CONCERT REVIEW: The Black Dahlia Murder – Phobophilic – Fuming Mouth – Frozen Soul – Terror, Live at Irving Plaza


 

The night of April 16h, 2023, was a momentous occasion for music fans as Phobophilic, Fuming Mouth, Frozen Soul, Terror, and the New York return of The Black Dahlia Murder, shook the walls of Irving Plaza. With a revamped lineup for TBDM since the tragic passing of vocalist Trevor Strnad, I like a lot of people were curious to hear this new version. Guitarist Brian Eschbach took over vocals and replacing him is former guitarist, Ryan Knight, keeping it in the family. It was emotional, to say the least.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Heathen – Arrival of Autumn – Invicta Live at The Kingsland


The night began in Brooklyn, at The Kingsland with Invicta, a Canadian band with some killer technical prowess and a Melodic Thrash sound. They are new to my ears and definitely a good find and worth your time. As the opening act, they immediately set the tone for the evening with their energetic performance. Their set was a perfect blend of aggression and melody, getting the crowd pumped up and ready for more.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Kilter Performs William Berger’s “La Suspendida” Live at Culture Lab


If someone said let’s see a Jazz Metal Opera. I’d look confused for a second then I would be all in. That’s exactly what happened when I saw La Suspendida, “The Suspended Woman,” in Long Island City New York at The Phaxall Gallery’s Culture Lab for a three-night residency. It’s an innovative Opera that combines the best of Jazz and Metal music. This groundbreaking concert combines three seemingly different genres into a unique and dynamic sound that will be sure to wow audiences. The drama is based on a notorious incident in history where a doctor’s obsession with a young patient of his was so great that he kept her body as his lover after her untimely death.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Carpenter Brut – Sierra Live at Brooklyn Steel


 

Deep in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn with a nice long walk from the train, I’ve finally made it to Brooklyn Steel for a night of French musical goodness. Carpenter Brut can be considered both the name of the keyboardist/mastermind who perfers to be anonymous and also the name of the group itself. Take your pick. Starting the two-band bill night was Sierra who is making her American debut on this tour. Her EDM and Darkwave tones set the vibe perfectly for this moody dance night. She also was the sole vocalist performing live at this show. Armed with her DJ rig, drum pads, and hypnotic beats; Sierra is someone I’d like to see again.

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CONCERT REVIEW: At The Gates – Municipal Waste – Enforced Live at Irving Plaza


 

Recently renovated classic venue Irving Plaza in New York City is the scene for the finale of the US leg of At The Gates most popular album, Slaughter of the Soul. Enforced opened the night. They’re an interesting group to me. They sound like a mix of Death Metal/Thrash with a some hardcore-tinged vocals. Whatever they’re going for, it’s working for them. I dig it.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Arch Enemy – Behemoth – Napalm Death – Unto Others Live at Terminal 5


This night featured an eclectic group of Metal bands. Sure, they’re similar in an overall way. But each band’s brand of metal keeps your ears from getting tired. These are the best kind of tours, where sonic diversity conquers all.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Hypocrisy – Carach Angren – The Agonist – Hideous Divinity Live at The Warsaw


Hypocrisy, the band that got me into Death Metal, has returned to these American shores. Along with bands from The Netherlands, Italy, and Canada; it was a little Metal United Nations week here in Brooklyn to start the tour.Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: Sepultura – Crowbar – Sacred Reich – Art of Shock Live at The Gramercy Theater


Arriving at Gramercy Theater to finally catch Sepultura on their long-awaited Quadra (Nuclear Blast) tour was a pretty surreal feeling. Not only were we about to catch the legendary Brazilian groove metal masters, but they brought with them an absolutely stellar line-up: LA’s Art Of Shock, New Orleans heavyweights Crowbar, and the recently reunited Phoenix maestros Sacred Reich.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Cradle of Filth: Live at Irving Plaza


Cradle of Filth is known for their melodic tales of gothic horror, striking fear into the hearts of their gleefully morose fan base. However, when faced with truly unfortunate circumstances, the band showed their ability to power through the darkness and give the fans the performance they so desperately craved.

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CONCERT REVIEW: The Metal Tour of The Year with Megadeth – Lamb of God – Trivium and Hatebreed – Live at The Concord Pavillion


 

It had been 511 days, 16 hours, and 42 minutes, and 57 seconds since my last show, but who’s counting? I had fseen one local show, filled with riffs, crowd surfers, headbanging, booze, but mostly stress and trepidation. Still, I needed to see shows again, and see this tour in particular. The Metal Tour of The Year with Megadeth – Lamb of God – Trivium, and Hatebreed was coming and I was excited for it. Not just because this was the first major metal of this scope tour since the abyss that was the last year and a half, but because of the greatness of the bands, We are by no means out of the water with regards to the pandemic, but for a few hours we could forget about our troubles and enjoy some metal for a while.

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