MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/27/24

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/27/24

HOUR 1
RAD OWL – “happy sad day" // fest 21 promo (Doughboys)
HOT WATER MUSIC - "fazer" // Hot Water Music/Quicksand split (Quicksand)
HOUSTON - "limelight" // live on fish island (Rush)
THE DONNAS - "strutter" // the early singles (Kiss)
ME FIRST AND THE GIMMIE GIMMIES - "good 4 u" // me first and the gimmie gimmies blow it (Olivia Rodrigo)
DIVIDE THE FALL - "right now" // right now - single (Fire From the Gods)
ELECTRIC CALLBOY - "everytime we touch" // everytime we touch - single (Cascada)
SKYWIND - "another brick in the wall" // O 2 (Pink Floyd)

DOWN AND ABOVE - "digging in the dirt" // vena cava (Peter Gabriel)
DOWN AND ABOVE - "joga" // anodyne (Bjork)
DOWN AND ABOVE - "the highwayman" // hold your breath for the rising tide (The Highwaymen)
THE PRETTY RECKLESS - "loud love" // other worlds (Soundgarden)
DREAMS ASIDE - "the distance" // the distance - single (Cake)
SLASH feat CHRIS STAPLETON - "oh well" // orgy of the damned (Fleetwood Mac)

HOUR 2
BROOKS AND DUNN & HALESTORM - "boot scootin' boogie" // reboot II (Brooks and Dunn)
DESTROPHY - "army of me" // army of me - single (Bjork)
INCUBUS - "let's go crazy" // momuments and melodies (Prince)
35 INCH MUDDER - "when doves cry" // when doves cry - single (Prince)
ZAKK SABBATH - "fairies wear boots" // doomed forever/forever doomed (Black Sabbath)
SEVENDUST - "inner city blues" // best of (chapter one 1997-2004) (Marvin Gaye)
GWAR - "if you want blood (you got it)" // the blood of gods (AC/DC)

TYPE O NEGATIVE - "summer breeze" (Rick Rubin mix) // bloody kisses (30th anniversary) (Seals and Croft)
TYPE O NEGATIVE - "cinnamon girl" // october rust (Neil Young)
TRIVIUM - "I don't wanna be me" // I don't wanna be me - single (Type O Negative)
SHADOWS FALL - "bark at the moon" // retribution (deluxe edition) (Ozzy Osbourne)
EVERY TIME I DIE - "youth overrided" // Every Time I Die / Cave In split (Cave In)
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - "holy diver" // as daylight dies (special edition) (Dio)

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/20/24

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/20/24

HOUR 1
AUGUST BURNS RED – “all I want for Christmas is you” // all I want for Christmas is you - single
BUSS - "radar" // low noise/high density
SUNSET BLACK - "slumber" // demo
PLUSH – “hope it hurts" // find the beautiful
SILVERSTEIN - "confession" // antibloom
DROPPING DAYLIGHT - "apologies" // brace yourself
AMERICAN SCARECROWS - "Snoopy's Christmas" // Snoopy's Christmas - single
WEEKEND PICNIC - "deck the halls" // a weekend picnic Christmas

MADAM DRIVER - "crossroads" // negative ghostrider
ARROWS AT DAWN - "save love" // save love - single
BULLETS AND BUTTERFLIES - "sleepless nights" // sleepless nights - single
JOHNNYROOK - "hot tubs (don't just walk away)" // from remorse we learn
MYLES KENNEDY - "say what you will" // the art of letting go
TREMONTI - "just too much" // the end will show us how
B ! - "higher" // degenerator
FIRST TO ELEVEN - "like it's Christmas" // a first to eleven Christmas 2023

HOUR 2
KAT PERKINS - "santa baby" // a kat perkins Christmas vol 2
LEMMY KILMISTER, DAVE GROHL, BILLY GIBBONS - "run rudolph run" // we wish you a metal Christmas
ELECTRIC CALLBOY & BABY METAL – “ratatata” // ratatata - single
BLOODYWOOD & BABY METAL – “bekhauf" // bekhauf - single
HANABIE – “Osaki Ni Shitsurei Shimasu" // reborn superstar
STATIC-X – “get to the gone" // machine
GWAR – “madness at the core of time" // battle maximus
ICE NINE KILLS – “rainy day" // the silver scream 2: welcome to horrorwood

AUGUST BURNS RED - "waltz of the flowers" // waltz of the flowers - single
TWISTED SISTER - "O come all ye faithful" // a twisted Christmas
BRUTUS - "brave" // unison life
AFTER THE BURIAL - "behold the crown" // evergreen
TURNSTILE - "real thing" // time and space
KUBLAI KHAN TX - "low tech" // exhibiton of prowess
KNOCKED LOOSE feat POPPY - "suffocate" // you won't go before you're supposed to
POPPY - "the center's falling out" // negative spaces
ARCH ENEMY - "breaking the law" // covered in blood

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/13/24

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/13/24

HOUR 1
WEEKEND PICNIC – “wish list” // a Weekend Picnic Christmas
WEEKEND PICNIC – “paper to a flame” // paper to a flame – single
DOWN AND ABOVE - "joga" // anodyne
GREYWIND – “antidote" // antidote ep
FORBIDDEN SEAS – “sirens” // sirens – single
RAD OWL - "always eyes" // rage gracefully
CRAZYEIGHTYEIGHT – “nightwalker” // columbarium

AUGUST BURNS RED – “up on the housetop” // up on the housetop - single
AUGUST BURNS RED - "waltz of the flowers" // waltz of the flowers - single
DIESL - "nomenclature" // the failsafe
THE PRETTY RECKLESS feat MATT CAMERON & KIM THAYIL – “only love can save me now" // death by rock and roll
COHEED AND CAMBRIA - "searching for tomorrow" // vaxis III: the father of make believe
MASTODON & LAMB OF GOD - "floods of triton" // floods of triton - single
PERIPHERY - "facepalm mute" // periphery II

HOUR 2
VENDED – “paint the skin" // vended
ODDS OF AN AFTERTHOUGHT – “where dreams go to die" // where dreams go to die
IRON MAIDEN – “the trooper" // piece of mind
ONLYTIME – “the pull" // compassion fatigue
SHADOWS FALL – “in the grey” // in the grey – single
BETTER BROKEN – “queensbury" // tundra ep
SLDG – “1000 yard stare" // predicaments ep

SOULKEEPER – “three parts disdain" // holy design
OUR COMMON COLLAPSE – “languish” // languish – single
ORBIT CULTURE – “vultures of north" // descent
REFLECTIONS – “deva" // shadow
BY THE THOUSANDS – “the flood" // the descent
REAPING ASMODEIA – “shattered leviathan" // shattered leviathan - single
ARCH ENEMY - "blood dynasty" // blood dynasty
CATEGORY 7 – “in stitches" // category 7

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/06/24

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 12/06/24

HOUR 1
FORBIDDEN SEAS - "sirens" // sirens - single
WEEKEND PICNIC - "paper to a flame" // paper to a flame - single
HOT WATER MUSIC - "undertow" // Hot Water Music/Quicksand split
MADAM DRIVER - "crossroads" // negative ghostrider
CRAZYEIGHTYEIGHT - "nightwalker" // columbarium
LAUREN BABIC - "breathe you in" // breathe you in - single
DEADLANDS - "villain" // villain - single
BULLETS AND BUTTERFLIES - "abandon ship" // abandon ship - single

AUGUST BURNS RED - "waltz of the flowers" // waltz of the flowers - single
THE PRETTY RECKLESS - "loud love" // other worlds
AC/DC - "shot in the dark" // power up
THE LONELY ONES - "the bottom" // the bottom - single
NEW MEDICINE - "life like this" // life like this - single
HELMET – “milquetoast" // betty
JINJER - "green serpent" // duel

HOUR 2
SHADOWS FALL – “in the grey” // in the grey – single
MAKE THEM SUFFER – “tether" // make them suffer
GABRIEL AND THE APOCALYPSE – “get dragged" // get dragged - single
MVRROW - "thanks, I hate it" // fever dream
SPIRITBOX – “soft spine” // tsunami sea
LOATHE – “aggressive evolution" // I let it in and it took everything
DYING WISH – “watch my promise die" // symptoms of survival
GEL – “persona" // persona

ARCH ENEMY - "blood dynasty" // blood dynasty
BRUTUS - "brave" // unison life
ARCHITECTS - "whiplash" // the sky, the earth and all between
ODDS OF AN AFTERTHOUGHT - "bearer of bad news" // where dreams go to die
POPPY - "the center's falling out" // negative spaces
KNOCKED LOOSE feat POPPY – “suffocate” // you won’t go before you’re supposed to
BODY COUNT - "live forever" // merciless
BETTER LOVERS - "future myopia" // highly irresponsible

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/29/24

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/29/24

HOUR 1
LAUREN BABIC - "breathe you in" // breathe you in - single
BULLETS & BUTTERFLIES - "rabbit hole" // rabbit hole - single
LOATHE & TEENAGE WRIST - "is it really you?" // is it really you - single
BRING THE SUN - "truth" // ghost
BETTER LOVERS - "at all times" // highly irresponsible
DIESL - "forget it" // the failsafe
HALESTORM & BROOKS & DUNN - "boot scootin' boogie" // reboot II

LINKIN PARK - "IGYEIH" // from zero
ARROWS AT DAWN - "let live" // pieces
THE WARNING - "automatic sun" // keep me fed
ANGRY WATERS - "first blood" // the ghosts we chase
COHEED AND CAMBRIA – “searching for tomorrow” // vaxis III: the father of make believe
EXACTLYNO - "red line city" // red line city
SPIRITBOX – “perfect soul” // tsunami sea
DIVIDE THE FALL - "death of me" // death of me - single

HOUR 2
JINJER - "green serpent" // duel
THE FAILSAFE - "wolves" // wolves - single
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE – “forever aligned” // this consequence
NOPATHY - "alter the path" // projections
BUTCHER BABIES – “sincerity” // sincerity - single
EVERNOIR - "spiral" // spiral - single
LACUNA COIL - "oxygen" // sleepless empire

AFTER THE BURIAL - "nothing gold" // embrace the infinity ep
OPETH - "paragraph 4" // the last will and testament
SOULKEEPER - "heavy glow" // holy design
OUR COMMON COLLAPSE - "languish" // languish - single
REFLECTIONS - "my cancer" // exi(s)t
BY THE THOUSANDS - "the flood" // the descent
REAPING ASMODEIA - "shattered leviathan" // shattered leviathan - single
TURNSTILE - "big smile" // time and space

BETTER LOVERS' bring the intensity to Studio B!

CONCERT REVIEW :: BETTER LOVERS
11/21/24
Studio B @ Skyway Theater in Mpls
Photos by Brett Zisler
Review by Nick

BETTER LOVERS returned to Minneapolis a little over 6 months after their first visit with a new album in tow guaranteed to get the pit moving. That definitely happened in a very sweaty Studio B on a cold November evening. BETTER LOVERS’ show back in May a couple blocks down at the Fine Line is hands down my show of the year. It was going to be hard to top that show and even tougher to do it in Studio B. BETTER LOVERS made Studio B look and sound like a totally different room. The band took a challenge and accomplished a feat. Smaller stage? No problem. Not much for lighting. They brought their own. No barricade? Even better!

The crowd got amped up as soon as the intro started and then into Will Putney’s guitar intro on “Lie Between the Lines” before the tsunami hit when the song kicked in. The band was firing on all cylinders from the jump and the crowd ate it up. While the pit wasn’t as active and people definitely weren’t stage diving like they were at the Fine Line, this show packed intensity trading back and forth from the band to the crowd.

BETTER LOVERS is a band that is meant to be seen live. The intensity is captured translating exceptionally well on record but the live show is where the magic is delivered. Every single person is key to crafting the hurricane level insanity that is BETTER LOVERS with all the pieces fitting together to erupt a metal version of Captain Planet.

I could go on and on with how well songs were placed in the set. “Lie Between the Lines” ran right in to “Sacrifical Participant” which got drop kicked by “Your Misplaced Self” before “Become So Small” landed the suplex which led to the chair across the back of “Superman Died Paralyzed” .. and that’s just the first 5 songs. This set was the equivalent to an average person being thrown into the Royal Rumble.

Edgar in the crowd got the best birthday present one could ask for at a show as Better Lovers tore in to a impromptu Better Lovers version of a Happy Birthday song complete with reprise. Moments like that aren’t going to be found at just any show you go to … only shows in small intimate settings like this one where not everything is planned out. That’s what makes Better Lovers shows … expect the unexpected and become a part of the chaos.

Intensity level was never really brought down until 11 songs in to the set when the melodic “At All Times” entered to give everyone a little bit of a breather before “God Make Me an Animal” came screaming in and “Love As An Act of Rebellion” whipped everything around in the opposite direction. Thriving on chaos, Jordan started grabbing people from the crowd and pulled them up to get on stage before they kicked in to a frenzied version of “30 Under 13”. Jordan crowd surfed at the end of the song from the stage to the merch table … which in this case was in the lobby of the venue that also houses Skyway Theater and The Lyric.

Better Lovers had a solid hour long set that highlighted their entire catalog leaving only 2 songs from the new album out of the set. I know I said this in the May review and I’ll say it again .. the next time Better Lovers is in town, do not miss it. This is the stuff legends are made of. Better Lovers, Please come back again in 6 months.

SEE MORE of BRETT's PHOTOS from BETTER LOVERS here!

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/22/24 - DEADLANDS

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/22/24
GUESTS :: DEADLANDS

HOUR 1
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE – “forever aligned” // this consequence
MADAM DRIVER – “crossroads" // negative ghostrider
SAUL - "a million miles" // this is it...the end of everything
COHEED AND CAMBRIA – “searching for tomorrow” // vaxis III: the father of make believe
SPIRITBOX – “perfect soul” // tsunami sea
AMIRA ELFEKY – “will you love me when I’m dead” // will you love me when I’m dead - single
POPPY – “push go" // negative spaces

BUTCHER BABIES – “sincerity” // sincerity - single
TURNSTILE - "blackout" // glow on
DEADLANDS – “villain” // villain - single
DEADLANDS – “house of cards” // house of cards - single

HOUR 2
NITA STRAUSS feat ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ – “the wolf you feed” // the call of the void
DEADLANDS – “crushed” // sentence of myself
GORE. - "angels like you" // a bud that never blooms
BABES IN TOYLAND - "he's my thing" // painkillers
ODDS OF AN AFTERTHOUGHT – “bearer of bad news" // where dreams go to die
ARCHITECTS – “whiplash” // the sky, the earth and all between

OPETH – “paragraph 4" // the last will and testament
JINJER – “kafka” // duel
MACHINE HEAD feat IN FLAMES, LACUNA COIL, UNEARTH – “these scars won't define us" // these scars won't define us - single
MAKE THEM SUFFER – “venusian blues" // make them suffer
STICK TO YOUR GUNS – “severed forever" // keep planting flowers
BLEEDING THROUGH – “dead, but so alive” // dead, but so alive - single
DEVIN TOWNSEND feat JAMEY JASTA - "powernerd" // powernerd

**SPECIAL THANKS to KASEY from DEADLANDS for zooming in to the Midwest Beatdown tonight! DEADLANDS' latest singles "Villain" and "House of Cards" are out now via Spinefarm Records!

Midwest Beatdown · Deadlands interview 11/22/24

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/15/24

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/15/24

HOUR 1
HALESTORM & BROOKS & DUNN - "boot scootin' boogie" // reboot II
LINKIN PARK - "two faced" // from zero
WEEKEND PICNIC - "follow me down" // follow me down - single
RAD OWL - "growl" // rage gracefully
ANBERLIN - "the runaways" (livestream 2020) // tear us apart
COPELAND - "no one really wins" // in motion
MADINA LAKE - "here I stand" // from them, through us, to you
CHILDREN 18:3 - "even sleeping" // children 18:3

POPPY - "push go" // negative spaces
BULLETS AND BUTTERFLIES - "abandon ship" // abandon ship - single
AMIRA ELFEKY – “will you love me when I'm dead" // will you love me when I'm dead - single
PAPA ROACH - "born for greatness" // crooked teeth
RISE AGAINST - "ready to fall" // the sufferer and the witness
UNDEROATH - "teeth" // teeth - single
IN THIS MOMENT - "next life" // beautiful tragedy
GORE. - "babylon" // a bud that never blooms

HOUR 2
MACHINE HEAD feat IN FLAMES, LACUNA COIL & UNEARTH - "these scars won't define us" // these scars won't define us - single
IN FLAMES - "end the transmission" // foregone
LACUNA COIL - "oxygen" // sleepless empire
UNEARTH - "the wretched; the ruinous" // the wretched; the ruinous
ODDS OF AN AFTERTHOUGHT - "bearer of bad news" // where dreams go to die
MAKE THEM SUFFER - "venusian blues" // make them suffer
EVERNOIR - "eater of worlds" // eater of worlds - single
BETTER LOVERS - "future myopia" // highly irresponsible

OPETH - "paragraph 3" // the last will and testament
FUTURE PALACES - "rays of light" // distortion
BETTER BROKEN - "queensberry" // tundra
SLDG - "1000 yard stare" // predicaments
SOULKEEPER - "heavy glow" // holy design
OUR COMMON COLLAPSE - "languish" // languish - single
SALTWOUND - "severance" // the temptation of pain
HATEBREED - "last breath" // satisfaction is the death of desire

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/08/24 - 24th Anniversary Show

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/08/24
24th ANNIVERSARY SHOW

HOUR 1
SPIRITBOX - "soft spine" // soft spine - single
ALIGN - "worth 3 scene points" // some breaking news
REVILWEN - "those who control" // follow the money
DIESL - "back home" // the failsafe
BURNING BOTH ENDS - "every reason" (live acoustic) // midwest beatdown acoustic session
ARROWS AT DAWN - "save love" // save love - single
AVADO - "death express" // viscera

THE BURN VAULT - "even rock stars die too" // ignite
LOST ISLAND SOCIETY - "living the meme" // living the meme
HOUSTON - "cover" // overhead
BEULAH RUE - "hospital bed" // aftermath
ONLY TIME - "the pull" // compassion fatigue
RAD OWL - "aladdin's castle" // madison beast
ANGRY WATERS - "invasive species" // hold the high ground

HOUR 2
MAKE THEM SUFFER - "epitaph" // make them suffer
ODDS OF AN AFTERTHOUGHT - "where dreams go to die" // where dreams go to die
SLDG - "1000 yard stare" // predicaments ep
VENDED - "the far side" // vended
DESTROPHY - "monarch" // the way of your world
DISKORD - "who am I?" // distance to nowhere
AFTER ALL - "red is your color" // demo
OLD TOWNE GHOSTS - "trve" // the end

LACUNA COIL - "oxygen" // sleepless empire
BLACK FLOOD DIESEL - "chasing the atrophy" // new asylum
REAPING ASMODEIA - "shattered leviathan" // shattered leviathan - single
DISEMBODIED - "anvil chandelier" // diablerie
HARVEST - "epicure" // transitions
KILLING STARES - "for the record" // for the record - single
BETTER LOVERS - "love as an act of rebellion" // highly irresponsible
SLIPKNOT - "all hope is gone" // all hope is gone

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/01/24 - GORE.

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 11/01/24
GUESTS :: GORE.

HOUR 1
SKILLET – “fire inside of me" // revolution
HOT WATER MUSIC - "undertow" // Hot Water Music/Quicksand split
WEEKEND PICNIC - "running out of time" // running out of time - single
MADAM DRIVER - "through the trees" // negative ghostrider
POPPY - "the cost of giving up" // negative spaces
BULLETS AND BUTTERFLIES – “abandon ship” // abandon ship - single
GREYWIND - "antidote" // antidote ep
JOHNNYROOK - "anything that'll sink" // the more things change

DEVIN TOWNSEND feat JAMEY JASTA – “powernerd" // powernerd
INDEX CASE - "for nothing" // index case
JINJER – “kafka” // duel
GHOST – “if you have ghosts" // if you have ghost
MVRROW - "hope" // fever dream
THROW THE FIGHT - "obey" // strangeworld
BETTER LOVERS – “love as an act of rebellion" // highly irresponsible
TURNSTILE - "big smile" // time and space

HOUR 2
GORE. - "pray" // a bud that never blooms ep
GORE. - "babylon" // a bud that never blooms ep
GORE. - "angels like you" // a bud that never blooms ep

GORE. - "Heaven is above me" // a bud that never blooms ep
KNOCKED LOOSE feat POPPY – “suffocate" // you won't go before you're supposed to
DRAIN – “living proof" // living proof
EVERNOIR – “eater of worlds” // eater of worlds - single
ENTHEOS – “return to me” // an end to everything
BY THE THOUSANDS – “the flood" // the descent
REFLECTIONS – “deva" // deva - single
REAPING ASMODEIA – “shattered leviathan” // shattered leviathan – single

**SPECIAL THANKS to HALEY from GORE. for zooming in to the Midwest Beatdown tonight! GORE.'s excellent new EP "A Bud That Never Blooms" is out now on Spinefarm Records!

Midwest Beatdown · Gore. interview

KORN and GOJIRA stun on the last night of the tour in St. Paul!

CONCERT REVIEW :: KORN, GOJIRA, SPIRITBOX
Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN
October 27, 2024
Photos by Brett Zisler
Review by Nick

KORN brought a fantastic lineup with them to celebrate 30 years of KORN with GOJIRA and SPIRITBOX! KORN had a huge stage with a minimalist set up utilizing screens that monuevered all over the stage. KORN brought out all the hits for the set including a few that haven't been played for a while, which is always a bonus when you've been seeing this band for the last 25 years. Coming out swinging from the moment they took the stage with a fiery (no pyro) "Here To Stay" and you knew the band was not going to mess around tonight.

KORN was in top notch form tonight with vocalist Jonathan Davis taking full advantage of a big stage, guitarists Head and Munky whipping their hair around like they haven't aged a day, bassist Ra Diaz throwing down the low end and the phenominal Ray Luzier with his massive drum center holding court on a Sunday evening. The two screens that moved all over the stage made the stage look clausterphobic for "Blind" and "Ball Tongue" a great nod to the smaller stages they would play during the first album tour cycle. Following it up with "Clown" made it a great mini set of songs from the debut record.

You can about imagine that they couldn't play every one of their hits or every song a KoRn fan would want to hear but throwing "Good God" and "Ball Tongue" in the set tonight was well the price of admission alone. KORN played just as hard tonight as they did back on the Sick and Twisted Tour or the Family Values tours and the sold out crowd was here for it singing along with "A.D.I.D.A.S.", "Got the Life", "Twist" and "Y'all Want a Single". The biggest surprise of the night had to be "Oildale (Leave Me Alone" from KoRn III, kind of a deep cut that was a single for the hardcore KoRn fans played in between arguably two of their biggest songs "Falling Away from Me" and "Freak on a Leash."

KORN and the crowd both came to play and to have a blast celebrating 30 years on a Sunday night! Here's to many more years!

GOJIRA took full advantage of being on an arena tour and put the money in to not only give long time Gojira fans something they've never seen before but also to bring in as many KoRn fans as possible in their hour set. GOJIRA had a beautiful stage set up with drummer extraordinare Mario Duplantier bashing in the drums in to submission on top of a good 10 foot riser with screens below it and to both sides of him. GOJIRA brought the pyro and weren't afraid to use it during much of the set cementing future arena headliner status for themselves.

Vocalist and guitarist Joe Duplantier demanded everyone's attention front and center while guitarist Christian Andreu and bassist Jean-Michael Labadie commanding stage left and right respectively. GOJIRA know how to deliver a show and they have taken that and turned it to 11, everything was bigger, better and louder. The set list had something for every fan including a blistering versions of "Born for One Thing", "Backbone" and "Stranded".

GOJIRA brought out a punishing version of "L'enfant Sauvage" before tearing in to their contribution as the first metal band to ever play the Olympics this past Summer in France with "Mea culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)". "Silvera" was a big hit with the crowd and you couldn't have asked for a better closer with an epic "Amazonia"! GOJIRA dominated their hour long set and set up KORN to deliver the home run win for the evening.

SPIRITBOX had a solid 30 minute opening set that was highlighted by their newest slugger "Soft Spine" that made for Spiritbox at their heaviest tonight. Their set sounded awesome, just wish they had a little more time to play with to get in more than 6 songs. Overall, making this a night not to forget for any fans of the 3 bands, well worth the money spent to get in to the show and buy some merch!

SEE MORE of BRETT's PICTURES of KORN and GOJIRA here!

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/25/24 - BETTER LOVERS

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/25/24
KMSU FALL PLEDGE DRIVE
GUESTS :: BETTER LOVERS

HOUR 1
THE WARNING – “automatic sun” // keep me fed
BULLETS & BUTTERFLIES – “rabbit hole” // rabbit hole – single
GORE. – “angels like you” // a bud that never blooms ep
RAD OWL – “always eyes” // rage gracefully
HOT WATER MUSIC feat TURNSTILE – “remnants” // vows
MADAM DRIVER – “through the trees” // negative ghostrider
ANGRY WATERS – “golden (gone on a binge)” // distilled in Judson, MN

GOJIRA, Marina Viotti & Victor Le Masne – “mea culpa (ah! ca ira!)" // mea culpa (ah! ca ira!) – single
KORN – “forgotten” // requiem
SPIRITBOX – “soft spine” // soft spine – single
EVERNOIR – “eater of worlds” // eater of worlds – single
JINJER – “kafka” // duel
SLDG – “calcify” // predicaments ep

HOUR 2
SOULKEEPER – “heavy glow” // holy design
BETTER LOVERS – “a white horse covered in blood” // highly irresponsible
BETTER LOVERS – “future myopia” // highly irresponsible
BETTER LOVERS – “at all times” // highly irresponsible

BETTER LOVERS – “love as an act of rebellion” // highly irresponsible
VENDED – “paint the skin” // vended
GWAR – “sick of you” // scumdogs of the universe
ENTHEOS – “return to me” // an end to everything ep

**SPECIAL THANKS to GREG from BETTER LOVERS for zooming in to the Midwest Beatdown this week! BETTER LOVERS’ new album “Highly Irresponsible” is out now via Sharptone Records. BETTER LOVERS will be LIVE at The Lyric @ Skyway Theater in Minneapolis on Nov 21 with FULL OF HELL, SPY and CLOAKROOM (18+ show)!

Midwest Beatdown · Better Lovers interview

SEETHER & SKILLET BRING THE HITS TO THE ARMORY!

CONCERT REVIEW :: SEETHER, SKILLET, TIM MONTANA, ROYALE LYNN
October 20, 2024
The Armory - Minneapolis, MN
Photos by Brett Zisler
Review by Nick

SEETHER and SKILLET brought the finale of their 2024 co-headline tour to The Armory in Minneapolis, MN for a fun filled evening of shenanigans. Both bands have been actively releasing new music for more than 20 years and easily could fill a set list and then some with their rock radio hits. SEETHER just released their new album "The Surface Seems So Far" last month and SKILLET is releasing their new album "Revolution" on Nov 1.

SEETHER was first of the two at the Minneapolis show coming out with their opener “Gasoline” from their debut album Disclaimer and then after a wall of guitars in between songs went right into “Fine Again” and then “Broken” with an assist from opener Royale Lynn. SEETHER seemed to really enjoy their time on stage from the jump but the band clicked into overdrive with a storming version of “Wasteland” and from that song til the end it was SEETHER at their strongest.

SEETHER only played one song from their very strong new album The Surface Seems So Far, “Judas Mind” sounded fantastic live and went over really well with the crowd. The intro to “Illusion” was played just before they ended their set with “Remedy”. I would rather have had them play “Illusion” in full as that song is one of the heaviest on the new record and taken out any of the Disclaimer era tracks. But I get it, there’s just some songs you have to play live.

Tim Montana and his band dressed up as ladies and came out to play a little joke on Seether during “Fake It”. The fun was not over yet! During “Remedy”, Seether’s road crew came out and took over for the band on the last half of the song to have a massive jam to end the set and this tour. Here’s to hoping SEETHER comes back on their own headlining tour in 2025 where they can come back and play more songs from their new album.

SKILLET was the evening’s final act and they upped their game complete with video screens and perhaps the tallest drum riser The Armory has ever seen. SKILLET stormed in right out of the gate with “Feel Invincible” and the crowd was singing along from that moment on. SKILLET’s high energy feel good show that is all about the “hits” everyone knows. Vocalist and bassist John Cooper runs around stage like a mad man making sure everyone in the crowd is getting in to it while guitarists Korey Cooper and Seth Morrison lay down the riffs and drummer Jen Ledger is electrifying bashing the drums 10 feet above the band.

SKILLET's lone new song of the evening their latest single "Unpopular" fit very nicely in the set and the crowd ate it up. Which led into the crowd favorite "Awake and Alive" which saw both guitarists on top of rising platforms from the already high in the air drum riser. I wouldn't be surprised if they were level with the attendees in the 3rd level. "Hero" crushes live and is definately a highlight of the set. Closing with "The Resistance" is a no-brainer, one of Skillet's best songs and possibly the heaviest as the song builds to it's final moments!

TIM MONTANA and ROYALE LYNN were both solid openers for the evening, each new to the scene. TIM MONTANA played a 7 song set from his album Savages with a tight band. If you're looking for some good straight up hard rock, look no further. ROYALE LYNN opened with a 6 song set that included a cover of Flyleaf’s “All Around Me” and her breakout singles “Deathwish” and “Six Feet Deep”. ROYALE LYNN has a great country meets hard rock flair that will make for a intriguing debut album when it arrives. Excited to see where they both go from here.

Overall, this is a show with nothing but the hits. They songs everyone wants to hear live were almost all represented so that even the most casual fan has a blast.

SEE MORE of BRETT's PHOTOS of SEETHER, SKILLET, TIM MONTANA and ROYALE LYNN here!

TILL LINDEMANN INVADES MINNESOTA

CONCERT REVIEW :: TILL LINDEMANN
Myth - Maplewood, MN
October 5, 2024
Photos and Review by Brett Zisler

If there is one thing to know before heading into a show that features TILL LINDEMANN, its to expect the unexpected and be prepared to be visually stimulated. That’s exactly what the crowd in Maplewood, Minnesota got on a Saturday night when Til’s tour rolled its way into town.

The line stretched around the Myth and down a couple of blocks with the crowds’ anticipation while wearing face paint clad with Rammstein shirts. There is something about Till Lindemann and the aura he brings to a show. This crowd showed up in droves early to claim their spots for a show they knew they would never forget. After openers Aesthetic Perfection and Twin Temple got the crowd perfectly warmed up, the moment everyone was there for was finally here.

As soon as those house lights went down, the frenzy in the crowd began. With the band silhouettes appearing in front of the screen behind them, everyone knew it was on from there. Till, painted all red, made his way towards the front of the stage dawned in a general’s hat and furlike coat as the band took their spots. The roar of the crowd was deafening as Til uttered his first words to “Zunge.” This proved to be the perfect lead into his set as everyone was ready to finally rock out. Watching Till and his intense and over the top band perform their next songs “Schweiss” and “Fat” was truly a sight to behold. The energy given out by the band along with the pounding riffs and drums is a combination unlike anything else. With drummer, Joe Letz, draped in attire that is not suitable for work and keyboardist, Constance Antionette’s stage presence, there is always something and someone to watch during the performance. Adding Danny Loehner on bass and guitarists Emily Ruvidich & Jes Paige only adds more raw energy and power to the show.

Till worked the crowd perfectly in the way only he can. Between the graphic videos/images on the screens behind him during songs like “Golden Shower” or bringing red cakes out to throw in the crowds faces. The fans loved every minute of it. How many shows have you been to where the band shoots real fish with a gun into the audience and people fight over it so they can take it home? Probably not many. Till along with Constance Antionette became part of the crowd as the made their way out onto the main floor during “Platz Eins.” Seeing him up close for so many fans was definitely a highlight for most.

As the night came to a close and Till finished out his set with “Ich Hasse Kinder,” it was clear that he had accomplished the goal for the evening. Deliver a show that the fans will NEVER forget. The count of how many times “holy sh*t!” by random people in the crowd during the duration of the show was too much to count. Till once again proved, you can watch bands performances on the internet & youtube, but nothing will ever compare to his live performances.

SEE MORE of BRETT's photos of TILL LINDEMANN HERE!

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/18/24

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/18/24

HOUR 1
SILVERSTEIN – “confession" // antibloom
SEETHER – “walls come down” // the surface seems so far
SKILLET – “the resistance" // unleashed
HOUSTON – “AKThndrFk" // the biggest shove in space
DROPKICK MURPHYS – “kicked to the curb" // 11 short stories of pain and glory
YOURS TRULY – “back 2 u" // sour
THE THIRSTY GIANTS – “dramamine" // thirsty and misery
THE OFFSPRING – “OK but this is the last time” // supercharged

MADAM DRIVER – “through the trees" // negative ghostrider
MYLES KENNEDY – “saving face” // the art of letting go
JERRY CANTRELL – “vilified" // I want blood
DIVIDE THE FALL – “death of me" // death of me - single
BETTER LOVERS – “at all times” // highly irresponsible
IRON MAIDEN – “stratego" // senjetsu
THE HU - "shoog shoog" // the gereg

HOUR 2
DEVIN TOWNSEND – “gratitude” // powernerd
SILVERSTEIN - "skin and bones" // antibloom
SLDG - "1000 yard stare" // predicaments ep
SCOWL – “special” // special – single
GABRIEL AND THE APOCALYPSE – “get dragged" // get dragged - single
CROBOT - "nothing" // obsidian
DESTROPHY - "welcome home" // welcome home - single
SEPTEMBER MOURNING – “spit you out” // spit you out - single

KINGS NEVER DIE – “the life and times” // the life and times - single
DEVILINSIDE - "kiss the cynic" // volume one
STICK TO YOUR GUNS - "severed forever" // keep planting flowers
KUBLAI KHAN TX – “low tech" // exhibition of prowess
GIDEON - "take off" // more power. more pain.
DRUID - "overrated" // druid 2
MAKE THEM SUFFER – “mana god” // make them suffer
ARCH ENEMY – “liars and thieves” // blood dynasty
VEIN - "virus vibrance" // errorzone

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/11/24

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/11/24

HOUR 1
MYLES KENNEDY – “saving face” // the art of letting go
THE FAILSAFE – “wolves” // wolves - single
SEETHER – “illusion" // the surface seems so far
SKILLET – “unpopular" // revolution
JOHNNYROOK - "happy birthday" // the more things change
EXACTLYNO - "there's no answer" // there's no answer - single
THE OFFSPRING – “ok, but this is the last time" // supercharged

BETTER LOVERS – “at all times” // highly irresponsible
MVRROW - "hope" // fever dream
EVERNOIR - "spiral" // spiral - single
ICE NINE KILLS - "rainy day" // the silver scream 2: welcome to horrorwood
SCOWL – “special” // special – single
THE CHALLENGER DISASTER CONSPIRACY - "corncob messiah" // city pages 2023 band of the year
GHOST - "square hammer" // popestar ep
3TEETH - "slum planet" // endex

HOUR 2
MAKE THEM SUFFER – “mana god” // make them suffer
KNOCKED LOOSE – “the calm that keeps you awake" // you won't go before you're supposed to
DRAIN – “living proof" // living proof
BETTER BROKEN - "queensbury" // tundra ep
CATEGORY 7 – “in stitches” // category 7
LACUNA COIL – “oxygen” // sleepless empire
ODDS OF AN AFTERTHOUGHT – “where dreams go to die” // where dreams go to die ep

STICK TO YOUR GUNS – “severed forever” // keep planting flowers
BY THE THOUSANDS – “the flood” // the descent
KUBLAI KHAN TX – “mud” // exhibition of prowess
ORBIT CULTURE – “decent" // decent
SOULKEEPER – “inflorescence" // holy design
ARCH ENEMY – “dream stealer" // blood dynasty
REAPING ASMODEIA – “shattered leviathan” // shattered leviathan - single
VEIN.FM - "rebirth protocol" // errorzone

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/04/24

MIDWEST BEATDOWN PLAYLIST :: 10/04/24

HOUR 1
THE FAILSAFE – “wolves” // wolves - single
CASANATRA – “blonde train run” // blonde train run – single
UNDEROATH – “teeth” // teeth – single
STATIC DRESS – “crying” // crying - single
RAD OWL – “always eyes" // rage gracefully
TREMONTI – “just too much” // the end will show us how
MYLES KENNEDY – “say what you will” // the art of letting go
MADAM DRIVER - "crossroads" // negative ghostrider

THE THIRSTY GIANTS – “dramamine” // thirst and misery
LOST ISLAND SOCIETY – “living the meme” // living the meme
TOO LATE, BUT STILL – “live more tilapia” // rewrite the story
THE BURN VAULT - "Johnny Thunders come lately" // ignite
KORN – “forgotten" // requiem
GOJIRA – “toxic garbage island" // the way of all flesh
SPIRITBOX – “soft spine” // soft spine – single
LACUNA COIL – “oxygen” // sleepless empire

HOUR 2
REAPING ASMODEIA – “shattered leviathan” // shattered leviathan - single
TIL LINDEMANN – “du hast kein herz" // zunge
HATEBREED – “this is now" // the rise of brutality
HARMS WAY – “devour" // common suffering
35 INCH MUDDER – “full scale war" // stained
GORE. – “babylon” // babylon - single
VENDED – “paint the skin” // vended
SLDG – “1000 yard stare” // predicaments ep

DOWN – “lifer" // nola
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN – “43% burnt" // calculating infinity
3 INCHES OF BLOOD – “trial of champions" // fire up the blades
FUGITIVE – “blast furnace” // blast furnace - single
DRUID – “overrated” // druid 2
CORSAIR – “battle eternal" // this golden heart
BLEEDING THROUGH – “dead, but so alive” // dead, but so alive - single

CLUTCH are kings of the album playthrough at the Myth!

CONCERT REVIEW :: CLUTCH
9/29/24
Myth, Maplewood, MN
Photos by Brett Zisler
Review by Nick

CLUTCH returned in glorious form to the Myth in Maplewood, MN to celebrate 20 years of their stellar record “Blast Tyrant” on the Two Headed Monster co-headline tour with Rival Sons and opener Black Stone Cherry. This long fan favorite record was a perfect choice to celebrate by playing in full front to back just like on the album.

As a long time fan of CLUTCH getting to see “Blast Tyrant” played in it’s entirety was a treat in itself and well worth the price of the ticket right there. The album comes out swinging with a nice little intro jam of “Mercury” that sees guitarist Tim Sult, bassist Dan Maines and drummer Jean-Paul Gaster getting a little warm up before slamming in for the second half of the track with vocalist extraodinare Neil Fallon joining in on the fun. The band driving straight into “Profits of Doom”, Clutch brings the funk and groove to the proceedings and the crowd ate it up. The always enjoyable “The Mob Goes Wild” comes along with plenty of sing alongs from the crowd. I always look forward to hearing “Cypress Grove” live and tonight’s version did not disappoint in the slightest.

The crowd tonight was well versed in Blast Tyrant and enjoyed taking the ride through the full album with songs that maybe haven’t been in CLUTCH set lists for a little bit like “Worm Drink,” “Army of Bono”, “Spleen Merchant” and “Ghost”. “Subtle Hustle” was another standout track from the evening continuing on the sets infectous grooves. “Ghost” was a nice change of pace during the set and one that I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Clutch play previous to tonight. Which brings in the point, is there anything in the Clutch catalog that Clutch can’t pull off live?! Clutch really pulled an ace out of their sleeve playing this track with ease. There had to be practice involved but I don’t believe there’s a song in the catalog that they couldn’t crank out in a flash if the moment of inspiration strikes.

Now the “bonus tracks” for the evening, Clutch brought out some deep cuts from earlier albums to much delight from the crowd. Beginning with “Binge and Purge” and going in to “El Jefe Speaks”, the crowd was here for it and were entranced as Neil Fallon worked the crowd making sure everyone in the crowd got a moment of the vocalist’s attention. In the area where I was standing, concert goers got excited when they launched in to “The Soapmakers” from The Elephant Riders (an album that definitely needs to be reissued or re-recorded and released) which sounded stellar tonight. “A Shogun Named Marcus” showed up for a 3 minutes of pure rock fury before ending the set with a song everyone could agree on, the legendary “Spacegrass”.

CLUTCH continues to be one of the best live rock and roll bands touring today with amazing chemistry that only happens when these guys pick up their instruments together in a room. An amazing sense of musicianship that can not be duplicated, making instant grooves that take you along on a journey to the ends of the Earth and back on vinyl from side A to side B just like they do from opener to closer live. Do yourself a favor and catch CLUTCH when they come thru town next and you’ll be racing for the merch line at the end of the set too.

SEE MORE of BRETT's PHOTOS OF CLUTCH and RIVAL SONS HERE!

GODSMACK and CHEVELLE bring the rock to the Family Reunion

CONCERT REVIEW :: GODSMACK, CHEVELLE, WAGE WAR, NOTHING MORE
Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul
9/26/24
Photos by Brett Zisler
Review by Nick

A stacked lineup of fantastic live hard rock bands hit the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul for what seems like the first rock show there in close to a year. GODSMACK kicked off the last leg of their U.S. tour for the year with much excitement from the crowd. Lots of Godsmack shirts from various years were seen on fans around the concourse which fit perfectly in to the theme of GODSMACK’s show. Starting off with a video showing the beginnings of Godsmack in 1995 and then fast forward to a live video feed of Godsmack in their dressing room back stage walking to the stage. The video footage got the crowd riled up as they took the stage riffing on an instrumental portion of “Surrender” before launching in to the song to set the tone for the evening.

GODSMACK continued to use a mix of live video and music videos from throughout the years as they traveled backwords thru their catalog playing a track or two from each album during the main set. GODSMACK have created a solid catalog in the last 30 years and the band sounded and looked in peak form. Sully Erna, Tony Rombola, Robbie Merrill and Shannon Larkin all looked excited to be back on stage and happy to be playing these songs for everyone. “When Legends Rise” into “1000hp” were crowd sing-alongs that amped up fans of all ages. “Straight Out of Line” snuck in to the set to surprise many long time fans and it was great to hear that song live again. An always stellar “Keep Away” had visuals re-creating and updating the iconic album cover from the debut album before launching in to crowd favorites “Voodoo” and “Whatever” from the same album.

GODSMACK themselves gave 100% on stage with a fantastic set chronicling their (soon to be) 30 year career but it was extremely weird seeing GODSMACK in an arena headlining with no pyro. All the spots where you knew there was going to be something, there was nothing. We needed at least a little fire especially during “1000hp”. I’m sure it came down to a technical problem and they just had to go give it all they got giving MN a unique show. Your still going to a GODSMACK show and leaving having a great time.

CHEVELLE brought it for their 9 song, 45 min set that also went thru their expansive catalog bringing that Family Reunion vibe of the night as GODSMACK and CHEVELLE have performed on the same bills many times together. Chevelle also formed in 1995 but didn’t put out their first national record until 1999 and singer/guitarist Pete Loffler still has the same energy on stage that he did when they were out touring on Wonder What’s Next. CHEVELLE came out with “Young Wicked” before launching in to “Self Destructor” and from there we were off racing. CHEVELLE went back and played kind of a deep cut for long time fans with “Family System” before launching in to fan favorites from the same album “Send the Pain Below” and “The Red”. Everyone (band included) got a good laugh when GODSMACK’s curtain dropped as Pete goes “We got one more song!”, the curtain then dropped as CHEVELLE performed the phenomenal “Mars Simula” from their latest album NIRATIAS to close out their set.

WAGE WAR put their 30 min set to good use with little talk and lots of music giving the crowd a good sized helping of their new album Stigma starting off the show with “The Show’s About to Start” before throwing down with “Low” and “Stitch”. Vocalist Briton Bond sounded great as he made sure to use every inch of the large stage. It’s been fun watching WAGE WAR become a more confident band since coming out of the pandemic with the solid Manic album opening for everyone from Beartooth to Slipknot. NOTHING MORE brought the lights, WAGE WAR brought the air cannons to the party doing a great job setting them apart from the rest of the lineup. The whole band sounded super tight as “NAIL5” brought the heavy before the melodic #1 rock radio single “Mangetic” launching into a heavy “Manic” to close out their set.

NOTHING MORE also got a short 30 mins to do what they do best and that’s leaving it all out on the stage. Coming out swinging with 3 from their fantastic new record Carnal with “House on Sand” into “Angel Song” into “If It Doesn’t Hurt” before giving the crowd a breather as they were close to half way thru their set already. Vocalist Jonny Hawkins was running all over the stage as guitarist Mark Vollelunga, bassist Daniel Oliver and drummer Ben Anderson laid a super tight foundation. The crowd sang along with “Jenny” before they closed out their quick set with “This Is the Time (Ballast)” that ended with Jonny, Mark and Daniel performing the last part of the extended outro from the barricade. If there were people in the crowd that weren’t aware of NOTHING MORE yet, they definitely made their mark now.

All of the bands brought their A-game for tonight’s show to showcase the strength of each band’s material treating the crowd to a spectacular night out.

SEE MORE OF BRETT's PHOTOS of GODSMACK and CHEVELLE HERE!

SEE MORE OF BRETT's PHOTOS of WAGE WAR and NOTHING MORE HERE!