Apocalyptica is on tour now with Nita Strauss on their PLAYS METALLICA VOL 2. 

Nita  opened the show and as always put on an amazing show, it’s fun to see Nita on these solo tour when she’s not touring with Alice Cooper. You get to see her shine even more and just put a clinic on with shredding on the guitar. I’ve seen Nita a few times but this night was a little extra special, she brought out Kasey Karlsen of the band Deadlands out to sing a few songs which was great cause normally there’s no vocals at her shows.  

This was my first time being able to not only see Apocalyptica but also photograph them. I’ve always been a huge fan of their music and loved the 2 Metallica albums as well. I figured this was more than likely the only way I’ll get to hear Metallica play is with Apocalyptica playing them. 

We got to hear an amazing mix of songs throughout Metallica’s career. Opening up with “Ride the Lightning” and “Enter Sandman” you knew you were gonna rock out. 

The band is amazing, such awesome and jaw dropping skills on those Cellos. There’s something magical about musicians that come from Helsinki and the Finland area. Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lotjonen and Perttu Kivilaakso are insanely talented but also demand the stage so well and bring in that comedy as well. 

We also got to hear songs like “Creeping Death”, “The Call of Ktulu” “St Anger”, “Blackened” “Master of Puppets”, “Nothing else Matters” and ending the night with “Seek and Destroy” and “One”.  This was such a great night in a cool setting at Warner Theater in DC. I loved the atmosphere and the blending of not only music with classical and metal but also the crowd was as diverse as well. 

If you get a chance to go out and see this tour, you must you won’t be disappointed. 

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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ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN WHEN THE POWERS TO BE GATHER FOR THE MOST BAD ASS OF TIME. YES ITS THAT TIME FOR ANOTHER NIGHTMARE AFTER XMAS.

OF COURSE YOU HAVE SPELLBOOK AND WRATH OF TYPHON ON THE BILL, AND HEADLINING PRINCE DIAMOND (This year doing an all Mercyful Fate set) WE ALSO GOT SABBATH WARLOCK AND ZAUBEREI AS WELL.

EMPIRE EXTREME also did another interview with Wrath of Typhon and also an interview with Nate of Spellbook.

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.

See author's posts

What’s up, my friends and fellow metalheads? Klownz is back for yet another Empire Extreme review comin’ at you from the Fillmore in the heart of Minneapolis. I want to say something before we get into the shenanigans that transpired last night. I was very excited to cover this show and a little nervous, but overall it was AMAZING!

So to start off the show, arriving at the venue, I was taken aback by how much the crowd was much older than I am used to, so that really made me feel right at home. I thought it was awesome to see such dedicated fans of Kerry King. We will get into that in a few, but first I want to draw your attention to the first band on the lineup.

Alien Weaponry! These young gentlemen from the heart of New Zealand did not disappoint at all. This is my first time seeing these guys, and I was so blown away I needed to find my head because it was completely blown off my shoulders. These young rascals did an amazing job, and they really know how to get the crowd eating out of their hands, and I was definitely one of them. I believe this band is the new-aged Sepultura, and I stand by that statement. They played their new single, “Mau Moko,” and ended it with one of my favorites, “Kai Tangata.”. To be honest, I think I pulled a muscle while headbanging!

After that there was a band, and to be honest, I had never heard of Municipal Waste before. I had no idea what to expect, but wow! They were amazing; the lead singer had so much energy I needed a nap after watching him run around. They are a mix between ska, punk, speed metal, and of course, good old 80’s thrash hairband metal. I loved these guys. Their onstage antics definitely kept the crowd enticed and energized for the main event!

The headliner needs no introduction that will do him justice as one of the founding members of the immortal band SLAYER. Kerry King is definitely a force to recon with, playing his signature flying V guitar like the Wylde Warhammer, Kerry King Overlord signature, and the Kerry King Black Satin V. He definitely still shreds. Starting off the show with “Where I Reign,” “Rage Trophies of the Tyrant,” and how could you not play “Repentless,” “Disciple At Dawn They Sleep,” and “Black Magic,” and of course “Raining Blood” and some of Slayer’s greatest songs? They ended the night with “From Hell I Rise.”

So after some much-needed medical attention because my brains were smashed all over the venue, I had to head home and reflect on one hell of a great show. In conclusion, this show will definitely be one of my best memories of all time. I got an opportunity to see one of the greatest guitar players in the HISTORY of thrash metal and one of the founding members of one of the top 10 metal bands of all time, SLAYER!

So folks, there you have it, my interpretation of how to survive Kerry King, and always remember

Keep It Real and Keep It Metal!

Klownz

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Anthony Bernardi

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