MetalVice

Episode 75: Covers And Tributes

What’s the difference between a cover band and a tribute band? Is one better than the other? Or is it music and who cares? Music is awesome however we get it, right? In this episode we look at both tribute and cover bands. We talk about some of our favorite cover songs, albums, and artists we view as cover artists (even though they have their own original music).

Episode 74: Bullet For My Valentine

Late in 2023 we got the pleasure to see Bullet For My Valentine for the very first time. A band that has been around for quite some time, yet somehow we have not had an opportunity to see them. Their first opener Vended, a rather young group, we saw four times prior to this. All in 2023. Then, somewhere in the middle, we got Of Mice & Men. The show and crowd that night were amazing. With one small exception, the damn back lighting. In anycase, all three bands put on an amazing performance and we can't wait to catch them again.

Episode 73: 100 Greatest Metal Songs

We can all agree that top lists suck, right? Yes our year end shows are just top lists for different categories. Everyone also has their own hierarchy of bands or songs. Any outlet that publishes articles has had, or will have, a top X list at some point. When we look at these lists we can't help but have some, or several, issues with the order. We need to keep in mind though, that this list is just one person, or a committee of people’s, opinions. In this episode we take a look at one such list, a Rolling Stones 2023 article, The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time. What will be number one? I mean we all know it's going to be Black Sabbath with Puppets at number two right?
 
Article: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-heavy-metal-songs-1234688425/

Episode 72: Mia X Ally - The Viral Hits

The music we mostly gravitate towards is metal. Bands are, mostly, composed of the same elements; a vocalist, guitar, drums, and hopefully a bass. Though, from time to time we get something else, something unique, something “non-traditional”. Like a Hurdy-gurdy or a Morin Khuur. It's one of our favorite things hearing and seeing these instruments used in the music we listen to. Now sure, a Violin and Bagpipes, in some circles, are absolutely traditional instruments. But for us they are not what we first think of when we think of “our” music. We definitely don’t view these as the primary instruments. For Mia and Ally, though, they are the lead instruments and at the center of their amazing music and live set. A random ad for Mia and Ally’s Viral Hits tour, on whatever sh!t social media platform we had spent too much time on, led us down a rabbit hole to discover their beautiful music and then to buying tickets to the show. With the help of an outstanding team behind them, Mia and Ally put on an amazingly unique show that we can't wait to see again.

Episode 71: Candlelight Concerts - The best of Hans Zimmer

Lighting is one of the most common effects that’s used in a live show. Everything from the amount, to color, and positions can drastically improve or hurt a performance. How about a show lit only by candles? That's exactly what Candlelight Concerts offers, a show only with light by candles. Or fake candles, for obvious fire reasons. Shows can range from classical classics, to ballet, Adel, and even Linkin Park. For our show, we saw the Metropolis String Quartet performing music from some of Hans Zimmer’s most notable films.

Episode 70: Machine Head - Non Three Hour Tour

Machine Head, or Machine Fu¢kn’ Head (depending on your pronunciation), returns to Chicago! Unlike the last time we saw them, back in 2022, this was not one of their 3 hour tours. Instead, they followed a more traditional tour format where they dragged a few friends of theirs along for the ride. For this installment we were graced with killer performances from Fear Factory, Orbit Culture, and the new kids - Gates To Hell.

Episode 69: Klash Of The Titans - 2023

When two titans of Metal go on the road as co-headliners, you're in for a hell of a show. That's just what we got in the summer of 2023 with Kreator and Sepultura. Death Angel and Spirtworld joined the titans for this tour. While this was our first time seeing all of these bands, we definitely hope it will not be our last. But for Sepultura it just might be.

Episode 68: Static-X Killer - Machine

Early in 2023 we went to see Static-X when they came to Chicago for their Rise Of The Machine tour. This was our last rescheduled show from 2020. Unfortunately, due to Brian’s old a$$ limp dick of a foot, we did not stay for Static-X. Then, as luck would have it, Static-X announced another tour, the Killer Machine tour, with a stop in south Chicago (aka Gary Indiana). This tour, though, was a co-headlining show with Sevendust. With additional support from Dope and Lines Of Loyalty. For this show, we did stay till the end.

Episode 67: Poison The Well

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of their album ‘You Come Before You’, Poison The Well took to the road. While we were not familiar with Poison The Well, they were announced as one of the bands for the second Headbangers Boat, so we know they have to be good, and luckily a few of the stops were in Chicago. Unfortunately, both were sold out. But one of the shows, at Cobra Lounge, uses an app called Dice as their ticketing distributor and reseller. Just a few days before the show we got the email saying a pair of tickets was up and we could go. So we did. And what a great decision. Not only to see Poison The Well but also SeeYouSpaceCowboy.

Episode 66: Zakk Sabbath

The odds of seeing another Black Sabbath show are near zero, if not already at zero. So what are new or younger fans to do if they want to see the band that started this amazing thing we call Metal music? Well a tribute band of course. That’s just what Zakk Wylde, one of the greatest guitarists of all time is doing with his band, Zakk Sabbath. For people who have never had the opportunity to see Black Sabbath, Zakk Sabbath is the third best thing. An Ozzy show is second. Joining Zakk Sabbath we also got a the unique musical style that is Thrash-grass, with a killer performance by The Native Howl