CONCERT REVIEW: August Burns Red – The Devil Wears Prada – Bleed From Within Live at Royal Oak Music Theatre


 

April showers started to sprinkle when a line of people outside the Royal Oak Music Theatre, located in the Detroit suburbs, began to move. The long queue was due to the fact the Metalcore masters, August Burns Red was in town to celebrate their 20-year anniversary. They brought along The Devil Wears Prada and Bleed from Within to help them party. Many rejoiced when the doors of the historic movie palace finally opened. Sneakers skidded across the art-deco hall and clamored straight to the front row claiming their spot to witness such acclaimed acts in their favorite genre. Soon the large, multi-level venue was flooded with flannel and a raucous was raised as many eager fans awaited their heroes to take the stage.Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: Enslaved – Insomnium – Black Anvil Live at Saint Andrew’s Hall


 

It was a typical, quiet Monday evening last week in downtown Detroit. Except at the city’s treasured music venue, Saint Andrew’s Hall. There was a bit of a hullabaloo happening at the preferred concert spot because metal titans, Enslaved and Insomnium brought their North American co-headlining tour to town. Both of these acts are experts in their respective genres and both of them are on the road to promote their newest full-length albums that have come out earlier this year. The place was buzzing with anticipation as metal fans of all sorts filed in to hear the new tunes.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Ville Valo – Kælan Mikla Live at Saint Andrew’s Hall


HIM (aka His Infernal Majesty) is one of the biggest, most successful bands to come out of Finland. Love Metal is not only the name of their fourth full-length album, but it is a genre of music they invented. So, it is fair to say many were dismayed when these Finnish fellas broke up six years ago. Yet hope was rekindled when frontman Ville Valo (aka VV) announced his debut solo album in 2022. Neon Noir (Heartagram Records, read our review here) was released earlier this year and has received high praise. Now the man is on the road again sharing his new tunes and some HIM classics on his headlining world tour. Valo brought his romantic rock to Detroit and blessed Saint Andrew’s Hall with his presence. The Live Nation venue was a perfect pit stop for this tour since it is a premiere music site that caters well to hot and flashy rock bands. Our local baseball team, The Detroit Tigers, had their opening day the same evening as Valo’s big show so the streets of the city were bustling and full of hubbub. That energy spilled into the beloved hall and made the night a colorful experience.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Vader – Krisiun – Decrepit Birth Live at the Sanctuary


Detroit has many pocket-sized music venues, and the Sanctuary is one of the city’s favorites. Settled in the hamlet of Hamtramck, right next to Motor City, this bitsy concert hall is a spot where fans can experience their beloved bands in a comfortable and intimate setting. Death Metal virtuosos, Vader are on the prowl in North America for their 40th Anniversary, and they brought their Revelation of the Wicked tour to town. Along with Death Metal heavyweights, Krisiun and Decrepit Birth, this lineup came to the Sanc ready to delight and destroy.Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: Eluveitie – Omnium Gatherum – Seven Spires Live at The Majestic Theatre


 

The snow had finally tapered off right when the doors opened for the night’s event at the historic Majestic Theatre. This beloved spot is one of Detroit’s preferred venues to catch a heavy show. Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: Battlecross: 7th Annual Battle Christmas with Child Bite – Shit Life – Nethergate Live at The Token Lounge


 

‘Tis the season for fun festivities and what better way to get in the spirit of things than to attend Battlecross‘ 7th Annual “Battle Christmas.” The much-beloved band hosts a cheery evening with other great groups making it a highlight of this time of year. Hundreds gathered on the west side of Detroit last Friday to join the party. Resting between two Detroit burbs, The Token Lounge is a comfortable-sized venue that has been enjoyed for over fifty years. Hosting a wide variety of acclaimed acts, this delightful destination is a local favorite to catch a show and was the perfect place to host Battlecross’ extravaganza. Not only was this their much-anticipated annual get-together, but it was also their last show before going on an indefinite hiatus. Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: Soen – Oceans of Slumber Live at Lincoln Hall


 

Chicago is renowned for being home to some of the country’s most acclaimed concert venues. Lincoln Hall resides just north of downtown and has been voted as one of the best spots for live music in the city by sites like Yelp and Foursquare. The owners of Schubas Tavern opened their second location in 2009 in a hundred-year-old building and have been hosting transcendent live appearances since. Soen picked well to make this their Midwest stop on their one-month-long North American tour.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Lorna Shore – Aborted – Ingested – Angelmaker – Ov Sulfer Live at Saint Andrew’s Hall


 

Saint Andrew’s Hall is one of Detroit’s hot spots for catching a good show. The Live Nation owned venue hosts all genres and caters particularly well to the heavier ones. Last week, Deathcore sweethearts, Lorna Shore brought their The Pain Remains Tour to town to support their new album. This month-long, stateside run is every ear gauged kid’s dream. With an impressive span of openers to add incentive, there is a reason why this show sold out.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Jinjer – P.O.D. – Vended – Space of Variations Live at Saint Andrew’s Hall


 

Saint Andrew’s Hall is one of the most treasured music venues in Detroit. It once was home to The St. Andrew’s Society which has been around since 1849. Like most of the buildings in Motor City’s downtown, there is a rich and interesting history that goes along with it. These repurposed places carry a rare kind of magic which feeds directly into the pleasant experience attendees have at Saint Andrew’s. It was the perfect spot for one of Modern Metal’s hottest bands to bring their headlining 2022 USA tour last weekend. Jinjer came to town, and they came ready to show off.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Accept – Narcotic Wasteland Live At The Token Lounge


Old school metal lovers gathered on the west side of Detroit last Saturday to witness the acclaimed and beloved band, Accept. Nestled on the borders of two of the city’s burbs, The Token Lounge is a cozy-sized venue that has been serving Livonia, Westland, and beyond for over fifty years. Known for welcoming everyone from world famous bands to local artists down the street, this hallowed hall was a special spot to host the legendary German/American act. Touring for the first time in a while, Accept have been excited to promote their sixteenth full-length, Too Mean to Die (Nuclear Blast Records) that came out in 2021. Read our review here! Their show last weekend hit town near the end of their month-long North American run, and we Michiganders were happy to have them.

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