For true metalheads there is nothing better than seeing your favorite bands live in all their glory with likeminded people. 2015 will be a year filled with epic live metal performances from within a number of different subgenres. Here are some of TourBeat.com’s choices for 2015 tours you just can’t miss.
Watain and Mayhem
There are few words to describe a tour featuring Watain and Mayhem, as both bands’ reputations precede them. Known for their controversial stage performances and violence, the Mayhem/ Watain combo is a metal fan’s dream. Watain are a Swedish black metal band known for giving fans much more than a show — their live performances have become infamous and in many senses more of a spiritual ritual than a concert.
Much like Watain, Mayhem’s performances are the subject of a lot of controversy because of their violence and delectable grotesqueness. At the Oya festival, Mayhem celebrated their 30 year anniversary by decorating the stage with pig heads and carcasses.
It seems only fitting that the bands would tour the U.S. together assuring all in attendance much more than they bargained for. The two bands will have to really go the extra mile to top the horrifically epic performance at Oya. This is really one of those instances where pretty much anything could happen. The tour will span three weeks in early 2015 starting off in Philadelphia on January 8th and coming to a close in Los Angeles on January 31st.
System of a Down
Photo by Frank Maddocks
Photo by Frank Maddocks
In November 2014, SOAD announced a number of tour dates including a show in Los Angeles and a 2015 World Tour to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The “Wake Up the Souls” World Tour will make stops all over Europe including a massive show at Wembley Stadium and the band’s first ever performance in Armenia, the latter of which holds a deeper meaning as the band is made up of all Armenian-Americans. System of a Down are known for their amazing live performances, and this tour is sure to bring out their best to commemorate the memory of all those lost.
Behemoth and Cannibal Corpse
In early November 2014, rumors of a co-headlining tour featuring Behemoth and Cannibal Corpse were confirmed. Behemoth recently released a music video for the song “Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer” — their first official live music video — which gives a glimpse into the theatrics for which they’re known.
The Behemoth and Cannibal Corpse tour will kick off in early February in New Orleans and will continue through March 7th where it comes to an end in Fort Lauderdale, FL. These bands compliment each other exceptionally while still having distinct differences.
Napalm Death and Voivod
Napalm Death and Voivod have announced a co-headlining tour for 2015 with support from Exhumed and Iron Reagan, spanning a number of different sub-genres.
Napalm Death are set to release their newest album “Easy Meat” on January 15, 2015 and will tour in support of it. The band gave fans a little taste of what’s to come by releasing the album cover designed by Danish artist Frode Sylthe.
The tour is set to kick off in Miami, FL on January 27th and will travel across the country for a month. The diversity of the supporting acts on this run make it a must see for any true metal fan.
Metalheads beware: 2015 is a year full of devilishly epic performances, so don’t miss your chance to go hard and get your mosh on.
This post was presented by TourBeat.com.
