Tesseract / The Contortionist @ Baltimore Soundstage 12/6/2015

I went to see Tesseract ($13) at Baltimore Soundstage for the last show of 2015. Last time it was sold out at Empire, so I made sure I got a ticket before hand. Also, there was some promotion for cheaper tickets as well! I think Jason, Erin, and Scott were there. Tesseract just released their latest album Polaris, so this tour would be promoting that.

Kamelot / Dragonforce @ Fillmore Silver Spring 11/18/2015

I went to see Kamelot at Silver Spring (~$29) as another part of their North American Tour (leg 2).  They were supposed to come to 4/27 to Baltimore Soundstage, but that was cancelled due to a state of emergency in Baltimore (!) and riots, etc. I was there for the VIP experience, but a little before Dragonforce was set to start, they turned on the house lights and announced all the insanity. They did play an early show a couple days later (due to the curfew(!)) but I was not able to make that show :( Unfortunately my notes were lost regarding timing and who all I saw at this show (not as many due to another conflicting show, and um... not everyone loving Kamelot)- but I think at least a couple people I knew were there.

Moshing' like the Fahrenheit...not at all

Kataklysm / Belphegor @ Baltimore Soundstage 11/8/2015

I went to see Canadian Death Metal band Kataklysm with Austrian black metal (finally!) Belphegor ($20). I saw Scott, Daniel G, Renae and due, Sean, Jason, Erin, and Zach, there.

Blind Guardian / Grave Digger @ Baltimore Soundstage 10/27/2015

I went to see German power and true metal legends Blind Guardian w/ Grave Digger ($30) at the Baltimore Soundstage. Blind Guardian's last US tour had been years before (I'd never seen them) and Grave Digger hadn't been to the US on a full tour at all. I saw Bobbie and Armon, Dan and Bonnie, Dan, Daniel G, Ti, Dorothy, Marie,and Renee there.

BLIND GUARDIAN

Pat Travers @ Jammin' Java 10/18/2015

I went to see bluesy guitar legend Pat Travers ($22) at Jammin' Java. Ever since I saw him open for George Lynch at Jaxx (never heard of him before that day), I was a fan- that old guy plays a mean guitar! Jammin' Java is also a nice place for a show- food and drafts, as well as a nice sound system, and a really relaxed atmosphere.

Overkill / Symphony X / Ghost of War @ Fillmore Silver Spring 10/16/2015

I went to see Overkill ($28.75) with Symphony X and Ghost of War at the Fillmore, Silver Spring. I saw Annie, Dan, Dave and Kevin, Erin and Ti, Ariel and Ilem, James, Dwayne, Kyler, Lisa, Dorothy, Lindsey and Blake, Kris, Gonzalo, Marie,Navid, Marc and Marysol, Allie an Nathan, Sean, Jason, and Sara.

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.

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