Got information on a new show or need to contact me?

I'd love to hear from you if you read this blog. If you have tips, if you wanna say how much I rule or how much I suck: It's all good.

Add me on Facebook!: http://www.facebook.com/mankvill
E-Mail: mandatory-metallica@hotmail.com
MSN Messenger: jjstrfx64@hotmail.com
AIM: jjstrfox64

Thursday, April 30, 2009

mc chris -- Lawrence, KS -- April 30th, 2009

After standing in heavy rain (for the 2nd night in a row, no less), I was treated to the best concert I've seen so far this year!

I saw Whole Wheat Bread open for Suicidal Tendencies back in November, but this time they were much better. The crowd was really into them, and they even took away the instruments to rap for a bit. It was, after all, a rap show. They are just an overall great punk band, and I'll always look forward to them. Their set included a cover of "Never Scared", "Bombs Away", "Police Song" and "Broke" and also an impromptu rap about sexing older women. It was awesome.
9/10

I thought mc chris might have been sick at first, but after the first few songs, he started really getting into the set and the crowd absolutely ate it up. mc chris can not only rhyme really well, but he's funny as hell too. He ragged on some frat guy near the front all night and it was perfect. He went on a rant about Left 4 Dead once and then another for Resident Evil 5. Near the end of his set he did a Q & A session which included topics such as Watchmen (he likes the movie, thought the comic was worse), his musical influences (Reggie and the Full Effect), why he started rapping (bitches and cocaine) and more. It was one of the most fun concerts I've had just because I was smiling the entire time, and I know everyone else was.
10/10

DQ Blizzard
The Tussin
Fuckin' Up My Christmas
Geek
White Kids Love Hip-Hop
Ten Year Old
Hijack
Left 4 Dead rant
MC Chris Ownz
Evergreen
Robot Dog
Tractor Beam
Ratz
Resident Evil 5 rant
FTW
Wiid
Pizza Butt
On*
Hoodie Ninja
nrrrd grrrl
006
new song about Neville Longbottom
--Q & A session--
IG-88's Fifty-Seven Chevy
--encore--
mc chris is dead
Fett's Vette

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Lamb Of God -- Kansas City, MO -- April 29th, 2009

True metal police, just go ahead and ignore this review. Also, I didn't bother taking down sets because I seriously doubt they've changed over the other dates, so I'll be using those sets.

After standing in rain for almost an hour, I got into the venue which quickly filled to capacity. And we were in for a treat!

God Forbid was the first band to play and got a huge reaction. To be honest, there were some parts of their songs that were pretty good; had some good guitar solos too. But it relied way too much on the metalcore sound. The crowd ate it up, however. Pretty entertaining and loud.

Star Wars Intro
Antihero
War of Attrition
Empire of the Gun
End of the World
Force-Fed

The band I came to see, Municipal Waste, was up next. They were plagued with a weak sound, maybe in part because they were the only band on the bill tonight with only one guitarist? And the crowd was extremely unresponsive until about 3 songs in when Tony started joking around with the crowd. By the end of the set we got a pretty good circle pit going. Municipal Waste is thrash as hell, naysayers be damned. They were great, but they should get on a tour that would attract people that actually want to see them. I really, really look forward to them again. Great fun.

1.Sadistic Magician
2.The Thrashin Of The Christ
3.Headbanger Face Rip
4.(New Song)?
5.Mind Eraser
6.Terror Shark
7.Beer Pressure
8.Unleash The Bastards
9.Bangover

When I saw Children of Bodom back in September, they really surprised me by how much energy they had. That, and their goofy songs, made for one helluva show. However, Alexi Laiho was very stagnant and barely even moved away from the mic. Apparently four days ago, he fell off his bunk and broke his shoulder. He's been playing the shows since with a broken shoulder! :light: That gives Alexi a pass for maybe flubbing some of the solos (which were still excellent by the way), but the sound mix for Bodom was horrid from where i was standing. Everything was muddled into eachother. By the time it seemed to fix itself, it was the lats song for them. An off night for Bodom. Good, but could've been a lot better. Gotta give props to Alexi, though.

1.Silent Night, Bodom Night
2.Hate Me!
3.Hellhounds On My Trail
4.Living Dead Beat
5.Angels Don't Kill
6.Bodom Beach Terror
7.In Your Face
8.Blooddrunk
9.Downfall

Now, this is where the true metal police would beat me. One of the best bands tonight was As I Lay Dying. Yes, you heard that right. They are metalcore, but they also add in elements of thrash and death and the vocalist isn't half-bad. They play kind of that old-school metalcore that actually uses breakdowns well (weird, right?) and they were by far the most energetic band of the night. Really good, and I'd like to see them again.

Separation
Through Struggle
Nothing Left
Forever
An Ocean Between Us
Empty Hearts
Within Destruction
Meaning In Tragedy
The Sound Of Truth
94 Hours
Confined

Lamb Of God got the hugest reaction of the night. The crowd loved them, and as much as I hate to say it, they are more than likely my generation's biggest metal band. In a few years, I wouldn't doubt they'll be headlining arena tours. Some of their songs had great hooks that really stuck with you (Set To Fail, Laid To Rest) but some of them just felt really same-y. The aggression with which the songs were fired, though, made up for it. Very impressive.

(The Passing)
In Your Words
Set to Fail
Walk with Me in Hell
Hourglass
Now You've Got Something to Die For
Ruin
Dead Seeds
Blacken the Cursed Sun
-Mark Morton solo-
Grace
Broken Hands
Laid to Rest
Contractor

-encore-

Reclamation
Redneck
Black Label


Overall, I'm really glad I went. All good bands.

Ratings (oh jeeze)

God Forbid - 7/10
Municipal Waste - 9/10
Children Of Bodom - 7.5/10
As I Lay Dying - 8.5/10
Lamb Of God - 8/10

Monday, April 27, 2009

Kansas' own Progressive Nation

Looks like Yes, who was scheduled to come by through Starlight Theater last year, it returning with Asia (original line-up) on July 14th at the Uptown Theater!

Friday, April 24, 2009

American Waste update: SKELETONWITCH!

Hundred Years War has dropped off the festival, but replacing them is none other than the mighty SKELETONWITCH! June 6th! Beaumont Club! Testament, too! BE THERE!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Skipping Kansas: Summer Slaughter (again)

After a complete (or near) sell-out at the Bottleneck back in 2007, Summer Slaughter, for the second year in a row, is skipping Kansas (and Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska...wtf?). Closest date is going to be either Denver or Minnesota. The tour returns this year with, in my opinion, the best line-up yet, featuring Necrophagist and Suffocation with support from Ensiferum, Dying Fetus, and Wichita's very own ORIGIN! Write angry e-mails for this one, folks.

Full dates:

http://sumerianrecords.com/summerslaughter/usa2009/Dates.jpg

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Alice Cooper returns

Apparently, Alice Cooper makes a return to Kansas City on August 7th at the Ameristar Casino. It's a 21+ event, but you should be able to get in if you're under 21 with an accompanying parent!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

oh god

"BraveWords.com inside sources have confirmed that SLAYER and MEGADETH will be joining forces for a tour, this fall.

The trek is expected to be officially announced in May. Stay tuned for further updates."

YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Black Effin' Metal

Before they hit the road for a short tour with Wolves In The Throne Room, Krallice will be hitting the Replay Lounge in Lawrence on May 12th. No word yet if there will be local openers. Replay shows are usually 21 and up.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Now you don't have to go to Springfield!

GWAR is playing at Crossroad's (kind of an odd place, but I guess GWAR is pretty big nowadays) with Priestess and the mighty Cattle Decapitation on May 13th!

Anyone over 40 read this blog?

Aerosmith and ZZ Top are coming to the Sprint Center on September 1st.

No word yet on if there is another band or not. Tickets go on sale Saturday (I think)