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Trans-Siberian Orchestra 2022 Show Review

Shelby Tyce

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There are a lot of different types of traditions that families dive into around christmas
time. Sitting around a fire watching a holiday movie in your warmest pajamas, and going out
with a creamy hot cocoa looking at christmas lights. However, there is one tradition that doesn’t always come around, but when it does, it’s truly magical.

What we’re discussing here is unique light and orchestral performance by none other than The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Touring since 1999, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, or TSO, have been spreading holiday cheer for generations in the most memorable form. The rock band, formed in 1996 by producer, lyricist, and composer Paul O’Neill perform their own twist of Christmas classics which give off a very rock opera type persona. To spice it up even more, the band provides the audience with a visual light display that has left many people in awe and craving for more.

Some of their more memorable albums have included but are not limited to, Christmas Eve and Other Stories, The Lost Christmas Eve, The Christmas Attic, and Beethoven’s Last Night. All of these albums, along with a few covers as well, were all featured in TSO’s latest tour, The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, The Best Of TSO and More.

Now into the third week of their 2022 Winter Tour across North America, TSO came to
please. Playing some of their more iconic songs,, such as “Christmas Canon Rock”, which of
course is their own rendition of the infamous Canon in D, or a fan favorite, “Christmas Eve
Sarajevo”, to some lesser beknown to newer fans like “Music Box Blues” or “Child of The Night/
A Last Illusion, fans both old and new are surely are not disappointed. Included in the setlist was
a cover of “If I Go Away” by Savatage, a heavy metal band featuring current members of TSO
Chris Caffery and Al Pitrelli, which they dedicated to O’Niell, who unfortunately passed away in April 2017. Another highlight of the show included the storyline in the first half of the show, told by long time storyteller Bryan Hicks, about a young girl who takes shelter from the cold in an abandoned theater, only to witness different sights and wonders of Christmas Magic, which ends with her receiving a gift to make it home to her family for Christmas. The second half included just as much excitement and brilliant light displays, along with a few satellite stage performances that allowed members to elevate above the audience members, as well as some amazing pyrotechnics. To say the least, there was never a moment where the audience wasn’t on the edge of their seats waiting to see what awaited them in the next song of the night.

To close the night, TSO performed for the second time of the night a reprise of Christmas Eve Sarajevo, to which left audiences on their feet in a standing ovation. So many fans have made it a yearly tradition to make sure that they include TSO in their holiday activities, and after not touring for two years due to the pandemic this is most certainly a genuine treat this holiday season to both fans new and old, a tradition I for one certainly hope to
hold close for years to come.

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Concert Reviews

Paleface Swiss Pittsburgh Show Review

George Archibald

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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 were lined upacross 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 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 Heartwhich 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 we just as energetic pacing the stage while performing, running across the stage; Vocalist Mathias even jump 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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Concert Reviews

KIM DRACULA/Hanabie SilverSpring Maryland Show Review

Ron

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AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN COLLIDE TO BRING THE USA SOME KICK ASS MUSIC AND FUN.

Kim Dracula alongside Hanabie and Crystal Lake came into the Filmore in SilverSpring Maryland and brought the right kind of entertainment that we so needed.

Crystal Lake put on a super intense and chaotic live show. With super insane riffs and brutal drums Crystal Lake opened up the show perfectly getting the crowd into a frenzy. This was my first time seeing the band and they brought the fierceness of the metal genre with them.

Hanabie was next and this was my second time getting to see them, I saw them last year when they toured with Jinjer. They are a perfect mix of metal, k pop, and all around fun. These girls not only know how to entertain and put on a show, they also play their instruments with perfection. Such a great blend of vocals from sweet and innocent playfulness to gutteral growls. The crowd was loving them and they have such a huge following in America and I only see them getting even bigger.

Kim Dracula was the headliner and this was my first time seeing the band. I’m kinda new to the whole Kim Dracula scene, but have jumped on board right away with their mix of music and odd and weirdness they bring to the stage. I’m an old head so for the younger generation the closest I could say is that Kim Dracula reminds me of Mr Bungle with a new generation twist. The show was fun and damn is Kim such a phenomenal persona. Not only just amazingly entertaining but also what an amazing voice. Kim Dracula goes from metal screams, to deep voice talking, to crazy fast raps, to singing high chops like Rob Halford. I was surprised to hear not one but two covers. Pearl Jam’s “Even Flow” and Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi”.



Not only do you get this amazing music and musicians on stage but then all of a sudden the song breaks out into a saxophone solo. WHAT?? So I encourage everyone go see Kim Dracula when they tour in your area, you won’t be disappointed.

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Concert Reviews

TERRIFYING NORTH AMERICA

George Archibald

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Terrifying North America Tour featuring Aborted,Ingested, Peeling Flesh and Extermination Dismemberment at Preserving in New Kensington Pa 3-2-2025

It was a bitter cold Sunday, a biting cold as death metal fans lined the sidewalk in front of the old church which is Preserving Records in New Kensington Pa. Tonight the Terrifying North America tour brings death metal veterans Aborted back to the Burgh. Aborted have frequented the Pittsburgh area over the last few years having played the Roxian, and buildinf a solid fan base within the city. Along with Aborted is English death metal act Ingested. Also a season veteran in the genre, Ingested returns to the states with new vocalist Josh Davies and new guitarist Andrew Virrueta. Also opening up the tour is Extermination Dismemberment and Peeling Flesh, two bands making thjer rise in the scene. 

Extermination Dismemberment kicked off the show. This band didn’t waste anytime, grinding and slamming out of the gate, the pit was churning immediately. The band welcomed everyone for coming and made everyone aware they came from Belarus to kick their asses. The songs were filled with double bass, snare blasts, and fast paced grinds; enough to make any hardcore enthusiasts ears perk. When the band kicked into Corpsepit the crowd was jumping up and down in unison before breaking out into chaos. The band closed out their set with Omnivore. 

Peeling Flesh was up next, this band has been gaining quite a bit of attention in the scene lately. Having appeared on the Garza Podcast and hitting the road hard has helped in growing their following. Another slam from the start and count the bodies later band, Peeling Flesh came out in a fury. Pit churning, limbs flying as straight out the game the band was bringing heat. Mr. Nasty Time, 12 Gauge Autopsy, and Bodega Bloodbath really got the crowd moving. The band will throw samples and hip hop beats in at times, then like whiplash head into another slamming breakdown. Snare bombs going off, and bodies careening, it islike watching a car crash unfold.

UK death metal veterans Ingested took to the stage opening things up with Titanomachy. New Vocalist Josh Davies is full of energy and fits well into the shoes of former vocalist Jason Evans. The band sounded mean, slams and fast paced breaks kept the crowd on its toes. These veterans know how to work a crowd, as surfers we now making their way onto the stage. Newest single Alter of Flesh, really got the bodies moving, the band kept up the energy ripping through Invidious,and CrematedExistence, before closing with a wall of death on Skinned and Fucked. 

Closing out the night was Aborted. The crowd was all fired up and eagerly have been awaiting these masters of macabre to take the stage. Vocalist Sven De Caluwe,  paced the stage as a mad man, known for his high energy live shows, this crowd wouldn’t get a rest during the set. The bands set list was filled with heavy hitters, Retrogore, Dreadbringer and Death Cult made the pit sway and churn. The band continued the mayhem playing through The Shape of Hate before ending with Hecatomb. 

Pittsburgh was such a gracious host for the Terrifying North America tour. The crowd was enthusiastic and the energy never dropped. If you are looking for a heavy death metal show to get the blood moving, this is the tour for you. 

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