HANABIE LAUNCHES HARAJUKUCORE IN MINNEAPOLIS

CONCERT REVIEW :: HANABIE, NEKROGOBLIKON
The Fillmore - Minneapolis, MN
April 1, 2026
Photos and Review by Brett Zisler

With the concert season starting to heat up, HANABIE made their way to Minneapolis on a cold Thursday night to entertain the masses for their first headlining show at Fillmore. This marked their third time playing Minnesota in the past three years on their biggest US tour to date.

After a blistering opening set by Spokane’s Enterprise Earth, the legendary and only goblin metal titans, NEKROGOBLIKON hit the stage. Like HANABIE, NEKROGOBLIKON’s momentum has been built by each tour that has made it’s way through Minneapolis. How can they not when the have pounding riffs, dueling guitars and vocals and feature the world’s only goblin frontman, author, actor, comedian, John Goblikon. Like Chili’s southwestern eggroll, it’s all the perfect ingredients for goblin metal domination. NEKRGOBLIKON weaved their way through their set with fan favorites, “Bones,” “Darkness” and “This is it” with the utmost crowd participation. Definitely one of the highlights of the set was hearing their new song “Secret Elephant.” A song that gives us a perfect glimpse into the future of the band on this next EP, and that future is bright………and green.

The time had finally arrived and it was now HANABIE’s stage. The Japanese metal-core band emerged to rabid fans with fans in hands screaming as they grabbed their guitars. Lead vocalist, Yukina, while small in stature commands the stage with massive presence. Having never seen them live before, I was unsure of what kind of show it would be, it’s safe to say we left completely impressed. HANABIE was so intense and over top with their brutal breakdowns that kept fists pumping in the air all night long.

Guitarist, Maturi and bassist, Hettsu fit Yukina’s live show all night long while their drummer, Chika, kept the perfect tempo song after song. This show was so polished and professional, we couldn’t believe it. The fan interaction and reaction was 10/10 all night long. These are the kinds of bands and tours that expand the metal genre and make concert going fun. Was everyone there to see NEKROGBLIKON? No. Was Everyone there to see HANABIE? No. But did everyone walk away from this show with excitement and a new level of fun? 100% absolutely.

Hanabie made their mark during their first headlining show in Minnesota, but after this last tour stop, it’s safe to say it won’t be their last .

SEE MORE of BRETT's PHOTOS from HANABIE and NEKROGOBLIKON HERE!

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 04/03/26

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 04/03/26

HOUR 1
RAD OWL – “double play” // double play - single
EXACTLYNO – “capitalist punishment” // rock ice out comp
JOHNNYROOK - "minute for an hour" // minute for an hour – single
SHORT TIMER - "free" // rock ice out comp
MAMMOTH – “the spell” // the end
SOULFLY – “no power = no pain” // chama
GWAR – “if you want blood (you got it)” // the blood of Gods

TWO HARBORS – “what you’re on about” // can’t shake this dream
SPEED OF LIGHT – “inch by inch” // inch by inch – single
YONAKA – “miss millennial” // until you’re satisified
BLOODYWOOD – “tadka” // nu delhi
THE PRETTY WILD – “zero.point.genesis” // zero.point.genesis
VIA – “closets” // sanitize this
MADAM DRIVER feat KAT BAUMANN – “don’t you want me” // static valley
THE PRETTY RECKLESS – “when I wake up” // dear God

HOUR 2
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY – “the hand of tomorrow’s grave” // engines of demolition
EVA UNDER FIRE feat MARIA BRINK – “villainous” // villainous
SHINEDOWN – “safe and sound” // ei8ht
SEVENDUST - "threshold" // one
ARMORED SAINT – “close to the bone” // emotion factory reset
AUGUST BURNS RED – “the nameless” // season of surrender
PERIPHERY – “mr. God” // a pale white dot

GUILT TRIP – “no love lost” // armour of angels
CHAMBER – “vanity” // this is goodbye
DRAIN - "scared of everything and nothing" // is your friend
CONVERGE - "hum of hurt" // hum of hurt
POISON THE WELL - "primal bloom" // peace in place
LAMB OF GOD - "blunt force blues" // into oblivion
HARMS WAY - "human carrying capacity" // posthuman
HARMS WAY - "become a machine" // posthuman
VEIN.FM - "rebirth protocol" // errorzone

R.I.P. BO LUEDERS

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 03/27/26

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 03/27/26

HOUR 1
JOHNNYROOK – “minute for an hour” // minute for an hour – single
SLDG – “out of here” // of my own design
ANXIETY SOCIETY feat ELISSA MARIE OGGARD – “nihilist eyes” // pull
FOUR YEAR STRONG – “maybe it’s me” // analysis paralysis
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA – “everybody knows” // flowers
HANABIE – “iconic” // hot topic ep
NEKROGOBLIKON feat REEL BIG FISH – “secret elephant” // the boiling sea

BETTER BROKEN – “queensbury” // tundra ep
DREAMS ASIDE – “square one” // square one – single
MAMMOTH – “selfish" // the end
BACKHAND BLUE – “digging my grave” // digging my grave – single
EVA UNDER FIRE feat MARIA BRINK – “villainous” // villainous
SPEED OF LIGHT – “inch by inch” // inch by inch – single
BULLETS AND BUTTERFLIES - "when you lie" // when you lie - single
KNOCKED LOOSE feat DENZEL CURRY - "hive mind" // hive mind - single

HOUR 2
AUGUST BURNS RED – “the nameless" // season of surrender
POISON THE WELL – “weeping tones” // peace in place
EARTHSIDE feat DAEDRIC – “earthsink” // let the truth speak (deluxe edition)
ODDS OF AN AFTERTHOUGHT – “curse” // curse - single
CASTLE RAT – “wolf I” // the bestiary
AMON AMARTH – “we rule the waves" // we rule the waves - single
GWAR – “sick of you" // scumdogs of the universe
SOULFLY – “chama" // chama

CHAMBER – “vanity" // this is goodbye
GUILT TRIP feat LANDMVRKS – “sweet dreams” // severance
CONVERGE – “force meets presence" // love is not enough
ROMAN CANDLE – “blasphemous act" // unadulterated
STITCHED UP HEART feat HEIDI SHEPARD – “cannibal" // medusa
ARCH ENEMY – “to the last breath” // to the last breath - single
BY THE THOUSANDS – “mirrorborn” // mirrorborn - single
REAPING ASMODEIA – “bodies in barrels" // poison of the earth (deluxe edition)

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 03/20/26 - LYLVC

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 03/20/26
GUESTS :: LYLVC

HOUR 1
LOST ISLAND SOCIETY - "fine" // rock ice out comp
MADAM DRIVER – “a different side of me” // static valley
ANGRY WATERS – “invasive species" (live) // angry waters live
TESTAMENT – “nature of the beast” // para bellum
LAMB OF GOD – “the killing floor” // into oblivion
KUBLAI KHAN TX – “the mountain of Corsicana" // the mountain of Corsicana - single
LAMB OF GOD feat KUBLAI KHAN TX & MALEVOLENCE – “another nail for your coffin” // ashes of the wake (20th anniversary edition)

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY – “broken and blind" // engines of demolition
ZAKK SABBATH – “N.I.B." // vertigo
ANXIETY SOCIETY – “you want it" // pull
JOHNNYROOK – “minute for an hour” // minute for an hour – single
EXACTLYNO – “capitalist punishment" // rock ice out comp
RAD OWL – “funny papers" // rock ice out comp
THE PRETTY RECKLESS – “when I wake up” // dear God

HOUR 2
LYLVC – “starless” // starless – single
LYLVC – “barely human” // barely human – single
LYLVC – “perfect drug” // perfect drug ep
EVA UNDER FIRE - "murder scene" // murder scene - single
BUTCHER BABIES - "lost in your touch" // lost in your touch - single

STITCHED UP HEART feat HEIDI SHEPARD - "cannibal" // medusa
SLDG – “crickets" // of my own design
GOUGE AWAY – “figurine” // figurine - single
POISON THE WELL – “wax mask" // peace in place
ROMAN CANDLE – “blasphemous act" // unadulterated
ODDS OF AN AFTERTHOUGHT - "curse" // curse - single
BY THE THOUSANDS - "mirrorborn" // mirrorborn - single
HATEBREED - "last breath" // satisfaction is the death of desire

**SPECIAL THANKS to ALYSE and OSCAR from LYLVC for hanging out with the Midwest Beatdown after their awesome set at Fine Line in Minneapolis, MN! Keep your ears out for new LYLVC music as this is a band you need to know!

Midwest Beatdown · LYLVC interview

LYLVC, EVA UNDER FIRE and BUTCHER BABIES bring the fury to the Fine Line

CONCERT REVIEW :: LYLVC, EVA UNDER FIRE, BUTCHER BABIES opening for JERIS JOHNSON
Fine Line - Minneapolis, MN
March 7, 2026
Photos by Brett Zisler
Review by Nick

Being the first band on a 4 band touring package can prove to be daunting. Will anyone show up just after doors to catch your set? LYLVC didn't have any problems with that on a Saturday night at the Fine Line in Minneapolis. LYLVC opened the show with an impressive 20 minute set that packed all the punches and never let up. LYLVC impressed new fans who got there early as the band jammed high energy in to every second of their set. Kicking off with their latest single “Barely Human” the back and forth interplay between vocalist Alyse and rapper Oscar was infectious.

The 6 piece band didn’t let the size of the stage tamper down the energy they were able to put forth. Each member of the band was seen having a blast on the stage and that translated to the audience and back again. The new single “Starless” gave you all the feels as Oscar poured his heart out after surviving an attempt to end his life. I'm glad he's still around because this band would not be what it is without him.

LYLVC played a few songs from their first EP "Perfect Drug" to round out their set displaying their strengths as a band writing catchy songs that even if you don't know the lyrics, you can still bang your head and have a great time with Alyse, Oscar and the band.

LYLVC made a lot of new fans, including myself, during their extremely short 20 minute set and hopefully the next time LYLVC comes thru, they'll have a longer set and some more new music to showcase the power of this band. Keep your eye on them, LYLVC is gonna be huge.

Detroit's EVA UNDER FIRE had the tall task of following the heat LYLVC brought to start off the night. The band came out accepting the challenge with the first single of their forthcoming album, “Awakening” before launching in to an unreleased track “My Own Name” proving that EVA UNDER FIRE were going for a little bit of a harder rock direction with the new material.

The new songs fit in perfectly with “Heroin(e)” in which the crowd was singing along with the chorus.  Another new track followed “Villainous” along with current single “Murder Scene” both powerful tracks from the forthcoming record.  After that, EVA UNDER FIRE treated the fans to 3 solid tracks from Love, Drugs and Misery to close out the show with a perfect balance of new and familiar.  “Comatose” “Coming for Blood” and ending the show by bringing up a fan to help them out with “Blow”.

It had been a long wait to see EVA UNDER FIRE again since Louder Than Life 2022 and they did not disappoint. Especially bringing in new material for half their set! EVA UNDER FIRE returns to Minnesota on Aug 18 at the brand new Mystic Lake Amphitheater in Shakopee, MN opening for Five Finger Death Punch. Hopefully that new album will be out by then as well!

It was great to finally see Heidi and Henry back on stage as BUTCHER BABIES came out for their first show in MN with only one vocalist with the thunderous “Backstreets of Tennessee”. The band was in mean, fighting machine form storming the stage for their 40 minute set that flew by. Most of the set came from the most recent release Eye for an Eye ... Til the World's Blind including the band having fun with the crowd during "Beaver Cage".

Where the set really hit it’s stride was with the new songs “Sincerity” and the powerful “Lost in Your Touch” from their forthcoming album.  Heidi tackles the melodic and the furious with absolute precision proving the next act will be just as potent as Goliath or Lilith.  The band whipped the crowd into a frenzy leaving the crowd wanting more with the last track from the Goliath record “Magnolia Blvd”.

I didn’t get a chance to check out most of Jeris Johnson’s set at the Fine Line but the crowd was definitely in to it what I was able to catch.  My interview with LYLVC will air this Friday night on the Midwest Beatdown. Tonight was a victorious show that brought back many memories of what we all love about the hard rock and metal scene.  All the bands came to hang out at their merch tables in between bands and met everyone they were able to.  Fans that night were able to make a connection on stage and off stage with a new favorite band. Here's to hoping that LYLVC and BUTCHER BABIES return soon!

SEE MORE of BRETT's PICTURES from JERIS JOHNSON, BUTCHER BABIES, EVA UNDER FIRE and LYLVC at Fine Line HERE!

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 03/13/26

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 03/13/26

HOUR 1
JOHNNYROOK - "minute for an hour" // minute for an hour - single
THE PRETTY RECKLESS - "when I wake up" // dear God
BULLETS AND BUTTERFLIES – “when you lie” // when you lie - single
THE BLACK CROWES – “cruel streak" // a pound of feathers
LYLVC – “starless” // starless – single
BUTCHER BABIES – “lost in your touch” // lost in your touch – single
YONAKA – “miss millennial" // until you're satisfied

RISE AGAINST – “ready to fall" // the sufferer and the witness
MADAM DRIVER – “alive” // static valley
ANGRY WATERS – “the heist” // the ghosts we chase
THE WARNING – “kerosene” // kerosene – single
SEVENDUST – “unbreakable” // one
DIVIDE THE FALL - "burn it down" // burn it down - single
THE FAILSAFE - "happy to be here" // happy to be here - single

HOUR 2
LAMB OF GOD – “blunt force blues" // into oblivion
LAMB OF GOD – “St. Catherine's wheel" // into oblivion
ICE NINE KILLS feat MCKENNA GRACE - "twisting the knife" // twisting the knife - single
TESTAMENT – “witch hunt” // para bellum
HELD – “constant tension” // grey
STAHLECKER feat WALLY JOSEPH – “a means to an end” // a means to an end – single

LAMB OF GOD - "a thousand years" // into oblivion
LAMB OF GOD – “devise/destroy" // into oblivion
MOTIONLESS IN WHITE – “afraid of the dark” // afraid of the dark – single
LIVING DEAD GIRL - "survival mode" // conspiracy
SHOWING TEETH - "rip" // rip - single
HATEBREED - "tear it down" // the rise of brutality
CAGE FIGHT feat JULIEN TRUCHAN - "pick your fighter" // exuvia
REAPING ASMODEIA - "bodies in barrels" // poison of the earth (deluxe)

**SPECIAL THANKS to JOHNNYROOK and CARDNIAL SUN RECORDS for letting us WORLD PREMIERE the brand new track from JOHNNYROOK "Minute for an Hour"! The track comes from JOHNNYROOK's forthcoming new album later this year! Catch JOHNNYROOK, RAD OWL, DROWN THE LIFEGUARD and EXACTLYNO for the CARDINAL SUN RECORDS SHOWCASE & BRAD'S 50th BIRTHDAY PARTY at Pillar Forum in Mpls on April 11!

DROPKICK MURPHY’S DOUBLES THE FUN IN MINNESOTA

CONCERT REVIEW :: DROPKICK MURPHYS
Palace Theater - St. Paul, MN
March 6, 2026
Photos and Review by Brett Zisler

What better way to kick off the month of March and al the festivities that come with St. Patrick’s Day then getting a stop on the DROPKICK MURPHY’S “FOR THE PEPOPLE……IN THE PIT” Tour. A rainy Friday night had no effect on the sold-out crowd at the Palace Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota. The beers were flowing and the merch line was LONG as you entered the venue, and it was clear, Friday Night in St. Paul is going to be a hell of a time.

Following opening sets by the bands Slugger, Haywire and The Aggrolites, The Dropkick Murphy’s flooded the stage with their legendary swagger as the kicked into “Barroom Hero” and “The State of Massachusetts.” Founding member and vocalist Ken Casey wasted no time in getting right up into the faces of the die hard fans in the front row as the bellowed lyrics back with smiles on their faces. The beauty of going to a Dropkick Murphy’s show is you know exactly what you are getting, and they deliver EVERY SINGLE TIME. There are no over-the-top frills or theatrics needed for the Dropkicks. Their music is the message, and it’s delivered every time they hit the stage.

As the night went on, the Dropkick Murphy’s brought forth a set that consisted of songs off their most recent release, “For the People,” the bands 13th studio album, as well as all the fan favorites to keep the crowd perfectly engaged throughout the night. One thing that never ceases to amaze me while attending a Dropkick Murphy’s show is the fan engagement. These fans never stop singing, dancing, or raising a fist in the air. When the band is on that stage, those fans are a part of that show. There is such absolute beauty in that only die hard music fans appreciate.

The Dropkick Murphy’s made their way through their set as the played new songs “Dropped on My Head,” “Kids Games,” and “Who’ll Stand with Us” the night never seemed to slow down. As things came to a close, the Dropkick’s delivered in the way only they can with closing out with “Rose Tattoo,” “Worker’s Song,” and show stopper “I’m Shipping up To Boston,” and ending with “The Big Man.”

Minnesota was definitely lucky in March of 2026. Getting the chance to have such an iconic Celtic Punk Band in the month of March in a city where St. Patrick’s Day is such a big part of its heritage was a major lift to the area. The fans came hungry and left full.

SEE MORE of BRETT's PHOTOS from DROPKICK MURPHYS HERE!