Best Show of 2015:
Christian Mistress
September 6th, 2015
Atlanta, GA
The Earl
It’s kind of hard to put to words just how amazing Christian Mistress is as a live band. I had been waiting for years to see them play live and when they finally made it to Atlanta (the day after my birthday nonetheless), it was everything I wished for and so much more. Christian Mistress lights up a stage with their electrifying energy and their no frills performance. When I watched this band I could feel every note, every riff, every drum beat deep down past the depths of any known part of the human body and psyche. From the first note of “III” to the last ringing note of “Haunted Hunted” the band covered so much ground from their short yet defining career. Christian Mistress gave 200% on that stage and gave everyone a show of epic proportions that the room could barely contain. This is the kind of band that should be playing to 1000’s and storming an arena stage before the masses. Hands down the best live show I saw this year and it was a live show that I will never forget for as long as I live.
Original Show Review: https://southeastofheaven.com/?p=15181
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Graveyard
May 8th, 2015
Atlanta, GA
The Earl
Watching Graveyard perform live, to me, is like being taken to church. A Graveyard live show is a very spiritual thing for me and every time I see them they are just that much better than the last. This time around, Graveyard was here in Atlanta for the first time with their new bassist (and former guitarist ) Truls Morck. Truls fit perfectly in this band and his stage presence and energy was exactly what Graveyard needs to complete the circle after the departing of longtime bassist Rikard Edlund. Graveyard, once again, put on a show that was heartfelt, full of soul, and once again proved why they are one of the best bands out there today as they captivated the sold out Earl. Just looking around, I could see that people were feeling the same way I was as Graveyard’s music has a way of lifting you and taking you some place. It’s one thing to experience that on an album but to experience it live is a whole other ballgame.
Original Review: https://southeastofheaven.com/?p=14787
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King Diamond/Exodus
November 16th, 2015
Atlanta, GA
The Tabernacle
After his tremendous comeback in 2014, King Diamond returned once again and this time brought the classic concept album, Abigail to life on the stage. This time around, thrash legends Exodus were in direct support. Exodus did an amazing job (as always) supporting King Diamond and with Zetro back on the mic, Exodus performed with a level of class that I hadn’t seen from them in a long while. It was so great to see them work the crowd up and get them pumped even in the absence of Gary Holt. King and Co. delivered the Abigail album flawlessly and it was such an amazing thing to see and hear live. Grandma and all the characters were there to share the stage with King as he delivered this classic metal opera to a very vocal and appreciate crowd. The show featured all of the Abigail classics but once again, the highlight of the show for me was seeing them rip out “The 7th Day of July 1777.” That song kills my face every time and this was no exception. King Diamond never ceases to amaze me as this man continues to prove that his best years are still ahead of him.
Original Review: https://southeastofheaven.com/?p=15432
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Rush
May 26th, 2015
Alpheretta, GA
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
R40! Yes! I mean, yes! Not “yes” the band! Anyways, Rush hit the road to celebrate 40 years of melting faces, intriguing minds, and being the pipers for the underdog with a tour that covered a lot of fucking ground both visually and musically. This show was without a doubt my favorite Rush show that I’ve seen and it was a reminder of just what a groundbreaking and amazing band these guys are. The performance was so full of energy, passion, and fire. That fire is something that tends to peter out with bands over the years but in Rush, the fire is burning hotter and brighter than ever. Every few songs the stage set would be changed to mirror a past stage set from one of Rush’s past tours ending with a stellar encore of “Lakeside Park”, “Anthem”, “What You’re Doing”, and “Working Man” backed by a wall of old school amps and Neil Peart’s classic “star man” double bass drum kit. It was a very touching and symbolic “full circle” of sorts as Rush closed things out the way that they first started 40 years ago. If this is indeed the last tour Rush ever does, I can honestly say that the boys went out on top of the hill with a show that I will never forget.
Editorial: Finding My Way: Making an Everlasting Connection to the band Rush
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Brave
November 7th, 2015
Marietta, GA
120 Music Hall
It’s a real bummer when some of your favorite bands rarely (if ever) tour but it’s a boatload of fucking win when one of those bands decides to perform one of its very few shows of the year in your own town. Brave made their way back to Atlanta for the first time since 2012 as part of the Valkyries Over Atlanta festival where not only did they blow my goddamn mind more than ever but they reigned supreme as the best band on the festival by a country mile. Brave, even minus a guitarist (Scott Loose), managed to pull out all the stops delivering a goosebump inducing set that was full of passion, fire, and most of my favorite songs. Brave, in my opinion, is the little band that should and will. While other bands are putting on airs and showboating for attention, Brave lets their music and amazing songs do the talking. This particular show really took me someplace and just getting the opportunity to hear songs like, “Surrounds Me”, “Escape”, and “Among the Leaves” live filled my heart with so many great feelings. I hope I don’t have to wait another 3 years to see them live again.
Original Review: https://southeastofheaven.com/?p=15377
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Purson
October 9th, 2015
Atlanta, GA
The Tabernacle
I can’t think of a single thing that would ever even have me remotely wanting to attend a Ghost concert… that is unless Purson is opening and that’s exactly what happened. I never thought I would get the chance to see this favorite band of mine but my wish came true when they rolled into Atlanta as direct support for Ghost. Purson delivered a 45 minute set that, while way to fucking short, was a great way to see them for the first time. Opening with the stellar “Danse Macabre” and capping things off with “Wanted Man”, Purson delivered a set that as visually stunning as it was musically captivating. Lead singer/guitarist Rosie Cunningham solidified herself in the top tier of my favorite singers after this performance and Purson went from being a great band to one of my absolutely favorites. There’s never a 2nd chance to make a first impression and Purson made the absolute most of this first impression as they not only made me a huge believer but walked away with a whole slew of new fans.
Original Review: https://southeastofheaven.com/?p=15317
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Lucifer
August 22nd, 2015
Atlanta, GA
Masquerade
Much like with Purson and Brave, Lucifer was a band that I didn’t think I would ever get the chance to see but low and behold, my wish came true! Lucifer pulled into Atlanta as a support act for a band that I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about. I can’t think of anything that would make me want to see a High on Fire show but tell me that Lucifer is on the bill and I’m there with bells on. I really had no idea what to expect from Lucifer but all of my expectations were far exceeded the minute that band kicked in with “Anubis” and then slammed right into “Abracadabra.” Lead singer Johanna Sadonis’ magnetic and mesmerizing stage presence was a cross between Stevie Nicks and Ozzy Osbourne while the rest of the band laid down some of the sweetest sounding, tight as a drum occult rock. Lucifer left me wanting way much more than the 30 minutes that I was given but it reminded me that a truly great band will always leave you wanting more no matter how little or how long they play. I can’t wait for the next time and I can only hope it will be sooner than later.
Original Review: https://southeastofheaven.com/?p=15170
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Electric Citizen
July 23, 2015
Atlanta, GA
Masquerade
Hands down the biggest “live” surprise of 2015 came from Cincinnati’s psych rockers Electric Citizen. I heard this band a mere week before their Atlanta stop on the Riding Easy Records tour so going into this show I had very little knowledge of this band. I had no idea what to expect from seeing them perform live but their headlining set this night left me speechless, mouth dropped open, and eyes bugging in disbelief. Electric Citizen’s 50 minute headlining set was full of energy, amazingly executed songs, and lead singer Laura Dolan is without a doubt one of the most charismatic, electrifying front women out on the road today. This show not only blew my fucking mind but solidified Electric Citizen’s position in the top tier of favorite bands out there. It’s shows like this that make me so excited to be a lover of live music and if this is the beginning of this band, I can only imagine the awesomeness that is in store for us as Electric Citizen grows to be a force to reckoned with.
Original Review: https://southeastofheaven.com/?p=15080
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Gwar
November 25th, 2015
Atlanta, GA
Masquerade
After the passing of GWAR frontman/founding member Dave Brockie, many of us GWAR fans wondered what would become of our intergalactic metal heroes. GWAR honored the memory of their fallen leader vowing to carry on with the mighty Blothar (Mike Bishop) stepping into the frontman position. Blothar and GWAR embarked on the GWAR Eternal tour and this year’s 30 Years of World Domination tour which had GWAR playing to their faithful legion of Bohabs and, in my opinion, putting on some of the best shows that they’ve put on in decades. Now don’t get me wrong, I love and miss Oderus as much as anybody but Blothar, in my opinion, is a technically better vocalist that Oderus was which to me just makes these shows even that much better. Pulling from their massive catalog, GWAR delivered such classics as “Black and Huge”, “Saddam a Go-Go”, and “Sick of You” to a nearly capacity crowd the day after Turkey Day. Seeing GWAR play like this made me so happy and proud and proved that GWAR still has a lot of awesomesauce left in their chamber. Oderus would be proud without a doubt.
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Doro Pesch
March 5th, 2015
Atlanta, GA
Masquerade
I have seen Doro Pesch more times in the last few years than I ever thought I would and you know what? I’m totally ok with that. Doro Pesch brought her top tier band to Hell at the Masquerade and unleashed a set list that played out like a career spanning retrospective. Hitting the stage with only the first few songs written on the setlist, Doro spent the night pulling requests from her rabid audience and flawlessly delivered deep cuts like “Without You”, “Out of Control” and “Wacken Hymn” which completely blew my mind. The energy coming from the stage was so contagious that the whole night was a push and pull game between the band and the crowd. It was such a fun, amazing audience to be a part of and it’s shows like this that remind me why metal music is some of the greatest music ever made. Doro Pesch is a living legend that is putting on the best shows of career in my opinion and I’m already psyched to see her again next year with a show that will undoubtedly make this list again.
Original Review: https://southeastofheaven.com/?p=14464
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CJ Ramone
June 14th, 2015
Atlanta, GA
Masquerade
CJ Ramone returned to Atlanta and with him brought a slew of new songs touring behind 2014’s Last Chance to Dance album. CJ and his band are without a doubt keeping the spirit and music of The Ramones alive for a whole other generation of kids that were too young to catch the boat when it was still sailing proud. What I also loved so much about this show was the CJ didn’t just use the Ramones songs as a crutch as he delivered his own material which proved to stand tall and strong beside those classic Ramones songs. This particular CJ Ramone show was electrifying and there wasn’t a single still body or unsmiling face in the room. If you never got to see the Ramones, go see CJ Ramone as he is a living, breathing Ramone that is keeping the spirit alive. If you have seen the Ramones and have been on the fence about seeing CJ, get off the fucking fence and run, don’t walk, to the next show in your area. You will be so glad and thankful that you did.
Original Review: https://southeastofheaven.com/?p=14754
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