Ghoul and Spiter, Live in Cleveland 9-01-25

I made the decision to fly solo up to Cleveland this Labor Day to check out the Weapons of Mosh Destruction 666 Tour featuring 2 bands high on my list of needing to see live: Ghoul and Spiter.

I had been trying to see both bands live for a while now, but the timing had never worked out. Until now.

Five bands for 30 bucks at No Class, Cleveland's best hole-in-the-wall, cheap beer punk dive bar to see live music. It was a no-brainer.

After many years of trying, I finally got to witness the hooded madness of Ghoul, playing on a small stage in a small club, still complete with various gruesome stage characters sporting blood-spraying prosthetics. It was glorious. The band sounded tight and I was treated to a shower of fake blood not 15 seconds into their set. Twenty years on, they still bring it live!

The other band I really wanted to see was Spiter, a somewhat tongue-in-cheek black metal band, sporting the perfect throwback goth makeup, cape, leather-and-spikes metal aesthetic. Stripped down and raw, their set was a black feast for the ears.

And the absolutely insane Spiter video that started it all for me. (Not for the kiddies!)

I was wary at first of heading to the show solo, but I really wanted to see both bands, so I said what the heck. And it was the best decision. I don't go out to too many shows anymore, but I'm glad I went to this one. All five bands were really great and it was definitely the most fun I've had at a show in a long time.

All hail the metal and don't forget to support live music!

  

Claudio Simonetti's Goblin - Suspiria 45th Anniversary Tour

I'm pretty excited about this one! Claudio Simonetti's Goblin has announced a full U.S. tour in support of the 45th anniversary of Dario Argento's Suspiria!

Simonetti's Goblin will be performing the iconic score live during a showing of Dario Argento's Italian horror masterpiece, then followed up by another set of Goblin's horror soundtrack classics. This one is a no-brainer for me.

I had a chance to see Goblin fronted by original guitarist Massimo Morante (RIP) back in 2013 and it was an absolutely amazing experience! They will be playing Cleveland four days after Halloween, which will provide a nice respite from my post-holiday blues. 

Don't sleep on this one. If they are playing in your area, I would definitely go check this one out!!

Ghost, Live in Pittsburgh 2-14-22

Seeing the band Ghost will never get old to me. Yes, they have become more mainstream, but the band continues to deliver their trademark style of pop satanism with their unique and catchy metal sound.

On Monday night, Mrs. Highbury and I spent Valentines Day with our favorite Swedes over in Pittsburgh. It was nice to get out and get to a concert again, and Ghost, along with Volbeat and Twin Temple, made for a most welcome return!

As always, Ghost put on a really great set, including an opening number from their upcoming release, Impera. Incredible lighting and pyrotechnics, confetti, elaborate costuming and super-tight musicianship made for one hell of an experience. This show marked the sixth time we’ve seen them live and each time they have put on an incredible show.

They are still out on the road on their 2022 North American Imperatour, so go check them out if they're playing a city close to you. It's worth every penny!

Enjoy some of my photos from the show...

Here is the video I shot at the start of the set. This song, Kaisarion, is from their upcoming release Impera...

And after all was said and done, I had grabbed a few Sister Imperator bucks from the confetti drop AND I caught TWO Ghost guitar picks that were thrown out at the end of the set!! I had never managed to snag a pick at any of their other shows, so I was really happy with that. I also grabbed a cool Ghost tour shirt to put an exclamation point on another amazing show and incredible evening...

  

Ghost, Live in Youngstown 10-10-19

Seeing the band Ghost will never get old to me. Yes, they have become more mainstream and yes, concerts have become much more expensive, but the band continues to deliver their trademark style of pop satanism with a twist of humor.

Last night, I made it show number five when Mrs. Highbury and I travelled to Youngstown to see them play at the Covelli Centre. It was nice to see them playing in a larger venue, but we were still able to get close to the stage with our floor tickets.

It was also nice to get in with my trusty camera, and as soon as the band hit the stage, I started snapping.

As always, Ghost put on a really great set, spanning music from all of their releases. Lots of costume changes, Cardinal Copia's comedic wit, incredible lighting and pyrotechnics, confetti, and super-tight musicianship made for one hell of an experience.

They are still out on the road on their North American 2019 Ultimate Tour Named Death, so go check them out if they're playing a city close to you. It's worth every penny!

Enjoy some of my photos from last night's show...

  

The Jam - "Funeral Pyre"

Down in amongst the streets tonight

Books will burn, people laugh and cry in their turmoil

(Turmoil turns rejoiceful)

Shed your fears and lose your guilt

Tonight we burn responsibility in the fire

We'll watch the flames grow higher

But if you get too burnt, you can't come back home

And as I was standing by the edge

I could see the faces of those who led pissing themselves laughing

(And the flames grew)

Their mad eyes bulged, their flushed faces said

The weak get crushed as the strong grow stronger

We feast on flesh and drink on blood

Live by fear and despise love in a crises

(What with today's high prices)

Bring some paper and bring some wood

Bring what's left of all your love for the fire

We'll watch the flames grow higher!

But if you get too burnt, you can't come back home

And as I was standing by the edge

I could see the faces of those who led pissing themselves laughing

(And the flames grew)

Their mad eyes bulged their flushed faces said

The weak get crushed as the strong grow stronger

In the funeral pyre

We'll watch the flames grow higher

But if you get too burnt, you can't come back home

In the funeral pyre

We'll watch the flames grow higher

But if you get too burnt, you can't come back home

In the funeral pyre

We'll watch the flames grow higher

But if you get too burnt, you can't come back home

In the funeral pyre

When I feel so young, well I just can't grow up to meet the demands

When I feel so old, when I feel so young

Well, I just can't grow up to meet their demands

Well, I just can't grow up to meet their demands

37 years ago today, The Jam cranked out this classic live. And oh, that bass line...

Slayer - "Raining Blood"

Off to see Slayer on their final world tour tonight! Slowly getting excited for this show...

RAINING BLOOOOOOOOOD!!

John Carpenter Live at the Majestic Theatre, Detroit 11/10/17

I was a bit surprised when I saw that John Carpenter was heading back out on the road for another tour, this time in support of his newest release, John Carpenter Anthology (Movie Themes 1974-1998).

When I saw the tour schedule, I noticed that again like last year, he was not stopping anywhere in Ohio (what the hell, John!?!?). The closest stop was Detroit, a nice three hour drive from the Cemetery. And after going back and forth, I eventually decided to check it out again, this time with Mrs. Highbury along for the ride. We don't get out to that many shows anymore, but for John Carpenter, we would make an exception!

We both hopped into the car and made the quick-ish drive over to Detroit, ready to experience an amazing show. We arrived at the Majestic Theatre 30 minutes before the doors opening, only to have to sit outside in frigid temperatures for over an hour. And furthermore, my camera was denied access to the show, so I could only shoot with my phone.

But even with all that, the show was incredible and we had an amazing time. Carpenter and his band came out and flawlessly cranked through his massive library of iconic horror film soundtracks and even included a few of his original compositions from 2015's Lost Themes.

Of course, if you have seen my post from last year's show, you'll quickly notice a LOT of similarities between that show and this one. A lot of the same songs and accompanying film clips that played behind the band played on this tour, too. But honestly, hearing live versions of utter Carpenter classics like Halloween, The Fog, Escape From New York, Big Trouble in Little China, They Live and especially Ennio Morricone's epic title track for The Thing is an opportunity that I just couldn't pass up...

And with a painfully steady hand, I was able to film the final track in their incredible set...

We really, really enjoyed this show. And even though it was very similar to last year's tour, I'm still glad I went, especially so that Mrs. Highbury could experience it. And she loved it, too. We were both happy that we made the journey.

And of course, we couldn't make it through the whole show without a stop off at the merch table. I ended up picking up a John Carpenter autographed vinyl copy of his new Anthology (Movie Themes 1974-1998) and an INSANELY cool Escape From New York shirt. And then I had to go back and buy an Anthology screened tote bag to carry it all in...

I've been spinning Anthology nonstop since I got home, and I highly recommend picking up a copy! Especially for that slightly more guitar heavy version of The Thing and for Christine. And obviously for Halloween and Assault on Precinct 13. And definitely for The Fog and In The Mouth of Madness. But mostly for They Live and Escape From New York. Yeesh.

Carpenter's Anthology Tour continues on, heading toward the East Coast, so get out and see him if he's playing near you. Or even if not! It is well worth the trip!