MetalVice

Seeing Linkin Park with Chester was something we unfortunately never got to do, and never thought we would be able to see Linkin Park after his passing. Then it was announced they were back. With a new singer and new music. Like many people, this left us with competing thoughts and feelings. While we were excited to finally get the opportunity to see Linkin Park, we went in very hesitantly. Join us while we look back at this show and try our best to explain our feelings. One thing is for sure, Chester left a lasting positive mark on the world and his art is still very much alive.

Summer Slaughter has been around for some time now, and honestly it hasn't been on our radar at all. Maybe it popped up for a little in 2024, we can’t remember. But it definitely hit our radar in 2025, when it was announced Jamey Jasta was taking the reins. He has not let us down with Milwaukee Metal Fest, so we had high hopes for this. Just like MKE Metal fest, Summer Slaughter was going to be stopping in Milwaukee playing the Rave on two of their four stages. Making this a true traveling festival. At least for our show.

We have had this idea of a music related road trip for some time. Evolving year over year. Well, in the summer of 2025 we were finally going to take the road trip. Stopping at a new city each night, seeing some sort of live music at each stop, ending the trip at a festival. However, due to other shows coming up we had to abandon this plan. For now. Join us as we talk over the plans we had for this trip and how the concept of our road trip has evolved.

A number of music festivals offer camping. This is an experience we have never had, but have wanted to give it a try for some years. In 2025 we made it our mission to do just this. While the weather was not 100% perfect, the experience was one to remember. Join us as we talk about this unique music experience.

Summer festivals are a key part of many people's concert schedule. We plan our years and summers around them. For a long time a Danny Wimmer festival has been at the top of our list, and this year we went to our first one, Inkcarceration. We have heard nothing but great things. Join us and see if the hype we have heard was worth it.

Metal is truly a world wide community. What started in Birmingham has spread to every corner of the globe. BABYMETAL proudly showed us just how far Metal has come with their 2025 North America tour. Three bands (BABYMETAL, Jinjer, and Bloodywood), from three different countries (Japan, Ukraine, and India), with three distinct sounds and takes on Metal music. Join us as we look back at this show and appreciate the diverse community that is Metal.

A few years back, Slayer said they were done. At the time we had only seen them at Riot Fest, and we left early to beat the crowd. We never thought we would be able to see a full set again. Then, like most every band, they came back. Not touring, but playing a few shows here and there (but mostly there than here). So when they announced they would be in London at Finsbury Park the day after Back to the Beginning we jumped on the tickets. We were already going to be there and this just gave us an additional live show in England. Opening was Amon Amarth, Anthrax, Mastodon, Hatebreed, and Neckbreakker (which we missed).

We were lucky enough to get tickets and travel to Birmingham England, the birth place of Heavy Metal, to see Black Sabbath and Ozzy’s final show, Back to the Beginning. The line up was stacked with amazing artists from start to finish. Each of the artists covering a Black Sabbath or Ozzy song, and insane super groups doing the same. This truly was the best Metal concert of all time. The energy of the crowd was dialed to 11 all day long. All to show our love and thanks to Black Sabbath and Ozzy for creating this community of Metal Heads, freaks, and weirdos.  Thank you Sabbath! Thank you Ozzy!

Brian has a deep love for movies, maybe even more than music. So it was only a matter of time before we found the perfect movie to review for our podcast. The only hard part was picking the movie. With so many to choose from we landed on Metal Lords. A coming-of-age tale following two best friends in high school as they set forth to take over the world (or at least their high school) with Metal. Grab some popcorn and your favorite snacks as we ramble on about the meteoric rise of Skull Flower!

We return to Cobra Lounge in the heat of summer for back to back shows. For the first night we got some heavy chill grooves from Aurorawave, Donefor, and Droogs. The second, had a much different feel to it with Thrash, Grass, Folk, and a splash of Punk from The Native Howl, Tejon Street Corner Thieves, and the local Chicago artist of Cricket!.