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

HIM / Motionless in White @ Fillmore, Silver Spring 12/12/2014

I went to see HIM (a pricey $38) with my buddy Tony at the Fillmore, Silver Spring. I saw Robin and Marie there, but not many other familiar faces. My buddy had seen HIM before, many years ago, but I never managed to see them until tonight. I think that this Finnish goth rock/metal band has consistently put out solid albums, albeit a bit more on the emo/mopey/mushy side of lyrics, and I thought they'd be great live. And at the Fillmore, you know it was going to sound pretty fabulous! Initially it was just HIM on this tour when it was announced, and at some point they added Wounds and Motionless in White, neither of which I was excited for.

Crowbar / Unearth/ Black Crown Initiate / Yesterday's Saints @ Empire 12/7/2014

I went to see Black Crown Initiate on their tour w/ Crowbar and Unearth ($18.50). I was on the fence about this show because I like BCI but was kind of meh on the others. I ended up going, as you can tell. There were a decent number of people there- I saw Chris Crazy-Wolf, Kris, Bridget, Dale, Matt R, J. Oliver, Ashleigh~, Dorothy, and Kyler there.

Iris Divine / MindMaze/ Division / Vitality @ Cafe 611 12/6/2014

I went to see Iris Divine with other bands up in Frederick at Cafe 611 ($10). I was pretty excited because both MindMaze and Iris Divine have new albums that were recently released. This was going to be an uptick to a pretty dark and dreary rainy night. I did see a few people I knew there- Tom, Bobbie and Nick, The Teets, and Chris J.

Death to All / Obituary / Massacre @ Empire 12/3/2014

I went to see Death to All (aka Near Death) w/ Obituary (and others) ($25) at Empire. I saw a lot of people at what seemed to be a huge Death Metal show- Miss Lindsey, Ariel y Ilem, James, Yave y Sara, Sean, Jason, Rene, Nathan w/ a J, Alie, Kris, Daniel G and Nick, Matt R, Kyler, Dorothy, Omar, Ruby, Catherine, and Metal Chris of course. This is kind of an odd tour because Death really isn't a band anymore, and the members of Death to All are playing all old Death songs, kind of like a tribute or cover band. Now I'm not complaining because this is the closest many of us will get to hear Death songs live. This was a packed show, I was surprised given the low turnout last time at the Fillmore. Looking at it  now, it seemed that 300 at the Fillmore is pretty full for Empire. So this venue was a better fit for this package.

Whoa is this Empire?

Exodus / Yesterday's Saints @ Empire 11/24/2014

I went to see Exodus ($17) on a one-off date from their tour with Slayer and Suicidal Tendencies at Empire. For a Monday night, Exodus drew very well. I think if this was a weekend, it would have been closer to selling out. I saw a bunch of people there- Ariel y Ielm, Sara y Yave, James, Rod, Dwayne, Jose, Neil and Michelle, Kyler, Alie and Nathan w/ a J, Kris, Erika, Miss Lindsey, Dorothy, Matt R, Zach O, Ruby, Marc, Sean, Marie, Steve Harris, GreekGirl, Catherine, and of course Metal Chris! It was great seeing the whole metal family (or many of them!) at this show, and on a crappy Monday night to boot!

EXODUS

The Birthday Massacre / New Year's Day / The Red Paintings @ Empire 11/15/2014

I went to see The Birthday Massacre ($17) at Empire, hopefully to play a full set this time! Last time, Chibi had an accident and her knee got screwed up, forcing a short set.  I met up with miscreants- Mari, Bridget T, and Spencer! I noticed that the parking lot was full and had to hustle in the cold from across the street. It turned out to be a sold out show, apparently. This was one of the rare Empire Sold out shows!

Onslaught/ Artillery / VX-36 @ Empire 11/3/2014

I went to see Onslaught with Artillery ($18) at Empire for Monday Night Thrash. Striker had dropped off, and there was not much info on other openers. I saw a number of people there- Ariel, Nathan with a J, Greekgirl, Gori, Neil and Michelle, Brian B, Krysia, Ruby, Kyler, MattRice, and Thane and Ronnie. For a Monday night, a number of people I knew, but definitely not a great turnout.

ONSLAUGHTs, featurings Neil Turbins

Arch Enemy / Kreator/ Huntress/ Starkill @ Baltimore Soundstage 10/23/2014

I went to see Arch Enemy at the Baltimore Soundstage ($25) with a variety of supporting acts. Arch Enemy is on tour to support their new album with new singer Canadian import Alissa White-Glutz. Having last seen Arch Enemy in 2011 with Angela Gossow, it had been a while and I wasn't sure what to expect of Alissa live. I had seen The Agonist twice before live, both times Alissa was not doing so hot (singing that is). I thought she did better background vocals for Kamelot, etc. This would be the first stop on their North American tour for "War Eternal," here in MD! I ended up seeing a number of ppl there- Ariel y Ilem, Jose, James, Scott, Ray C, Bobbie n Nick, JACINDA, Russel, Dorothy, Danica, Daniel G, Bridget, Rock and Roll Experience Bob, and of course Metal Chris.

This is Blur Eternal

Tony MacAlpine / Travis Larson Band/ LoNero @ Jammin Java 10/19/2014

Upon recommendation from T.J., I went to see technical guitar virtuoso Tony MacAlpine at Jammin' Java ($25). I saw T.J, his wife, Christine and Paul, Ariel, and Juan there. As this was a Sunday night, all instrumental bands, kind of short notice, and I'd not been back here (and never seen a show here) in a while, I wasn't sure how all these things would flow together if at all!

Tony MacAlpine, Bjorn, and Aquilies Priester !

King Diamond / Jess and the Ancient Ones @ the Fillmore Silver Spring 10/13/2014

I went to see the legendary King Diamond ($35) at the Fillmore, Silver Spring. This was basically THE Metal show of the year- nearly everyone was there- Ariel y Ilem, Dwanye, Rod, Dickie, James, Marysol y Mark, Yave y Sara, Kyler, Ethan, Miss Victoria, Miss Lindsey, Marie, Robinmerch, Gori y Omar, Alex T, Henry, other Henry, Sean, Dorothy, Bridget P, Greekgirl, A Josh of Thunder, Tony Dio, Chris C, Luke, and Tom. I know others were there but I didn't see in person- Neil and Michelle, Nina, Jesse, Chris Crazy Wolf, Metal Chris, Gerber, and more I'm sure! Many people had been waiting since 2005 (last at Jaxx apparently), and more had been waiting... longer!

Suffocation / Kataklysm / Jungle Rot/ Pyrexia @ Empire 10/10/2014

I went to see Suffocation and co at Empire ($20). There were originally  11 (!) bands slotted to play from around 6. I saw Nids, Scott, Sean, Jason, Miss Lindsey, Blake, Ariel y Ilem, Nathan w/ a J, Alie, Chris Crazy Wolf, Dorothy, Dan G., Brian B, Matt R, Luke, Renae, AND Metal Chris there. I had Seen Suffocation last in February up in Baltimore.

Frank

Lacuna Coil / Devil You Know/ Unlocking the Truth @ the Fillmore 10/8/2014

I went to see Lacuna Coil ($30) at the Fillmore, Silver Spring and met up with Bridget and Mari (AGAIN), Russell, Scott, Ray,a nd boot brother TJ! It was a pretty small group but it was fun hanging. The last time that I saw Lacuna Coil was earlier this year on the "hottest chicks in hard rock tour, and the turnout wasn't near sold out (and they didn't headline either), so I was expecting a pretty light night.

Within Temptation / Amaranthe at Rams Head Live 10/7/2014

I went to see Within Temptation ($30) at the Rams Head Live. They brought the amazing Amaranthe with them this time. Last time, I went to PA to see them.  I had seen WT in 2011 last. I met up with Bridget D, Mari, their sisters, Spencer, Ray, PhotoRay, Lauri, Danica, and I think Bobbie and Nick were there too. This evening there was also Butcher Babies at Soundstage and Deicide /Inquisition/ Spetic Flesh/ Carach Angran at Empire, but that didn't prevent this show from being pretty packed!

WITHIN ALL YOUR TEMPTATIONS

Coheed and Cambria @ the FIllmore, Silver Spring 9/23/2014

I went to see Coheed and Cambria at the Fillmore ($35!) for their Neverender (aka play the full album)  of "In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3." I guess it is the 11 year anniversary of its release. I met up with Scott, Stacey, Timmy, Oksana, and Nate. This as a sold out show a few months before the show, so you know it as gonna be crazy. The last time they came around as on my birthday, and it was an excellent show!

Cousin It Claudio Sanchez

Eluveitie / Tyr / Metsatöll @ Baltimore Soundstage 9/19/2014

I went with L and Kate to see Paganfest Jr. - featuring Eluveitie, Tyr, and Metsatöll  at the Baltimore soundstage (~$20). I will say that I was not expecting nearly the crowd that was there. I saw so many people- Dan Paytas, Megan, Ethan, Kris, Jen P, Erika,Scott, Bridget, Kris, Russ, Sarah and Evan, Lex, Dorothy, Ariel y Ilem, Nathan with a J, Daniel G w/ Ben, Inga, and Sean, Greekgirl, Brittany,Larry and his brother, Lynn,Robin and Jennifer and Gat, and maybe someone else. Kevin, Victoria, and Jason were there too, but I didn't see them in the throng. Oh and that's only the people I KNOW, because there were like 700+ people there. Also this was the first night of the Origins North American tour! apparently this was a sold out show, as Eluvietie just posted it.

WE ARE HELVETICAS

Puya @ the Howard Theater 9/16/2014

I went to see Puerto Rican band Puya ($8.5 goldstar tickets! $25 regular) at the swanky Howard Theater. I met up with Ariel, James, and Raul y su mujer!  There were more than a few boricua there! The Howard Theater intermittently shows heavy concerts, and this was probably the first since 2013's Mago de Oz show. It's so odd what acts they have there, because it is a primarily black music focused, and I think they try to grab the Latin acts as well (which is good because it's a nice place. Nice, but expensive). And then they'll have the random act like Kreator or Ginger Baker.

PUYA!

Skeletonwitch / Ghoul / Black Anvil @ Empire 9/12/2014

I met up with John and we went to see Skeletonwitch ($18) for a one-two punch of heavy shows (yesterday was Overkill). I saw a bunch of people there too- Patricia and Bobby, Kyler, Annie, Renae, the Sanctuary shirt guy from Overkill, Nathan with a J, Allie, Nicole, Dorothy, Ariel y su mujer, Daniel G, Luke, Mary and Jason, Noc, and Metal Chris.

From a very Cloudy Stage

Overkill / GI9 / Blunt Force Rebellion / Nomad @ Empire 9/11/2014

I went to see Overkill  at Empire ($25). They were the only touring band, and there were a number of locals that differed from the billed local bands. I did see a lot of friends there- Ariel y hombre, Sean, Nathan w/ a J, Miss Lindsey, Marie (and Rolland later!), Greekgirl, Dave, Kevin, and Bryan, Luke, Marysol, Marc, Dorothy, Kyler (crowdsurfing CITY), and Metal Chris. WHEW.

Overkill, saying hi from the gutter

Sonata Arctica / Delain/ Xandria @ The Trocadero, PA 9/5/2014

I went to see Sonata Arctica in Philadelphia ($24) at the Trocadero due to scheduling conflicts at the Baltimore show.  I actually met up with Chris (whom I had seen at a Face Melting Friday) and his gf Lindsey and Lyndsey at the show! I also met with Ken and Dave (Mindmaze fans!) and chatted with a couple other interesting fellows about an old Batman comic, and another Steve.

Not Iron Maiden, not from England, they are Sonata, from Finland