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