs set the background as the band’s music had a relentless grind throughout the set. A standout during the set was the performance of their newest single “Stained in Rot”, released in late October; the song is a barn-burner churning away as moshers were starting to get their bearings for the night.

Angelmaker took the stage and demanded the crowd’s attention from the first minute. This Canadian outfit has a duo vocalist assault with Mike Greenwood, and Casey Tyson- Pearce belting out everything from gutturals to high pitched screams. Paired with three guitarists in veterans Matt Perrin and Colton Bennett and newest addition Johnny Ciardullo of Carcosa, who joined the band in early 2020. Angelmaker throws everything at you from heavy breakdowns, the fast grinds, to soaring melodies, and even the kitchen sink. Live the band dominates the stage, putting on one of the best performances of the night. Vocalist Casey Tyson- Pearce even spanned the photo pit to get in with the crowd standing on top of the barricade during the set. This band continues to raise expectations every time I see them live and delivers tenfold with their performances.

Ingested took the stage next, their sigil was marked across the stage and backdrop as the Slam King from Slamchester held court this night. Vocalist Jason Evans was ever the presence this night, pacing the stage utilizing every inch to engage with the crowd. Even demanding a “Wall of Death” during the set which saw the crowd part and slam back together as the band kicked in. Notably on this tour the band was joined by Miles Dimitri Baker of Voidbringer/Interloper on guitar. He is one of the best in the business and was a well-deserved addition to their live set. The band set was scattered with songs from their newest album Ashes Lie Still which was released earlier this November.

Aborted was up next, following all these heavy hitters these seasoned veterans brought their own blend of cosmic gore and horror to the masses. Their set showcased the best of their previous releases from Retrogore through ManiaCult. Their stage dressing had two cabinets of curiosities, which held what I could only describe as David Cronenberg inspired monstrosities. The music is blazing fast and very technical, guitar solos and grinds in abundance. The band not to be outdone by Ingested, asked for their own wall of death which saw the venue collide amongst itself before the band kicked into ManiaCult. Vocalist Sven de Caluwe got into the action ramping up the crowd as he paced the stage and even at points mimicked a machine gunner chopping down the crowd as a cascade of crowd surfers were coming over the barricade.

Headliners Lorna Shore closed out the night, the success of this tour is coming off the back of their latest and highly celebrated release Pain Remains that has been charting since its release on October 14th, having seen every show sold out. This is a pivotal success not only for deathcore but metal in general as it shows the genre still has a huge listening pool and continues to push against the grain of what is popular music today. Many in the crowd careened to get closer to see vocalist Will Ramos belt out his distinct style of gutturals. Paired with the intricate guitar styling of Adam De Micco and Andrew O’Connor and the blistering drumming of Austin Archey, the band was a force to be reckoned with onstage. The music paired with fog and quick light changes were a over stimulation of the senses as the audio assault played on. The band played through several notable singles, including “Sun//Eater” and “To the Hellfire” before an encore of “Pain Remains” parts 1 through 3 to close out their set.
This being the last night of the US tour, the bands will continue into Canada to finish out. If you were able to attend this tour, you were in for some very special moments. Each band on the bill is unique on their own but this collaboration was one of the best tours I have witnessed. If you are a fan of heavy music I high suggest you check out all of these bands for you are sure to find something new and fantastic to spark your ears.












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Concert Reviews
COLD: 25 YEARS OF 13 WAYS TO BLEED ON STAGE/20 YEARS OF A DIFFERENT KIND OF PAIN TOUR


COLD came back into Baltimore to bring us an anniversary of 2 amazing albums, “13 ways to bleed” and “a different kind of pain. Bringing along with them Thrower, University Drive, and September Mourning.




Thrower opened up and this was my first time seeing this band from Texas. The best way I can describe them is a good mix of 90s grunge with a little modern rock. They had a really cool sound and had a great vibe on stage. The band did a really cool eerie rendition of Blue Oyster Cults “Don’t Fear the Reaper”.






University Drive was up next and this was also my first time seeing the band, even though they have toured with Cold a few times, I just haven’t got the chance to see them. UD has 3 members of Cold in the band making them have double duty on tour. I thought UD were really great, I loved the sound and the stage energy. The music is also different from Cold, so it makes a good combo with the band. Having 3 guitarists was crazy on stage but seemed to work so perfectly.




September Mourning was up next, and after an early van issue on tour, they were able to come back and rock out for the crowd. September knows how to get the fans ready and eager to have some fun and listen to some theatrical metal. I loved the tv screens on each side showing you some art and lyrics and all things September Mourning while the band played .



Cold was up next and everyone in the house was ready to sing, to laugh, to cry, to remember when and where these songs were a huge part of our lives. It’s crazy that 13 ways to bleed is 25 years old and Different kind of pain is 20, where does the time go? Cold always takes us on an emotional rollercoaster when they come to play, but this time it was different. We got to hear 25 songs from both albums that both played a huge role in my life and the lives of the fans at the show. I love seeing Cold play, and seeing the crowd cause everyone knows the lyrics, sings to the top of their lungs and show so much emotion for a rock/metal concert.



I love the combo of both these albums. They both take you on a journey of life, with all kinds of feelings along the way. Feelings of hope, depression, fear, pain, sadness, anger , having no faith to having faith again, to drug use and suicide. Ya that sounds a lot like Emo music, but Cold was this way before Emo was a thing, plus the music is way better. I love that Scooter takes times to tell the fans about certain songs and the meaning and inspirations around the lyrics, I also love that everyone has their own opinion about the lyrics and how they mean to them. It was great to hear these albums in full because normally you may hear a few of the tracks but it’s great to hear songs you haven’t heard Live in years or ever.

Cold just doesn’t compare to any other bands out there. Not only is Scooter one of the best lyricists and poets of the 90s-2000s but also is such a great man, loving father and truly a gem within the world of musicians that let their ego take control. Scooter and the band are truly for the fans, they always make sure to take time to meet the fans, take photos, sign autographs and talk about how the songs of the band have impacted them personally. I’ve got to hang out with my friends with the Kid Dreadful camp and got to see how excited and truly interested that the band are into her life and her art. It’s just makes you love this band anymore.

I can’t wait till they come back again and maybe in 2028 we can get the 30 year anniversary of the “Self Titled” album and get to hear the songs that first got me into the band. It’s crazy that I’ve been going to see Cold for 25 years. The one thing that’s been the same in those 25 years is my love of this band. This band has honestly saved my life many times and helped many others too.
THANK YOU COLD.
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Concert Reviews
WEDNESDAY 13:THERES NO SUCH THINGS AS MONSTERS MARYLAND SHOW REVIEW


MURDER TO THE LEFT…MURDER TO THE RIGHT. HORRAY FOR WEDNESDAY 13, STITCHED UP HEART AND DEAD RABBITS





The Dead Rabbits opened up and started the show off with great music, awesome rabbit masks, and “Escape The Fate” singer Craig Mabbit’s birthday. This was my first time being able to see the band live, and they put on a great show. With songs like “Dead by Daylight,” “Dead Again,” and “Deer in the Headlights,” Dead Rabbits got the crowd pumped for a good time.







Stitched Up Heart was up next, and it had been a while since they played in Maryland. The band has always put on a hell of a show, and singer Mixi always brings such energy and fun to the shows as well. She’s always talking to fans and being genuinely an amazing person. When she’s on the stage, you can tell she’s in her element. The crowd was really getting into them, and the band even got to have a little mosh pit. With songs like “To the Wolves,” “Catch Me When I Fall,” and “Sick Sick Sick,” Stitched Up Heart always puts on a hell of a show and gets the crowd pumped.





The Duke of Spook. MR. MOTHERFUCKING13. WEDNESDAY 13 was up next, and the crowd was ready to be shocked and rocked. Playing a good mix of Muderdolls In the Valley of the MurderDolls and Wednesday 13’s first “solo” album, Transylvania 90210. You know when you go to a Wednesday 13 show you’re gonna hear some fun songs, you’re gonna hear some great songs, and you’re just gonna have fun. I was excited to hear a few songs that I haven’t gotten to hear in a while, like “Ghost of Vincent Price,” “Rambo,” and “God is a Lie.” We also got to hear a few songs off the new album that comes out on April 25th called “Mid Death Crisis,” songs like “When the Devil Commands,” “In Misery,” and “No Apologies.





With the new album coming out Wednesday, Wednesday 13 has a new addition to the band: guitarist Ashes (DevilDriver, Static X) has joined the WED13 camp. Which is awesome because not only is he a good friend, he’s a kick-ass guitarist and just an all-around badass and great guy. Wednesday and the band came out for an encore and gave us a few more songs to bang our heads to, like “Slit My Wrist” and “Love at First Fright,” and ended the night with “I Love to Say Fuck,” in which, during the end of the song, Wednesday broke his umbrella, looked at just the handle, laughed, and used it like he was leading an orchestra.





It was a great night of music and hanging out with great friends. We got to celebrate the lives of MurderDolls Joey Jordison and Ben Graves. And the show just happened to be on Paul Gray’s (Slipknot) birthday.
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Concert Reviews
Paleface Swiss Pittsburgh Show Review

A packed crowd gathered outside the Roxian Theater in Pittsburgh tonight for The Cursed Tour featuring Paleface Swiss, Stick to Your Guns, and Nasty. The crowd was lined up across the front of the venue and several blocks down the street, with all types ready to get out their weekly frustrations this Friday eve. Hardcore, deathcore, and beatdown will be the soundtrack to usher in the weekend for all in attendance tonight.
Nasty would kick off things; this band comes from Belgium and has a metalcore/beatdown sound to them. Nasty also released their latest EP on March 14th, called Black My Heart, which features a single with tourmates Paleface Swiss entitled ‘Talk.’ From the first note, Nasty cranked the energy to 11, heavy riffs and fast, heavy vocals coming right down the barrel. The pit was going hard and fast with bodies careening into each other for the whole set. The band was just as energetic, pacing the stage while performing and running across the stage; vocalist Mathias even jumped down into the crowd for a part of the set.
With the crowd now primed and firing, Stick to Your Guns took the stage next. This Californian hardcore outfit dropped an album in early 2025 entitled Keep Planting Flowers. Their high-energy set had this Pittsburgh crowd bouncing to every song. The pit kept turning as crowd surfers were starting to come over the barricade now. The band played through many of their hits, “Invisible Rain”, “Keep Planting Flowers”, and “Spineless”, before wrapping up.
Paleface Swiss took the stage in a fury of angst. As soon as the lights rose after Un Pobre Nino Murio finished, the venue was in chaos. Vocalist Marc Zelli Zellweger ripped right into “Hatred”, pacing the stage as the crowd whipped into a frenzy. The music was fast and heavy as security had their hands full with moshers, crowd surfers, and occasional injuries along the way. The band played through “Nail to the Tooth”, “The Gallow”, and “Rivers of Sorrow” before throwing the crowd into another gear with “Please End Me”. The pace was unrelenting as the band came back out for an encore, closing out with the single Love Burns.
If you are looking for a fast-paced, heavy show, mark off the calendar to see The Cursed Tour. These bands came to play their asses off, and you won’t be able to stand still the whole show.










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