We are heavy on the heavy metal news this week, beginning with masked madmen Slipknot, who have announced a 2024 summer tour.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Slipknot’s self-titled album, and they are promising a setlist “drawing heavily from their 1999 debut.”
The Here Comes the Pain Tour begins its run in Noblesville on Aug. 6 at Ruoff Music Center, which happens to be their only appearance in our region.
“Every time we’ve walked onstage, it’s never been about how many people have been there because my culture, the Maggots, always show up,” founding member Shawn “Clown” Crahan said in a statement. “But as we’ve grown as a band, we have had fewer and fewer of those intimate, personal moments, trading them for massive ones. So we’re gonna make it more personal on the anniversary. … Just get ready to have your face kicked in, because we just do what we do, spread that Maggot culture — that disease. And you’ve been infected.”
Knocked Loose and Orbit Culture will open the show.
Mushroomhead worth a drive
For more “face kicking in” action from a masked band, look no further than frequent Fort Wayne visitors Mushroomhead, who recently announced their own tour.
They will not be headed our way this time around, unfortunately, and they haven’t released an album since 2020’s A Wonderful Life, but anyone who knows anything about this band knows the live show is where they thrive, and it is worth traveling to witness.
Check them out with openers Upon A Burning Body, There Is No Us, and Mind Incision when they stop at Bogart’s in Cincinnati on Oct. 13, The Intersection in Grand Rapids on Oct. 15, The King of Clubs in Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 24, and Agora Theatre in their hometown of Cleveland for their annual Halloween show Oct. 26.
Testament, Kreator team up
Thrash masters Testament have announced a co-headlining tour with Kreator this September and October.
Along with special guest Possessed, this is sure to be a headbangers dream come true.
“Get ready North America,” Testament said. “This is gonna be a madhouse of a show. Testament will be performing an old-school set celebrating the re-release of The Legacy & The New Order.”
Check this show out Sept. 28 at The Rose Music Center in Dayton, Sept. 29 at Royal Oak Music Theatre in Detroit, or Oct. 1 at Agora Theatre in Cleveland.
Catch Death Fest in Toledo
Toledo Death Fest takes place June 8, boasting Oceano as headliners along with The Convalescence, Visceral Disgorge, Rose Funeral, and Casket Robbery.
Hosted at Mainstreet Bar & Grill, the all-ages event will feature two stages of non-stop brutality from some of the “Midwest’s most gut-punching, visceral spitting metal.”
If that doesn’t get you excited for a day full of break-neck riffs, then nothing will.
Gwar extend tour
The mighty Gwar will embark on another leg of their The Age of Entitlement Tour this fall in support of New Dark Ages.
Heading out to annihilate any human that dare remain standing, Gwar, along with opening acts Brujeria, Brat, and Cancer Christ, will invade Bogart’s in Cincinnati on Sept. 13 and Vogue Theatre in Indianapolis the following night.
“We cannot wait to shock some sense into humanity with the most outrageous performance of heavy metal theater ever to descend from the gods,” Gwar vocalist Blothar the Berserker commented in a press release.
Consider yourself warned.
Road Notes covers concerts within driving distance of Northeast Indiana. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
