Slayer – Lamb of God – Anthrax: Live at Arena, Birmingham (UK)


So, this is it then. The end of an era. A bruising, sweaty, and sometimes controversial, earache-inducing era which spanned over three and a half decades ends with the three words I never wanted to write: Slayer are retiring.Continue reading


Black Peaks – Bossk – Gold Key: Live at The Underworld


It’s a sell-out. This won’t come as any surprise to those who have followed the rapid, upward trajectory of Brighton’s Black Peaks but this is, as they say, a bit of a “moment” for a band that many have got justifiably excited about. This current tour, a showcase for their second album, the widely admired All That Divides (Rise Records), will see the band traverse the UK, but this stop off in the capital, on the same day that Marmozets are playing up the road and Crossfaith playing down the road still has touts asking (and getting) silly amounts of money outside the tube station is proof positive that this band have engineered more than a little bit of excitement about them.Continue reading


Corrosion of Conformity – Orange Goblin – Fireball Ministry – Black Moth: Live at The Engine Rooms, Southampton


Leeds’ very own Black Moth began the evening with a rather truncated set of quality Stoner Metal. They didn’t have that much time, and yet the set was both thunderous and compelling, even if there wasn’t much of it, as lead singer Harriet Bevan noted with some annoyance before their last song. The end result was like having a nice slice of rich, dark chocolate fudge cake only to have it cruelly snatched away mid-munch by evil scheduling goblins. It was all too good for such a brief opening set.Continue reading


Diamond Head – Live at The Robin 2, Bilston, UK


 

Situated near the heart of The Black Country – an area in the West Midlands which gave birth to bands such as Judas Priest and perennial Christmas faves Slade – The Robin 2 in Bilston tonight plays host to other local heroes, Diamond Head. Formed in 1976, about ten miles away in Stourbridge, Diamond Head sat proudly at the forefront of the legendary New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene, going onto inspire many up and coming bands, the most famous of which shall remain safely nameless for the purpose of this piece.Continue reading


Wolves In The Throne Room – Wode: Live At The Garage


Only a couple of years ago it seemed like the presence of American Black Metal legends Wolves In The Throne Room on UK shores would become a fleeting experience, if indeed it occurred again. Following a UK tour in 2011 and then an All The Party’s appearance the following year, it would then be five years until the band would eventually return in support of latest album Thrice Woven (Artemisia) with a much anticipated UK tour. With this in mind, a second UK tour in 2 years on the back of Thrice Woven seemed a surprise, but a very much welcome one.Continue reading


Darkest Hour – Venom Prison; Live at Camden Underworld, London, UK


 

Just days after a lumbering weekend hosting Desertfest, the Camden Underworld in London switches up the pace to host US melodeath act Darkest Hour for a lightning quick night of brutality from a band in peak form.Continue reading


Gojira, Tesseract And Car Bomb Overpower New York City


gojira-tesseract-car-bomb-new-york-reviewPhoto by Jonathan Arevalo

Gojira‘s North American tour in support of Magma (Roadrunner Records) came to a close with one memorable night of metal at Terminal 5 here in New York City.Continue reading


The Dillinger Escape Plan Brought Bedlam To Webster Hall


dillinger-escape-plan-webster-hallPhoto by Jonathan Arevalo

The Dillinger Escape Plan‘s live show is synonymous with chaos, and that’s exactly what they brought to New York City last night. Continue reading


Opeth Mesmerizes Radio City Music Hall


opeth-radio-city-music-hall

Radio City Music Hall is one of the most historic venues in all of New York City. Located in Rockefeller Center, the 6,000 capacity venue has held concerts for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Barry Manilow, Liza Minnelli, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and BB King, but last night Opeth took to the famous stage, and absolutely mesmerized all those in attendance with over two hours of music.Continue reading