Heavy Metal Archives - Utah Concert Review

August 28, 2025August 29, 2025

Pantera

Pantera • Amon Amarth • King Parrot • August 20, 2025 • Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

Reviewed by Eric Miles

Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

It’s 9:00 pm on a hot August night, and an amped up and diverse audience are greeted with a sombre and moody synthesized soundtrack as the lights go dim. A monstrous banner facade with the band’s logo in massive red lettering is hanging from the rigging, completely shrouding any view of the heavy metal icons as they take to the stage. It is clear who the hardcore and veteran fans are in the audience as they recognize the eerie musical interlude. On all 3 amphitheatre screens, the masses are treated to raw home video footage of the band’s original members in their earlier years. The editing is rough and dizzying as the video rapidly cuts between each of the 4 young men in their prime partying, rocking out, and goofing off. Two of the four young rockers are brothers. Both of them are now gone.

April 30, 2024April 30, 2024

Amon Amarth

Metal Crushes All Tour • Amon Amarth • Cannibal Corpse • Obituary • Frozen Soul • April 24, 2024 • The Complex

Reviewed and Photographed by Thea Chevelle

I was lucky enough to attend Viking-metal mainstays Amon Amarth. They are headlining “Metal Crushes All Tour” Tour. They had support from Cannibal Corpse and Obituary, and Frozen Soul at The Complex last week.

May 25, 2022

Testament

The Bay Strikes Back Tour: Testament w/ Exodus & Death Angel• May 20, 2022• The Depot

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

I was thrilled for the opportunity to attend and photograph The Bay Strikes Back tour featuring thrash metal bands Testament, Exodus, and Death Angel. The tour had originally been planned for 2020 but had to be rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The three Bay Area bands were finally able to return and play a sold-out show at The Depot in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 20th.

When I arrived at the Depot I found an excited line of metalheads that stretched down the street. I saw that most everyone was wearing a shirt or patch supporting one of the bands on tour. There were also quite a few shirts representing The Heavy Metal Shop. A local store that sells all things heavy metal. Just as I had arrived I heard some loud cheering from further back in the line. I quickly realized the source of the excitement was Testament’s lead singer Chuck Billy. He was returning to his tour bus after taking a minute to greet his fans and give out high fives.

January 28, 2020

UCR Interview: Jeff Scott Soto of Sons of Apollo

Interview By: Kevin Rolfe

Sons of Apollo are a supergroup consisting of members of Dream Theater, Guns N Roses, Mr. Big, and Journey. Sons of Apollo will be in Salt Lake City on January 28, 2020 at The Commonwealth Room. I had the opportunity to speak with lead singer Jeff Scott Soto recently leading up to their tour promoting their latest release MMXX. Jeff has been associated with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Queen Extravaganza, and most notably Journey. I’ve been impressed with Jeff’s versatility and ability to continue to work in an industry that is ready to kick you to the street on your first setback. I really enjoyed visiting with him. Here’s our conversation.