By: Terrell Stewart

It has been 8 years since Dimmu Borgir toured the U.S. and I was crazy excited to have the opportunity to cover their show in Denver. Unfortunately, Swedish melodic death metal band Hypocrisy canceled their entire August 2026 North American run—including their support slot on Dimmu Borgir's "Grand Serpent Rising" tour and their own headline dates, due to unforeseen Visa Issues. 

Washington’s own Dark Metal band Hulder opened their powerful set with, “A Beacon From Darkened Skies”  setting the tone for what would be a powerful night of, “symphonic black metal”. Sadly, getting pictures was almost impossible because of the extreme over use of heavy fog and red back lighting. It was tough to see the members even in front of the stage. But, that did not stop their powerful set of music that filled the venue and had the crowd mesmerized. Hulder closed out their set with, “…and We Shall Sing”, from their newly released album, Verbolgen and the crowd roared with appreciation!

Hulder members:
Hulder - lead singer
Necreon - Bass guitar
Vapula - percussion
Kel - guitar

Setlist:
A Beacon From Darkened Skies
View From Nemeton
Sylvan Awakening
Verses in Oath
Vessel of Suffering
Drie Raven
...And We Shall Sing

With a roar from the excited crowd, Dimmu Borgir took the stage and wasted no time starting their night of symphonic black metal with, “Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel2” from their latest album, Grand Serpent Rising and the power from the band and Shagrath’s vocals poured out over their fans whose arms were raised throwing up the horns! You could feel the adrenaline coming from the stage and the crowd soaked it up with every song. 

As the band unleashed the hold on the crowd taking them back and forth in time with songs, “Mourning Palace” from 1997, “The Serpentine Offering” from 2007, “Puritania” from 2001, “Council of Wolves and Snakes” from 2018. Overall, a very powerful set of music which kept their fans moving throughout the night. Winding down from an amazing show, Dimmu Borgir finished with “Progenies of the Great Apocalypse” from 2003 and “Perfection or Vanity” from 2001.

This was my first time seeing Dimmu Borgir after missing them 8 years ago. The wait… was worth every second of this show! 

Members:
Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) – rhythm guitar (1993–present), lead vocals (1993–1995), bass (1993, 2009–present)
Shagrath (Stian Tomt Thoresen) – lead vocals (1995–present), drums (1994–1995), lead guitar (1995–1997), keyboards, synthesizer, bass (1993, 2009–present)
Current session/touring musicians
Daray (Dariusz Brzozowski) – drums (2008–present)
Gerlioz (Geir Bratland) – keyboards, synthesizer (2010–present)
Victor Brandt – bass (2018–present)
Damage (Kjell Åge Karlsen) – lead guitar (2025–present)
 
Setlist:
Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel2
Mourning Palace 
Kings of the Carnival Creation
Council of Wolves and Snakes 
As Seen in the Unseen
Ascent
Stormblåst
Reptile
The Insight and the Catharsis
The Serpentine Offering 
Puritania 
Gateways 
Progenies of the Great Apocalypse 2003
Perfection or Vanity

​

 Photos By: Holly Roy Photography
Review By: Kat Gullage

Our favorite outlandish metal haranguers and pizza connoisseurs outta Boston, Inverter, served up an in-your-face performance like only they can. The band, which began as a studio project between guitarist Bill “Release The” Bracken and frontman Derek “Deek” Diedricksen, morphed into a four man group with the add of bassist Jimmy Evangelista and drummer Jeff “El Jefe” Lawn. Inverter continues to garner more gigs and fans by the minute. The group has five LPs, their eight song set hit on three of em plus a special surprise inside!

Deek’s husky voice immediately filled the space, “Hamden, it’s good to be back”, before the band unleashed two from Welcome To Earth, beginning with the title track that includes the lyrics/warning-to-aliens “Welcome to Earth, now get the fuck out!”. Deek introduced the band with “We are Inverter from the planet fuck. 69th planet from the sun. It’s cold there.”

One of my fave bangers, “Electro Shock Body Rock” gave us a jolt and threw some heat. Mid-song Deek executed a high kick that came tread-smelling close to a guy’s face at the rail. “It’s hot up here. Jimmy almost wore his daisy dukes with Juicy bedazzled on the ass. He’s taken ladies, control yourselves.” The singer sported glasses that glowed like uranium glass but, alas, were not radioactive. “Living Wreckage is coming up. They’re gonna rip the skin off your skulls.”

Deek questioned the audience if they should perform “Last Summer” off Another Avalanche. The response was a resounding “Yes!” but honestly he could’ve said any song, would’ve gotten the same reaction. Bracken gave a shout out, “Thanks for bringing me deodorant!” Deek added, “We all thank you for that.” It was back to Welcome To Earth for “Devastate” and “Aztec Death Whistle”.

The frontman confessed the group’s pizza obsession, which has been immortalized visually on their new t-shirts. “We keep coming here and getting fatter.” Our special surprise was a brand new track, “Four Man Killing Machine” and it ended up being my fave of the set. Inverter wrapped with two from Sonic Vandalism, “Monsters Robot Graffiti!”, where Deek added, “I kept it clean. I usually say suck my dick.” “Bow Down To Zod” was the closer of the audio assault, “Thank you guys. We’re Inverter.” This band oozes multi-talented musicians, artists and performers. Would recommend, grab yourself a slice!

Living Wreckage is a five man supergroup came together during the C-19 pandemic and this girl right here appreciates the music that spawned from those jam sessions. The band is: guitarists Jon Donais (Anthrax, Shadows Fall) and Matt LeBreton (Downpour), bassist Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall), drummer Jon Morency (Let Us Pray) and, since 2023, vocalist Sage King, a locally renowned singer. It’s a recipe for a modern take on thrash infused crushing metal.

They opened with “Righteous Side Of Sanity” (2026 single) and I got everything I wanted in just this one song. The intro is ballad-like, a slow roll that builds into heavy riffs while showcasing Sage’s range, mesmerizing melodies to guttural yells.

The onslaught continued with “Breaking Point” (Living Wreckage) before Sage addressed the loyals. “What the fuck is up Connecticut?! Good to be back in my home state cuz you keep rolling in when we come through town. Here’s a new song that we just played for the first time in New Hampshire last night.” The track, “Judas,” is a single from their upcoming album, followed by a previously unreleased song, “Ready For War.”

Y’all know I’m not a fan of covers. I’ll admit there’s a time and place for them, like a Friday night at your local rock venue, dive bar or honky tonk. The band’s version of Audioslave’s “Show Me How To Live” was solid, the crowd loved it. I’d already seen Sage in an Audioslave cover band so he had the proven chops.

I don’t have many more notes because I was at the rail the whole night rocking the fuck out. Sage is known for jumping down and getting in the fans’ faces and a coupla times I closed my eyes cuz I was vibing hard with the music and when I opened em, Sage was directly in front of me! Living Wreckage kept rollin with “Desolation Place” and “The End Of The Line” before slapping me with another cover, Iron Maiden’s “2 Minutes To Midnight”. It was a good song choice as it flexed the band’s inspirations, the legends of heavy progressive metal, and everyone in the room knew at least the chorus.

Still glued to the rail, I head-banged my way through “Skeleton” and two more off of Living Wreckage, “One Foot In The Grave” and “Out Of Time”, which unfortunately turned out to be the one-to-go mark. “Alright, let’s hear it one more time for all the bands and all the fuckin staff here again tonight, they let us do what we do. Staff, sound guy, thank you guys so much for making this place be what it is, like I said it’s always like family when we roll in this place. We got one more song for ya.” I started booing and yelled “Ya mean two?” while other people joined in yelling random numbers.

“Like I said it does mean a lot that you’re here with us, you could be anywhere, you could be at home, you could be at another show, you could be fuckin doing whatever ya wanted, but ya chose to be here spendin your hard earned money rockin with us in this room tonight, this sweaty room, so that means the world.” Sage is always so genuine and authentic when he gives thanks, no canned rock star bullshit. He invited both veteran and new fans to meet them at the merch booth. “We like whiskey!” “OK we got one more for ya, it’s coming out next year, it’s called “TAKE ME ALIVE” (he sang/growled the title). Mid-song the frontman stood on the rail, hovering over us, while the band continued a subdued play behind him. “Fuck yeah Connecticut we love you! This has always been the home state, so I love comin back here & playin. Playing original music is a lot of fuckin hard work these days and it’s really hard to fuckin make a community. So when you get people in a room together all feelin the same fuckin thing, lettin all the shit from the outside world go for three hours, that’s hard, that’s not an easy task these days. But we’re doin it, you’re livin it right here in this moment. If there’s anything in life holdin ya back, fuckin don’t let it take you alive.” Lemme tell ya, that new song is fire. Catchy chorus, killer vocal range, shifting tempos, can’t wait for it to come out!

If you love vintage thrash with guttural punches to the face, check out Living Wreckage. Their next chapter is going to crush it! See ya at the rail!

By: Tracy Heck

Evanescence enthralled with their set on their Sanctuary Tour stop in Clarkston, Michigan on
Sunday, August 2nd .

The highly regarded alternative metal band roared through 21 songs during their hour and forty-
minute set.

They shared the stage with British electronic punk duo Nova Twins and Canadian metal band
Spiritbox, who impressed with a cinematic set filled with strong visuals, bubbles and powerful
vocals from front woman Courtney LaPlante.

With smoke swarming the stage, Evanescence kicked off their set with “Sanctuary,” the title of
the tour and latest album.

Throughout the evening, they performed a number of new tracks including the hard-hitting “Tell
Me When You’ve Had Enough” and the gripping “Rapture.”

The band, which includes Troy McLawhorn and Tim McCord on guitars, Emma Anzai on bass
and Will Hunt on drums, was in top form and Amy Lee is one of those rare vocalists who shines
more in a live setting than on the studio recordings.

The fact that she can effortlessly move from soaring piano ballads to guttural screams is always
mesmerizing and brings a little something for everyone to enjoy.

Set highlights included the intense “Going Under” and “Call Me When You’re Sober” and the
haunting “Lithium” and “My Immortal,” both backed by a packed crowd full of phone lights
loudly singing along.

Lee was also joined by the Nova Twins and LaPlante for a victorious “Fight Like a Girl.”

With eye popping visuals, lots of fire, confetti canons and moving platforms, the band kept the
intensity throughout and paid tribute to the past and celebrated their future.
​
Evanescence closed with the forceful “Wide Open Heart.”

By: Evan J. Thomas 

Sometimes the best concerts don't happen in arenas. Sometimes they happen in intimate venues where you can feel every guitar riff, every bass note, and every ounce of energy coming off the stage.


That was exactly the case when Nonpoint brought The Even More... Outta Control Tour to the intimate confines of Blue Note Harrison in Harrison, Ohio.  I wasn't a fan of the venue layout as there was a small "Pit" area with tables and chairs scattered throughout the venue for the non standers to sit. 

Joining Nonpoint were two legendary names from the late '90s and early 2000s heavy music scene (hed) P.E. and Spineshank creating a lineup that felt like a love letter to the golden era of nu metal and alternative metal.


Opening the night, (hed) P.E. wasted little time reminding fans why they've remained one of heavy music's most unique acts and did they put on a show!


Blending rap, punk, reggae, metal, and pure chaos, the band put on a set that was as unpredictable as it was entertaining. Frontman Jared Gomes worked the room effortlessly, mixing humor with high energy performances while keeping the crowd engaged between songs. Their performance leaned on material spanning their long career while also giving fans a taste of newer music, proving the band still has plenty left in the tank.  I've seen (hed) P.E. several times over the years and this was probably the most impressive set i've seen to date.  

If there was any doubt about whether Spineshank still had it after returning to the stage, those questions were answered almost immediately.


Jonny Santos commanded the room with the same intensity fans remember from the band's heyday. His vocals were powerful, emotional, and relentless, while the band ripped through a set packed with crushing riffs and mechanical grooves that made the room feel twenty years younger.


There was a genuine sense of nostalgia, but it never felt like a nostalgia act.  This was a band playing with purpose.  Their performance reminded everyone why so many fans have hoped for a full-fledged return.


What can I say about Nonpoint that hasn't already been said?   From the moment Elias Soriano stepped on stage, it was clear whose house this was. Nonpoint has always been one of those bands that somehow sounds even heavier live than they do in the studio, and that trend continued in Harrison.


Soriano remains one of rock's most underrated frontmen, constantly moving, encouraging crowd participation, and delivering every lyric with passion. Drummer Robb Rivera once again proved why he's one of the genre's most consistent musicians, laying down thunderous rhythms that never let the momentum dip.


The chemistry between the band members was undeniable.  Whether it was guitarist Jaysin Zeilstra ripping through soaring leads, Rasheed Thomas locking down crushing rhythm parts, or bassist Adam Woloszyn providing the low end punch, every member had moments to shine.


Oh and by the way, Elias made it clear that the masses upcoming album, The Last Word, is due out on September 18, so much he got it stuck in my head.  While mixing in the fan favorites that have made Nonpoint a staple of hard rock for more than two decades. The crowd responded with nonstop energy from start to finish.


One of the biggest advantages of seeing a show at Blue Note Harrison is the intimacy.  Fans weren't separated from the bands by massive barricades or giant video screens, there wasn't even a photo pit for the photographers. 


Instead, they experienced the music up close, creating the kind of connection that's becoming increasingly rare in today's concert landscape. The venue's close quarters and rock club atmosphere made the performances feel personal, amplifying the energy throughout the night.


If The Even More... Outta Control Tour is heading anywhere near you, don't make the mistake of skipping it.​

By: Shay Smith | Salsaman Photography

Pyro, double-neck guitars, popcorn pranks, and non-stop energy—the Tucson Arena was absolute electricity when Shinedown’s Dance, Kid, Dance Act II Tour rolled into town. From Ashes to New kicked things off with raw intensity, Coheed and Cambria brought full-throttle progressive rock, and Shinedown delivered a massive, pyro-fueled headlining set that left the entire venue shaking. Here is a full breakdown and front-row look at an unforgettable night of rock in Southern Arizona.

First band to take the stage was Pennsylvania’s hard-hitting, high-energy powerhouse, From Ashes to New.

I’ve been following and covering these guys for years, going back to when they opened for 10 Years at The Rock here in Tucson back in 2018. Kicking off their set was "New Disease" off their new album, Reflections. They immediately dialed it up with "Nightmare," stepping the energy in the room way up. The solid back-and-forth vocals between Danny and Matt, paired with heavy guitar riffs, had the crowd jumping and singing along.

Guitarist Lance kicked off "Heartache" wearing an anime-stylized, theatrical white Japanese demon mask. Halfway through the set, they hit us with their first #1 single, "Drag Me," followed by "Barely Breathing"—a track that digs right into the suffocating realization of a failing relationship.

Up next was "Die For You." Danny mentioned in a pre-show interview with KFMA’s Beef Vegan that this is the one track he truly zones in on and connects with live, and you could feel that, it hits incredibly hard through its raw vibe and lyrics.

Closing out their set was "Panic," a song tackling the grip of anxiety and inner turmoil. Before the first note dropped, Matt asked the arena to raise a hand if they felt "messed up in the head." Nearly every single hand in the building went up.

Keeping the momentum rolling between sets throughout the night was DJ Rock Feed, spinning high-octane tracks to make sure the arena energy never dipped for a second, along with giving the crowd a chance to sing-along.

Filling the middle slot on this leg of the tour was the progressive rock machine Coheed and Cambria.  They launched straight into "A Favor House Atlantic" from In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3, the second installment in the epic Amory Wars Keywork saga (and the graphic novel series created by frontman Claudio Sanchez). From there, the rest of their set was full-throttle prog rock, barely giving the audience a chance to catch their breath. They were so tight, focused, and right in your face as they delivered a powerhouse run:
"Searching for Tomorrow"
"Ten Speed (Of God's Blood and Burial)"
"Shoulders"
"Blind Side Sonny"
"Delirium Trigger"
"Here We Are Juggernaut"
"Here to Mars"
"The Liars Club"

For their grand finale, "Welcome Home," Claudio brought out his iconic white Gibson EDS-1275 Double-neck. He completely owned the stage setup, taking full advantage of the satellite stages set deep into the crowd. Starting on the stage-left satellite, he let it rip, even lifting the heavy double-neck behind his head to shred mid-solo before marching over to the other side of the arena to finish off the massive run.

Coheed brought a completely different sonic dynamic to the bill. Personally, I loved it, variety is what keeps a live show thrilling instead of monotonous.

Before the headliners took over, local KFMA on-air personality Beef Vegan took the mic to hype up the crowd. Leading into his introduction for Shinedown, he took a moment to explicitly thank Tucson for "bringing the energy back to the legendary Tucson Arena."

The show kicked off with TV Man, the mascot for Shinedown’s Dance, Kid, Dance tour. He appeared center-stage wearing a custom vintage television helmet, complete with a working monitor and backlit dials, dancing to Peter Gabriel’s "Sledgehammer" and getting the crowd primed.

Shinedown exploded onto the stage with "Safe and Sound" off their new album EI8HT, then launched straight into the fast-paced, hard-hitting "Devour." The band was locked in, with Brent delivering massive, effortless vocals. Third in line was the crowd-favorite "Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)," which got the whole floor moving. A cool highlight here was Lyric Smith (Brent’s son) tearing it up on guitar and laying down the solo.

After "If You Only Knew," things took a deeper turn. Brent paused to talk about losing loved ones and reminding us that their energy still surrounds us. He encouraged the audience to close their eyes, imagine your lost loved ones are with you, hold onto human faith, and let that warmth fill the arena before launching into their #1 Alternative hit, "Three Six Five."

To bring the energy roaring back, they hit the heavy riff driven single "Devil," complete with an absolute abundance of pyro.  "Searchlight" brought a country-leaning acoustic feel to the set. While some diehard fans are mixed on the studio direction of the track, you’d be hard pressed not to appreciate how beautifully it lands in a live setting.

Before jumping into "Enemies," Brent spent time hyping the room, telling everyone sitting down to get off their seats because it’s a rock 'n' roll show. He joked that people needed to get their stretches in because he expected full movement. On his count of three, the entire venue went wild and started jumping.

Zach slowed things down for a moment to talk about fan signs in the crowd, mentioning how much the band appreciates reading them. He jokingly said he was refusing to acknowledge the sign behind him asking for one of his guitars, but grabbed another, had the rest of the band sign it, and handed mic duties back to Brent as they prepared to play on the B-stage in the center of the crowd.
Their four-song "Living Room Set", as Zach referred to it, featured "Call Me" (with disco balls throwing gorgeous light patterns across the entire arena), ".45," "Save Me," and "How Did You Love?"

Returning to the main stage, they punched through "Bully" and another new track, "Young Again." Brent took a moment for a mid-show speech, speaking on the band’s commitment to charitable work. He shared that $1 from every ticket sold on this tour goes directly to non-profit partners, raising over $300,000 for cancer research and treatment at City of Hope on this leg alone. That led right into a moving performance of "A Symptom Of Being Human," illuminated by thousands of lighters and phone lights.

Then came "Cut The Cord," accompanied by an unreal wall of pyro. At points, Brent was flanked by 15-foot flames shooting straight out of the stage. The heat didn't stop there as they rolled right into another massive #1 hit, "Monsters."

We even got a pair of covers: for the first, Zach took the mic with his acoustic in hand for 3 Doors Down’s "Kryptonite," followed by the ultimate arena sing-along, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s "Simple Man."
The final song of the night, "Sound of Madness" brought a hilarious local twist: Dusty, the mascot for Tucson’s AHL hockey team, the Roadrunners, snuck up on Brent near the end of the track and dumped a massive, trash-can-sized bag of popcorn right over his head while he was singing. All was good in the end, they shook hands and hugged it out.
​
For their finale, they delivered the ultimate emotional crowd pleaser, "Second Chance," ending in a series of chest-thumping explosions that rocked your insides. It was the perfect metaphor for what Shinedown did to everyone inside the Tucson Arena tonight.

By: Brian Serra 

“Boy, the way Glen Miller played / Songs that made the Hit Parade…”


Some lyrics instantly invoke an air of nostalgia. That sense of melancholy and longing for a time that encompassed all that we held dear. “The good old days,” so to speak. A time when we enjoyed life to the fullest, without a care in the world. Most would attribute those opening lines to Archie and Edith Bunker from the ‘70s sitcom All In The Family; for me, it conjures remembrances of a certain masked metal band from the Midwest that rose to popularity in the early 2000s… no, not THAT masked metal band from the Midwest that rose to popularity in the early 2000s! I’m referring to MUSHROOMHEAD. You see, one of their earliest songs, “2nd Thoughts,” opens with those lines, and, wow, do memories come flooding in when I hear those words.


The “Ex-Faces” are playing tonight. Now, here’s a peculiar oddity… they’re a band that’s made up of former members of Mushroomhead. I can’t, for the life of me, recall any other band that was able to re-form from past members while the original band was still active and touring. It feels like they should get a Guiness World Record for… whichever category that would fall under. Look… there are basically THREE versions of Mushroomhead at the time of this writing. There’s Mushroomhead, the actual band, with only one original member left (Steve “Skinny” Felton on drums). There’s Jeffrey Nothing (original vocalist who left in 2018) who still performs some Mushroomhead songs with his solo band. Then there are, of course, The Ex-Faces. That’s right. There are THREE versions of this band actively touring. Again… hello? Guiness World Records? I think we have something here…


So, who exactly is in The Ex-Faces?
There’s Daniel “Lil Dan” Fox on drums, one of the most prolific drummers in the industry today. He’s been a touring member or behind-the-scenes drum tech for several bands including: Marilyn Manson’s live band, Mudvayne, Static-X, Rob Zombie, Crossbreed, and Dope, just to name a few. Though most Mushroomhead fans will recall his duties in the band as an additional percussionist, Dan was always part of Mushroomhead’s crew in one form or another.


Waylon Reavis, one of The Ex-Faces’ dual vocalists, is joined by the member of Mushroomhead that he originally replaced in 2004, the inimitable Jason “J Mann” Popson.


There’s Rick “Stitch” Thomas on samples and keyboards. Along with Dan, Rick has also been in about half a dozen bands or more and is currently in Ventana with Dan and in A Killer’s Confession with Dan and Waylon. On a side note, the new mask that Stitch debuted on this tour is a mix of all his previous masks.


Dave “Gravy” Felton returns to guitar duty. As someone who has seen every lineup of Mushroomhead for the past 20 years or so, I can tell you that their early songs only sound right when Dave plays them. Of course, I’m not knocking any guitarist who came after him. It’s just that, in music, what matters isn’t the notes or chords that you play, but how you play them.


Last, and certainly not least, is Joe “Murdernickel” Kilcoyne. Get it? “Kilcoyne?” “Kill coin?” “Murdernickel?” Anyway, for longtime fans, this inclusion was one of the biggest reasons to see The Ex-Faces live. Joe, a founding member of Mushroomhead, left the band in 1995, so fans outside of their hometown of Cleveland most likely haven’t seen him perform with the band yet.


I know it might sound like you’d need a cork board and several meters of red string to connect the dots and keep track of which members came from which era of the band, but don’t worry. All you need to know is that the gang is all here. Well, okay, not everyone from this era of Mushroomhead is here. Notable members that were absent from this reunion are: Thomas “Shmotz” Schmitz (keys), Marko “Bronson” Vukcevich (guitars), of course, Jeffrey Nothing (vocals), and Jack “Pig Benis” Kilcoyne (bass). Jack, Joe’s brother, was only set to appear on a few specific dates for this tour. Why were there holdouts? Who knows? Maybe they’ve moved on from the music industry entirely. Maybe there were still lingering issues between some of the band members. I don’t know. I don’t do drama. I’m not TMZ and it’s not any of my business to probe, prod, or assume anything. As a fan, you simply have to respect their decisions, give them the benefit of the doubt, and just enjoy the lineup that was eager to show the world what made this era of Mushroomhead so memorable and distinct.


So, let’s get to the meat and potatoes. The show itself. You know it’s going to be a great show when (a) there’s no photo pit (the absence of a photo pit means that there is no barrier to impede that vital interaction between the artist and their fans. Sorry, not sorry… even as a concert photographer, I can admit that shows with no photo pits are more enjoyable), and (b) the floor was densely packed and active. You couldn’t just saunter over from one side of the room to the other.


We were treated to a smorgasbord charcuterie spread of a setlist. As expected, material from Mushroomhead’s self-titled first album up to Savior Sorrow made up a significant portion of their set. Nostalgia hit hard as they interspersed deep cuts like “Crazy” (a cover of a song by Seal that was also a hidden track on their album XIII) and “These Filthy Hands” in with fan-favorites like “Sun Doesn’t Rise” and “Solitaire/Unraveling.”


One of my personal favorite songs of the night was the track that I mentioned at the very beginning of this article, “2nd Thoughts.” Back in the day, Mushroomhead would sneak in little deviations in their songs live to differentiate them from the recorded album versions. Well, J Mann frequently inserts lyrics from other songs into “2nd Thoughts.” Tonight, I recognized Chumbawumba’s “Tubthumping,” Madonna’s “Vogue,” and “Get Down Tonight” by KC and The Sunshine Band in there. I know that certainly sounds like a confuddling mish mash of songs that don’t mesh well together, but J Mann makes it work. That is the beauteous brilliance that shimmers from every aspect of Mushroomhead; this “anything goes” mentality that’s applied to their music, their visuals, and live performances.


What happened after the final song of the night is something that’s going to be ingrained into my brain forever. Let me set the stage. If you attend concerts frequently, you know the drill. The band on stage waves to the crowd and walks off to the side of the stage while the lights dim after the final song. They they’ll spend a few moments building the anticipation to what the crowd is already expecting. The lights illuminate the stage once again, the band members walk into their designated spots on the stage and take their respective instruments for the final, FINAL song. For realsies this time. Okay, back to The Ex-Faces show…


After the last song, the house music played and the band proceeded to high-five the fans, throw out guitar picks, and hand out setlists. The crowd had already begun to disperse. I myself was already packing up my lenses and camera equipment. Waylon had walked through the crowd and headed off to their merch table. It felt like the night was over. What happened next seemed like it came straight out of one of those big extravagant music biopics. A small chant made up of maybe 3 people started: “One more song!” I giggled, thinking it was an impossibility at this point. But wait… then a few more people joined in: “One more song!” Even more, and now with feeling and emphasis: “ONE… MORE… SONG!” “ONE MORE SONG!” Before I knew it, the energy was undeniable. "ONE MORE SONG!” I join in: “ONE MORE SONG!” “ONE MORE. SONG!” “ONE MORE SONG!” From the corner of my eye, I see several band members heading back to the stage. A crew member hurriedly retrieves Waylon from their merch table and directs him towards the backstage area. It was happening. From an eager audience clamoring for more and a band genuinely blindsided by their fans’ support and devotion, we got it. Not just “ONE MORE SONG.” A TRUE encore.


While the art of the encore has become less like a genuine act and more like artificial posturing, tonight, on August 7, 2026, at The Vixen in McHenry, Illinois, I do believe that we witnessed a bona fide unfeigned encore from The Ex-Faces. And speaking of encores, boy, they could not have chosen a more fitting song to end the night with.

“Never Let It Go.”
I feel sorry for any fans who left the venue during the brief lull before the encore. You know those moments I’ve referred to in which the live version differs from the recorded versions? During the outro of “Never Let It Go,” there are moments of silence in between screams by J Mann. Live, it’s one of the most cathartic sing-alongs you’ll ever experience. Waylon leads us as we sing each line of the chorus to fill those empty spaces.


What a moment. What a statement. It felt like the band was saying “thank you for sticking with us” through all the lineup changes, through all the drama, through all of the nonsense.


In the final moments of the encore, the band AND the fans, in complete unison with one another, ALL sang the night’s final words:


“Goodbye, but I cannot forget it / No, I’ll never ever let it go.”
After over 20 years of listening to this band and witnessing their growth, their success, their pitfalls, and their stumbles, I can’t help but feel pangs of nostalgia as I walked out of The Vixen. The Ex-Faces reminded me of what Mushroomhead was like at their finest. They brought me back to those late nights walking to the train station after catching a show of theirs at The Metro or House Of Blues in downtown Chicago. They brought me back to a time when I would stoutly stick up for them against any naysayers on messageboards. A time when it felt like I had found a new underdog to root for and a band that I would listen to for years to come.


Those were the days.

By: Evan J. Thomas

​FULL REVIEWS BELOW

Some festivals are remembered for their headliners. Others are remembered for the atmosphere. Rock Lansing 2026 will be remembered for both.
From the opening notes on August 1 until the final encore, Rock Lansing delivered a full day of outstanding performances, passionate fans, and a community united by a love for loud guitars and live music. The festival struck the perfect balance between showcasing rising regional talent and welcoming nationally recognized acts, creating an experience that never slowed down.

Despite the looming heavy rain on the morning radar the day went off mostly unscathed as every band were able to play their sets with no delays or sets being pushed back.  The rain did come down at times.  Due to the fact that the rain was coming, the Lansing Lugnuts stadium set up was changed the night before.  The two stages were supposed to have been side to side in the outfield but the set up changed to the second stage being out in the plaza entrance to the stadium.  The set up was to save the grass in the outfield.  Because of this, the crowd then was fenced off about 100 feet away as the top of the infield dirt was off limits for walking giving the audience a very interesting perspective and the bands not having fans right in front of them.  

Unfortunately I had missed a few bands including Lives Lost, The Harbor Divide and Beyond Threshold so they won't be reviewed here.  

The second stage was a constant highlight throughout the day. Bands like Etched in Embers, From Ashes To Embers, Left On Red, Let It Rot, Ritual Suns, Riding With Killers and hometown favorites Heartsick each brought their own identity to the festival. Whether it was crushing breakdowns, soaring melodies, or unforgettable stage presence, every band performed as if they belonged on the biggest stages in the country. Heartsick's explosive hometown headlining set on the second stage served as one of the emotional high points of the festival, with the Lansing crowd giving their local heroes the reception they deserved.
The main stage kept the momentum rolling all day long. The Almas energized the crowd with their infectious hard rock sound, while Northlake delivered one of the day's most relentless performances, combining heavy grooves with undeniable swagger. As the evening progressed, the excitement only intensified.
When the headliners took over, Rock Lansing reached another level. Nonpoint reminded everyone why they remain one of rock's most electrifying live bands, unleashing a performance filled with relentless energy and crowd interaction. Powerman 5000 transformed the festival into an industrial rock celebration, delivering a visually exciting and sonically massive set packed with fan favorites. Finally, Soil brought the weekend to an unforgettable conclusion, combining crushing riffs, powerful vocals, and an emotional connection with the audience that made for the perfect finale.
Beyond the music, what truly made Rock Lansing special was its atmosphere. Fans of every generation came together to celebrate rock and metal, supporting both established artists and up-and-coming bands with equal enthusiasm. The festival was exceptionally well organized despite the forecasted rain, the production was top notch, and every performance felt like it mattered. There was a genuine sense of community throughout the grounds a reminder that the rock and metal scene is built on passion, loyalty, and the shared experience of live music.
Rock Lansing 2026 wasn't simply another stop on the festival calendar. It was a celebration of everything that makes rock music great: incredible musicians, devoted fans, unforgettable performances, and a community that continues to grow stronger every year. If this year's festival is any indication of what's to come, Rock Lansing has firmly established itself as one of the Midwest's premier destinations for hard rock and metal. Here's hoping Rock Lansing 2027 gets here sooner rather than later. 

Opening the second stage at Rock Lansing 2026 is never an easy assignment, but Autumn Academy embraced the challenge from the first note. With the early crowd still making its way through the festival grounds, the band wasted no time turning curious onlookers into engaged fans, delivering a set packed with emotion, soaring melodies, and enough heaviness to keep the energy high.
Frontman Brandon Garrett commanded the stage with passionate vocals that shifted seamlessly from melodic hooks to powerful screams, while the band's tight musicianship and polished chemistry made it clear they belonged on the festival bill. Every song carried a sense of urgency, and despite the early afternoon time slot, Autumn Academy played like they were closing the night.
As the opening act on the second stage, Autumn Academy set the tone for everything that followed, proving they have the songs, the stage presence, and the drive to stand out in a stacked lineup. If this performance was anyone's first introduction to the band, it almost certainly won't be their last.

I was so excited to finally see Left On Red and they delivered a straight up adrenaline rush on the Rock Lansing second stage, proving they were one of the festival's hardest hitting acts.  Their set was packed with crushing riffs, explosive energy, and a no holds barred attitude that instantly pulled the crowd into the action. Left On Red brought intensity to the stage, creating a performance that was both tight and relentless from beginning to end. By the time their set wrapped up, Left On Red had left the audience fired up and cemented themselves as one of the standout performances of the day. Catch them currently on tour.

From Ashes To Embers absolutely brought the heat to Rock Lansing on August 1st, delivering a blistering set that reminded everyone exactly why hard rock is alive and well. The band from Northern Illinois wasted no time making their presence known from the very first note and the fans who came out just for FATE saw an incredible set! Energy was through the roof from start to finish the band played with an intensity that had the crowd locked in immediately The guitar work was razor sharp, with crushing riffs and soaring leads that filled the parking lot on the second stage. The audience was fully engaged throughout the entire set Fists in the air, heads banging. Rock Lansing was the perfect stage for this kind of raw, unfiltered energy.

Being a last minute addition to the second stage, Ritual Suns offered one of the weekend's most dynamic performances, blending atmospheric textures with crushing modern rock riffs. Their set built momentum with every song, drawing on lookers into an emotional journey that balanced melody, power, and raw intensity. By the end of their performance, they had undoubtedly earned the attention of plenty of new fans.

​Riding With Killers lived up to their reputation by delivering a high octane performance filled with swagger, groove, and pure rock and roll attitude. The band owned every inch of the stage, combining heavy riffs with infectious energy that had fans feeding off every moment. Their confidence and chemistry made for a set that felt larger than life and perfectly suited for the festival atmosphere.  Hopefully the other members of the band got their chicken fingers and weed after the set. 

Hometown heroes Heartsick turned the Rock Lansing second stage into the place to be on August 1, delivering a headlining performance that was nothing short of explosive and passionate!
From the crushing opening riffs to the final note, Heartsick had the crowd in the palm of their hands, feeding off the energy of a hometown audience that sang, moshed, and celebrated every moment. Frontman Alphonso took to the crowd a few times and body surfed as the frenzy was tapped in on every song. Heartsick's crushing grooves, massive hooks, and commanding stage presence proved exactly why they've become one of Michigan's premier heavy acts. It wasn't just a great way to close the second stage. it was one of the defining performances of the entire festival and a set no one will forget.

Etched in Embers  wasted no time making their presence felt early on at Rock Lansing, delivering a set packed with crushing riffs, razor sharp musicianship, and relentless energy from start to finish.  Pure aggression, frontman Russ Rhodenizer commanded the stage with a powerful vocal performance that connected with the crowd, proving why the band continues to build momentum. It was a confident, hard hitting performance that left fans wanting more and established Etched in Embers as one of the standout heavy acts of the festival.

​Northlake brought a refreshing blend of modern hard rock and infectious melodies to the Rock Lansing stage. Their polished musicianship and energetic performance showcased a band that knows how to connect with an audience without sacrificing intensity. Every song carried memorable hooks while still packing enough punch to keep heads banging throughout the crowd.

​Let It Rot kicked off their Rock Lansing 2026 appearance with a relentless barrage of crushing riffs and unfiltered aggression that immediately ignited the crowd. Their blend of heavy grooves, punishing breakdowns, and commanding vocals created an atmosphere that was impossible to ignore. The band's chemistry on stage was evident throughout the set, proving they have both the talent and intensity to leave a lasting impression on anyone witnessing them live.

The Almas once again proved why they continue to be one of the hardest working bands in rock. Their Rock Lansing performance was packed with infectious energy, massive choruses, and a polished stage presence that immediately connected with the audience. The band's chemistry and relentless enthusiasm transformed their set into one of the festival's feel good moments while never losing the edge that defines their sound.

Blacktop Mojo proved exactly why they’re one of the most electrifying live bands in rock as they took over the main stage at Rock Lansing 2026. Not only are they one of my favorite bands but I had the incredible honor of introducing the band before they hit the stage, and from the first note, they owned the crowd. With crushing riffs, powerhouse vocals, and nonstop energy, Blacktop Mojo delivered a set that was equal parts Southern swagger and hard rock intensity. Their performance wasn’t just one of the highlights of the festival it was a reminder that authentic, high powered rock and roll is alive and well. Blacktop Mojo didn’t just play the main stage... they absolutely dominated it

Ded didn’t just hit the main stage at Rock Lansing 2026 they detonated it. Even with the awkward distance between the stage and the crowd due to the weather and the baseball field, the band unleashed a relentless wall of crushing riffs, bone rattling grooves, and explosive energy that never let up. Frontman Joe Cotela commanded the crowd with raw intensity, while the entire band delivered a performance that was as tight as it was ferocious. Ded left the Lansing crowd sweaty, exhausted, and begging for one more song. Pure aggression. Pure adrenaline. Pure metal.

Soil delivered a powerhouse performance that perfectly captured everything fans love about heavy rock. Ryan McCombs' unmistakable voice sounded phenomenal, effortlessly balancing raw aggression with emotional depth while connecting with the audience between songs. The band sounded absolutely massive, with crushing guitar tones, thunderous rhythms, and a tight, polished performance that elevated every track. Whether playing longtime favorites or deeper cuts, Soil maintained incredible intensity throughout their entire set, with fans singing every word back at the stage. With the distance between the crowd and the stage, guitarist Adam strolled through the rain and infield dirt to partake in some moshing midway through.  Ryan at the end of the bands set also wandered out to the crowd to get a first hand feel for those who attended.  Their  performance proved that Soil remains one of the most consistently powerful live bands in modern hard rock.

Powerman 5000 transformed Rock Lansing into a futuristic industrial rock spectacle with a performance overflowing with energy, nostalgia, and undeniable swagger. Spider One effortlessly controlled the massive crowd, blending charisma, and relentless movement while leading fans through a set packed with fan favorites and modern material alike. The band's signature industrial grooves, heavy guitar riffs, and electronic textures created a wall of sound that had the audience moving from beginning to end. Visually engaging and musically flawless, Powerman 5000 demonstrated why they continue to thrive as one of the genre's most entertaining live acts. Their performance wasn't simply a trip down memory lane, it was a reminder that they still know exactly how to command a festival stage.

​Nonpoint delivered exactly what fans have come to expect an absolutely explosive, high energy performance that reminded everyone why they remain one of hard rock's premier live bands. Elias Soriano commanded the stage with unmatched charisma, constantly engaging the audience while his unmistakable vocals hit with power and precision. Behind him, the band was firing on all cylinders, delivering thunderous grooves, razor sharp riffs, and crushing rhythms that fueled circle pits and nonstop crowd participation. Every song was met with deafening singalongs as the crowd fed off the band's relentless intensity. Decades into their career, Nonpoint continues to perform with the hunger of a band fighting for every fan, making their Rock Lansing headlining appearance one of the defining performances of the entire weekend.