MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/29/19

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/29/19

HOUR 1
FAITH NO MORE - "last cup of sorrow" // album of the year
RED FANG - "cut it short" // only ghosts
CITY OF THE WEAK - "censor this" // pulling teeth
LATE NIGHT FIGHTS - "galvanized" // jousthouse
CHELSEA WOLFE - "16 psyche" // hiss spun
GABRIEL AND THE APOCALYPSE - "counting scars" // alpha bionic
NUISANCE - "ashes of empires" // 10 or 10,000
ENEMY X - "endless circle" // endless circle

JASTA feat KIRK WINDSTEIN - "spilled blood never dries" // the lost chapters II
KIRK WINDSTEIN - "dream in motion" // dream in motion
ERIS - "aret efter" // formation
CWN ANNWN - "outlander" // patron saint
KILLING STARES - "for the record" // for the record - single
EVERY TIME I DIE - "I didn't want to join your stupid cult anyways" // low teens
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN - "prancer" // one of us is the killer

HOUR 2
MY ZERO - "lower your standards" // demotivation
PERIPHERY - "blood eagle" // periphery IV: hail stan
COMMON CHOIR - "lower roads home" // lower roads home - single
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE feat HOWARD JONES - "the signal fire" // atonement
AUGUST BURNS RED - "hero of the half truth" // phantom anthem
BY THE THOUSANDS - "resurgence" // visions of inner depth
TURNSTILE - "real thing" // time and space

MY ZERO - "demotivation" // demotivation
NINE INCH NAILS - "getting smaller" // with teeth
AFTER THE BURIAL - "the great repeat" // evergreen
CODE ORANGE - "spy" // forever
PYRALIS - "daggers" // everything is emptiness
KNOCKED LOOSE feat KEITH BUCKLEY - "forget your name" // a different shade of blue
IN SEARCH OF SOLACE - "survive" // enslaved to tragedy
REAPING ASMODEIA - "of talons and teeth" // impuritize
CONVERGE - "beautiful ruin" // beautiful ruin

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/22/19

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/22/19

HOUR 1
BABYMETAL feat ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ - "distortion" // metal galaxy
THE HU - "shoog shoog" // the gereg
SAUL - "trial by fire" // trial by fire - single
THROW THE FIGHT - "my disaster" // my disaster - single
THE GLORIOUS SONS - "panic attack" // a war on everything
SUPERLUNG - "time is of the essence" // demo
TONY WILLIAMS - "masked" // destined to be real

ROYAL THUNDER - "whispering world" // CVI
ROYAL TUSK - "die knowing" // tusk II
LAKE AVENUE - "loose teeth" // hell or high expectations
JOHNNYROOK - "silhouette" // silhouette - single
PEARL JAM - "last exit" // vitalogy
PEARL JAM - "spin the black circle" // vitalogy
LIZZO - "cuz I love you" // cuz I love you
HOUSTON - "cover" // overhead

HOUR 2
OZZY OSBOURNE - "straight to hell" // ordinary man
COLD KINGDOM - "volatile" // into the black sky
RED - "feed the machine" // until we have faces
IN FLAMES - "burn" // I, the mask
LATE NIGHT FIGHTS - "a beautiful lie" // jousthouse
WITHER THE TIDE - "wake it up" // wake it up - single
APOCALYPTICA feat LACEY STURM - "broken pieces" // 7th symphony

LACUNA COIL - "reckless" // black anima
DIVIDE THE FALL - "I won't fade away" // I won't fade away - single
MOON TOOTH - "trust" // crux
THE MAYBERRY RIOT - "closed out" // shanaska
TORCHE - "admission" // admission
JASTA feat JESSE LEACH - "strength to draw the line" // the lost chapters II
DEFTONES - "rocket skates" // diamond eyes

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/15/19

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/15/19

HOUR 1
JOHNNYROOK – “silhouette” // silhouette - single
SAUL – “trial by fire” // trial by fire - single
ATMOSPHERE – “the best day” // blood makes the blade holy
MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK – “time turned fragile” // commit this to memory
EXACTLYNO – “black Friday” // exactlyno
TW – “masked” // destined to be real
HEROES OF HEARTACHE – “tonight” // tonight - single

AVERAGE MAMMALS – “nothing” // nothing - single
WOLFKAT – “missing out” // missing out - single
THEM THAT DARE – “tiny army” // endings
GOODNIGHT RITUAL – “international” // galore
ARROWS AT DAWN – “let live” // pieces
RED – “the evening hate” // the evening hate
FIRE FIGHT – “better” // identity
STITCHED UP HEART – “problems” // darkness

HOUR 2
SLIPKNOT – “all out life” // all out life - single
LET IT BREATHE – “second hit” // let it breathe
IN THIS MOMENT – “just drive” // a star crossed wasteland
DED – “anti-everything” // mis-an-thrope
AFTER THE BURIAL – “the great repeat” // evergreen
DEVILDRIVER – “end of the line” // the fury of our maker's hand
STATIC-X – “push it” // wisconsin death trip

KIRK WINDSTEIN – “dream in motion” // dream in motion
DOWN – “lifer" (live) // diary of a mad band
ENEMY X – “endless circle” // endless circle
ANIMALS AS LEADERS – “an infinate regression” // weightless
VEIL OF MAYA – “mikasa” // matriarch
GABRIEL AND THE APOCALYPSE – “systematic chaos” // alpha bionic
NETHERLANDS – “casual monsters” // casual monsters - single
TURNSTILE - "big smile" // time and space

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/08/19 - 19th ANNIVERSARY SHOW

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/08/19
19th ANNIVERSARY SHOW

HOUR 1
DESSA & MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA - "fighting fish" // sound the bells
DIAMANTE - "haunted" // coming in hot
COLD KINGDOM - "desire" // into the black sky
THE ALMOST - "I think I am" // fear caller
THE PUSH - "mommy problems" // I liked it better that way
WEATHER CHECK - "swarm in numbers" // weather check
EAON - "fan the flame" // eaon - ep

THE FAILSAFE - "head under water" // erasing color
JOHNNYROOK - "wrong thing" // between love and loss
ERIS - "the roche limit" // formation
ICON FOR HIRE - "get well" // scripted
CITY OF THE WEAK - "drag us under" // pulling teeth
THROW THE FIGHT - "my disaster" // my disaster - single
ANGRY WATERS - "invasive species" (live) // angry waters live

HOUR 2
JASTA feat JESSE LEACH - "strength to draw the line" // the lost chapters vol 2
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE feat HOWARD JONES - "the signal fire" // atonement
AUGUST BURNS RED - "empire" // leveler
SUPERLUNG - "time is of the essence" // demo
NORMA JEAN - "with_errors" // all hail
WARROOSTER - "hyperdrive" // demo
BAD WOLVES - "no messiah" // n.a.t.i.o.n.
CODE ORANGE - "3 knives" // the hurt will go on ep

JASTA feat MATTHEW K. HEAFY - "when the contagion is you" // the lost chapter vol 2
COMMON CHOIR - "lower roads home" // lower roads home - single
MY ZERO - "can't lose control" // can't lose control - single
SCREAMING MECHANICAL BRAIN - "the end ... tis rising in squares" // the process of assimilation
DODD - "empty words" // xxx-mas ball 2002
DEVILINSIDE - "kiss the cynic" // volume one
BANEHINGE - "lemmings" (live) // live at star central
DISEMBODIED - "anvil chandelier" // diablerie

SPECIAL THANKS to KMSU, all the bands, PR reps, record labels and my family for 19 years of this little radio show going strong!

ICE NINE KILLS SLAYS MINNEAPOLIS

CONCERT REVIEW :: ICE NINE KILLS, FIT FOR A KING, LIGHT THE TORCH
Varsity Theater, Minneapolis, MN
Review and Photos by Brett Zisler

Numerous bands have passed through Minneapolis in the past six months, but few have had the crowd in a frenzy from the get-go as ICE NINE KILLS did at the Varsity Theater on Sunday Nov. 3rd. The Boston based band brings a different anxiousness out of the crowd as their “Lets Go to the Movies” intro plays. The minute that song kicked in and their movie rating curtain illuminated, the crowd knew they were in for an experience they may have not had before.

Darkness set in the Varsity Theater as the intro to “Thank God it’s Friday” started to echo through the speakers with the crowd matching its volume. The roar of the crowd as the curtain fell showing the members of ICE NINE KILLS dressed impressively as some of the most notorious horror movies was deafening. Spencer Charnas stood at the front of the stage sporting a Jason Voorhees mask and overalls while he sang out the chorus pointing his blood stained machete at the concert goers in the front row. ICE NINE KILLS do an unbelievable job of putting in the small details into their live show. Going as far as having incredible makeup provided by their touring artist Shevy Marie, whom they incorporate into their show as Jason Voorhees’ mother, Drew Barrymore’s character from scream and many others.

One thing to take away from this show, while providing incredible visuals, this band delivers so well live. The amount of energy and spot on musicianship they display live is something to take note of. A great addition to their live show is some of the background vocals provided by bassist Joe Occhiuti, which might be some of the best backing & harmonizing vocals you could have for a live show. Guitarists Dan Sugarman & Ricky Armellino do such great job of making their songs so raw and intense live it only adds to the chaos of their show as drummer Patrick Galante pounds away behind them impressively dressed and painted as the doll from the movie “SAW.”

ICE NINE KILLS definitely raised the bar on themselves with this fall Octane Accelerators tour. Numerous dates have sold out as fans are grabbing tickets quickly, some shows selling out months prior to the show date. After the Minneapolis show, its easy to see why. While ICE NINE KILLS has albums that date back to the mid 2000’s, it feels like this is just the tip of the iceberg and there is a lot ahead for this band.

Also on the tour was heavy weights, FIT FOR A KING. No strangers to Minnesota, the confidently pounded their way through their set with the crowd hanging on word for word. Walking off stage, hopefully they had the same feeling of enjoyment the crowd had.

Another great addition to the Octane Accelerator tour was Light the Torch. The L.A. based quartet featuring past members of Killswitch Engage, Blood has been Shed, Bleeding Through among others gave maybe their best performance yet in Minnesota. As front man Howard Jones bellowed his lyrics, it was easy to see they have gained even more legions of fans since their last stop here. The door is wide open for Light the Torch in 2020.

SEE MORE OF BRETT's PICTURES FROM ICE NINE KILLS HERE!

SEE MORE OF BRETT's PICTURES FROM FIT FOR A KING & LIGHT THE TORCH HERE!

A DAY TO REMEMBER BRINGS THE DEGENERATES TO THE ARMORY!

CONCERT REVIEW :: A DAY TO REMEMBER, I PREVAIL, BEARTOOTH, CAN'T SWIM
THE ARMORY in MINNEAPOLIS, MN
October 27, 2019
Pictures by Brett Zisler

The Degenerates Tour came to a very sold out The Armory in Minneapolis with a stacked bill destined to please any rock fan no matter who you like. Even with this being a home coming of sorts for A Day to Remember guitarist Kevin Skaff, there was no way this show wasn't going to sell out.

I will never get tired of see A DAY TO REMEMBER come out to "The Downfall of Us All". It's a song that gets the crowd just as pumped up as the band 10 years later. The crowd got rowdy as soon as the chant hit and never let up for ADTR's entire set. Going from one crowd sing a long to the next, the band tore right in to "All I Want" before taking a short break after "Mr. Highway's Thinking About the End".

ADTR's set was tailor made to make sure every single fan went home hearing their favorite song. I was excited to hear songs like "Have Faith In Me" and "If It Means a Lot to You" still in the set which made for great breathing points in the set before the pits erupted again! "Degenerates" got a huge pop for a brand new song that signals everyone is just excited for new ADTR as the band is to put the new album out there.

Jeremy, Kevin, Neil, Joshua and Alex were leaving it all on the stage with a mostly white stage set up and a video screen that did well not to over power the performance. They knew they brought a stacked lineup with them that fueled a more aggressive show than I've seen in the past couple visits from the band. Don't get me wrong, there was tons of fun had during the show - but the band definitely had a fire with them that was great to see. Which makes me even more excited for the forthcoming "You're Welcome" release.

The show closed out with the serious fun having encore of "All Signs Point to Lauderdale" and "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle" complete with confetti! I look forward to see what A Day to Remember brings when they come back around with a new album having been out for a few months. Definitely don't miss ADTR when they come back around.

The sold out crowd was ready for I PREVAIL to take the stage. The crowd came unglued for I Prevail's set opener "Bow Down" from their latest album Trauma and never let up. Eric and Brian both command the stage very well and the crowd was eating up everything the band would throw at them.

The crowd sang along with "Paranoid" and "Breaking Down" and got quite the impressive circle pit around the sound board for "Deadweight". I Prevail's 9 song 45 minute set flew by as they did a great job getting the crowd excited for A Day to Remember.

BEARTOOTH absolutely dominated with their 30 minute set wasting no time running thru 7 songs getting the crowd nice and rowdy for the rest of the night. The crowd was in to it from the moment "The Lines" began the set. I've never felt the floor at The Armory bounce the way it did during Beartooth's set (to which it continued the rest of the night) which made me a little worried as we were parked right below but we made it out!

"Hated" and "Aggressive" came early to the delight of the packed crowd before 3 from Beartooth's newest record Disease arrived - "You Never Know," "Bad Listener" and a huge crowd sing a long of "Disease" signaled we were close to the end of a fantastic set from Beartooth.

The band was extremely tight riding on the wave of a very successful Disease touring cycle. They seemed to be enjoying themselves playing this huge stage just as much as the crowd enjoyed jumping around during "You Never Know" and "Bad Listener".

After seeing their headlining set at the Varsity Theater last year, 30 minutes is way too short of a set as it seemed like the crowd as well as Caleb, Kamron, Zach, Oshie and Connor were just getting started as soon as it was over. "In Between" seemed to be an interesting closer but the crowd loved every second of it. Beartooth, please come back soon!

The Degenerates Tour was a well constructed tour with the fans in mind. Each band played to win the crowd over and set the bar a little higher for the next band. Normally, you see a portion of the crowd leave as the night goes on. This was not the case tonight. The crowd stayed until the show was over. Every fan and band member should be very proud of this tour as it will be hard to top this one in the future.

SEE MORE OF BRETT'S PHOTOS FROM A DAY TO REMEMBER, I PREVAIL and BEARTOOTH at the Armory in Minneapolis HERE!

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/01/19

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/01/19

HOUR 1
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE – “testify” // the battle of los angeles
BARONESS – “throw me an anchor” // gold & grey
LEDGER feat JOHN COOPER – “warrior” // ledger
THE MAYBERRY RIOT – “fight” // unbalance
THE PUSH – “monster” // I liked it better that way
DIRTY HONEY – “rolling 7’s” // dirty honey

ALTER BRIDGE – “wouldn’t you rather” // walk the sky
THEM THAT DARE – “tiny army” // endings
B ! – “dead” // degenerator
AM TAXI – “stuck around” // shiver by me
MY CHEMCIAL ROMANCE – “I’m not okay (I promise)” // three cheers for sweet revenge
TORCHE – “admission” // admission
MEG MYERS – “numb” // take me to the disco

HOUR 2
GABRIEL AND THE APOCALYPSE – “counting scars” // alpha bionic
COLD KINGDOM – “volatile” // into the black sky
NUISANCE – “ashes of empires” // 10 or 10,000
RED – “the evening hate” // the evening hate
AMARANTHE – “massive addictive” // massive addictive
DEFTONES – “976-evil” // diamond eyes
FIRE FIGHT – “better” // identity

KORN – “cold” // the nothing
LET IT BREATHE – “bucket of bullheads” // let it breathe
OLD TOWNE GHOSTS – “don’t need it / sisuphys” // torch
LOVEBITES – “M.D.O.” // clockwork immortality
AFTER THE BURIAL – “behold the crown” // evergreen
IN SEARCH OF SOLACE – “survive” // enslaved to tragedy
REAPING ASMODEIA – “poison of the earth” // poison of the earth

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/25/19 - FALL PLEDGE DRIVE

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/25/19
FALL PLEDGE DRIVE

HOUR 1
BEARTOOTH – “afterall” // disease
A DAY TO REMEMBER – “degenerates” // you’re welcome
CITY OF THE WEAK – “pardon me” // pardon me – single
ICON FOR HIRE – “watch me” // icon for hire
JOHNNYROOK – “lucky you” // lucky you – single
JUSTIN COURTNEY PIERRE – “in the drink” // in the drink
WOLFKAT – “missing out” // missing out – single

BRING THE SUN – “death pigeon” // ghost
DIESL – “forget it” // the failsafe
DIRTY HONEY – “rolling 7’s” // dirty honey
THE INTERRUPTERS – “bad guy” // bad guy – single
DESSA & MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA – “velodrome” (live) // sound the bells
STITCHED UP HEART – “problems” // darkness
SUNSET BLACK – “slumber” // demo

HOUR 2
BAD WOLVES – “no messiah” // n.a.t.i.o.n.
NORMA JEAN – “with_errors” // all hail
EMERGENT – “plastic people” // plastic people – single
SILVERSTEIN feat CALEB SHAMO – “burn it down” // burn it down – single
BABYMETAL feat ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ – “distortion” // metal galaxy
ERIS – “aret efter” // formation

JINJER – “the prophecy” // macro
ENEMY X – “endless circle” // endless circle
ROADRUNNER UNITED – “the dagger” // roadrunner united
THE SLAIN – “the vampire bat” // the vampire bat
TRIVIUM – “I don’t wanna be me” // I don’t wanna be me side by side 7 inch single
TYPE O NEGATIVE – “summer breeze” // bloody kisses

**SPECIAL THANKS to ALL THE RADIO HEROES who made this Fall's Pledge Drive a HUGE SUCCESS!!**