Wednesday’s return of the iconic heavy metal band to Van Andel Arena offered up extraordinary visuals and thundering renditions of classics such as “Master of Puppets,” “One” and “Sandman.” The review, photo gallery and set list at Local Spins.
With Metallica returning to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Wednesday, Local Spins asked resident metal correspondent John Serba to create a career-spanning playlist “in the spirit of giddy, nostalgic anticipation” and to warm up fans for the big sold-out show. Enjoy.
Forty-five years after the band’s first West Michigan show, KISS brought its “End of the Road” tour to Van Andel Arena on Saturday, bidding a bombastic farewell to fans — many of whom dressed and spent accordingly for the occasion. The Local Spins review by John Serba with dazzling photos by Anthony Norkus.
Local Spins music writer, movie critic and metalhead John Serba delves into the movie depicting the true and controversial story of the band Mayhem, billed as “the darkest, most evil band ever.” The film currently is showing at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts.
Rock’s flamboyant blood-spitters make a ‘farewell’ tour stop at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Saturday. That means it’s time to unleash a John Serba playlist of KISS classics, the[…]
Features · Movie Reviews · Videos
The band’s irrepressible, bombastic legacy gets short shrift treatment in this much-ballyhooed biopic, says movie critic John Serba, who wishes the film would have done more than stoke nostalgia. Check out the review and the official movie trailer.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
It’s Halloween week, so who better than the death-metal, horror-movie honcho John Serba himself to round up a decad of creepy cool tunes for the ghoulish holiday. Watch the videos, listen to the playlist on Spotify.
The MC5 anniversary tour stop at Grand Rapids’ 20 Monroe Live drew a curiously, half-full house Saturday but the powerhouse band led by Wayne Kramer still proved its influential, rock ‘n’ roll mettle. Check out the exclusive review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
An epic evening of thrash savagery at Van Andel Arena as part of Slayer’s final world tour also uncorked ear-splitting sets from Lamb of God, Anthrax, Testament and Napalm Death — igniting an exuberant response from 9,000-plus headbangers on hand. The review by John Serba and photos by Anthony Norkus at Local Spins. And check out the video of Anthrax’s Joey Belladonna singing Journey songs afterward at the Founders Brewing Open-Mic Night.
The celebrated Grand Rapids film and music critic gets fans ready for Slayer’s farewell fusillade at Van Andel Arena on Tuesday with a scary-good soundtrack of metal mayhem, in vintage Serba fashion. Watch the videos, listen to the playlist on Spotify.
The iconic rock band’s return to The Pyramid Scheme on Thursday unleashed noise-ridden, Black Sabbath-meets-Capt. Beefheart charm with Spencer’s own brand of minimalist rock opening the show. The Local Spins review by John Serba, with photos by Katy Batdorff and Derek Ketchum.
Local Spins music critic John Serba absorbed the brutish, beautifully ‘apelike rock’ of the iconic L.A. punk/metal/grunge band that rattled The Pyramid Scheme on Monday. Read his take on the rock ‘n’ roll assault along with photos by Katy Batdorff — only at Local Spins.
