MetalVice

Episode 43: Soundgrowler’s 6th Anniversary

We head back to Tinley Park for another show at Soundgrowler Brewing. This time to help celebrate their 6th anniversary. To celebrate, as any metal brewery would do, they put on a metal show. And what a show it was. Taking to the stage we have; Bongzilla, Wraith, Cokegoat, Chokesetter, and These Beasts. A beautiful summer night with the most appropriately timed weather allowed these amazing bands to celebrate properly with Soundgrowler outside. Happy anniversary Soundgrowler and cheers to many more to come!

Episode 42: Rock Fest 2023

This year for our summer festival we head north, to Rock Fest in Cadott Wisconsin. With this being the first camping festival we attended we made the unwise decision to stay in a hotel 30 minutes away. This definitely had a small impact on our experience and left us with a desire to camp at a festival in the future. But the music would definitely make up for it. Headlined by Pantera, Slipknot, and Godsmack, the lineup was insanely good. Joining them we also got some of our old, and new, favorite bands; Vended, Jinjer, Mushroomhead, Thrash of the Titans, and so so many more. That's right, Thrash of the Titans were there. One of the many amazing things about this festival was their tribute band and local stage, where they brought the feel of a small club or bar show to a festival setting. Even without the camping, this festival had so many amazing things to offer. It would have been one of our favorites of all time if it were not for one small simple thing, all the goddamn lawn chairs. Join us as we look back at this fun unique experience.

Encore: Falling In Reverse At Rock Fest 2023

We attempted to cover this topic as a MetalVice in 6:66 but, well, we failed. There was just too much we wanted to talk about. As the title states, this bonus episode is about our first hand impression of the Falling In Reverse ‘drama’  at Rock Fest 2023.

Episode 41: P.A.R.T.Y With Alestorm

Do you want to see a metal show? How about a pirate metal show? Ok, well what if an apocalyptic magical medieval unicorn loving band opens? And before them you get this kick ass band from Canada? Well that’s exactly what we got when we saw Alestorm with Gloryhammer and Lutharo. This show did not change or lives on a deep philosophical level. Though it was, without question, one of the best shows we had been to in a very long time. All three of these bands are so much fun and have such an amazing set.

Episode 40: How We Do Travel Shows

One thing about live music that you don't think of often is getting to travel. Not every tour will stop in your city or town. Sometimes you have to travel to see one of your favorite artists. If you're lucky it will be close. Other times you won't be so lucky and will have to travel further. This aspect of seeing a live show is one of our biggest loves. We get to explore a new city and find amazing places and people. However, it can be very costly and therefore is something we don't do all the time. But over time we have picked up some things that work, for us, to lower the coast.

Episode 39: Two Icons - One Night (Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks)

Two Icons - One Night. The name of the tour says it all. Stevie Nicks joins Mr. Piano Man, Billy Joel, for an incredible show. While their music is, mostly, not new to us, it was our first time seeing both of these legends live. It was also our first time in the amazing city of Nashville. In the end this was a fantastic show, in a wonderful city, with beautiful people.

Episode 38: Avatar - Dance Devil Dance Tour

You can almost set your watch to it now, but Avatar returns to Chicago for another amazing show. This time, to show off some new tracks, and moves, from their Dance Devil Dance album that was released earlier in 2023. Yet again they took over the House of Blues, bringing with them Veil of Maya and Orbit Culture. It was a guarantee that Avatar would put on an amazing show, but with little surprise so did these other two bands which were new to us. Join us as we look back on this outstanding show.

Episode 37: Bloodywood - 2023

Bloodywood returns to the US in 2023 for their Rakshak tour. While it is the same show we saw in late 2022, it sure was not a tour we were going to miss. And this time around we saw them twice, even though it was the same show both times each was surprisingly unique. First we saw the show at the Metro in Chicago, shockingly our first show at this historic venue. Then the very next day we made our way to St. Louis/Saugt, IL, to see them again. The sound and energy of this band are a key part to why this band is one of the best live acts out there at the moment. Joining them we got to see two other amazing bands, Vended and Wargasm. Join us on our trip home as we look back at these two spectacular shows.

Episode 36: Milwaukee Metal Fest - 2023

Milwaukee Metal Fest returns! Jamey Jasta from Hatebreed is the reason it has and fu¢k was this an amazing festival. While we never attended one of the original festivals, and we only knew a handful of the bands going into this year, Milwaukee Metal Fest was a show we have been looking forward to since the return was announced. We got to see The Rave as we have never seen it before with performances by Lamb of God, Machine (Fu¢king) Head, Vended, Demonscar, Dead by Wednesday, The Halo Effect, Gatecreeper and so so so many more. Also, this list of bands were all on the last day of a three day festival! It was definitely the best Memorial Day weekend we have had in recent memory and we can't wait to see what next year's MKE Metal Fest has in store.

Episode 35: Spirtibox 2023

In September of 2022 we went to see a little known band, Ghost. Opening for them was another little known band, but just as amazing, Spiritbox. Instantly we fell in love. Then a little while later Spiritbox announced their own headlining show, and lucky for us they were making a stop in Chicago. Well, the first show apparently sold out so fast they just had to add a second night. While we only made it to night one it was definitely a fun time. Joining Spiritbox this time we were introduced to After the Burial and Intervals. Both amazing bands that we can't wait to see again.