Heavy metal concert reviews that go deep, with show analysis, setlist review, and live video recordings and pictures!
A melting pot of European melodic death and progressive metal, live in Portland, Oregon! Back in October, Dark Tranquillity and Soen did the Ultima Ratio Fest tour across Europe together, with support from Iotunn and Equilibrium. For this tour, Dark Tranquillity was playing a special set, celebrating 30 years of “The Gallery” and 20 years […]
Four flavors of black metal providing plenty of atmosphere, intensity, and brutality, for a great show in Portland! I was in Portland for the weekend with plans to see the Dark Tranquillity / Soen / Persefone show on Saturday. Since I had Friday night available, I was curious to see if there was another show
Various flavors of heavy metal collide in Uster, Switzerland, for a fantastic early year Festival! Elements of Rock Festival took place March 13 – 15 at Stadthofsaal in Uster, Switzerland. It started in 2004 and has run annually since, with exception of a few years during COVID. I have only been once before, in 2007,
Tribunal headlines a night of myriad doom flavors! Vancouver orchestral death doom masters Tribunal are a band I absolutely love, having traveled to Vancouver from Seattle multiple times in 2025 to see them perform, including what ended up being my last show of 2025 in mid December. They just played a handful of shows in
An epic night of bombastic heavy symphonic metal! On my recent European trip, I scheduled a couple stops outside my main destination of Switzerland to take the opportunity to see some bands that seem unlikely for me to see in the US. I am thankful for my local scene in Seattle and the international bands
A mesmerizing live progressive metal experience that was melodic and heavy! Finnish progressive metal band Wheel is currently wrapping up The Dark Side Tour 2026, a headlining tour across North America with support from progressive hard rock band Sound&Shape. What is cool about this tour is that, in addition to playing fan favorites, they are
The OGs of progressive extreme metal on the big stage! Opeth recently completed their second leg of the “Last Will and Testament” Tour, supporting their 2024 release “The Last Will and Testament,” with tour support from Katatonia. They wrapped up the tour in the Pacific Northwest, with final stops in Seattle, WA, and Vancouver, BC.
The Warriors of Powerful Heavy Metal! Seattle melodic power / heavy metal Greyhawk released their latest album, “Warriors of Greyhawk” on February 13 (read my review!), and to celebrate they held an album release show on February 21 at Substation in Seattle, WA. Two other Seattle area bands supported them, Telomyras and Rope. As many
A wide variety of extreme metal bands making up a fantastic show! The Glacial Ascension Tour featured 5 bands on a short tour up the West Coast, culminating in an appearance at Day 3 of Glacial Mutilation Fest in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The penultimate stop was at Substation in Seattle, WA, on Friday, February 20,
Progressive thrash + speedy technical thrash = an amazing show full of energy and fun! Coroner released their first album in 32 years this past October, and North America was blessed to get a follow-up tour in early 2026, with direct support from thrash legends Heathen. The tour stopped at El Corazon in Seattle, WA,
