MetalVice

With the start of the new year we decided to change up the format of our main podcast. In this episode we try a few new segments; news/headlines, new music, new concert announcements, new merch announcements, and our concert report for Candlelight’s tribute to Metallica.

With the start of a new year we are going to be playing with the format of our main podcast. Join us as we talk about the upcoming changes we have been thinking about. These changes are not set in stone, just us trying some new things for the show.

In what felt like a blink of an eye, 2025 has come and gone. A year that will be one of our personal biggest years ever. From not only the shows we saw or the places we visited, but for the music and people we met along the way. Join us as we take a look back at 2025 and share our top items in 13 different categories.

In this very special Christmas episode we look back at our last show of 2025, Avatar’s In The Airwaves tour. Well, it’s not necessarily a special Christmas episode, but we do have a new Christmas intro/outro and Christmas tree behind us. We do, though, talk about this Avatar show, where Alien Weaponry and SpirtWorld were the openers. This was also our first time seeing Avatar at a venue in Chicago other than House of Blues. Listen along to hear our thoughts on this experience.

For a period of time in the mid 2010s, Brian found himself not listening to as much metal. Instead he was exploring indie and folk rock. One artist that he took a liking to was Griffin House. The song Better Than Love became an instant favorite between us and has a very special place in our hearts. So when we saw that he was coming to the Chicago burbs we knew we had to make a night of it.

We go to our second Trivium show in under a year. This time for The Struck Dead Tour, formally the Ascend Above The Ashes tour, at the Rave in Miliwakue. While the first time we got the Ascendancy album in full, this time we got a more traditional set. With one small difference, Brian finally got to hear Strife live! In support of this tour we got to see Heriot for the first time and Jinjer for the millionth time. Join us for a look back at our first four stage Rave show. 

Over the years we have seen many new bands and our taste in music have evolved. In one of our very first episodes we saw a show where Omnium Gatherum was an opener. Now, they come to Chicago as a headliner. Before we recorded this episode Karen went back and listened to that episode, so you don't have to suffer through it. Join us as we talk about how our thoughts have changed between that first show and this one.

We set sail yet again onboard another Headbangers Boat. What has become our annual tradition is starting to turn into a reunion. Meeting so many amazing people all with the same goal. Experience great live music with incredible people. This year, like the last two, was an amazing experience. Join us as we look back and share our experience on the third Headbangers Boat.

A sold out show can be a mixed bag. On one hand if you got tickets to the show you may be stoked you were one of the lucky ones going. On the other hand, if you didn't you might be pissed because now you are going to pay out the ass to the bottom feeders known as scalpers. Over the years we have fallen into both categories. For this episode, though, we will be mostly looking at venue capacity, and how a sold out show at one venue can feel much different than a sold out show at a different venue. Some venues just seem to oversell more than others.

We return to the ever changing venue that is The Salt Shed. This time, for a metal show and Karen’s first Fair Grounds show. With it being late October in Chicago though, we knew it was going to get moved inside, and it did. That didn't matter all that much because we also knew Lorna Shore was going to put on a killer show regardless if it was inside or outside. Joining in support we got The Black Dahlia Murder, Shadow Of Intent, and Peelingflesh. While this isn’t Brian’s go to sub genre of metal he was excited to see how the Salt Shed has changed since his last visit. Join us as we discuss the show and the venue.