Warped Tour 2017
Merriweather Post Pavillon
Baltimore MD

Empire Extreme got to bear witness the almighty and long running Warped Tour during it’s treacherous trek throughout the United States. Stopping in Baltimore, Maryland on July 16th, it was a trifecta of viciousness from the heat, the hardcore and extreme metal bands on this years rendition of the 20-somthign years old traveling musical circus. We survived the entire survived the entire day as we are surely gluttons for punishment will inevitably venture out next year to concur the heat, humidity and mass of fans.

This year’s incarnation had a surge of metal bands, but Warped kept true to what had made it a long lasting staple on the music scene, DIVERSITY. Empire Extreme got to check out a plethora of the bands that were on the tour this summer. Each and everyone was quite different from the others that surrounded them on the countless stages, but they all seemed to have one common thread and that was their ability to deliver pure, unadulterated entertainment.

The first band that I checked out on the Journey’s Left Stage was Atlanta’s metalcore heros Attila. This was my first time seeing the band and they did not disappoint. Singer Chris “Fronzilla” Fronzak took the crowd by storm and tore up the place right off the bat with “MoshPit”. Attila didn’t let the crowd take a minute before they destroyed the stage over and over again. Such a great band and awesome way to start the day of music for me.

Next up was Pittsburgh punk ledgends AntiFlag who were on the HardRock stage. Check out Empire Extreme’s Site for an exclusive interview and photos.

Up next was a band I was extreme excited to catch live again. Massachusetts’s brutal as fuck Acacia Strain killing it on the Mutant South Stage. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this band a few times before and they never have let me down. Such a killer band to see live with the emotions and monster growls from singer Vincent Bennett. The crowd was amped to see them and within the chaos the moshpit was at its craziest. Acacia Strain is a roller coaster of unfiltered, kick you in the balls metal. If you’re into bad ass metal make sure to check them out when the come around your city.

I then ventured my way back to the main stage of Merriweather Post Pavillon to the Skull Candy Stage where I was eagerly waiting for BarbWire Dolls to play. Check out site later for photos and an interview with Guitarist Pyn.

Making my way to down the river and through the woods (there wasn’t actually a river unless you consider the river of fans I had to make my way through) down all the way in the bowels of warped tour. I once again was reunited with one of my favorite bands on the tour. HATEBREED. I have been watching Hatebreed for over 15 years now and just like the first time I saw them, they still kick so much ass. Singer Jamey Jasta never stops amusing me, and is one the best frontmen in the music business today. We got to listen to such kick ass songs like “Destroy Everything”, and “Looking Down the Barrel of Today”. Hatebreed has always been a personal favorite band of mine, and it’s been a while since I have got to see them and I was not let down.

Then it was back to the HardRock stage once again to check out space wrecked from Venus band Valient Thorr. I got to sit down a shoot the shit with Valient himself . That interview and Photos will be posted soon.

Constantly on the move, I then treked my way back the Mutant South Stage to see California’s DeathCore group Carnifex. I’ve only had the chance to see Carnifex once before, but that was such an amazing show that I vowed to see them once again. Singer Scott Lewis brings such intensity and chaos with him. This was one of the most brutal pits and performances from the day. Carnifex is exactly what you expect from a death core group, killer and angry vocals, piercing guitars and drums that make you just want to go insane. With brutal songs like “ Drown Me In Blood” and “ Die Without Hope” Carnifex delivers. They even did a cover of Slipknot’s “Heretic Anthem”. This band is amazing and won’t ever let you down.

I once again worked my way back to the SkullCandy stage to witness the pirate metal escapades of Alestorm. This swashbuckling band is full of energy, fun tunes, kilts, and lots of rum and pillaging. Singer and Keytar master Chris Bowes commands the stage with his crazy antics and amazing songs that promote the finer things in life: Drinking, looting and all things pirate lifestyle. This was my first time seeing Alestorm although I have been a fan of them for many years. When they pulled out fan favorite “Drink” the crowd erupted, some fans dressed as pirates and crowd-surfed with floaties of pirate cannon balls and other odd and wonderful things. Alestorm undoubtedly comes to party and keep you entertained the whole time.

I then ventured to the stage that was in the middle of the chaos which was the Full Sail Stage where I was about to witness for the first time Kentucky’s hardcore punk/metal band Knocked Loose. I didn’t know what to expect before they took the stage. Once they started though the intensity never stopped. Singer Bryan Garris reminded me a little of Jason Mewes from Jay and Silent Bob. He was from one part of the stage to the next constantly moving around, which was entertaining but had to take a photograph of him. Throughout the set they had people who were hanging in the backstage area come out and do part of a song. They also mentioned that they weren’t excepting such a big crowd since they have never played this area before.

I then excitedly went back over to the Mutant South Stage for the highlight of the Warped Tour this year the one and the only GWAR. I sat down with Beefcake and Pustulus Maxiumus before they took the stage and before they decided to kill me. Check back on the site later after I have been magically reincarnated to post the interview and Photos.

The last act for me to watch on this tour was Watsky who closed out the Journey’s Left stage. I’ve been hearing a huge buzz on Watsky from all over even Singer Elias from NonPoint talked about him. The crowd was ready for him and the ladies were drooling and hollering for him. Watsky came out with a full band while intertwining his flows and intense rhymes. He was together with singer Camila Recchio who complimented Watsky. This was a good way to end such a chaotic and exciting day at the Warped Tour.

I can’t wait to see what next years tour will bring. Will they continue with the heavier metal bands mixed in with the diversity of the music genres? Only time will tell, but one thing will be true it will be a hot, and exciting day.

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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