MetalVice

When it was announced, Fyre Fest was poised to be one of the big hitters in the music festival space, on the same level as Coachella. For us, we were completely unaware of this festival. Partly because we were just getting back into live music after a seven year drought, but mostly because it was just not our scene. Then our friend group started talking about the two documentaries that were made about this festival, and the fraud that surrounded it. Join us as we recap these documentaries and share our thoughts.

Not long ago we saw our first show at Thalia Hall in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. It instantly became one of our favorite venues in the city, if not our absolute favorite. We thought it would be a very long time before we would be able to return to see some killer Metal music. We were wrong, it only took a month or so before we were back to see Khanate. A band we knew nothing about, other than some ties to Sun O))). Opening in support we also got an unknown, to us, artist, Jon Mueller. It was a night of overwhelming sounds that assaulted our ears and minds in the best way possible.

We would have told you there's not a snowball's chance in hell, if you said we would be seeing one of the all time greatest Hard Rock bands, AC/DC, just a year ago. Hell, if you told us that two or three years ago we would have said the same thing. But, as luck would have it, we did just that when they stopped in Chicago. Not only was it the first time for Brian seeing AC/DC (or even The Pretty Reckless), it was his first time seeing a show with his dad. Even though it was cold enough to make snowballs, plenty of people showed up to rock, and AC/DC gave us the perfect salute.

Chaos & Carnage, a sort of small touring festival, hits the road again in 2025 stopping at the Radius in Chicago. The lineup for 2025 saw Dying Fetus & Cradle of Filth co-headlining. With support from Fleshgod Apocalypse, Ne Obliviscaris, Undeath, Vomit Forth, and Corpse Pile. While we thought we knew what to expect going into this show, we were stunned by a few of the bands who left a lasting first impression.

As spring winds down we return to Milwaukee, as we have done that past two years, for Milwaukee Metal Fest! It’s become an annual must see festival for us. Not only because it's held at one of our favorite venues of all time, The Rave, but because we know that Jamey will pack the line up with must see bands from the bottom of the bill to the top. This year was no different. Headlining this year we got Down, Black Label Society, and Gwar. With support from Chimaira, Paradise Lost, Rotting Christ, Ov Sulfur, Nekrogoblikon, Repentance, Arch Enemy, Frozen Soul, The Acacia Strain, and so so many more. Even though the temperature outside was cooler this year, there was more than enough energy in The Rave to keep us going.

Arch Enemy returns to one of our top venues in the city, The Vic. With support from Fit For An Autopsy (our first time seeing them since the inaugural Headbangers Boat), Baest, and Thrown Into Exile. All things considered for Brian, it was a great night of heavy riffs and good vibes.

Most of the time, the shows we go to, we know at least one of the bands. On a rare occasion we will go to a show where we know none of the music.  However, when we do this its because we know the music is metal, and of course we will have a good time. Well not on this night. Sort of. Brian knows only two Nick Cave songs; Red Right Hand (because of Scream and the intro track to Ice Nine Kills, also probably because of Scream) and Lover Man (because of the mighty mighty Metallica!). So with the hopes of hearing at least one of these songs, Brian drug Karen to the show.

We have already seen some amazing shows where bands are celebrating their 20th or 25th anniversary of key albums. From brands like Slipknot, Lamb of god, Mastodon, and Disturbed. This tour, The Poisoned Ascendancy Tour, is no different. With both Trivium playing Ascendancy and Bullet For My Valentine playing The Poisoned in full. With these two bands playing these two albums it would have been a killer time, but of course they had to drag their friends along with. It was a choose your own adventure tour in terms of opener, and for the St. Louis show, we got August Burns Red and Bleed From Within. It was a quick trip south for us, but we made the most of it in an incredible city, with amazing people, a killer venue, and a show to remember.

It was almost a year ago, at Milwaukee Metal Fest 2024, when we saw Paleface Swiss live for the first time. It was one of the best performances of the fest, leaving wanting more. So when they announced their headlining tour ending in Chicago we were excited. Then we saw the venue, Thalia Hall. This is a venue we have known about for some time. Mostly because every person who found out we have never been here had the same statement, ‘You must see a show at Thalia Hall’. From the moment we walked in, we knew this was one of the best venues in the city. Don't get us wrong, the performances from all three bands (Paleface Swiss, Stick To Your Guns, and Nasty) were amazing. The sold out venue just took the show to the next level.

Most of the time, it's the top of the bill that draws you to the show. On this night it was the bottom, the first opener that brought us out. While we have seen Vended more times than we can remember, and each show is almost exactly the same, it’s a killer show every time. Regardless of the size of the crowd. This show was no exception. An added bonus, we would get to experience two bands for the first time; While She Sleeps (the headliner) and Bury Tomorrow. By the end of the night one of these two bands would be a major surprise and steal the show for us. Leaving a lasting impression for us. In the end, all of the music was amazing with all of the bands leaving everything on the stage to a less than sold out crowd.