SOTO / Martyr's Asylum / Ghost of War @ Baltimore Soundstage 2/16/2016

I went to see Jeff Scott Soto's band SOTO ($16) up in Baltimore Soundstage. I saw Ariel, Juan, James, Lisa, Renea, Raul + su mujer, Ronnie, Zac, Gary, Dickey, and Bobbie. I was pretty excited to see Jeff Scott Soto, as I had not seen him live before- I was not sure what mix of material he would be playing, as I know he's got his solo, his band, and a variety of other bands he's been in (ex: Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, W.E.T., Solo, Journey, Talisman, etc.).

Fleshgod Apocalypse / Carach Angren/ Abigail Williams @ Metro Gallery 2/11/2016

I went to see Italy's Fleshgod Apocalypse ($22.50) at the Metro Gallery in godforsakenBaltimore.  I saw Ariel, Maery, Dorothy, Scott, Sean D, Jason, Renee, Renae, Zach, Joel, Antonio, Dylan, Danielle, and Daniel G there. The one-two punch of the black metal Carach Angren and then the pummeling symphonic death metal of Fleshgod Apocalypse was a big draw for me. I got my ticket in advance for what would be a pretty packed show.

Fleshgod Apocalypse from Italia!

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Nothing More / Sleepwave / Guns Out at Sundown / Fatally Yours @ Ottobar 8/18/2014

I went to see Nothing More ($8) at the Ottobar (part of 98 Rock's Noise in the Basement). I met up with Josh and Erin, Kris, and Rock and Roll Experience guy.  Also met John T and Stephanie there.  This was going to be a long night, as I noticed the line to get in snaking out into the parking lot from the side door.

Grim Reaper / Ghost of War @ Fish Head Cantina 6/14/2014

I went to see Grim Reaper ($18) up in Hell (Baltimore/Arbutus).  I met up with a ton of people- Ariel y Ilem, James y Barbara, Gori y Omar, Henry, Ruby, Amberley, Adam, Tammy, TOM, Lisa S, Brain B, Neil and injured Michelle, and maybe one more person.

Killswitch Engage/ Trivium/ Battlecross @ Rams Head Live 5/15/2014

I went to see Killswitch Engage up in Baltimore ($35 after fees WTF). I met up with Tony and saw Kris, Matt Rice n Witt Black (Yesterday's Saints... who let those chumps out of the studio?) Jose, Scott, and I am pretty sure the singer from Hydra Kyll and Jen P and Bridget were there too.  I was pumped to see Killswitch and hang with my buddy Tony, but I also was interested in the rest of the bill. Would Nothing More sound like an Octane band? Would Battlecross sound the same as last time? Would Trivium be underwhelming like last time?

Primal Fear/Arctic Flame/ Flag of the White Rose/ Mindmaze @ Baltimore Soundstage 4/29/2014

I went to see Primal Fear ($24-27) up in godforsaken Baltimore at the nice Baltimore Sound Stage.  After some initial parking difficulties and an almost altercation with some guy, I scampered thru the rain to the venue.  I saw Dave, Mike A, Milla, Bobbie, Nina, Tom, Avi, Brittany, Brian B and Renae there!

Nile/ Exemptus @ Baltimore Soundstage 4/15/2014

I went to see Nile ($18) w. Miss sketchyLindsey at the Baltimore Soundstage in godforsakenbaltimore on a freakin ridiculously rainy evening.  This better be a damngood show is what I was thinking as we rolled up. I saw Jacinda and Dan, Dylan and Crystal, Scott, Renae, Sean, Jason, Maery, JASON, Daniella, and of course ZACH.