DESERT STORIES

ANCHIKO's long-lost EP D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L, once discovered on 4chan, led to their cult revival and a packed live show in Tempe, AZ. Joined by ALISON’S HALO and viral act FLYINGFISH, the Marquee Theatre show featured surreal visuals, nostalgic shoegaze, and emotional fan energy. From thrift store CD to viral fame, PANCHIKO’s journey proves the internet can resurrect forgotten music.

Phoenix got dragged through the mud when NAPALM DEATH, THE MELVINS, WEEDEATER, and DARK SKY BURIAL stormed The Van Buren on the "Savage Imperial Death March" tour. WEEDEATER’s dirty sludge riffs, THE MELVINS’ chaotic swagger, and NAPALM DEATH’s raw grind left the crowd bruised but hungry. Even as the pit thinned out and the politics fell flat, the night was a heavy, sweaty mess of riffs, rage, and wreckage.

Dave Blunts brought his no-filter attitude to Phoenix's Crescent Ballroom, kicking off his tour with DJ Jozier and Pablo Skywalkin to a packed house. Chilling on his custom purple loveseat, Blunts previewed tracks from "You Can't Say That" while creating buzz by stopping the show to demand everyone recite his lyrics uncensored. Despite the crowd's wild energy, signs, and mosh pits, the rapper teased but skipped his promised crowdsurfing moment. His slur-filled new album drops

Warbringer’s “Vortex of Violence Tour” crushed Phoenix with savage sets from Skeletal Remains, Allegaeon, and Summoning the Lich. A night of thrash, death, and fantasy-fueled fury lit up Last Exit Live as metal fans moshed to relentless riffs, brutal vocals, and otherworldly solos.

GOYA dropped death-fuzz previews, Green Druid crushed slow riffs, and AZ bands brought doom fury to Pub Rock’s metal altar.

Eternal kicks off their tour with a night of metal mayhem in Tempe, joined by Dogyard, High on Formaldehyde, and High Castle.

SkaterCon 10 took over Goodyear Skatepark with pro skaters, punk bands, wild tricks, vendors, and a skate hurricane with an epic afterparty.

Brutal Bash 2 ravages The Nile Underground with six death metal bands delivering grotesque lyrics and sonic violence to devoted genre fans.

Belarusian cold-wave trio MOLCHAT DOMA sold out The Van Buren, turning it into a Safdie movie set with sinister synths and snake-like moves.

THERE IS NO US and JANE N THE JUNGLE blew the roof off Queen B Vinyl Cafe—loud and unapologetically killer from start to finish.

Amigo the Devil brought dark humor, banjo solos, and raw storytelling to Marquee Theatre, leaving fans laughing and singing all night long.

Arizona and California powerviolence and grindcore bands shake up Ground Zero Studios with roundhouse kicks and walls of death.

Machine Girl, Kill Alters and Lightning Bolt electrify The Nile Theater with insane, cyberpunk lights and sounds.

Nitzer Ebb and Body of Light brought industrial dance to Crescent Ballroom, with Bon Harris leading a synth-filled, retro-futuristic rave.

TESTAMENT, KREATOR and POSSESSED raise hell at The Van Buren on their "Klash of the Titans" tour.

JADE HELM and OSSES brought wild psychedelic and post-punk energy to Walter Studios, with crowdsurfing, moshing, and raw intensity.

Hard rock veterans Clutch give Tempe a night of soulful, stoner and dad-rock hits.

POWER FROM HELL ignited Tempe with fierce black metal during a night of intense riffs, fog, and fury.

SCATTERED GUTS unleashed thrash fury at The Nile Underground with DOGYARD, MISANTHROPIC, KTHULHU, and ETERNAL for a wild release party.

Hippie Death Cult brought Valley stoners and meatalheads together for their North American Transcendental Trip tour.