Sanctuary / A Sound of Thunder / Burning Shadows @ Baltimore Soundstage 10/14/2015

I went to see Sanctuary ($20), with A Sound of Thunder opening for them at the Baltimore Soundstage. I saw Ariel, Bobbie, Armon, Raul, Chris Crazy-Wolf, Dan, Tom, Jessica, and Jason W (and ASOT of course) there.

Brad Paisley/ Justin Moore / Mickey G @ Jiffy Lube Live 9/26/2015

I went to see Brad Paisley with Bret ($15 lawn) at Jiffy Lube Live. Yes, the HMC does enjoy some (pop) country from time to time. And a new tour to promote Moonshine in the Trunk, his latest, brought him back around. Unfortunately there was a bit of rain this evening, and I ended the life of a straw hat for this summer.

Cheap Trick @ Fillmore Silver Spring 9/20/2015

I went to see Cheap Trick ($22) at the Fillmore. I saw Ariel, Gonzalo, Tony, and Andrew there. It was a pretty good price from groupon ($22 down from like 54), so we were gonna ROCK! I liked Cheap Trick the other times that I saw them.

Ghost @ The Fillmore Silver Spring 9/22/2015

I went to see Ghost (BC) ($29) at the Fillmore, Silver Spring. I saw Marie, Ti and Dr Erin Laser, Spencer, Ray F, Shabba, and Renae there. This was a much hate or much love show depending on who you were. Ghost seems to be very polarizing, for a variety of reasons. So I can only imagine the comments that this will generate.

Epica / Eluveitie / The Agonist @ Baltimore Soundstage 9/8/2015

I went to see Epica with Eluveitie on the opening night of their Revolver North American tour at Baltimore Soundstage.  It sucks that most all of the heavy shows come up to Baltimore. Last time, Eluveitie sold out the place! I got a ticket in advance, in anticipation of this- but this time, it wasn't as crowded.  I saw Scott, Spencer, Jacinda, Dave and his brother, and even Rockandrollexperience(!).

Van Halen @ Jiffy Lube Live 8/29/2015

I went to see Van Halen ($20 good ol' groupon) with Ariel and Ilem. Saw Heathen and Jason, Marysol, her mum, and Marc there. I was on the lawn, but nevertheless had to see Van Halen on a Saturday. I went in expecting Eddie and the Van Halens to ROCK, and Dave.... well to be Dave.

Diamond Dave and Eddie

Santana @ Wolf Trap 8/25/2015

I went to see Santana ($40) at Wolf Trap. I had not seen this Mexican guitar god live before, and finally was getting to experience what so many people have loved since the 1960s (!). I was looking forward to a nice long set on a school nite at this open air venue.

Slipknot / Lamb of God / Bullet For my Valentine @ Jiffy Lube Live 8/11/2015

I went to see Slipknot with Lamb of God and Bullet For my Valentine ($20 groupon!) at Jiffy Lube Live. Motionless in White also played, but I didn't see them again. As I just got a lawn seat, it was with the masses (or lack thereof until LoG) for me. I did see Scott, Jen P, Chris Crazy-Wolf, and Bridget there.

Slipknot's 1000 members

AC/DC / Vintage Trouble @ Gillette Stadium, MA 8/22/2015

I went to see AC/DC  ($59) for the first time up in Massachusetts! It was a  perhaps more expensive trip than I wanted to take, but made a weekend out of it. I was pretty excited finally getting to see them (sans Malcolm, but how much longer will these guys tour?!). And as of this writing I see rumours of them making their way to DC.

ANGUS AND THE BOYS

Iris Divine / MindMaze / Dogs & Day Drinkers @ Club Orpheus, Baltimore 8/1/2015

I went to see Iris Divine with MindMaze, and special guests Dogs and Day Drinkers at Club Orpheus ($12) in godforsaken Baltimore. There were a number of people I knew there- Russell, Tom, Lacy, Bobbie, Lauri, Xtina, Gary, Mujeeb, and Josh.

Iris Divine

Whitesnake @ Trump Taj Mahal 7/25/2015

I went to see Whitesnake ($18 +) in godforsaken Atlantic City, NJ. I will say that this is probably the first and last Atlantic City trip (unless it's someone REALLY amazing). It was a different experience to say the least. I'd never seen David Coverdale and his crew live before, so I was pretty excited.

Mr. Snake and his band 4.3

Sebastian Bach / We Love The Underground @ Rams Head Live 7/7/2015

I went to see Canadian metalhead Sebastian Bach ($20) at Rams Head Live in Baltimore. I unfortunately missed local hard rockers Aries due to traffic. I did see Tim Sir, Bobbie, Karen, SarahS, Christian, and of course RocknRollexperience there! Despite being in the first 3 rows, I didn't get a lot of great pics. Oh well.

Mägo de Oz @ Howard Theater 6/9/2015 (en Español)

Fui a ver la banda de folk metal de España - Mago de Oz al Teatro de Howard ($38). Ví ellos unos años pasados aquí también. Ellos fueron magnificos, pero yo no los conocía. Esta vez ellos tienen una disco nuevo (Ilussia, 2014) y quizas van a tocar musica de esto. Ví Mujeeb, Diaz, Bessy, y creo que  Scott. Kesta Happening DC, quien reporta en todo de los eventos en el DC tomó muchos fotos (hay un link abajo). Puedes verme en la camista de King Diamond.

Mago De Oz (el nombre significa Wizard of Oz)

Mägo de Oz @ Howard Theater 6/9/2015

I went to see Spanish folk/power metal legends Mago de Oz at the Howard Theater ($38). I had last seen them a couple years ago at this same venue. They were amazing then, and I barely knew them. This time, they have a somewhat new album (Ilussia, 2014) out and they were sure to play some from that. I ran in Mujeeb, Diaz, Bessy, and I think I saw Scott. Kesta Happening DC, who covers nearly all the Spanish language music and other events in the area, was taking a ton of pictures (see below for links). You can see me lurking in my King Diamond shirt if you scour.

Mago De Oz (Wizard of Oz)

Sepultura / Destruction / Arsis @Ottobar 6/1/2015

I went to see Sepultura ($20) at the Ottobar for their 30th anniversary tour. I Saw Ariel, Gori, Renae and her dude, Jorge, newErin, Nathan and Alie, Marie and Rolland, and John H there. I wasn't sure what the turnout would be as Sepultura is a different band from when the Cavalera brothers were part of the band. I had never seen them before in any form and was also keen on seeing Starkill, Arsis, and Destruction!

Sepultura, with Attitude

Rush @ Jiffy Lube Live 5/30/2015

I went with my buddy Andrew to see progressive Canadian power trio RUSH ($50.50 lawn) at Al Fin Del Mundo (aka Jiffy Lube Live). We met up with Ariel, James, Rod, Dwayne, Metal Chris and Catherine, Navid, and Nina there too! I'm not a huge Rush fan, and I hadn't seen them before, but I think it was good to finally see them, as they are not getting any younger and I believe I heard rumours that this may be their last big tour. I am glad my buddy decided he wanted to go! This was their R40 tour, celebrating Neil Peart's 40th year in Rush (wow).

It was hard to take pics in the Limelight of Rush

Ensiferum / Korpiklaani / Trollfest @ Baltimore Soundstage 5/27/2015

Went to see Ensiferum and Korpiklaani (unfortunately Trollfest was also on the bill) at Baltimore Soundstage. I saw a number of people there- Bobbie, Dan, Victoria, Lauri, Yaniv, Sean, Sean D, Nathan and Alie, Christian, Ethan(!), Dorothy, Sarah and Evan, and maybe someone else! I was mainly excited to see Ensiferum since I loved their past live performances, and of course Korpiklaani would be fun!

One More Magic Picture

Amaranthe / I Prevail/ Santa Cruz @ The Trocadero 5/16/2015

I went up to Philly to see Amaranthe at the Trocadero ($28) because of their tour manager's horrible decision to play in Baltimore on the same day as Nightwish in Silver Spring. I heard that Baltimore had a decent turnout, actually- which was odd to me since I figured much of the audience for Amaranthe and Nightwish were crossovers. I did see William, Lyndsey and her friend, Xtina, Audrey, and Kerenda there. I think Mike was there but I didn't see him.

Amaranthe! Drummer is in the back, and MacBookPro to the side

Saxon @ Rams Head Live 5/15/2015

Went to see aging New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) rockers Saxon at Rams Head Live, and saw Ariel y Ilen, Gori y Omar, Neil n Michelle (and brood!), dude. Ariel's friend, Miss sketchyLindsey, Lyndsey, Blake, Dorothy, Chris Crazy-Wolf, Jay, Ray, and Maery and her husband, and of course Rock n Roll Experience! There was an opener (Cinder Road), but I got there after they were done.

OMFG NWOBHM Saxon

Nightwish / Sabaton @ Fillmore Silver Spring 5/14/2015

I went to see Nightwish's last stop on their Endless Forms Most Beautiful tour ($35) at the Fillmore, Silver Spring. This was the last stop on the tour. I saw Keddy, Martin and Vicki, Lauri and Danica, Bridget, mari, Dorothy, Paul and Christine, Patricia, ETHAN, Russell, Tom, Scott, Marie and Rolland, and Dylan and Deidre! I know Lacy, Chris Crazy-Wolf, Spencer, and Ray were there but I didn't see them. I was so pumped when this show was first announced, an then extra amped when Sabaton was added! I'd been waiting for this excellent lineup for months!

Empire Farewell - Next to None, A Sound of Thunder, Yesterday's Saints, Iris Divine @ Empire 5/3/2015

I went to see the final Empire show ($15), with progressive metal/rock band Haken (rhymes with Bacon apparently) headlining. A number of local bands were added in addition to Iris Divine (who was the only original billed local). I saw so many people there- Neil and Michelle (and their brood!), Ariel, Ruby, Annie and Amy, Alie and Nathan (w/ a J), Mr and Mrs. Nina, Jesse, Chris H, Josh, Navid, Witt, Matt Rice, Heathen, Nick n JennG (!!), Mike AG, Tom, Superfan Dave, Patricia, Scott, Martin, Sako and Greg, Daniel G and Nick, Avi, Sean, Catherine L, Dorothy, Lacy, and of course- Metal Chris. WHEW. I bet there is someone I missed.

Mike Portnoy

M3 Rock Festival Day 2 @ Merriweather Post Pavilion 5/2/2015

Tony and I went to the M3 Rock Festival Day 2 ($61 for 2 day lawn ticket).  We saw Ariel and Ilem, Ron, Dwayne, Dorothy, Ruby and Julia, Rikki, Tom, Gori and Omar, Michelle and Neil, Henry, jen and Bridget, Rachel, Lisa, and maybe more! In its 7th year, the M3 (Merriweather May Metal) Rock Festival still is going strong (although with an oddly chosen headliner- more popular overseas than here). It was a long day, about 10 hours of being in the sun, drinking, listening to music, walking, singing along, and hanging with friends!

M3 Rock Festival Day 1 @ Merriweather Post Pavilion 5/1/2015

I went to see M3 Rock Festival, 2015 (2 Day lawn ticket $61) with my buddy Tony. We saw Tony Sr., Ariel and Ilem, and maybe someone else on the first day- Friday. This would be another Kix-off party- which some people love, and other hate and go home early. To each his own.

M3 Rock Festival Lineup 

Sixx A.M. / Apocalyptica @The Fillmore, Silver Spring 4/29/2015

I went to see Sixx A.M. and Apocalyptica at the Fillmore ($28). I was wondering how this would be as this would be my first time seeing both bands. Not to mention that this was Sixx A.M.'s first headline tour. Also interesting to note is that this was the last day of that first headline tour. I saw Ariel and Ilem there, but I know Kris, Jen (thank you!), and a couple others were there (in the sea of people)

Sixx AM was popular

Testament / Exodus @ Fillmore Silver Spring 4/28/2015

I went to see Testament and Exodus at the Fillmore in Silver Spring ($30). There were a number of people I know there-Ariel, Ilem, James, Dwayne, Raul, Annie, Nathan and Alie, Sean, Yaniv, Ruby, Teresa L, Metal Chris, Dale, Dorothy, Kris, Miss SketchyLindsey, Zach,  Matt Rice, and maybe someone else. A special note: this show was filmed and streamed live on Yahoo! (can see it on YouTube here).

Thrash legends

Faster Pussycat / Loveblast/ Gino's All Stars /Baby Jayne @ Empire 4/24/2015

I went to see Faster Pussycat at Empire ($13), for one of the last shows ever at the venue! Recently, Empire announced that they would be closing in early May. This really is the end of an era, and I'm not sure where all the shows that came there will go- Baltimore? Maybe DC? I met up with Tony, Nathan and Alie, Jen, Kim, Matt Rice, Beth, and Ruby and Julia there.

Shut Up n ROCK

Jack Russell's Great White at Fish Head Cantina 4/11/2015

I went to see Jack Russell's Great White at Fish Head Cantina ($25) in MD. I met up with Ariel, James, Dwayne, and Rod there. I was reading that it was selling out beforehand, which I was thinking was a bit odd and I didn't really believe it. However, I was in for a surprise when I got there!

KIX @ Empire 3/27/2015

I went to see KIX at Empire ($36! perhaps a little more expensive than I would have preferred), for a highly anticipated club show. The last several times they've come around (to Baltimore I think), they've sold out- so I opted for getting a ticket in advance. I met up with Patricia and Tony, Johnny, and Tony Sr.

Firehouse @ Tally Ho Theater 3/13/2015

I went to see hair band Firehouse ($23.58) up in Leesburg at the lovely Tally Ho Theater. I got my ticket pretty far in advance because the last Tally Ho show was a horrible price gouging affair. Blue Oyster Cult had a date scheduled, and I saw the advance price of $35, but wasn't sure if I could make it or not at the time. About 2 weeks before the event, I determined I was going to go, so I checked the website and noticed the price had DOUBLED. I don't think I've ever seen this sort of behaviour at any other venue, so that and missing BOC really left a sour taste in my mouth (they did sell out the venue that night, I heard). In any event I met up with Ariel and Michelle and Neil there.

Doro / Archer / A Sound of Thunder @ Empire 3/4/2015

I went to see the METAL QUEEN Doro ($17) at Empire! I saw Ariel, Yave y Sara, Bobbie, Miss Patricia, Rene, Nina, Mr. Nina, Chris, Jesse, Josh, Superfan Dave, Sako, Ray C, Tom, Mike AG, and most of the Dogs and Daydrinkers -Dan with Eric and Erich! Were we ready for a night of true metal?

1349 / Origin / Wolvhammer / Yesterday's Saints @ Empire 2/24/2015

I went to see black metal monsters 1349 ($18.50) and more at Empire. They brought an odd tour package- sludgy Wolvhammer and death metal band Origin to go along with their black metal. I saw a number of people there- Ariel, Nathan and Alie, Sean, Jason, Renae and her dude, Tom, Lindsey n Blake, Kim, Kris, and of course Metal Chris.

The Contortionist / Revocation / Fallujah @ Empire 2/18/2015

I went to see The Contortionist /Revocation at Empire ($15) this week. I had heard good things about Fallujah and The Contortionist, but wasn't sure about Toothgrinder. I was curious as to how Revocation would be compared to previous shows (2012, 2013) where I thought they were a bit lackluster. I did see a few friends there - Ariel, John H, Sean, Ashley,  and Scott.

Uli Jon Roth/ Vinnie Moore/ Black Knights Rising / Old James @ Empire 2/9/2015

I went to see the XG Extreme Guitar Tour featuring Uli Jon Roth ($25) with special guests at Empire. Uli Jon Roth was amazing the last time I saw him, and did a monster over 2 hour set! I didn't know how this time would fare with that high standard! I saw  Neil and Michelle, Juani and Ariel, Teresa, and Tony Dio and his lady there all the way from NC! Well worth the trip taken, I assure you!

Deceased / Morbius/ Inhumantion @ Empire 2/7/2015

I went to see Deceased's 30th anniversary at Empire ($12) with some other bands I hadn't heard of. I met up with Ariel and saw Omar and Gori, Renee,Gerber, and Luke there as well. This was more of a last minute show, as I was not really too excited about any of the bands, but I needed my FIX, and it would be good to see Deceased again.

Alestorm/ Swashbuckle/ The Dread Crew of Oddwood / Sekengard @ Empire 1/29/2015

I went to see the Piratefest America 2015 featuring Alestorm  ($16-20), Swashbuckle, The Dread Crew of Oddwood, and Sekengard at Empire. I expected this to be a pretty ridiculous show
I saw DanPaytas, Sarah, Evan P, Marie, Sean, Steve Miller, Steve Harris, Russell, Spencer, Ray,  Lauri, Danica, Lex, Kevin, Ethan's cousin,  Nathan and Alie, Ariel, ETHAN, Ray, Patricia and Bobby, Bobbie, Jason, Jen P, Yaniv, Matt, hackerStacy, Mike, Bridget, and a tired Metal Chris. This was one of the first nights of the tour as well!

Machine Head @ Baltimore Soundstage 1/28/2015

I went to see An Evening with Machine Head (~$30) at the Baltimore Soundstage last night. It was an interesting turn of events and MH ended up canceling their super tour with Epica, Children of Bodom, among others, but now have returned with the promise of a 2 hr + setlist with old and new songs alike! Needless to say, I was quite enticed, even though I am not the biggest MH fan. I did see a lot of friends there- Ariel and James, Raul, Bobbie, Scott, and maybe a couple others.

Dark Tranquillity / Insomnium / Aurelian @ Empire 1/5/2015

I went to see Dark Tranquillity with Insomnium at Empire ($20) for the first metal show of the year (pretty early this year!)! This ended up being a very well attended show, and I saw Ariel y Ielm, James, Dwayne, Chena, D'Andre, Sean, Jason, Patricia Lynn, Annie, Chris Crazy-Wolf, Danica, Lauri, Scott, Kyler, Elyse, and Mike A.G, Dorothy, Catherine, and of course Metal Chris.

Dark Tranquillity- The Science of Melodic Death Metal

2014 Restrospective

2014 Retrospective

In 2014, I went to a TON of shows and spent a lot of money, and had a ton of fun! Overall a great year for shows, friends, and music in general. Let's hope 2015 is even better (but perhaps a little cheaper!). Overall a pretty great year with a wide variety of music (mostly heavy!). Well, without further ado, here we go:

Tate Ball Z: Spirit Ball- one of my favourite photos of the year