FESTIVAL REVIEW: Milwaukee Metal Fest 2023 Live at The Rave – Eagles Club


The Rave/Eagles Club is an acclaimed live entertainment complex located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is a one-of-a-kind spot to catch a heavy metal show. The multi-stage and multi-floor building has a fascinating history and many music groups consider playing there a “rite of passage” as performers. The Milwaukee Metal Fest was launched in 1987 by music enthusiast and promoter Jack Koshick, which became one of the most renowned festivals for the heavy genres in the 1990s and early 2000s. All the greats from Slayer to Meshuggah to the Misfits were all part of the impressive lineups throughout the years until it shut down in 2004. After being absent for nearly twenty years, the fest has been brought back to life by Hatebreed‘s Jamey Jasta. He bought the rights in 2022 and put together a fest to take place on Memorial Day weekend at The Rave with some of the scene’s biggest bands. Continue reading


Tortured Demon – Rise of the Lifeless


 

Here’s what I know for sure. Given a couple more years and some seasoning, Tortured Demon is going to put out some brilliant Thrash Metal. And that’s not to dismiss what the British outfit have done on Rise of the Lifeless (Self-Released) as there are very interesting aspects to discuss, but this is still a band that’s figuring out what its sound is.

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Dark Angel Guitarist Jim Durkin Has Died


 

Photo Credit: Hillarie Jason

Dark Angel guitarist and co-founder Jim Durkin has died, as confirmed in a Facebook post by Jim’s wife Annie. He was 58. Annie posted on Jim’s Facebook page yesterday (Friday, March 10th). Dark Angel also commented on Jim’s death. Durkin played on the band’s first three albums — We Have Arrived (1985), Darkness Descends (1986) and Leave Scars (1989) before leaving the band later in 1989. Dark Angel went on to release two more albums before reforming in 2013 with Durkin. While he had been touring less and less and replaced at the shows by drummer Gene Hoglan’s wife Laura Christine, he has been writing songs for Dark Angel’s long-in-the-works new album. The band is scheduled to perform its legendary album Darkness Descends in its entirety at three special concerts next month at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, as well as Milwaukee Metal Fest, and European Festivals. RIM Jim.

 

 

 

Annie’s post read: “With a broken and heavy heart, I want to share that the love of my life, my best friend and husband, Jimmy, passed away Wednesday morning. He was not alone as I was with him along with a few close friends until the end. He will be truly missed and no one can ever replace the love I have for him. May he rest in peace.

 

“Ever Thine, Ever Mine, Ever Ours……. My Immortal Beloved. I will see you again.”

 

 

The band commented:

“We in the DARK ANGEL Family are deeply saddened and crushed today with the news of our brother and founder Jimmy Durkin passing away Wednesday morning.

 

“We would like to thank his fans for their continuous loyalty and support. We will come out with a full statement very soon. We ask that you please respect the family’s privacy while we mourn the loss of this great man.”

 


Jamey Jasta’s Milwaukee Metal Fest Adds Machine Head, Deeds of Flesh, Angelus Apatrida, Midnight, Warbringer, Bodysnatcher, Vended, Malignancy, Morta Skuld, Ripper Owens, and Pissing Razors


 

Milwaukee Metal Fest 2023 has added a slew of new bands including Milwaukee Metal Fest Books Machine Head, Deeds of Flesh, Angelus Apatrida, Midnight, Warbringer, Bodysnatcher, Vended, Malignancy, Morta Skuld, Ripper Owens, Pissing Razors, and many more. Machine Head is a particular coup for the fest since they rarely do festivals, and none in the USA for many, many years. Hatebreed frontman and podcaster Jamey Jasta purchased the rights to the fest name in 2022, the rebooted event will take place on Memorial Day Weekend at The Rave/Eagles club. Get tickets at the link below. Previously announced to head up the fest are Lamb of God, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, Napalm Death, Dark Angel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Obituary, Shadows Fall, and many more will take part in the festival taking place Memorial Day Weekend 2023, May 25-27th,

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Jamey Jasta’s Milwaukee Metal Fest 2023 Books Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, Napalm Death, Dark Angel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Obituary, Shadows Fall, and More!


 

Milwaukee Metal Fest 2023 has announced its comeback for 2023! The iconic, midwestern, multi-day event was the stuff of legends and is returning to prominence in 2023. Hatebreed frontman and podcaster Jamey Jasta purchased the rights last year and today announces the lineup for Milwaukee Metal Fest 2023. The rebooted event will take place on Memorial Day Weekend at The Rave/Eagles club. Get tickets at the link below. Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, Napalm Death, Dark Angel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Obituary, Shadows Fall, and many more will take part in the festival taking place Memorial Day Weekend 2023, May 25-27th,

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Hellfest 2023 Books Kiss, Mötley Crüe, Iron Maiden, Slipknot, Def Leppard, Pantera, Porcupine Tree, Amon Amarth, Alter Bridge, and More


After their biggest year ever this year, Hellfest 2023 has booked headliners Kiss, Mötley Crüe, Iron Maiden, and Slipknot! Set to take place June 15-18, 2023 In Clisson, France, the bill also includes Def Leppard, Pantera, Porcupine Tree, Amon Amarth, Alter Bridge And Within Temptation, and more! Headliners for the 2022 edition of Hellfest included Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Judas Priest, Deftones, Ghost, Scorpions, and Korn over two long weekends to make up for the missed pandemic year of 2020.

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Graspop Metal Meeting Books Pantera, Slipknot, Disturbed, Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy, Kreator, Meshuggah, Gojira, Parkway Drive, Testament, Voivod, and More


Pantera, Disturbed, Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy, Architects, Behemoth, Kreator, Meshuggah, Gojira, Parkway Drive, Testament, Voivod are among the 103 artists who have been added to the 26th edition of the Graspop Metal Meeting, set to take place June 15-18, 2023 in Dessel, Belgium. Tickets are on sale tomorrow at the links below. Continue reading


EP REVIEW: Plague Years – All Will Suffer


Formed in 2016, Detroit death-thrashers Plague Years follow up 2020’s highly impressive full length debut album Circle of Darkness with rampaging four tracker All Will Suffer (MNRK Heavy).Continue reading


EP REVIEW: Black Talon – Existential


Formed in 2010, Edinburgh thrashers Black Talon follow up their 2015 debut Endless Realities (Wasted State Records) with independently released five-track EP Existential. Sounding like a modern Scottish version of the 1980s Bay Area, this short release is replete with riffs and melodies similar to the likes of Forbidden, Testament and Dark Angel with vocals owing a debt to Vio-Lence and UK thrashmonkeys Acid Reign.Continue reading


DIAMONDS AND MIST: Albums Round- Up


In this edition of our Reviews Round-Up, our fearless Editor Steve Tovey takes on some new and recently released albums to see if they pass the smell test.
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