What's the best live set you've seen all year?

[Palabra de Dios]

I had previously posted how much I loved Baroness. And yes I totally did. And of course there were some amazing performances at ProgPower.

But coming close and maybe claiming the title as "best live show" is Manilla Road at Alehorn of Power up in Chicago. I think everyone there can agree that they were simply electric, and didn't let up the whole time they played. I've seen them twice before and I was simply floored by their performance. Easily better than at Maryland Deathfest...they had the passion and the skill and the experience. God damn.

 

[General Zod]

I have to add Orange Goblin's recent show here to the list. They're great live. It's just a shame we couldn't bring more than 100 people out for them, and on a Friday night no less.

I saw them in Brooklyn and wasn't impressed. Perhaps it was the sound... perhaps it was that I wasn't familiar with the material (save the songs from the most recent album... but they just didn't do it for me. I went into the show expecting good things, but left underwhelmed.

 

[Justin G]

I saw them in Brooklyn and wasn't impressed. Perhaps it was the sound... perhaps it was that I wasn't familiar with the material (save the songs from the most recent album... but they just didn't do it for me. I went into the show expecting good things, but left underwhelmed.

Interesting. I heard the show went over really well.

 

[General Zod]

Interesting. I heard the show went over really well.

I would say they had a nice crowd. The event wasn't sold out, and St. Vitus usually sells out on a Saturday night. The crowd was into it, but not crazy into it. He called for a pit several times, but one never broke out (also unusual for a Saturday at St. Vitus). Mind you, I wouldn't say they were bad, just not as dynamic as I had hoped. And perhaps that's really what it came down to for me. In the end, there was something about their performance that seemed a bit one dimensional.

On a mostly unrelated note... I had never before seen a band where the singer was nearly twice the size of the guitar player.

 

[pack1fan4life]

For me, it's a two-way tie between Myrath (one of the best sets I have ever seen at ProgPower, and I have attended yearly since 2004) and the Kansas 40th Anniversary Show at the Benedum Theater in Pittsburgh. Original members Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope joined the band onstage for several songs (Robbie Steinhardt was unable to participate due to health issues), and since I had never seen the original lineup together before it was, well, magical.

As a huge Kansas and Livgren fan, you don't know how jelly this makes me.

 

[Justin G]

On a mostly unrelated note... I had never before seen a band where the singer was nearly twice the size of the guitar player.

No joke. I thought maybe I was seeing the stage at a weird angle or something at first. Nice guys (blokes?) though. I got my Eulogy LP signed by the band afterwards.

 

[Jasonic]

Scratch my previous two....

Manilla Road @ Alehorn, as William stated above, blew away EVERY band I have seen this year. I am not even saying that as a fanboy, as I have seen many bands this year I consider myself a fanboy of. I am so happy that they have continued to build their fanbase in the States these past few years and can play bigger gigs here, as opposed to always having to go to Europe to play to an appreciative crowd.

Ok - I will stop as I imagine only a small handful of folks here give a damn about Manilla Road.

 

[drmetal8]

Big show = Alice Cooper
Club show = Helstar

 

[nomisofsiman]

I had previously posted how much I loved Baroness. And yes I totally did. And of course there were some amazing performances at ProgPower.

But coming close and maybe claiming the title as "best live show" is Manilla Road at Alehorn of Power up in Chicago. I think everyone there can agree that they were simply electric, and didn't let up the whole time they played. I've seen them twice before and I was simply floored by their performance. Easily better than at Maryland Deathfest...they had the passion and the skill and the experience. God damn.

I think this is tops for me as well. I wasn't the hugest fan going in but they made me love 'em after that set. Hell it was so good I even got into the pit.

 

[General Zod]

Ok - I will stop as I imagine only a small handful of folks here give a damn about Manilla Road.

I think you're wildly overstating their popularity.

 

[edgeofthorns]

Is anyone planning on attending any of the Jon Oliva solo shows?

~Brian~

 

[nomisofsiman]

Is anyone planning on attending any of the Jon Oliva solo shows?

~Brian~

A number of us Chicago folk are.

 

[PromisedLand]

Yup.. We splurged for the VIP tickets for Dallas.. The same week as Fates Warning and Finntroll/Blackguard..

 

[panzermastery]

Death Angel-Empire Springfield Va
Manilla Road- Maryland Deathfest
Sacred Reich- Maryland Deathfest
Suicidial Tendencies,DRI,Sick of It All- Baltimore Soundstage
Saint Vitus- Gallery Place Baltimore

 

[panzermastery]

Deceased- Empire Springfield Va,twice! Spring and last week! Most of the most underrated bands EVER!!!!

 

[SF Metal Man]

Your description of that show leaves off Metsatoll. Metsatoll is the best band on that bill by far. I'm really bummed that I can't see that show next week.

 

[PromisedLand]

Your description of that show leaves off Metsatoll. Metsatoll is the best band on that bill by far. I'm really bummed that I can't see that show next week.

I haven't seen them live yet.. I do enjoy Blackguard, though, and we always make a point of visiting with Paul after the shows..

 

[pack1fan4life]

I need to update mine: Finntroll just tied Myrath for my top performance. Boy were they great.

 

[RagePSV]

Morbid Angel playing Covenant was pretty sweet.

 

[mandrake6]

Hands down, it was Fates Warning last night. It's been a long time, more than 10 years since I've seen them as I missed them when they played PP. While I expected nothing less, they blew me away with just how tight they were. And the song selection for the set was stellar. When I saw them open for DT in 2003, they didn't have a long set so this was a real treat. They played nearly 2 hours and sounded absolutely amazing. And Michael Abdow shreds! I was happy to see the freedom that Matheos gave him on so many of the featured solos. So damn good. Now, I can only hope it's not another 10 years before I see them again.