AMON AMARTH Bring the ‘Berserker Tour’ To Minneapolis [Review & Photo Gallery]

 

Amon Amarth brought the “Berzerker Tour” to the packed Skyway Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota for night of uncompromised metal. Not only did we get the Viking metal giants, but Grand Magus, At The Gates, and the infectious Arch Enemy made this line-up fantastic. Continue reading

SUM 41 Are All Killer No Filler In Minneapolis ! [Review & Photo Gallery]

 

Sum 41 returned to Minneapolis, Minnesota with a shiny brand new album under their arm and an assortment of bands that ranged from one end of the musical spectrum to the other. Despite one of rocks rising stars, Ghost, playing a just a few miles away, the Skyway Theatre was sold out and packed to the rafters. The Amity Affliction, Bowling For Soup, Less Than Jake, Plot In You, and Authority Zero all had their shots to play in front of their fans and at the same time play in front of people that may not have any familiarity with them. Clearly the odd line-up worked because the crowd seemed to appreciate the various styles. Sadly, due to unforeseen circumstances I was unable to catch the first two acts, Authority Zero and Plot In You, and I’m hoping both make it back real soon. Continue reading

GHOST & NOTHING MORE Bring “The Ultimate Tour Named Death” To South Dakota [Review & Photo Gallery]

 

Ghost is continuing to haunt North America as the dubbed “The Ultimate Tour Named Death” made a stop at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The explosive band from San Antonio, Texas Nothing More provided direct support. Continue reading

ZAKK SABBATH Keeps The War Machine Turning In Minnesota [Review & Photo Gallery]

 

With Ozzy Osbourne’s unfortunate cancellations of shows for 2019, guitarist Zakk Wylde has had some time to hit the road on his own. He ripped across the country with the Generation Axe Tour and played with his doom stomping metal outfit Black Label Society. His other passion is his supercharged cover band, Zakk Sabbath, and they bring forward the legendary Black Sabbath material in a blazing fashion that only the flamboyant Zakk Wylde can deliver. The Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota witnessed a riveting show by the three piece. Comedian Don Jamieson provided support for the evening. Continue reading

KNOTFEST ROADSHOW Plows Through Nebraska [Review & Photo Gallery]

 

Slipknot’s “Knotfest Roadshow” made huge news throughout the metal community when it was announced back in March. That twenty-nine cities run is now in full swing and Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska had the opportunity to host a brilliant night of music. The line-up is certainly a global affair as it featured the extreme metalists from Poland, Behemoth, the technical powerhouse Gojira from France, and the hard rocking outfit Volbeat from Denmark. Slipknot would close to the show in a fashion of chaotic perfection that only they can deliver. Continue reading

NEW YEARS DAY Prove Unbreakable in Minnesota [Review & Photo Gallery]

 

 

New Years Day has been extremely busy this past year. They have supported bands like Halestorm and Godsmack and will be making a run with In This Moment later this year. They found time to record their fourth full-length album, ‘Unbreakable,’ which was released earlier this year. The album kept true to the bands sound that blends metal and goth, but there was a definite push to become more accessible and plant themselves into the modern rock arena. The new record seems to have invigorated the California based outfit and armed with a fresh outlook the live shows have never been better. The Amsterdam Bar and Hall in St. Paul, Minnesota was treated to a New Years Day headline set that took fans back to where New Years Day began but more importantly where they are trying to go. Before New Years Day took the stage, two Minnesota bands, Plague Of Stars and Time Keeper, were given the challenge to entertain a crowd that was clearly waiting for the headliner. Continue reading

SLIPKNOT, VOLBEAT, GOJIRA & BEHEMOTH Ready To Unleash Knotfest Roadshow

 

Slipknot is about to unleash their ‘Knotfest Roadshow’ in North America, which kicks off July 26 in Mountain View, California and finishes at The Woodlands, Texas on September 8. It is being billed as “A Mind-Altering Collision Of Music, Art & Culture” and judging by the line-up, it promises to be a highlight tour of the summer. As if Slipknot wasn’t enough chaos for one night, the Knotfest Roadshow also brings Volbeat, Gojira, and Behemoth to the madness. Each band brings its own unique sound and style to the stage giving fans a dynamic night of music. Continue reading

Review: SUM 41 – ‘Order In Decline’ [Official Video]

 

Sum 41 found its way into my musical playground back in 2001. The album was ‘All Killer No Filler’ and the single that got cemented into my head was “Fat Lip.” Although I was deeply entrenched within the metal genre, that song was so catchy that it tattooed itself into my brain and I couldn’t stop listening to it. The band was labeled pop punk and by all accounts, based on that album, it seemed to fit but if you listened closely, and peeked through the cracks, there was more than met the eye. They found their sound on the brilliant ‘Does This Look Infected?’ record in 2002 and its follow up, ‘Chuck’, in 2004. That’s where my passion for this band reached its peak. They found a way to put punk, pop, hard rock, alternative, and metal together to create a sound that was unique. The next decade and a half saw the band losing members and dealing with health issues. They put out three records in that period and although there were some solid songs, none of them could capture that magical formula that made them such a force until now. The band is set to release their seventh studio album called ‘Order In Decline’ via Hopeless Records on July 19thand it burns a path back to those iconic albums. The songs are heavy, angry, emotional, and most of all, catchy, and those ingredients are the blueprint Sum 41 built itself on. Continue reading

BILLY IDOL Brings His Rebel Yell To Minnesota [Review & Photo Gallery]

Billy Idol came to Treasure Island Casino & Resort in Welch, Minnesota and held the sold out Event Center in the palm of his hand from the minute he took the stage. With a amazing  band behind him, he blazed though a thirteen-song set that was loaded with iconic hits that had the crowd on their feet and singing every word. Continue reading