Concert Announcements - March 22, 2013

Local sludge band Witchden has the “Loud Wednesday’s Residency” at Cause Spirits & Soundbar in Minneapolis for the month of April. The band will play every Wednesday in April (3, 10, 17, and 24) with other local bands for no cover charge.

Former Misfits vocalist Michale Graves returns for a show at Cause Spirits & Soundbar in Minneapolis on Tuesday, April 30 with support from Ripsnorter, Regenerators, and They Live.

Progressive/hard rock legends Kansas return to the area on Friday, May 3 for a show at the Events & Convention Center at Grand Casino in Hinckley. Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 28.

Falling In Reverse will be playing an all ages show at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis on Sunday, May 12. Tickets go on sale today, Friday, March 22 at 10:00 am.

Taproot comes back to the town for a show on Wednesday, May 15 at First Avenue in Minneapolis.

Fear Factory makes their long-awaiting appearance to promote The Industrialist following cancellation of their U.S. tour last summer on Wednesday, May 22 at Station 4 in St. Paul. Support with come from Hate Eternal, Kobra And The Lotus, Climactic, and Standing Alliance. Tickets go on sale today, Friday, March 22 at 10:00 am.

Sludge rock stars Kylesa will be playing the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis on Monday, June 3 with support from Blood Ceremony and White Hills.

Former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno's June 5 show at Neisen's in Savage has apparently been CANCELLED. Some websites still list other U.S. dates in June, but Paul's official webpage has all U.S. dates removed. I've removed this from the Concert Calendar pending any official word about this.

Prosthetic Records recording artist from Minneapolis Ambassador Gun plays Neisen's in Savage on Saturday, June 8 with Outside, The Murder, Climactic, Ghosthook, and Mastiff.

During a break in their co-headlining run with Lynyrd Skynyrd, hark rock/blues band Bad Company plays their own headlining show with support from Joan Jett And The Blackhearts on Friday, July 5 at the Amphitheater at Grand Casino in Hinckley. Tickets go on sale Thursday, May 9.

As posted a coupledates ago, Alice Cooper has added second show at the State Theatre in Minneapolis on Monday, July 15. Tickets go on sale today, Friday, March 22 at 10:00 am through the State Theatre box office and all Ticketmaster outlets.

Three Days Grace has been announced as the final headliner for Rock Fest in Cadott, Wisconsin on Thursday, July 18, topping the bill with Seether, Halestorm, All That Remains, and Aranda.

HIGH ON FIRE/TORCHE/KYLESA Concert Review

High On Fire, Torche, Kylesa

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Varsity Theater, Minneapolis, MN

The Varsity Theater rarely hosts metal shows, so this was my first time here at this great venue that reminds me a bit of the Granada Theater in Lawrence, Kansas. It’s obvious that the interior was designed by the same folks behind Loring Pasta Bar and the Kitty Cat Klub down the street in Dinkytown. Plush, comfortable chairs lined the back and sides of the hall, providing great sightlines from almost anywhere.

Click photo to see more pictures of Kylesa (22).

Kylesa just hit the stage with “Hollow Severer” as security rummaged through my camera gear and I quickly wormed my way to the front as the stage was bathed in a swirl of psychedelic imagery from slide-stage projectors. Half of the ten-song, 40 minute set was drawn from last year’s Static Tensions album, and having two drummers in the live show adds immense sound to the band. No breaks were taken between songs as Kylesa hammered their way through the sludge-drenched chords of “Unknown Awareness” and “Running Red”. Three songs from the forthcoming Spiral Shadow album were played (“Tired Climb”, “Forsaken”, and “Don’t Look Back”), and they indicate an evolving, slightly different approach to heavy Kylesa sound. This certainly will be an album to watch out for when it’s released on October 26. “Bottom Line” was the only song played from To Walk A Middle Course, which led into “Don’t Look Back”. The closing number, “Scapegoat”, was the highlight of the show, from a pounding, driving introduction featuring the drummers, all the way through a powerful solo from guitarist Laura Pleasants as the rest of the band joined in on percussion. Don’t miss Kylesa the next time they roll through your town.

Click to watch Kylesa perform “Tired Climb”.

Click to watch Kylesa perform “Said And Done”.

Click to watch Kylesa perform “Bottom Line”.

Click to watch Kylesa perform “Don’t Look Back”.

Torche was a pleasant surprise, as the trio is much heavier live than their most recent EP, Songs For Singles, would suggest. They’re commonly give the stoner rock tag, but I hear more of an influence from heavy alternative metal bands such as Therapy? All members of the band were energetic and fun to watch on stage, and the drummer was especially fun to watch as he made eye contact with the crowd. Most of Songs For Singles was played, the highlights being “U.F.O.”, “Face The Wall”, and “Hideaway”. I wasn’t too familiar with Torche before tonight, but the show has given me a new appreciation for Songs For Singles and convinced that they are band to watch out for great things.

Click picture to see more photos of Torche (19).

Click to watch Torche perform “Arrowhead”.

Click to watch Torche perform “Hideaway”.

Click to watch Torche perform “Lay Low”.

Everyone was now primed for High On Fire, and I was excited since it had been a couple since I last saw Matt Pike and crew rip it up on Megadeth’s Gigantour. No one writes cranium-smashing riffs like Matt Pike, other than Zakk Wylde, and he’s always a sight to behold live. The bulk of the set centered around the last two albums, Snakes For The Divine and Death Is This Communion, and the gauntlet was immediately thrown down with “Frost Hammer”. As all bands did tonight, there were no breaks or banter between songs, and “Turk” was immediately followed by “Blessed Black Wings”. The band dipped into the back catalog for “Baghdad” and “Hung, Drawn, And Quartered”, and newer tracks like “Rumors Of War” and “Fire, Flood & Plague” kept the crowd moving. The only drop in intensity came from the slow, drawn out “Bastard Samarai”, one of my least favorite songs from Snakes For The Divine. It was depressing to watch Matt struggle through a solo with his guitar chord laying on the stage. Several fans were pointed at the disconnected chord, but no one helped plug him back in until someone jumped up on stage to hand the plug to Matt. No good deed goes unpunished as the staff then decided to do something and hustled the guy away from the stage. Later, Matt threw up his hands in frustration and looked like he was ready to kick down his stack of amps. Despite these glitches, High On Fire on again proved why they are the reigning kings of heavy doom metal. It ain’t pretty, but no one can deny the power and talent emanating from Matt’s guitar. This was an incredible bill, and all three bands sounded as good as ever.

Click picture to see more photos of High On Fire (24).

Click to watch High On Fire perform “Waste Of Tiamat”.

Click to watch High On Fire perform “Baghdad”.

 
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Upcoming Concert Reviews - Cain, High On Fire, Steelheart

I went to the High On Fire/Torche/Kylesa show last night at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, so look for a full review with videos and photos later this week. Kylesa is extremely powerful on stage and put on a monstrous show. I wasn't expecting much from Torche, but their live show is quite impressive. As always, High On Fire was great, although guitarist Matt Pike suffered through a couple equipment problems. It was a fantastic show all the way around.

In the next day or two I'll also have posted reviews (with videos and photos) from the amazing reunion show by Cain, as well as thoughts on Steelheart at Pickle Park in Fridley. Look for all of this soon!

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Kylesa Album Review

Kylesa – Static Tensions

Prosthetic, 2009

8/10

Kylesa has always been at the forefront of heavy rock experimentation, and their fourth album, Static Tensions, continues to forge new ground. Comparisons are difficult to make, but here’s my attempt – the tribalism of Neurosis and Grotus, the intensity of Clutch, and the slow, heavy stomp of Sleep. Kylesa now features two drummers, and songs like “Scapegoat” and “Unknown Awareness” utilize the percussive flexibility for maximum impact. The spaced out tone of the guitars on several tracks (“Almost Lost” and “Perception”, for example) provides sonic respite from the dense wall of sound that threatens to suffocate the listener. Static Tensions is greatly helped by an outstanding production in which bass levels are held in check. The weakest aspect of the album is the monotone vocal delivery, a dry, parched scream that becomes tiring on the ears. Kylesa offers a daring alternative to much of the alternative/sludge/stoner rock scene. Adventurous readers will want to give this band a listen and get out to one of the shows on their current headlining tour.

Kylesa will be appearing at The Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis on Sunday, October 11. Support will come from Saviours and Red Fang.