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!