MISS MAY I BRINGS DOWN THE HOUSE IN SACRAMENTO!
I am a massive metal core fan, since the early days of the genre’s existence I’ve always found that the bands I gravitated towards were those that hit a few marks, combining old school metal, thrash, Swedish metal, and lyrics with meaning from vocalists that command the stage. Miss May I’s Levi Benton has the […]
August Burns Red, We Came As Romans Bring the Heat to Sacramento
Most people that know me or read my blogs know my love for August Burns Red runs pretty deep. They fell into the early metal-core scene for me and over the years have never disappointed between albums and live shows. I did recently see them with Killswitch Engage in San Francisco, but it was nice […]
40 Years of Anthrax with BLS and Hatebreed in Sacramento!
Anthrax, Black Label Society and Hatebreed offered up several hours of complete chaotic destruction from the second Hatebreed came on stage on a sweltering hot day in the Sacramento sun. While I’ve personally seen every one of these bands several times, these are truly bands that you cannot miss live if you have the chance […]
THE CIRCUS OF AVATAR COMES TO SACRAMENTO
Avatar bring their brand of Swedish heavy metal to Sacramento at Ace of Spades!
Dorothy, Joyous Wolf & Classless Act roar through Sacramento!
Dorothy, Joyous Wolf & Classless Act roar through Sacramento with a raucous crowd!
“YOUNG GUNS” MAMMOTH WVH & DIRTY HONEY BRING THE ROCK – HARD IN SACRAMENTO!
Whether you’re a fan of classic hard rock acts or more modern hard rock acts, it doesn’t matter with this tour, as both Mammoth WVH and Dirty Honey bring unique freshness to what has been, in part, a fairly stale genre for some time. Dirty Honey I’ve been lucky enough to catch one other time […]
Killswitch Engage and August Burns Red bring down The Warfield, SF!
Killswitch Engage and August Burns Red bring down the house in San Fran. Check out the review and photos!
SHINEDOWN BLOWS UP THE GRAND SIERRA!
Words by WILLIAM K Images by Kevin Graft #KGROKFOTO SHINEDOWN blasts into 2022 rockin’ their sold out concert at the Grand Sierra Resort Casino in Reno after releasing the new single and title to their upcoming album “Planet Zero”. Opening the show was relative newcomer from Seattle Ayron Jones. I’ve been following Ayron for over […]
Fit For An Autopsy – Roseville, CA
FFAA held nothing back in their first ever show at Goldfield Trading Post in Roseville, CA packed to the brim. Surprisingly this mid size venue sported some amazing lighting and good clear sound for its size. The second FFAA came on, it was an instant pulse through the crowd of roughly 500. Four giant poles […]
Ghost – Volbeat – Twin Temple tour kick off in Reno!
Review by William K Photography by Kevin Graft Twin Temple kicked off the night with their satanic lounge act. Hella kitschy and a lot of fun. They were well received by the crowd making many new fans. Volbeat blasted out of the gate ripping through a massive set of songs mainly from the last few […]
EXODUS & TESTAMENT – FOX THEATER – OAKLAND, CA 11/27/21
Before you say something, yes I know there is no Death Angel coverage in this article, that would be because of three hours stuck in traffic on the drive to Oakland from Sacramento, which realistically should only be about an hour and a half, but I won’t bore you with the details. After arriving in […]
TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET w/THE LAST GANG @ HOLY DIVER – SACRAMENTO, CA 11/3/21
Teenage Bottlerock with The Last Gang live review and photos from Holy Diver in Sacramento 11/3/21
JJ GREY & MOFRO at Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CA
Photos and Article Written by Kevin Graft JJ Grey made his post pandemic return to Sacramento Sunday November 7th almost two years after last playing Sacramento in January of 2019 at The Crest Theater. If you are not familiar with JJ, his career started over 20 years ago and he has a velvety thick smoky […]
CRADLE OF FILTH w/ONCE HUMAN – ACE OF SPADES, Sacramento, CA – 10/24/21
Cradle of Filth with Once Human photos and live review from Sacramento Ace of Spades on 10/24/2021
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY REVIEW & PHOTOS– ACE OF SPADES, SACRAMENTO, CA 10/1/21
Months ago when BLS first announced this tour, I whole heartedly thought it would get cancelled before it actually happened, but now we’ve seen several tours and festivals that have kicked off with mostly success in the wake of Covid 19, and boy was I happy this one happened. Not only is Zakk Wylde a […]
GHOST Leaves Sacramento Screaming for More
GHOST – 11/13/18 – SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY THEATRE Photo Credit: http://www.joshpiersonphotography.com I’ll be the first to tell you that I have no idea how or why Ghost has gotten as popular as they are, and in fact when they announced this tour and the incredibly large venues they’re playing I actually asked my friend “do you […]
Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals – Holy Diver – Sacramento – 11/11/18
It was the year 2000, Pantera was at the height of their popularity and it also marked the first and only time I got to see them live. They were a force to be reckoned with, a band with so much energy, passion and aggression that no one had seen before them or after them. […]
Slash w/Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators with Classless Act
SLASH w/Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – Hollywood Palladium – 10/16/18 When a person such as me spends time in LA, pretty much any amount of time in LA, I start to feel at home every single time. It’s amazing that after years of traveling back and forth from Sacramento to LA that I haven’t […]
Everclear Live Show Review
EVERCLEAR – 6/27/18 – SACRAMENTO, CA Written By: Josh Pierson Photo Credits: Josh Pierson Photography Instagram I have very little context when it comes to Everclear live, or really, Everclear at all. In the 90’s when Everclear was at the height of their popularity with hits like “Santa Monica” I was dug deep into the budding […]
Styx With Tesla Sacramento 060218
As I wandered into a semi busy amphitheater that sits about an hour north of Sacramento it was very apparent how many people were here for the opener – Tesla. And why not? They are after all hometown heroes to some degree, and definitely for an older audience that was more about the 80’s hair […]
SLAYER, LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX, BEHEMOTH AND TESTAMENT – SACRAMENTO, CA – 5/13/18
My entire concert life has been riddled with Slayer, for good or bad, on and off days, they’ve just always been there lurking in the background as a band that I never went out of my way to see because they were always there, with the exception of one time at The Warfield in San […]
Steel Panther // Ace of Spades // Sacramento, CA // 4/13/18
STEEL PANTHER – ACE OF SPADES – SACRAMENTO, CA – 4/13/18 I don’t know that I can say anything that hasn’t already been said about Steel Panther, so I’ll just say what my experience has been like over the years and how it pertains to this particular show. Several years ago I was brought to […]
Stone Temple Pilots // Ace of Spades // Sacramento, CA
Artist: Stone Temple Pilots Location: Ace of Spades, Sacramento CA Show Date: 03/13/2018 Sitting in a crowded restaurant next to the venue after just enjoying a solid turkey melt and salad I look around and realize that the room is buzzing, not in any particular way, just an energy around. This kind of […]
Ministry // Ace of Spades // Sacramento, CA
Artist: Ministry Location: Ace of Spades, Sacramento CA Show Date: 03/26/2018 It was a star studded affair this night at Ace of Spades in Sacramento, which is somewhat unusual in this sleepy town. Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory helping on vocals for several songs to Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys and […]
Highly Suspect – The Boardwalk 10/01/16
You know you’re in for a great show when, before the headliner even takes the stage, the crowd is singing along to the house music. That’s what happened at The Boardwalk October 1st as the packed house eagerly awaited the appearance of New York rockers Highly Suspect, Brooklyn-based trio of twins Rich and Ryan Meyer […]
Band Of Skulls – The Filmore 09/21/16
When you hear of a once in a blue moon show from your favorite blues rock band you do whatever it takes to make it to the show, even if it is on a Wednesday and in the heart of San Francisco. Returning once more to the Fillmore and touring in support of their 4th […]
Ice Nine Kills – Vans Warped Tour 08/06/16
Band: Ice Nine Kills Event: Vans Warped Tour Location: Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA Date: 08/06/16 Photos and Review By: Mark Keane Ice Nine Kills made their triumphant return to California with a high energy set at the Vans Warped Tour. Large festivals can often be a struggle for some bands as they are […]
Pierce The Veil – Mayan Theater 06/26/16
Band: Pierce The Veil Location: Mayan Theater, Los Angeles, CA Date: 06/26/16 Review & Photos By: Tiffanee Blue For the release of their 4th album Pierce the Veil wanted to do something special for their fans, a once-in-a-lifetime event. Before playing at the sold out Mayan Theater in LA, frontman Vic Fuentes told the […]
Soulfly – The Boardwalk 05/18/2016
Band: Soulfly Location: The Boardwalk, Orangevale, CA Date: 05/18/2016 Photos By: Kevin Clem
Hatebreed – Ace of Spades 05/20/2016
Band: Hatebreed Location: Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CA Date: 05/20/2016 Photos By: Josh Pierson Review By: Mark Keane It’s been awhile since the almighty Hatebreed have made a stop here in Sacramento, I want to say their 10 Years of Perseverance tour back in 2012 was the last time. Riding the wave of their […]
Behemoth – Regency Ballroom 05/06/2016
Band: Behemoth Location: Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, CA Date: 05/06/2016 Photos By: Kevin Clem Review By: Robert Gross Behemoth performed The Satanist in full, what more can I say? Oh, I know, FUCKING METAAAAAALLLLL!!! This was the best black metal show I have ever attended. Behemoth sounded amazing. The energy was intense, I don’t […]
Killswitch Engage – Ace Of Spades 04/07/2016
TiffBand: Killswitch Engage Location: Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CA Date: 04/07/2016 Photos By: Tiffanee Blue Setlist Strength of the Mind This Is Absolution Fixation on the Darkness Alone I Stand Beyond the Flames Breathe Life The New Awakening Hate by Design You Don’t Bleed for Me Always Just Let Go Rose of Sharyn Take This Oath My […]
August Burns Red – Ace of Spades 03/22/2016
Setlist: Martyr Identity Empire Everlasting Ending Spirit Breaker Cutting the Ties Provision Back Burner Ghosts Marianas Trench Composite Majoring in the Minors White Washed
Cradle of Filth – Ace of Spades 02/20/2016
Band: Cradle of Filth Location: Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CA Date: 02/20/2016 Photos By: Kevin Clem Setlist: Heaven Torn Asunder Gilded Cunt Blackest Magick in Practice Lord Abortion Right Wing of the Garden Triptych Malice Through the Looking Glass Yours Immortally… Born in a Burial Gown Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids ENCORE Cthulhu Dawn Nymphetamine […]
Butcher Babies – Ace of Spades 02/20/2016
Artist: Butcher Babies Location: Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CA Date: 02/20/2016 Photos By: Kevin Clem Setlist: National Bloody Anthem Blonde Girls All Look the Same The Butcher Gravemaker Igniter Jesus Needs More Babies for His War Machine Monster’s Ball Magnolia Blvd. The Deathsurround Goliath I Smell a Massacre Axe Wound
Ne Obliviscaris – Ace of Spades 02/20/2016
Band: Ne Obliviscaris Location: Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CA Date: 02/20/2016 Photos By: Kevin Clem Setlist: Devour Me, Colossus (Part I): Blackholes Of Petrichor Weaves Black Noise Xenoflux Painters of the Tempest (Part II): Triptych Lux Pyrrhic And Plague Flowers the Kaleidoscope
Colours – The Boardwalk 02/13/16
Colours, a Sarasota, Florida-based alt-rock duo, embarked on its tour with one man band Robert DeLong Saturday night at the Boardwalk. Comprised of Kyle Tamo on vocals and Morgan Alley on drums, Colours is set to release their debut album, Ivory, on February 26th. Upon entering the normally loud and raucous Boardwalk, I quickly realized […]
Amaranthe – Ace of Spades 11/27/2015
Artist(s): Amaranthe Location: Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CA Date: 11/27/2015 Review By: Mark Keane Photos By: Kevin Clem It was a chilly evening in Sacramento but that wasn’t going to keep Swedish metal band Amaranthe away. They even joked during our pre-show interview that this was similar to their summer. Cold temperatures or not, Amaranthe […]
Butcher Babies – Ace of Spades 11/27/2015
Artist(s): Butcher Babies Location: Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CA Date: 11/27/2015 Review By: Mark Keane Photos By: Kevin Clem There was a definite buzz in the air as the Los Angeles based metal group, Butcher Babies, was preparing to take the stage. They were in town in direct support of the headliners, Amaranthe, but looking […]
Doyle
Artist(s): Doyle Location: The Boardwalk, Orangevale, CA Date: 11/12/2015 Review By: Mark Keane Photos By: Kevin Clem It was a night full of love songs, ones that we could all dance to. Punk rock legend Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein(ex-Misfits) brought his solo band to town in support of their album, Abominator, and to give us […]
John 5 & The Creatures
Artist(s): John 5 & The Creatures Location: The Boardwalk, Orangevale, CA Date: 11/12/2015 Review By: Mark Keane Photos By: Kevin Clem To say that I was hyped about finally seeing a John 5 solo performance would be a massive understatement. I have seen him countless times playing alongside both Rob Zombie as well as Marilyn […]
Fearless Records Presents : Fresh Faces Tour
Artist(s): Ice Nine Kills, Wage War, My Enemies & I, The White Noise Location: The Boardwalk, Orangevale, CA Date: 11/08/2015 Review By: Mark Keane Photos By: Cole Allen & Mark Keane Earlier this year I got my first sample of Ice Nine Kills when they came to town with another Fearless records artist, Motionless […]
Death by Chocolate
Artist: Death by Chocolate Location: The Boardwalk, Orangevale, CA Date: 11/04/2015 Review and Photos By: Cole Allen When I saw that Death By Chocolate was coming into town to perform at The Boardwalk in Orangevale, my first instinct was to assume that maybe it was some sort of chocolate convention. While The Boardwalk is not […]
GWAR
Artist : GWAR Location: Knitting Factory, Reno, NV Date: 10/26/2015 Reviewed By: Robert Gross Photos By: Kevin Clem “GWAR is NOT dead!” Blöthar This show was amazing. GWAR played a solid 19 song set and fought a mighty foe! (I won’t spoil what they are fighting) GWAR stole my car and started a war! Every song, every […]
Battlecross
Artist : Battlecross Location: Knitting Factory, Reno, NV Date: 10/26/2015 Reviewed By: Robert Gross Photos By: Kevin Clem Explosive and infectious energy and vocals, face melting and harmonizing guitars, monstrous bass and drum, synchronized windmill head banging, and circle pits are all common place at a Battlecross performance! I cannot say enough good things […]
Marilyn Manson
Artist: Marilyn Manson Location: Aftershock Festival, Sacramento, CA Date: 10/24/15 Review & Photos By: Mark Keane Featured Photo By: Aftershock Festival & Stephanie Cabral Photography Sketch by Cole Allen, 2015. www.coleallen.com Day 1 of Monster’s Aftershock festival was winding down, the day had been packed full of some great rocking music. The sun was starting to set […]
Upon A Burning Body
The stars at night were big and bright on this hot July night in Sacramento,CA. Upon a Burning Body lead a stacked All Stars Tour into Ace of Spades with one mission, to put the pedal to the metal and not let up. The band was relentless dropping hit after bone crushing hit, lead by […]