518scene.com

01/18/2025

History was made for the second time on 1/11/25, when Jason Bittner’s Extreme Music Awards All-Stars convened again for an epic jam at Empire Live Albany, in its second-annual installment. Here’s the third part of our extensive coverage of this incredible live event!! (Photos by Kylie Spinelli for 518scene.com - IG/Twitter: / ) Kylie Spinelli Photography
Upstate Black N Blue SLP Concerts
David Ellefson Shadows Fall Nick Stamas NICK STAMAS Joe Altier Roman Singleton Eric AK Bill Bodily Matt Byrne Dan Coler Jason Bittner Musician/Drummer Paul Romanko Sal Abruscato Don Capria Mike Valente Leo Curley

History was made for the second time on 1/11/25, when Jason Bittner's Extreme Music Awards All-Star Jam convened again at Empire Live Albany.

01/17/2025

Hey, 518! Happy Friday! Here are our top picks for your weekend!! (1/17/25 to 1/19/25):

1/17 - Renesans w/ Nailed Shut MA & Slamwich @ Empire Live Albany Underground, 6:30 p.m.
Upstate Black N Blue

1/17 - Plant Fight (w/ Mystery Girl & The Lowliest One) @ No Fun, 7 p.m.
Dive Upstate SUPER DARK Collective

1/17 - Pink Lady (w/ Putz & Golem) @ Washington Tavern, Albany, 9 p.m.
CZR Entertainment

1/18 - Joe Stump (w/ LAST PHARAOH, The Tom Atkins Band, Jupiter Queen , Same Old Rat) @ Empire Live Albany Underground, 6 p.m.
Upstate Black N Blue SLP Concerts

1/18 - Cinnamon / Cold Kiss / Grand Street / Prize / Spiritkiller / More @ No Fun, 6 p.m.

1/18 - Uncle SAMM – The Music of Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax (w/ Psychomanteum) @ The Strand Theatre Hudson Falls, 7 p.m.

1/18 - 41 - Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter & Tata @ Empire Live Albany, 7 p.m.

1/19 - The Official Albert Lee @ The Strand Theatre Hudson Falls, 3 p.m.
Entertainment One Presents

1/19 - Nile & ~ Six feet under ~ (w/ Psycroptic, Embryonic Autopsy) @ Empire Live Albany, 5:30 p.m.
Upstate Black N Blue

Everyone have a great weekend out in the 518!! More event listings here: https://518scene.com/events/

Follow us at and be sure to visit 518scene.com for features, photos, reviews, and the Capital Region's most comprehensive curated concert and events calendar! Are we missing a listing? Email us at [email protected]!

Would you like these picks delivered straight to your inbox? Plus exclusive perks like free tickets to rad shows? Subscribe to our newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/hWHj_v

01/17/2025

History was made for the second time on 1/11/25, when Jason Bittner’s Extreme Music Awards All-Stars convened again for an epic jam at Empire Live Albany, in its second-annual installment. Here’s the second part of our coverage of this incredible live event!! (Photos by Kylie Spinelli for 518scene.com - IG/Twitter: / ) Kylie Spinelli Photography
Upstate Black N Blue SLP Concerts

Jason Bittner Musician/Drummer Bob Riley Nick Stamas NICK STAMAS Mike Valente Roman Singleton Mike Trash Leo Curley Paul Rukwid Paul Romanko Bill Bodily Joe Altier Nick Grind Dan Coler Shadows Fall Danny Diablo Ray Mazzola

History was made for the second time on 1/11/25, when Jason Bittner's Extreme Music Awards All-Star Jam convened again at Empire Live Albany.

01/16/2025

Groovy hardcore thrash crossover supergroup Smoke AxD (feat. Hoya Roc from Madball and Danny Diablo, a.k.a. Lord Ezec, from Crown of Thornz and Skarhead) were a highlight amid a night of highlights at the Extreme Music Awards 2025 Pre-Party on 1/10/25 at Empire Live Albany Underground. Check out these rad photos from the show!! (Photos by Kylie Spinelli for 518scene.com - IG/Twitter: / ) Kylie Spinelli Photography
Upstate Black N Blue SLP Concerts Hoya Roc

Groovy hardcore thrash crossover supergroup Smoke AxD were a highlight amid a night of highlights at the Extreme Music Awards 2025 Pre-Party.

01/15/2025

Big Four thrash metal tribute Uncle SAMM opened the Extreme Music Awards with a deep set of thrash classics on 1/11/25 at Empire Live Albany. Angela Dimock was there banging her head while snapping pics; here’s more of our ongoing coverage!! (Photos by Angela Dimock for 518scene.com - IG: ) Angela Dimock Photography Shot in the Dark by Angela Dimock Photography
Upstate Black N Blue SLP Concerts Christian Bivona Roman Singleton Marvin Veeder John Suski Charles Woodard Oliver Howard

Big Four thrash metal tribute Uncle SAMM opened the Extreme Music Awards with a deep set of classics on 1/11/25 at Empire Live in Albany, NY.

01/15/2025

Brick By Brick — the 518’s kingpins of hardcore metal — helped kick off the Extreme Music Awards 2025 with a killer Pre-Party set at Empire Live Albany Underground on Friday night. Here are our photos straight from the pit!! (Photos by Kylie Spinelli for 518scene.com - IG/Twitter: / ) Kylie Spinelli Photography
Upstate Black N Blue SLP Concerts Mike Valente

Brick by Brick -- the 518's kingpins of hardcore metal -- helped kick off the Extreme Music Awards 2025 with a killer Pre-Party set.

01/14/2025

The 2025 Extreme Music Awards at Empire Live on Jan. 11 was a night the 518 heavy music community won't forget. We have pics to prove it!

01/14/2025

The Extreme Music Awards 2025 at Empire Live Albany on 1/11/25 was a veritable who’s who of the heavy music world, both here in the 518 and beyond. Here’s the second part of our coverage of the star-studded awards presentation!! (Photos by Kylie Spinelli for 518scene.com - IG/Twitter: / ) Kylie Spinelli Photography Upstate Black N Blue SLP Concerts

The Extreme Music Awards 2025 at Empire Live in Albany was a veritable who's who of the heavy music world, both here in the 518 and beyond.

01/14/2025

The Extreme Music Awards 2025 at Empire Live Albany on 1/11/25 was a veritable who’s who of the heavy music world, both here in the 518 and beyond. Here’s the first part of our coverage of the star-studded awards presentation!! (Photos by Kylie Spinelli for 518scene.com - IG/Twitter: / ) Kylie Spinelli Photography Upstate Black N Blue SLP Concerts

The Extreme Music Awards 2025 at Empire Live in Albany was a veritable who's who of the heavy music world, both here in the 518 and beyond.

01/14/2025

The second annual event celebrated the music and achievements of regional metal, punk, and hardcore artists across an array of categories and genres.

01/13/2025

History was made for the second time on 1/11/25, when the Extreme Music Awards All-Star Jam convened for its second installment at Empire Live Albany. We were there to capture the magic; here’s part of our ongoing coverage!! (Photos by Angela Dimock for 518scene.com - IG: ) Angela Dimock Photography Shot in the Dark by Angela Dimock Photography Upstate Black N Blue SLP Concerts
Shadows Fall Bob Riley Murderer's Row (Official Band Page) Nick Stamas Mike Valente Roman Singleton Jason Bittner

History was made for the second time on 1/11/25, when the Extreme Music Awards All-Star Jam convened again at Empire Live in Albany, NY.

01/13/2025

Hey 518, we're taking back Monday! Here are our top picks for killer nights out this week! (1/13/25 to 1/16/25):

1/13 - Dog Lips (w/ Safety Meeting & Stroma) @ Desperate Annie's, 9 p.m., FREE
SUPER DARK Collective

1/14 - The Dirty Nil (w/ Grumpster, House & Home) @ Empire Live Albany Underground, 6 p.m.

1/14 - VCR Vortex – VHS Night – Lost Highway (1997) & Dark City (1998) @ No Fun, 8 p.m., FREE

1/16 - The Browning (w/ Dropout Kings, Filth, The Defect, Vaexus) @ Empire Live Albany Underground, 6 p.m.
Upstate Black N Blue SLP Concerts

1/16 - Blake Christiana @ Caffe Lena, 6:30 p.m.

1/16 - Halo Bite (w/ BILLY, Death Defier, Take Steps) @ No Fun, 7 p.m.
Dive Upstate

1/16 - Charlie Berens – Good Old Fashioned Tour @ Hart Theatre at The Egg Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m.
SLP Concerts

1/16 - Young Frankenstein (1974) – Talent We Loved & Lost in 2024: Teri Garr @ GE Theatre at Proctors, 7 p.m.
It Came from Schenectady

1/16 - Neighbor (w/ Peak) @ Putnam Place, 8 p.m.
Hartstone Productions

Everyone have a great week out in the 518!! More event listings here: https://518scene.com/events/

Follow us at and be sure to visit 518scene.com on socials and the web for features, photos, reviews, and the Capital Region's most comprehensive curated concert and events calendar! Are we missing a listing? Email us at [email protected]!

Would you like these picks delivered straight to your inbox? Plus exclusive perks like free tickets to rad shows? Subscribe to our newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/hWHj_v

01/13/2025

518 death metal killers — and multiple EMAs winners — CONCRETE were a pulverizing force to close the Extreme Music Awards 2025 Pre-Party at Empire Live Albany Underground on Friday night. Here are our photos straight from the pit!! (Photos by Kylie Spinelli for 518scene.com - IG/Twitter: / ) Kylie Spinelli Photography
Upstate Black N Blue SLP Concerts Upstate Records

518 death metal killers -- and multiple EMAs winners -- Concrete were a pulverizing force to close the Extreme Music Awards 2025 Pre-Party.

01/10/2025

Hey, 518! Happy Friday! Here are our top picks for your weekend!! (1/10/25 to 1/12/25):

1/10 - Extreme Music Awards 2025 Pre-Party (feat. CONCRETE, Smoke AxD, Brick By Brick, Dysentery, Faded Line, Hope For Now, Against The Reign) @ Empire Live Albany Underground, 6 p.m.
Upstate Black N Blue Upstate Records

1/10 - Flavour (w/ Lemon of Choice & Inch) @ No Fun, 7 p.m.

1/10 - L*z Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti and More @ The Cohoes Music Hall, 7:30 p.m.
SLP Concerts

1/10 - Girth Control (w/ Billy Batts & The Made Men, The Lousekateers, Negative Ra###) @ Eldorado Bar, Troy, 8 p.m.
DCXPC Live

1/10 - Mindscape Apocalypse (w/ GUTS & Malicious Offense) @ Washington Tavern, Albany, 9 p.m.
CZR Entertainment

1/11 - Extreme Music Awards 2025 @ Empire Live Albany, 6 p.m.
Upstate Black N Blue 93.9 WABY That Fuzzing Rock Show RadioradioX.com Xperience Monthly 518scene.com Uncle SAMM

1/11 - Mild Wally (w/ Ringside Tonic, Electric Turtle, Treasure Cove) @ Putnam Place, 7 p.m.
The Chaos Collective

1/12 - Ellis Paul Music and More @ Caffe Lena, 3:30 p.m.

1/12 - Extreme Music Awards 2025 After-Party (feat. SKINLAB "Official", Dead By Wednesday, Outta-My Head, The Antarctican, After The Winter) @ Empire Live Albany Underground, 5 p.m.

Everyone have a great weekend out in the 518!! More event listings here: https://518scene.com/events/

Follow us at and be sure to visit 518scene.com for features, photos, reviews, and the Capital Region's most comprehensive curated concert and events calendar! Are we missing a listing? Email us at [email protected]!

Would you like these picks delivered straight to your inbox? Plus exclusive perks like free tickets to rad shows? Subscribe to our newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/hWHj_v

01/09/2025

518 post-hardcore band Arrow Through Me brought their powerful melodic sound to the annual Holiday Toy Drive at Empire Live Albany Underground on 12/15/24. Here’s our full photo gallery from the show!! (Photos by Jake Fox for 518scene.com - IG/Twitter: / ) Upstate Black N Blue SLP Concerts

518 post-hardcore band Arrow Through Me brought their powerful sound to the annual Holiday Toy Drive at Empire Underground Albany on 12/15/24.

01/09/2025

Glens Falls metalcore band Hope For Now crushed it, headlining the annual Holiday Toy Drive at Empire Live Albany Underground on 12/15/24. Here’s our full photo gallery from the show!! (Photos by Jake Fox for 518scene.com - IG/Twitter: / ) Upstate Black N Blue SLP Concerts

Glens Falls metalcore band Hope For Now crushed it, headlining the annual Holiday Toy Drive at Empire Underground in Albany on 12/15/24.

01/08/2025

In an exclusive interview with Brendan Manley from 518scene.com, Trans-Siberian Orchestra lead guitarist and music director Al Pitrelli discusses finally finding a forever home with TSO, carrying the weight of Paul O'Neill's legacy, his time in Megadeth, and how boxing can be a metaphor for guitar. Read on!!

It took some time for NY-bred guitarist Al Pitrelli to find his forever home as lead guitarist/musical director for Trans-Siberian Orchestra.