A PERFECT CIRCLE In Tennessee On Halloween? Metal Nexus Was There!

Since 1999, A Perfect Circle have become giants in the music industry thanks to three very successful studio releases – ‘Mer De Noms’ (2000), ‘Thirteenth Step’ (2003), ‘Emotive’ (2004).  They’ve acquired one of the most loyal fan bases, as well as selling out countless arenas and headlining some of the biggest music festivals in the world.  The band’s current lineup consists of vocalist Maynard James Keenan (Tool, Puscifer), guitarist Billy Howerdel (Ashes Divide), rhythm guitarist/keyboardist James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins), drummer Jeff Friedl (The Beta Machine, Puscifer), and bassist Matt McJunkin (The Beta Machine, Puscifer), all of which bring exactly what A Perfect Circle’s sound calls for musically.  A Perfect Circle has recently announced signing with a new label, BMG Rights Management, and began touring with supporting act The Beta Machine in mid-2017, playing new material from their newly-announced upcoming fourth studio album.  In the midst of their ongoing tour, the band made a stop in Knoxville, TN on October 30th, 2017 at the Thompson-Boling Arena and I was there. Continue reading

Louder Than Life 2017 – Louisville, KY DAY 2 REVIEW

With Day 1 in the books, the morning of Day 2 greeted everyone with clear blue skies, terrible hangovers, and the excitement the see just how it could be any better than Day 1.  My wife and I had a few friends over at our campsite for some pre-show breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, and hot coffee (not bad, right?).  Afterwards, we all ventured to the camp showers where I was extremely impressed with how well maintained the facilities were and how easy and quick it was to get in and out.  With a hot shower and our bellies full, we all headed to the entrance where Black Map was already tearing it up with a loud wakeup to open Day 2 taking the place of Biters, who were unable to make it, as the day’s opener.  The band hit the crowd with early-morning performances of “Octavia”, “No Color”, and “Run Rabbit Run”, among others.  Our very own Metal Nexus founder, Fist, got a chance to sit down with Ben Flanagan of Black Map for an insightful interview at the festival, which you can watch HERE. Continue reading

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN & SUNLORD Amp Up In Hazard, Kentucky! [Photo Gallery]

Yngwie Malmsteen’s World On Fire Tour 2017 made a stop in Hazard, Kentucky. Yes, you read that right Yngwie Malmsteen the guitar god that all guitarist aspire to be like was in Hazard, KY! It was a momentous event for the small mountain town. The Swedish guitar virtuoso is known around the world and simply his presence makes your want to headband uncontrollably. Continue reading

MAMMOTHFEST 2017 – Brighton, UK [Picture Gallery]

What the f**k just happened? Picture the scene: you’re walking along Brighton’s not-so sunny seafront, gulls are flying overhead looking for slim-pickings from unsuspecting tourists, and the usual retirees and students are basking along the pebbled beach without a single care in the world. Walking down the promenade, you are confronted by a sea of black t-shirts, all grinning and hyped up with an eager anticipation that feels infectious. All of a sudden you hear a colossal roar of distortion and demonic growls gurgling from deep within. Everyone in close vicinity turns and pauses in panic, children look to their parents, passers by freeze with bewilderment… “What is that?” they shriek… we reply, “The Mammoth has been unleashed!”

And what a beast it was! The team at Mammothfest produced an unbelievable feat across the weekend of Oct 6th-8th. Securing not just one, but four UK exclusives to delight metal-heads from across the country which included controversial Greek metallers Rotting Christ, avante-guard extreme titans Fleshgod Apocalypse, the uncompromising Noweigian true black metallers Tsjuder and post-metal doom act Amenra. Based in the UKs own traditional seaside town of Brighton at The Arch, over 50 bands glorified metal heads from around the country and a far, across 2 dedicated live stages. Founded in 2009, Mammothfest has fast become a household name and has played host to some formidable acts including Venom Inc, Textures, Onslaught, Entombed, Psycroptic, Breed 77 and Sylosis with the ambition of becoming “the largest rock and metal open air festival in the south”. Continue reading

Louder Than Life 2017 – Louisville, KY DAY 1 REVIEW

It’s been about two weeks now since one of the biggest music festivals stormed through Louisville, KY and forever stamped the Louder Than Life name on the Bluegrass State, offering one of the best lineups the festival has ever hosted.  2 days, 37 bands, and 60,000+ ‘Loudmouths’ fueled by what seemed like an endless supply of alcohol and a desire to rock.  For many, (myself included) it was the first time attending the festivities, and I can assure you that I will be returning if the chance ever comes around again.  There were people from all walks of life, adults and children, goths, punks, rockers, any type of person you could think of – they were there. Continue reading

BITERS With THE SAINTS OF HEARTBREAK Rock The City Of Whitesburg, Kentucky [Photo Gallery]

Where is Appalshop Theater you ask? Whitesburg Kentucky is the answer to that question and you are missing out! Most all of the bands or singers that have performed here have had the same thing to say. It may be one of the best rooms in the region if not the state! At around 175 seats its perfect spot to get up close and personal with whoever might be preforming. Last night it was the Biters and The Saints of Heartbreak’s (Ive mentioned before how much I love that name!) turn to fill the Appalshop Theater with sound. Great music is what both bands brought to Whitesburg last night!
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EPICA, LACUNA COIL, INSOMNIUM & ELANTRIS In Baltimore! [Photo Gallery]

Epica & Cristina Scabbia

The Ultimate Principle tour featuring Epica, Lacuna Coil, Insomnium and Elantris reached Baltimore last Wednesday. This was one of the last dates of the tour and hence I wanted to thoroughly mull over the performance before I put pen to paper. This is hands down the most melodic tour of the year in North America. Rarely do we see a tour with two powerhouse mezzo soprano vocalists in heavy metal. The excitement in the Facebook groups devoted to symphonic and gothic metal has been palpable for months. As I grow older I have slowly gravitated towards the symphonic aspect of heavy metal, and not attending a lineup of genre defining bands was never a question! Continue reading

EXODUS, OBITUARY Slay The Stage In Baltimore! [Photo Gallery]

Exodus

Here is a scenario, Baltimore city lay amidst ruins engulfed by flames and black smoke. As a raven flies over the city towards the inner harbor, it watches the fires and flames gradually intensify. The exact epicenter being 124 Market Place, the street address of Baltimore Soundstage. Surely this must have happened in one of the infinite alternate universes that exist. The cause behind this mayhem are two bands, Exodus and Obituary. On a balmy Saturday night, the two bands blew the lid off Baltimore Soundstage with the heaviest performance I have seen in a very long time. The tour titled “Battle of The Bays” is possibly the heaviest tour of the Fall, and I was not going to miss it. Continue reading

PROPHETS OF RAGE In Washington, D.C. [Photo Gallery]

Prophets Of Rage

Prophets of Rage, the rap rock supergroup consists of members of Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, Wakrat, Public Enemy and Cypress Hill played to a packed crowd at the iconic 9:30 Club in Washington DC on last Wednesday night. While my political views no longer resonate with the lyrics of RATM and Prophets Of Rage, my opinion on their music has remained unchanged. I well and truly believe that the original quartet of RATM are a bunch of creative geniuses, and that is why they had been so successful in capturing the imagination of millions around the world. Tom Morello is consistently ranked among the finest modern guitarist. My primary interest in this show was because of the RATM songs the lineups were playing. And tonight was the night.

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DEAD CROSS & SECRET CHIEFS 3 In Baltimore [Photo Gallery]

Dead Cross

 

Last Friday night I was in Baltimore to experience DEAD CROSS, a super group consisting of past and present members of the bands Suicidal Tendencies, The Misfits, Slayer, Faith No More, Tomahawk etc. I had been approved for this show months ahead of the show date, and as a fan of Slayer I was excited to see Dave Lombardo on drums. DEAD CROSS released their eponymous album, the first one of the band, which has received excellent reviews from fans and critics alike. While I am not a huge fan of hardcore, I totally get why the fans have been so excited about this tour. Continue reading