MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/29/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST  ::  12/29/23
A LOOK AHEAD TO 2024

HOUR 1
FEVERDREAM – “ghost of you" // ghost of you - single
XAETO – “amalgam”  //  amalgam – single
MADAM DRIVER – “grey sky" // grey sky - single
MANY EYES – “mystic cord" // mystic cord - single
BETTER LOVERS – “two alive amongst the dead" // two alive amongst the dead - single
LOST ISLAND SOCIETY – “another year”  //  another year - single
WIDOW7 – “choke”  //  choke – single

DESTROPHY – “new gods" // new gods ep
VENDED – “overall”  //  overall - single
PLUSH – “left behind”  //  find the beautiful
GABRIEL AND THE APOCALYPSE – “get dragged” // get dragged - single
STATIC-X – “stay alive" // project regeneration vol 2
AFTER THE BURIAL – “death keeps us from living" // embrace the infinity ep
WEEKEND PICNIC – “before your time" // before your time

HOUR 2
RAD OWL – “Aladdin's castle" // madison beast
EXACTLYNO – “where we belong" // red line city
GOODNIGHT RITUAL – “across the fields" // galore
DIVIDE THE FALL – “without you" // without you - single
LOATHE & TEENAGE WRIST - "is it really you?" // is it really you - single
SUMO CYCO – “no surrender" // initiation
LILITH CZAR – “feed my chaos" // created from filth and dust

FEAR FACTORY – “disruptor" // aggression continuum
ANTHRAX – “got the time" (40th anniversary version) // XL
BODY COUNT – “raining blood/postmortem" // bloodlust
MINISTRY – “search and destroy" // moral hygiene
JUDAS PRIEST – “trial by fire" // invincible shield
DRAGONFORCE – “power of the triforce" // warp speed warriors
CHELSEA WOLFE – "whispers in the echo chamber" // she reaches out to she reaches out to she
TURNSTILE - "humanoid/shake it up" // glow on

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/22/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/22/23

HOUR 1
XAETO - "amalgam" // amalgam - single
WEEKEND PICNIC – “wish list” // a Christmas weekend picnic
ODDS OF AN AFTERTHOUGHT - "show me a sign" // through eyes of change
NOPATHY – “steps" // nopathy
GOODNIGHT RITUAL – “international" // galore
PLUSH – “barracuda” // find the beautiful
KAT PERKINS - "santa baby" // a kat perkins Christmas vol II

FEVERDREAM - "falling out" // falling out - single
THROW THE FIGHT - "obey" // strangeworld
RANCID - "tomorrow never comes" // tomorrow never comes
SAUL – “a million miles" // this is it…the end of everything
MADAM DRIVER - "grey sky" // grey sky - single
HOUSTON – “dntUwry" // the biggest shove in space
THE CHALLENGER DISASTER CONSPIRACY – “corncob messiah" // city pages 2023 band of the year
EVERNOIR – “concerning narcissists” // stages of grief

HOUR 2
AUGUST BURNS RED - "up on the housetop" // up on the housetop - single
PERIPHERY - "wax wings" // periphery V: djent is not a genre
POLARIS - "with reguards" // fatalism
BUTCHER BABIES - "wrong end of the knife" // til the world's blind
SPIRITBOX - "jaded" // the fear of fear
MEGAN THEE STALLION feat SPIRITBOX - "cobra (rock remix)" // cobra (rock remix) - single
MUTOID MAN - "memory hole" // mutants

HARMS WAY - "devour" // common suffering
JOHNNY BOOTH - "ring light alter" // moments elsewhere
YEAR OF THE KNIFE - "wish" // no love lost
YEAR OF THE KNIFE - "last laugh" // no love lost
DRAIN - "living proof" // living proof
UNEARTH - “the wretched; the ruinous” // the wretched; the ruinous
AFTER THE BURIAL – “nothing gold” // embrace the infinity
KNOCKED LOOSE – “everything is quiet now” // upon loss singles
FUGITIVE – “standoff” // blast furnace/standoff - single

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/15/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/15/23

HOUR 1
FIRST TO ELEVEN - "like it's Christmas" // a first to eleven Christmas 2023
RAD OWL – “hannah barbera" // madison beast
CAREFUL GAZE – “emerald light" // emerald light - single
OUR COMMON COLLAPSE – “languish" // languish - single
GABRIEL AND THE APOCALYPSE – “until we dream" // everything is red
NUISANCE – “ashes of empires" // 10 or 10,000
WIDOW7 – “lowlife" // our new doomsday
MANY EYES – “mystic cord” // mystic cord – single

SPOKEN – “reflection” // reflection
KORN - "start the healing" // requiem
ODDS OF AN AFTERTHOUGHT - "show me a sign" // through eyes of change
WEEKEND PICNIC – “all I want for Christmas is you” // a Christmas weekend picnic
SEBASTIAN BACH - "what do I got to lose" // what do I got to lose - single
DREAMS ASIDE - "heavy" // lotus
ARCHITECTS - "seeing red" // seeing red - single
KNOCKED LOOSE - "deep in the willow" // upon loss singles

HOUR 2
AUGUST BURNS RED - "last Christmas" // winter wilderness
GEL – “attainable" // only constant
CODE ORANGE – “mirror" // the above
GOODNIGHT RITUAL – “all my arms" // galore
NOPATHY – “alter the path" // projections
ZAKK SABBATH – “fairies wear boots” // doomed forever/forever doomed
TYPE O NEGATIVE - "summer breeze" // bloody kisses

TRIVIUM - "I don't wanna be me" // I don't wanna be me - single
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - "my last serenade" // alive or just breathing
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - "the end of heartache" // the end of heartache
TIMES OF GRACE - "willing" // the hymn of a broken man
LIGHT THE TORCH - "let me fall apart" // you will be the death of me
THE CHALLENGER DISASTER CONSPIRACY - "corncob messiah" // city pages 2023 band of the year
YEAR OF THE KNIFE - "wish" // no love lost
YEAR OF THE KNIFE - "last laugh" // no love lost

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/08/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/08/23

HOUR 1
ARCHITECTS - "seeing red" // seeing red - single
EXACTLYNO – “red line city" // red line city
LOST ISLAND SOCIETY – “another year" // another year - single
FEVERDREAM – “falling out” // falling out - single
THE LONELY ONES – “don’t cry for me” // the lonely ones
WIDOW7 – “choke" // choke - single
GABRIEL AND THE APOCALYPSE – “get dragged" // get dragged - single

SEBASTIAN BACH - "what do I got to lose" // what do I got to lose - single
JUDAS PRIEST - "panic attack" // invincible shield
WEEKEND PICNIC – “wish list” // a Christmas weekend picnic
TAKING BACK SUNDAY – “s’old” // 152
LOATHE - "two way mirror" // I let it in and it took everything
AMIRA ELFEKY - "tonight" (demo) // tonight (demo) - single
ROYAL TUSK – “all my life" // altruistic

HOUR 2
ZAKK SABBATH – “fairies wear boots”  //  doomed forever/forever doomed
BETTER LOVERS – “two alive amongst the dead" // two alive amongst the dead - single
SEEYOUSPACECOWBOY - "the end to a brief moment of lasting intimacy" // the romance of affliction
FOREIGN HANDS – “conditioned for a head-on collision" // conditioned for a head-on collision - single
CAPRA – “tied up" // errors
LOVEBITES - "break the wall" // battle against damnation
HANABIE - "osaki ni shitsurei shimasu" // reborn superstar
BAND-MAID - "glory" // conquerer

BY THE THOUSANDS – “deadweight" // deadweight - single
OUR COMMON COLLAPSE - "languish" // languish - single
CAREFUL GAZE - "emerald light" // emerald light - single
NOPATHY - "steps" // nopathy ep
NONPOINT - "golden gloves" // heartless ep
DYING WISH - "symptoms of survival" // symptoms of survival
ORBIT CULTURE - "the upheaval" // the forgotten ep

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/01/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/01/23

HOUR 1
WEEKEND PICNIC – “wish list” // a Christmas weekend picnic
BUSH – “more than machines" // the art of survival
IN FLAMES – “state of slow decay" // foregone
MESHUGGAH – “neurotica" (remastered) // chaosphere 25th anniverary edition
DIRTY HONEY – “can't find the brakes" // can't find the brakes
L.S. DUNES – “permenant rebellion" // past lives
AUGUST BURNS RED – “up on the housetop” // up on the housetop - single
RAD OWL – “grape mister misty" // madison beast

MADAM DRIVER – “grey sky" // grey sky - single
ANGRY WATERS – “first blood" // the ghosts we chase
FEVER DREAM - "falling out" // falling out - single
WALLY JOSEPH - "left of faithful" // to the dogs
EVERNOIR - "concerning narcissists" // stages of grief
THE BURN VAULT – “Johnny Thunders come lately" // ignite
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS - "nightlife" // home

HOUR 2
THE LONELY ONES - "don't cry for me" // the lonely ones
THE DONNAS – “it's on the rocks" // spend the night
THE INTERRUPTERS – “raised by wolves" // in the wild
RANCID – “don't make me do it" // tomorrow never comes
RANCID - "live forever" // tomorrow never comes
OLD TOWNE GHOSTS – “the ol parker luck" // torch
DRAIN – “good good things" // living proof
TURNSTILE - "don't play" // glow on
DYING WISH - "path to your grave" // symptoms of survival
GOJIRA - "into the storm" // fortitude

ORBIT CULTURE - "the upheaval" // the forgotten ep
FEAR FACTORY - "disruptor" // aggression continuum
MACHINE HEAD - "choke on the ashes of your hate" // of kingdom and crown
MARTYR AD - "American hollow" // on earth as it is in hell
AVATAR - "valley of disease" // dance devil dance
LACUNA COIL - "self deception XX" // comalies XX
ENTHEOS - "I am the void" // time will take us all

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/24/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST  ::  11/24/23

HOUR 1
AUGUST BURNS RED – “up on the housetop”  //  up on the housetop - single
GIDEON – “off the rails”  //  more power. more pain
CONVERGE – “I won't let you go" // cyberpunk 2077 soundtrack
MUTOID MAN – “broken glass ceiling" // mutants
ORBIT CULTURE – “vultures of north" // descent
ENTHEOS – “absolute zero" // time will take us all
CHELSEA WOLFE – “whispers in the echo chamber”  //  she reaches out to she reaches out to she
YEAR OF THE KNIFE - "sometimes" // no love lost

CAPRA - "silana" // errors
JINJER - "vortex" // wallflowers
NOPATHY - "alter the path" // projection
AFTER THE BURIAL - "nothing gold" // embrace the infinity
UNEARTH - "eradicator" // the wretched; the ruinous
HARM'S WAY - "devour" // common suffering
CODE ORANGE - "the game" // the above
KNOCKED LOOSE - "deep in the willow" // upon loss singles

HOUR 2
INFECTED RAIN - "dying light" // time
MVRROW – “hope" // fever dream
MANY EYES – “mystic cord”  //  mystic cord - single
IN SEARCH OF SOLACE – “no turning back" // the endless ache
MESHUGGAH – “light the shortnening fuse" // immutable
IN FLAMES – “meet your maker" // foregone
BY THE THOUSANDS - "deadweight" // deadweight - single

DYING WISH - "symptoms of survival" // symptoms of survival
SCOWL - "sold out" // psychic dance routine
ROMAN CANDLE - "gaslighting isn't real" // discount fireworks
FOREIGN HANDS feat OLLI APPLEYARD - "conditioned for a head-on collision" // conditioned for a head-on collision - single
BETTER LOVERS – “two alive amongst the dead”  //  two alive amongst the dead – single
DISEMBODIED - "anvil chandlier" // diablerie
MARTYR AD - "bring out your dead" // on earth as it is in hell
PYRALIS - "daggers" // everything is emptiness
HARVEST - "epicure" // transitions

BARONESS turns in a victorious First Ave performance

CONCERT REVIEW :: BARONESS
FIRST AVENUE in Minneapolis, MN
November 14, 2023
Photos by Brett
Review by Nick

This show was everything that I hoped it would be. A fantastic band playing one of the best venues in the country. Going in to it, I knew the sound would be superb and the band would elevate the room and that’s exactly what happened.

The screen in front of the stage went up and Baroness launched in to “Last Word” from their excellent new album Stone – a fantastic opener for the show that instantly started a mosh pit which instantly brought smiles from each of the band members. “Last Word” has an infectious groove to it that sounds even better live. This started their set out on the ultimate high note. From there the set list was stacked with everything a Baroness fan would want. “March to the Sea” went in to “Beneath the Rose” and the crowd even hummed along with the “Green Theme” instrumental.

I know I’ve said this before, Baroness is a band of absolute powerhouse musicians. This is a perfect band where each member is incredibly valuable to the formula that graces your ears when you put a record on or in this case, see the band where they excel the most live without a safety net. Case in point, John’s in ears weren’t working and you could not tell. John was spot on the entire time. Nick and Sebastian weave together the grooves for John and Gina to coat a special blend of guitars and harmonies over top, around and thru.

The pretty packed First Avenue was into absolutely every song that Baroness threw their way. New tracks like “Anodyne” and "Under the Wheel" fit in perfectly with classics like "Chlorine and Wine", "Tourniquet", "Shock Me" and the always crushing "Isak"! Closing out the night with "The Sweetest Curse" and an always victorious "Take My Bones Away" sent the crowd out in to the night overwhelmed with excitement at what they just saw! Baroness could have easily played another 30 minutes and still not played every song, everyone wanted to hear. I'm already looking forward to the next time Baroness comes around as it will be a show to remember and not to be missed.

SEE MORE OF BRETT'S PHOTOS FROM BARONESS AT FIRST AVENUE!

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/17/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/17/23

HOUR 1
MANY EYES - "mystic cord" // mystic cord - single
FLOGGING MOLLY - "the seven deadly sins" // within a mile of home
HOUSTON - "dntUwry" // the biggest shove in space
KING BROWN - "hit the bricks" // sweet action
DROPKICK MURPHYS - "turn up that dial" // turn up that dial
THE BURN VAULT - "even rockstars die too" // ignite
RANCID - "tomorrow never comes" // tomorrow never comes
LOST ISLAND SOCIETY - "villain" // villain - single

NONPOINT - "golden gloves" // heartless ep
LACEY STURM - "state of me" // kenotic metanoia
EMERGENT - "home" // home - single
MADAM DRIVER - "grey sky" // grey sky - single
GABRIEL AND THE APOCALYPSE - "get dragged" // get dragged - single
WIDOW7 - "low life" // our new doomsday
NUSIANCE - "ashes of empires" // 10 or 10,000
BETTER LOVERS - "two alive amongst the dead" // two alive amongst the dead - single

HOUR 2
DYING WISH - "drowning in the silent black" // fragments of a bitter memory
DYING WISH - "lost in the fall" // symptoms of survival
FOREIGN HANDS feat OLLI APPLEYARD - "conditioned for a head-on collision" // conditioned for a head-on collision - single
BOUNDARIES - "realize and rebuild" // burying brightness
ROMAN CANDLE - "gaslighting isn't real" // discount fireworks
KATATONIA - "austerity" // sky void of stars
NOPATHY - "foresaker" // progression
JUDAS PRIEST - "trial by fire" // invincible shield

AMARANTHE - "outer dimensions" // the catalyst
SPIRITBOX - "too close/too late" // the fear of fear
MEGAN THEE STALLION feat SPIRITBOX - "cobra (rock remix)" // cobra (rock remix) - single
BY THE THOUSANDS - "deadweight" // deadweight - single
KNOCKED LOOSE - "everything is quiet now" // upon loss singles
3TEETH - "higher than death" // endex
ASINHELL - "fall of the loyal warrior" // impii hora
YEAR OF THE KNIFE - "last laugh" // no love lost

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/10/23 - BARONESS

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/10/23
GUESTS :: BARONESS

HOUR 1
MAMMOTH WVH - "miles above me" // mammoth II
SKILLET – “the resistance" // unleashed
LACEY STURM – “the decree" // kenotic metanoia
ALIGN - "neo-noir" // neo-noir
THE BURN VAULT - "Johnny Thunders come lately" // ignite
JOHNNY BOOTH - "ring light alter" // moments elsewhere
MANY EYES - "revelation" // revelation - single
FIT FOR A KING – “end" // the hell we create

MEGAN THEE STALLION feat SPIRITBOX - "cobra (rock remix)" // cobra (rock remix) - single
MOON TOOTH - "grimothy" // grimothy - single
BARONESS – “last word” // stone
BARONESS – “beneath the rose” // stone

HOUR 2
BARONESS – “anodyne” // stone
BARONESS – “shine” // stone
BARONESS - "desperation burns (live at the Mohawk)" // stone (deluxe)
CHELSEA WOLFE – “whispers in the echo chamber” // she reaches out to she reaches out to she

MVRROW – “hope” // fever dream
DRAGONFORCE – “power of the triforce" // warp speed warriors
AMARANTHE – “damnation flame" // the catalyst
IRON MAIDEN – “stratego" // senjetsu
MESHUGGAH – “neurotica" (remastered) // chaosphere (25th anniversary remaster)
YEAR OF THE KNIFE – “sometimes" // no love lost
YEAR OF THE KNIFE – “last laugh" // no love lost

**SPECIAL THANKS to SEBASTIAN from BARONESS for zooming in to the Midwest Beatdown this week! BARONESS' fantastic new album "Stone" is out now! Check BARONESS out live on Tuesday at First Avenue in Minneapolis for an 18+ show with CHAT PILE and SPOTLIGHTS!

Midwest Beatdown · Baroness 2023 interview

MAMMOTH WVH rocks a packed First Avenue with a powerful performance

CONCERT REVIEW :: MAMMOTH WVH, NITA STRAUSS
First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN
Nov 5, 2023
Photos by Brett
Review by Nick

When you walk up to First Avenue, a good 30 minutes after doors open and there’s still a line on both sides of the building of fans waiting to get it .. you know you’re in for something special. MAMMOTH WVH’s first Minnesota headlining show at First Avenue in Minneapolis should be enough to sell tickets. Add in Mammoth supporting their recently released fantastic second record “Mammoth II” and opener Nita Strauss who is also celebrating the release of her second solo record and you got the mathematics of a memorable Sunday night ahead of you.

I finally got to see NITA STRAUSS with her solo band and they did not disappoint. NITA’s set started out with 5 instrumental shredders from both Controlled Chaos and The Call of the Void. Everyone in the band were punishing their instruments. They played hard, it was amazing to see the band so in to it and crushing their instruments. I’m surprised Josh Villalta’s cymbal hardware held up against his pummeling.

My only small problem with Nita’s set was she saved the 3 songs with touring vocalist Kasey Karlsen for the end of the set and at times it was hard to hear Kasey but when you have that monstrous of a band, it’s gonna happen. It’s not easy to step into Alissa White-Gluz’ shoes to tackle “The Wolf You Feed” but Kasey did it with proficiency. Kasey soared over the changes from clean singing to growling and screams that the song demands. As with any great band, I had troubles of who to keep looking at during the set and Nita’s band is loaded with talent, bassist Christopher Dean, guitarist Johnny Young and keyboardist Katt Scarlett all equally as amped up as Nita. Hopefully Nita comes around again headlining her own show, as it will be lots of fun to see an extended set with more of everything.

MAMMOTH WVH took the stage to very bare stage compared to NITA STRAUSS’ pretty intense light show. MAMMOTH was letting the music do all the talking. Wolf has created an insanely tight band to back him with all kinds of harmonies and amazing playing. Coming right out with the phenomenal “Right?” was a treat for all in attendance showcasing how talented of a band these 5 guys are together. Infectious smiles from the band beamed right back to them from the packed, dedicated crowd at First Avenue. As Brett said after taking pictures posted here “He’s got his Dad’s smile, that’s for sure.”

Speaking of the dedicated crowd let’s fast forward to the middle of the set real quick, I have never heard First Avenue quiet enough to hear a pin drop. The crowd was hanging on every word and chord of a solo acoustic version of “Distance”. The break in the set made for a very magical moment between Wolf and the crowd. That’s the beauty of a club show. First Avenue is amazing sounding venue to begin with and to have a moment as special as that, be as quiet as it was, was something that has to be what every artist strives for.

Wolfgang is an amazing front man delivering a flawless performance both vocally and musically. Wolfgang effortlessly makes the band sound just as strong as him making sure they each have a spotlight during the show. There’s not too many drummers that drum as hard as the two drummers on this tour, Mammoth’s Garrett Whitlock and Josh Villalta for Nita’s band. I’m sure it was just from standing at the front of stage left where both drummers were positioned, but I could hear them both hit the snare in real time .. a 3D sound, the snare from the PA and the actual snare on stage .. I haven’t heard that in a LONG time. Bassist Ron Ficarro was running all over the stage whenever he got the chance. Guitarists Frank Sidoris and Jon Jourdan were having the time of their lives up there delivering the massive wall of sound. Seriously one fantastic band that absolutely excels in delivering live rock and roll! Please release a live album.

Mammoth II is an album that sounds like it was made to be played live and I was so happy to see 8 out of the 10 tracks represented tonight. “Miles Above Me” and “Like a Pastime” sounded right at home in the set along “Epiphany” and “You’re to Blame” from the first record. The encore was a “celebration” for sure. “Another Celebration at the End of the World” in to “Don’t Back Down” – two super strong hits that are even more electric live. Carefully crafting the set list with equal part of both albums, Wolfgang put together an amazing set list featuring the best of the best. A super solid 90 minute set that if there was anyone in attendance that was on the fence, they definitely left a fan. This is definitely one of those shows I wouldn’t mind revisiting again and hopefully soon.

SEE MORE OF BRETT'S PHOTOS OF MAMMOTH WVH HERE!

SEE MORE OF BRETT'S PHOTOS OF NITA STRAUSS HERE!

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/03/23 - DYING WISH

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/03/23
GUESTS :: DYING WISH

HOUR 1
DIRTY HONEY - "satisfied" // can't find the brakes
DOWN AND ABOVE - "the things you see in me" // hold your breath for a rising tide
AMERICAN SCARECROWS - "broken bones and mountains" // drawing little pictures
JOHNNYROOK - "disneyland pencil erasers" // the more things change
EXACTLYNO - "where we belong" // red line city
AVATAR - "the dirt I'm buried in" // dance devil dance
MAMMOTH WVH - "right?" // mammoth II

NITA STRAUSS feat LZZY HALE - "through the noise" // the call of the void
RED - "still bleeding" // rated r
SAUL - "no mercy" // this is it...the end of everything
DIVIDE THE FALL - "fake love" // dead memories
WEEKEND PICNIC - "plastic entourage" // weekend picnic
MVRROW – “hope” // fever dream
SPIRITBOX – “too close/too late” // the fear of fear
AMIRA ELFEKY – “tonight” (demo) // tonight - single

HOUR 2
DYING WISH - "torn from your silhouette" // symptoms of survival
DYING WISH - "lost in the fall" // symptoms of survival
DYING WISH - "drowning in the silent black" // fragments of a bitter memory
DYING WISH - "watch my promise die" // symptoms of survival
BOUNDARIES - "realize and rebuild" // burying brightness
FOREIGN HANDS - "tearing down your reality" // lucid noise

DYING WISH - "prey for me" // symptoms of survival
ROMAN CANDLE - "gaslighting isn't real (you're just crazy)" // discount fireworks
COMMON CHOIR - "deformed//devoid" // deformed//devoid - single
MURDERDOLLS - "my dark place alone" // women and children last
GEMINI SYNDROME - "primordial" // primordial - single
INFECTED RAIN - "fighter" // ecdysis

**SPECIAL THANKS to EMMA from DYING WISH for zooming in to the Midwest Beatdown this week! DYING WISH's excellent new album "Symptoms of Survival" is out now via Sharptone Records! DYING WISH plays the Amsterdam in St. Paul on Nov 18 with BOUNDARIES, FORIEGN HANDS and ROMAN CANDLE!

Midwest Beatdown · Dying Wish interview

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/27/23 - THE BURN VAULT

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST  ::  10/27/23
GUESTS  ::  THE BURN VAULT  

HOUR 1
CHELSEA WOLFE - "whispers in the echo chamber" // she reaches out to she reaches out to she
NEW MEDICINE – “life like this" // life like this - single
BEARTOOTH – “what are you waiting for" // the surface
TAKING BACK SUNDAY - "s'old" // 152
THE BURN VAULT - "even rock stars die too" // ignite

THE BURN VAULT - "dear landlord" // ignite
THE BURN VAULT - "johnny thunders come lately" // ignite
THE BURN VAULT - "mr. yukk" // ignite
GHOST - "if you have ghosts" // if you have ghost

HOUR 2
MOON TOOTH – “grimothy”  //  grimothy – single
WIDOW7 – “choke” // choke - single
NUISANCE – “ashes of empires" // 10 or 10,000
GABRIEL AND THE APOCALYPSE – “get dragged” // get dragged - single
WITHIN TEMPTATION – “bleed out" // bleed out
DORO feat ROB HALFORD – “living after midnight" // conqueress – forever strong and proud
ICE NINE KILLS – “meat and greet” // the silver scream 2: welcome to horrorwood under fire

BY THE THOUSANDS – “deadweight" // deadweight - single
MESHUGGAH – “neurotica" (remastered) // chaosphere (25th anniversary remaster)
CODE ORANGE – “the game" // the above
YEAR OF THE KNIFE – “wish / last laugh" // no love lost
IN SEARCH OF SOLACE – “no turning back" // the endless ache
MACHINE HEAD – “choke on the ashes of your hate" // of kingdom and crown
FEAR FACTORY – “shock" // obsolete
ORBIT CULTURE – “descent" // descent

**SPECIAL THANKS to THE BURN VAULT for zooming in to the Midwest Beatdown tonight! Check out their brand new album "Ignite" out now!

Midwest Beatdown · The Burn Vault interview

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/20/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/20/23
KMSU FALL PLEDGE DRIVE - 2023 RETROSPECTIVE

HOUR 1
AMIRA ELFEKY - "tonight" (demo) // tonight - single
MOTIONLESS IN WHITE - "meltdown" // scoring the end of the world
AFTER THE BURIAL - "encased in ice" // in dreams
SAUL - "a million miles" // this is it...the end of everything

EVA UNDER FIRE - "death of me" // love, drugs and misery
JOHNNYROOK - "happy birthday" // the more things change
WIDOW7 - "therapy" // our new doomsday

HOUR 2
ICE NINE KILLS - "rainy day" // the silver scream 2: welcome to horrorwood
THROW THE FIGHT - "obey" // strangeworld
EVERNOIR - "concerning narcissists" // stages of grief

BUTCHER BABIES - "wrong end of the knife" // til the world's blind
CAPRA - "CHSF" // errors
DEVILDRIVER - "through the depths" // dealing with demons vol 2
RANCID - "radio" // let's go

**SPECIAL THANKS to all the RADIO HEROES out there for stepping up and pledging their support to KMSU during our Fall Pledge Drive. The Fall Pledge Drive continues until Friday, October 27 so there's plenty of time to donate and get one of those awesome pledge premiums! CLICK HERE FOR THE KMSU FALL PLEDGE DRIVE PAGE!

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/13/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/13/23

HOUR 1
SPIRITBOX - "cellar door" // the fear of fear
MADAM DRIVER – “grey sky" // grey sky - single
ANGRY WATERS – “invasive species (live)" // angry waters live
THE INTERRUPTERS – “raised by wolves” // in the wild
DROPKICK MURHPYS – “kicked to the curb" // 11 short stories of pain and glory
JOHNNYROOK – “anything that'll sink" // the more things change
EXACTLYNO – “red line city" // red line city
THE WARNING – “more” // more - single

GABRIEL AND THE APOCALYPSE - "get dragged" // get dragged - single
STITCHED UP HEART - "the hunting" // to the wolves
COLD KINGDOM - "broken world" // life//love
THURSDAY – “signals over the air" // war all the time
RIVAL SCHOOLS – “used for glue" // united by fate
MANY EYES – “revelation" // revelation - single
BEARTOOTH – “what are you waiting for" // the surface

HOUR 2
JUDAS PRIEST – “panic attack" // invincible shield
THE BURN VAULT – “dear landlord” // ignite
MOON TOOTH – “nymphaeaceae" // phototroph
THE CALLOUS DAOBOYS – “a brief article reguarding time loops" // celebrity therapist
MOTIONLESS IN WHITE feat BRYAN GARRIS – “slaughterhouse" // scoring the end of the world
KNOCKED LOOSE – “deep in the willow" // upon loss singles
AFTER THE BURIAL – “nothing gold" // embrace the infinity

ICE NINE KILLS - "meat and greet" // the silver scream 2: welcome to horrorwood - under fire
MESHUGGAH - "sane" // choasphere (25th anniversary remaster)
TYPE O NEGATIVE - "summer breeze" // bloody kisses
KILL THE LIGHTS - "scapegoat" // scapegoat - single
BETTER LOVERS - "30 under 13" // God made me an animal
3TEETH - "slum planet" // endex
ORBIT CULTURE - "descent" // descent

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/06/23 - CAPRA

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/06/23
GUESTS :: CAPRA

HOUR 1
THE SLAIN - "the vampire bat" // the slain
ALIGN – “oscilloscope" // oscilloscope - single
DROPKICK MURHPYS – “turn up that dial" // turn up that dial
THE INTERRUPTERS – “raised by wolves” // in the wild
CITY OF THE WEAK - "white fire alarm" // white fire alarm
AGAINST THE CURRENT - "silent stranger" // silent stranger - single
ANGRY WATERS - "dead flowers" // the tequila incidents
DREAMS ASIDE - "square one" // square one - single

PINKSHIFT – “i'm not crying, you're crying" // love me forever
HANABIE. – “Osaki Ni Shitsurei Shimasu" (pardon me, I have to go now) // reborn superstar!
OF MICE AND MEN – “castaway" // tether
ZAKK SABBATH – “N.I.B." // vertigo
CAPRA - "tied up" // errors

HOUR 2
CAPRA feat CANDICE PUOPOLO - "human commodity" // errors
WALLS OF JERICHO - "try.fail.repeat" // with devils amongst us all
CAPRA - "CHSF" // errors
CAPRA - "trauma bond" // errors
TURNSTILE - "big smile" // time and space
HARMS WAY – “denial” // common suffering

CODE ORANGE – “the mask of sanity slips” // the above
SCOWL – “shot down" // psychic dance routine
DYING WISH – “lost in the fall" // symptoms of survival
DRAIN – “living proof" // living proof
YEAR OF THE KNIFE feat DEVIN SWANK – “wish" // no love lost
YEAR OF THE KNIFE feat DYLAN WALKER – “last laugh" // no love lost
JOHNNY BOOTH - "collapse in the key of fireworks" // moments elsewhere
JESUS PIECE - "an offering to the night" // ...so unknown
ENTHEOS - "I am the void" // time will take us all

**SPECIAL THANKS to CROW LOTUS from CAPRA for zooming in to the Midwest Beatdown this week! CAPRA's excellent new album "Errors" is out now via Blacklight Media and Metal Blade Records!!

Midwest Beatdown · Capra interview

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 09/29/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 09/29/23

HOUR 1
WIDOW7 - "wake the dead" // wake the dead - single
RED – “surrogates" // rated r
SAUL - "a million miles" // this is it...the end of everything
WEEKEND PICNIC - "before your time" // weekend picnic
DIVIDE THE FALL – “fake love" // dead memories
MADAM DRIVER – “grey sky" // grey sky - single
CODE ORANGE - "mirror" // the above

ALIGN – “neo-noir" // neo-noir - single
HOUSTON - "wag the dog" // the biggest shove in space
RANCID - "tomorrow never comes" // tomorrow never comes
GREEN DAY - "hitchin' a ride" // nimrod
THE BURN VAULT - "dear landlord" // ignite
EMPIRE STATE - "blusher" // rivers of heresy
OLD TOWNE GHOSTS - "knight boat" // the old ones are and forever shall be
SCOWL – “psychic dance routine" // psychic dance routine
ROYAL BLOOD - "pull me through" // back to the water below

HOUR 2
3TEETH – “what's left” // endex
SEPULTURA – “roots bloody roots" // roots
INCITE – “the aftermath" // all out war
CAPRA feat CANDACE PUOPOLO – “human commodity" // errors
ENCROACH - "this holds true" // encraoch/anamnesis split
KNOCKED LOOSE - "everything is quiet now" // upon loss singles
AFTER THE BURIAL - "nothing gold" // embrace the infinity ep
MOTIONLESS IN WHITE - "meltdown" // scoring the end of the world

HARMS WAY – “denial” // common suffering
BARONESS - "beneath the rose" // stone
AMARANTHE - "insatiable" // the cataylist
WITHIN TEMPTATION - "ritual" // bleed out
GIDEON - "locked out of Heaven" // more power. more pain.
COMMON CHOIR - "lower roads home" // lower roads home - single
ASINHELL - "fall of the loyal warrior" // impii hora

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 09/22/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 09/22/23

HOUR 1
HOUSTON – “wag the dog" // the biggest shove in space
HOUSTON – “dntUwry" // the biggest shove in space
RAD OWL – “hannah barbara" // madison beast
DROPKICK MURPHYS – “the boys are back" // signed and sealed in blood
THE INTERRUPTERS – “bad guy" // bad guy - single
LOST ISLAND SOCIETY - "villain" // villain - single
RED LIGHT DRIVE - "give it all we got" // give it all we got - single
CONCRETE CASTLES - "you won't see me again" // brand new me
EVA UNDER FIRE – “death of me" // love, drugs and misery

BARONESS – “anodyne" // stone
CRASH CUDDLE - "owning the bull" // klaxon
DIRTY HONEY – “won’t take me alive” // can’t find the breakes
BAD OMENS – “the death of peace of mind” // the death of piece of mind
CODE ORANGE – “mirror” // the above
BRING THE SUN - "truth" // ghost
SEVENDUST - "everything" // truth killer

HOUR 2
3TEETH feat MICK GORDON – “slum planet" // endex
TESSERACT - "echoes" // war of being
RED HANDED DENIAL - "fix me" // i'd rather be asleep
NOPATHY - "forsaker" // projection
DETHKLOK – “aortic desecration" // dethalbum IV
BABYMETAL – “divine attack - shingeki" // the other one
PARKWAY DRIVE – “glitch" // darker still
MAKE THEM SUFFER – “ghost of me” // ghost of me - single

IN SEARCH OF SOLACE - "no turning back" // the endless ache
BY THE THOUSANDS - "visions of inner depth" // visions of inner depth
POLARIS - "with reguards" // fatalism
STATIC-X - "stay alive" // project regeneration vol 2
ICE NINE KILLS - "rainy day" // the silver scream 2: welcome to horrorwood
HARMS WAY - “devour” // common suffering
ORBIT CULTURE - "descent" // descent

COHEED & CAMBRIA TAKE HOLD AT PALACE THEATER

CONCERT REVIEW :: COHEED AND CAMBRIA
PALACE THEATER, St. Paul, MN
Sept 15, 2023
Review and photos by Brett Zisler

A vibrant Friday night in St. Paul, Minnesota got more than it asked for when Coheed & Cambria’s “Neverender -No World for the Waking Mind” tour stopped through. With the Palace Theater packed and the merch lines long, it was easy to tell this crowd was primed and ready.

The beauty of these neverender shows is, even though the crowd knows what songs are coming up next, with Coheed & Cambria, the excitement level never drops. With the lights going low and Claudio Sanchez opening the show playing “The Reaping,” you could feel the energy building as Travis, Zach and Josh slowly joined him on stage. As the opening notes of “No World For Tomorrow” hit and those stage lights went on, everyone in that venue knew it was full throttle from Coheed & Cambria from there on out.

As they played on, it became more apparent that Coheed has cemented themselves as one of the top progressive rock bands currently music. Here is a band playing an album over 15 years old and the crowd was hanging on every single word. The part of the show that really stuck out to me though was the second part of the show.

When Coheed & Cambria started the “Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind” portion of the set, the level of crowd participation was incredible. I had a friend attending the show with me that was seeing them for the first time and he was floored at how much the crowd was into the new album. Lets be honest, usually when bands play new music right now at concerts, it ends up being the time people dash for the beer lines. Not at a Coheed show. Those fans stuck around and sang their hearts out to every song. To watch the crowd sing & move to “Liar’s Club” has turned into one of my favorite parts of recent Coheed & Cambria shows.

As the night came to an end, everyone left with the same feeling. How much fun they had and when will they be back next. That’s the best part now with Coheed, it doesn’t matter if it’s a new album run or neverender tour stop, it’s going to be one of the best shows you see each year.

SEE MORE OF BRETT's PHOTOS OF COHEED AND CAMBRIA HERE!

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 09/15/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 09/15/23

HOUR 1
BARONESS - "anodyne" // stone
COHEED AND CAMBRIA - "comatose" // vaxis II: a window to the waking mind
MADAM DRIVER - "grey sky" // grey sky - single
WIDOW7 - "choke" // choke - single
DESTROPHY - "damned" // damned - single
CHEVELLE - "mars simula" // niratias
LOATHE - "aggressive evolution" // I let it in and it took everything
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE - "emotion sickness" // in times new roman

SLEEP TOKEN - "vore" // take me back to eden
THE COLOR FRED - "Minnesota" // bend to break
RAD OWL - "grape mister misty" // madison beast
REDOVERLUNAR - "3stars" // rope demo
EAON - "happy" // lesson no 1
EXACTLYNO - "red line city" // red line city
ARCHITECTS - "be very afraid" // the classic symptoms of a broken spirit

HOUR 2
TAPROOT feat ELIAS SORANO - "favorite song" // scissors
POLARIS - "with regards" // fatalism
STITCHED UP HEART - "the hunting" // to the wolves
BUTCHER BABIES - "wrong end of the knife" // til the world's blind
GEMINI SYNDROME - "primordial" // primordial - single
INFECTED RAIN feat HEIDI SHEPARD - "the realm of chaos" // ecdysis
BLACK SATELLITE - "void" // void - single
EVERNOIR - "concerning narcissists" // stages of grief

GABRIEL AND THE APOCALYPSE - "march of the dolls" // the ghost parade
MOTOR SISTER - "lion's den" // get off
DYING WISH - "lost in the fall" // symptoms of survival
SCOWL - "shot down" // psychic dance routine
CAPRA feat CANDACE PUOPOLO – “human commodity” // errors
3TEETH feat MICK GORDON - "slum planet" // endex
REAPING ASMODEIA - "false awakening" // darkened infinity
TURNSTILE - "big smile" // time and space

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 09/08/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 09/08/23

HOUR 1
CODE ORANGE – “mirror" // the above
ITHACA - "fluorescent" // they fear us
LOATHE - "two way mirror" // i let it in and it took everything
SLEEP TOKEN - "granite" // take me back to eden
THE LONELY ONES - "one more time around" // one more time around - single
JOHNNYROOK - "anything that'll sink" // the more things change
THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH/NEW MEDICINE – “down (2023)" // down - single

NEW MEDICINE – “life like this" // life like this - single
AVATAR - "the dirt i'm buried in" // dance devil dance
COHEED AND CAMBRIA - "shoulders" // vaxis II: a window to the waking mind
RED - "surrogates" // rated r
SAUL - "a million miles" // this is it...the end of everything
WEEKEND PICNIC - "before your time" // weekend picnic
FLOGGING MOLLY - "these times have got me drinking/tripping up the stairs" // anthem
ANGRY WATERS - "invasive species" // hold the high ground

HOUR 2
STATIC-X – “stay alive" // project regeneration vol 2
POLARIS - "fault line" // fatalism
PLAGUE OF STARS - "corporatocracy" // corporatocracy - single
VOLA - "straight lines" // witness
MOTIONLESS IN WHITE feat BRYAN GARRIS - "slaughterhouse" // scoring the end of the world
KNOCKED LOOSE - "everything is quiet now" // upon loss singles
AFTER THE BURIAL - "death keeps us from living" // embrace the infinity ep

HARMS WAY feat KING WOMAN – “undertow” // common suffering
CAPRA feat CANDACE PUOPOLO – “human commodity” // errors
EMPIRE STATE - "blusher" // rivers of heresy
YEAR OF THE KNIFE - "ctrl+c" // dust to dust
DYING WISH - "lost in the fall" // symptoms of survival
VEIN - "end eternal" // errorzone
ENTHEOS - "I am the void" // time will take us all

GWAR return to destroy First Avenue!

GWAR, CROBOT, 200 STAB WOUNDS
First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
August 28, 2023
Photos by Brett Zisler

GWAR retuned to First Avenue to do what they do best .. destroy everything in their path! GWAR fresh off their summer long amphiteater run supporting Mudvayne and Coal Chamber, took a headlining run to get them back to the East Coast. Aimed with a longer setlist and some new or returning favorites to slaughter, everyone went home with a parting gift proving once again GWAR is fun for the entire family!

CROBOT returned along with GWAR this time in the direct support slot with a longer setlist that was a nice mix of all their excellent albums!

SEE MORE OF BRETT's PHOTOS OF GWAR AND CROBOT HERE!

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 09/01/23 - STITCHED UP HEART

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 09/01/23
GUESTS :: STITCHED UP HEART

HOUR 1
KYNG - "haunting visions" // haunting visions - single
MADAM DRIVER - "grey sky" // grey sky - single
DIVIDE THE FALL - "I won't fade away" // dead memories
RAD OWL - "sometime before April" // madison beast
ROYAL BLOOD - "mountains at midnight" // back to the water below
COLD KINGDOM - "broken world" // life//love
SPIRITBOX - "jaded" // the fear of fear

STITCHED UP HEART - "to the wolves" // to the wolves
STITCHED UP HEART - "the hunting" // to the wolves
STITCHED UP HEART - "immortal" // to the wolves
STITCHED UP HEART - "thunder" // to the wolves
TURNSTILE - "holiday" // glow on

HOUR 2
DYING WISH - "lost in the fall" // symptoms of survival
KATATONIA - "austerity" // sky void of stars
EVERNOIR - "three sharp knocks" // stages of grief
PLAGUE OF STARS - "a divisive essence" // daedalus
BARONESS - "shine" // stone
KILLING STARES - "for the record" // for the record - single
EMPIRE STATE - "stutter" // rivers of heresy

POLARIS - "the crossfire" // fatalism
3TEETH - "higher than death" // endex
THE CHALLENGER DISASTER CONSPIRACY - "corncob messiah" // city pages 2023 band of the year
OF MICE AND MEN - "warpaint" // tether
JESUS PIECE - "an offering to the night" // ...so unknown
DRAIN - "run your luck" // living proof
CAPRA - "tied up" // errors
DETHKLOK - "satellite bleeding" // dethalbum IV

**SPECIAL THANKS to MIXI from STITCHED UP HEART for zooming in to the Midwest Beatdown this week! STITCHED UP HEART's new album "To The Wolves" is out now on Another Century!

Midwest Beatdown · Stitched Up Heart 2023 interview

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 08/25/23 - SEVENDUST

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 08/25/23
GUESTS :: SEVENDUST

HOUR 1
SPIRITBOX - "jaded" // the fear of fear
RANCID - "tomorrow never comes" // tomorrow never comes
LOST ISLAND SOCIETY - "villain" // villain - single
THE INTERRUPTERS - "loyal" // say it out loud
DROPKICK MURPHYS - "turn up that dial" // turn up that dial
ALICE COOPER – “I'm alice" // road
WEEKEND PICNIC - "plastic entourage" // weekend picnic
SEVENDUST - "fence" // truth killer

SEVENDUST - "everything" // truth killer
SEVENDUST - "won't stop the bleeding" // truth killer
ALTER BRIDGE - "holiday" // pawns and kings
SEVENDUST - "truth killer" // truth killer

HOUR 2
3TEETH - "higher than death" // endex
MASTODON – “pushing the tides" // hushed and grim
GOJIRA – “our time is now" // our time is now
DREAMS ASIDE - "square one" // square one - single
GWAR – “if you want blood (you got it)" // the blood of gods
CROBOT – “dizzy” // feel this
GABRIEL AND THE APOCALYPSE - "blunt force drama" // blunt force drama - single

DETHKLOK – “horse of fire" // dethalbum IV
ORBIT CULTURE - "descent" // descent
MUTOID MAN - "call of the void" // mutants
KILL THE LIGHTS - "hear you scream" // hear you scream - single
HARMS WAY - "devour" // common suffering
IN SEARCH OF SOLACE - "no turning back" // the endless ache
REAPING ASMODEIA – “false awakening" // darkened infinity

**SPECIAL THANKS to LAJON from SEVENDUST for calling in to the Midwest Beatdown this week to talk about their new album "Truth Killer" and their show on Aug 29 (Tues) at The Fillmore in Minneapolis with ALTER BRIDGE headlining and MJT opening!

Midwest Beatdown · Sevendust 2023 interview

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 08/18/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 08/18/23

HOUR 1
ALICE COOPER – “welcome to the show" // road
THE LONELY ONES - "one more time around" // one more time around - single
MADAM DRIVER - "grey sky" // grey sky - single
ANGRY WATERS - "first blood" // the ghosts we chase
SEVENDUST - "won't stop the bleeding" // truth killer
DIESL - "forget it" // the failsafe
3 PILL MORNING - "all before" // transmission

DIRTY HONEY - "can't find the brakes" // can't find the brakes
MAMMOTH WVH - "right?" // mammoth II
RAD OWL - "Aladdin's castle" // madison beast
NITA STRAUSS feat LZZY HALE - "through the noise" // the call of the void
PLUSH - "left behind" // left behind - single
THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH & NEW MEDICINE - "down (2023)" // the end is where we begin: reignited
BARONESS - "shine" // stone
TURNSTILE - "big smile" // time and space

HOUR 2
HARMS WAY - "devour" // common suffering
ORBIT CULTURE – “descent" // descent
SPIRIT ADRIFT – “I shall return" // ghost at the gallows
WITHIN TEMPTATION - "bleed out" // bleed out
STITCHED UP HEART – “immortal” // to the wolves
POLARIS – “inhumane" // fatalism
EMPIRE STATE BASTARD – “harvest" // rivers of heresy

DETHKLOK – “aortic desecration" // dethalbum IV
MASTODON – “blood and thunder" // leviathan
GOJIRA – “into the storm" // fortitude
AFTER THE BURIAL – “nothing gold" // embrace the infinity
GWAR – “madness at the core of time" // battle maximus
CROBOT – “black cat" // black cat - single
REAPING ASMODEIA – “dreamcaster" // darkened infinity

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 08/11/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 08/11/23

HOUR 1
THE CHALLENGER DISASTER CONSPIRACY – “corncob messiah" // city pages 2023 band of the year
HALESTORM – “the steeple" // back from the dead
EXACTLYNO - "there's no answer" // there's no answer - single
MAMMOTH WVH – “miles above me" // mammoth II
EVA UNDER FIRE – “unstoppable" // love, drugs and misery
DIVIDE THE FALL – “I won't fade away" // dead memories
SAUL - "no mercy" // this is it...the end of everything
RED – “surrogates” // rated r

STITCHED UP HEART - "immortal" // to the wolves
BARONESS - "last word" // stone
STORMBREAKER - "left for dead" // left for dead ep
GEMINI SYNDROME - "primordial" // primordial - single
THROW THE FIGHT - "obey" // strangeworld
JOHNNY BOOTH - "ring light alter" // moments elsewhere
DORO feat ROB HALFORD - "living after midnight" // conqueress - forever strong and proud

HOUR 2
BETTER LOVERS - "30 under 13" // God made me an animal
THE BURN VAULT – “time bomb” // demo
GEL – “attainable” // only constant
SCOWL - "shot down" // psychic dance routine
DYING WISH - "watch my promise die" // symptoms of survival
DESTROPHY – “new gods" // new gods - single
PERIPHERY - "wildfire" // periphery v: djent is not a genre
OTTTO – “skyscraper” // life is a game

AMARANTHE – “damnation flame” // the catalyst
BUTCHER BABIES - "wrong end of the knife" // til the world's blind
OF MICE AND MEN - "warpaint" // tether
KNOCKED LOOSE - "everything is quiet now" // upon loss singles
CODE ORANGE - "the game" // the above
HARMS WAY - "silent wolf" // common suffering
ENTHEOS - "in purgatory" // time will take us all

CONCERT REVIEW :: CLUTCH rattles the Palace!

CONCERT REVIEW :: CLUTCH, DINOSAUR JR, RED FANG
PALACE THEATER, St. Paul, MN
Aug 2, 2023
Photos by Brett Zisler
Review by Nick

CLUTCH brought their No Stars To Guide Tour 2023 to the Palace Theater on Aug 2 for what just might be the loudest concert I've been to in a long time! Not too many things feel better than a PA system cranked to the max with one of your favorite bands playing in front of you. Hands down, the best concert I've seen CLUTCH play. The set flew by and was packed with gems from throughout their entire catalog.

It would be hard to find a band that plays as tight together live as CLUTCH. These are masters of their professions. Neil Fallon is one of the best front people out there period. Tim Sult makes a guitar sing like none other. Dan Maines crafts groovy bass lines with ease. Jean-Paul Gaster lays the beats down with swagger. Put all 4 pieces of the puzzle together and you got one of the best rock shows your money can buy.

CLUTCH came out swinging with "The Mob Goes Wild" right in to "Earth Rocker" and everyone in that crowd knew they were in for a treat tonight. Newer songs like "Slaughter Beach" and "We Strive for Excellence" fit in seamlessly with crowd favorites "Burning Beard" and "Electric Worry". "Electric Worry" even got quite the mosh pit going and you could see the smile on Neil's face from anywhere in the room.

This is also the loudest I've heard the crowd yell and sing back to Clutch making the show that much more electric. I can only hope that this show becomes a release in their series of "The PA Tapes" that they are releasing as this was a show worth reliving over and over again. A setlist that can't be beat mixed with a band in the highest of top form.

RED FANG also delievered a foot to the floor face paced 30 minute opening set filled with the best of their catolog. It's been since 2018 that RED FANG was last in the area and they surely made up for the time apart. Cranking right in to "Blood Like Cream" starting off their set with precision. "Crows in Swine", "Arrows" and a crowd favorite "Wires" came in to the set before wrapping up with the classic "Prehistoric Dog". RED FANG was truly the best choice for an opening act for CLUTCH. They brought the riffs and packed it in to a nice, neat 30 min set that left the crowd begging for more.

SEE MORE OF BRETT'S PICTURES FROM CLUTCH AT THE PALACE THEATER HERE!!

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 08/04/23 - SAUL

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 08/04/23
GUESTS :: SAUL

HOUR 1
MAMMOTH WVH – “right?" // mammoth II
ALICE COOPER – “white line frankenstein” // road
NITA STRAUSS feat ALICE COOPER – “winner takes all" // the call of the void
HALESTORM – “wicked ways" // back from the dead
THE FAILSAFE – “burn it to the ground" // burn it to the ground - single
WIDOW7 – “choke” // choke - single
SEVENDUST – “won’t stop the bleeding” // truth killer
RED - "surrogates" // rated r

SAUL - "a million miles" // this is it...the end of everything
SAUL - "us a.d." // this is it...the end of everything
SAUL - "no mercy" // this is it...the end of everything
SAUL - "reign fire" // this is it...the end of everything

HOUR 2
3TEETH - "drift" // endex
MUTOID MAN - "broken glass ceiling" // mutants
THE CHALLENGER DISASTER CONSPIRACY – “something’s wrong with dougie” // the challenger disaster conspiracy ep
SPIRIT ADRIFT – “barn burner” // ghost at the gallows
BAND-MAID – “glory" // conqueror
BABYMETAL - "divine attack - shingeki" // the other one
DETHKLOK – "aortic desecration" // dethalbum IV

AMON AMARTH - "heidrun (2023 remix)" // heidrun ep
NOPATHY - "alter the path" // projection
KILL THE LIGHTS - "hear you scream" // hear you scream - single
DYING WISH – “watch my promise die” // symptoms of survival
THE BURN VAULT – "even rock stars die too" // demo
AUGUST BURNS RED – “count it all as lost" // rescue and restore
TORCHE - "from here" // admission

**SPECIAL THANKS to BLAKE from SAUL for zooming in to the Midwest Beatdown tonight to talk about their new album "This Is It...The End of Everything" out now on Spinefarm Records! SAUL will be on tour with RED coming to The Cabooze in Mpls on Nov 5 with DIVIDE THE FALL opening!

Midwest Beatdown · Saul 2023 interview

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 07/28/23

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 07/28/23

HOUR 1
DYING WISH – “watch my promise die” // symptoms of survival
SCOWL - "psychic dance routine" // psychic dance routine
RED FANG – “blood like cream" // whales and leeches
CLUTCH – “boogeyman blues" // sunrise on slaughter beach (the complete sessions)
MADAM DRIVER – “grey sky” // grey sky – single
THE FAILSAFE - "head under water" // erasing color
FOZZY – “sane" // boombox
RAD OWL - "grape mister misty" // madison beast

SEVENDUST – “superficial drug" // truth killer
ALTER BRIDGE - "holiday" // pawns and kings
BEARTOOTH – “might love myself” // the surface
CONCRETE CASTLES - "you won't see me again" // brand new me
SAUL – “no mercy” // this is it … the end of everything
JOHNNYROOK - "feel it all again" // the more things change
TURNSTILE - "don't play" // glow on
CROBOT - "black cat" // black cat - single

HOUR 2
OF MICE AND MEN - "warpaint" // tether
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE - "scream aim fire" // scream aim fire
VENDED - "overall" // overall - single
MAKE THEM SUFFER - "ghost of me" // ghost of me - single
MUTOID MAN – “memory hole" // mutants
PLAGUE OF STARS – “corporatocracy" // corporatocracy - single
EVERNOIR - "ravens" // stages of grief

3TEETH - "drift" // endex
IN SEARCH OF SOLACE - "no turning back" // the endless ache
REFLECTIONS - "from nothing" // willow
HARMS WAY – “silent wolf” // common suffering
ORBIT CULTURE - "from the inside" // descent
JOHNNY BOOTH – “ring light alter" // moments elsewhere
HATEBREED - "looking down the barrel of today" // the concrete confessional