Sioux Falls, South Dakota, prepare to have your faces melted off! The Descent Release Tour made its thunderous stop at Remedy at 611, and it was a night of pure metal chaos. As music enthusiasts, my wife and I hit shows of every type. As she is a metal enthusiast however, this was definitely more my wife’s type of show. Which makes her volunteering to stay home with the kids so I could cover the show and we could save on a babysitter mean so much more. Now before we dive into the madness, let's take a moment to appreciate the fact that Remedy at 611 is constantly improving and now has the giant back room open for shows. Also this tour didn't skip over Fargo. Finally, someone recognizes the greatness of that city's music scene, especially their metal scene. Kudos to the organizers for their metal wisdom! I heard the Fargo show was pretty solid. I lived in that area for almost a decade before Sioux Falls so it always warms my heart to share shows with old friends there when they pass through both cities.
Now, let's dive into the epic journey I embarked on at the Descent Release Tour in Sioux Falls. Unfortunately, my buddy Louie Fontana's nap time made me miss the first song of Emerald Skies' set. Can you believe it? A rock/metal band from our very own Sioux Falls, and I missed the opening riff. But fear not, my fellow metalheads, we raced into Remedy, grabbed our wristbands, and showed our unwavering support for the show. Although I caught only the end of Emerald Skies' set, it was a solid sound that resonated deep within my metal-loving soul. I'm stoked to catch these guys again at the upcoming Four Winds Music and Art Festival. And let's give a shoutout to Emerald Skies for taking the time to express their gratitude to the show promoter. That's some true metal camaraderie right there!
Next up on the lineup was Work of Wolves, a three-piece rock group based right here in Sioux Falls. I've had the pleasure of witnessing their sonic assault multiple times, and let me tell you, their between-song tuning banter brings me back to my Blink 182 days in an instant. It's a nostalgic blast from the past that adds an extra layer of excitement to their performances. And let's not forget their dedication to promoting the Four Winds Music and Art Festival at their merch table. These guys know how to support the local scene, and that's what metal is all about!
Then came Iced Wrist, a five-piece hardcore/slam band hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska. These guys are the epitome of classic Midwest metal. If that's your jam, mark your calendars and don't miss their blistering performance at the Four Winds Music and Art Festival this year. I couldn't resist picking up one of their beanies from the merch table. As someone who's always on the lookout for merch to wear proudly at shows, it was a welcome addition to my collection. It's our duty as metalheads to support the bands that fuel our passion.
Taking the stage as the second-to-last act was Doppelganger, an instrumental prog metal band from Iowa. While their merch setup was decent, nothing truly screamed at me to make a purchase. With a family of six at home, it's tough to justify buying something from every band, as much as I'd love to support them all.





Last but most certainly not least, By the Thousands unleashed their sonic fury upon the crowd. Their powerful performance left us all in awe, and I couldn't resist snagging one of their lanyards, to honor the family budget, while still showing my undying support for the headliner. It's all about being part of the music family and showing our love.
One aspect that truly impressed me while researching for this article was how well these bands promoted the shows and the tour as a cohesive unit. They did an outstanding job of rallying their fans and creating a buzz that electrified the metal community. However, there was one glaring omission on various platforms—the headliner failed to mention their specific genre or history anywhere. As music aficionados, this is crucial information we seek when discovering new bands. It's a small detail that can greatly impact a band's searchability and attract new fans. Coming from a background in marketing and analytics, I understand the significance of these seemingly minor elements.
In conclusion, the Descent Release Tour in Sioux Falls was a metal spectacle to behold. From the earth-shattering performances to the camaraderie amongst the bands, it was a night that will forever be etched in our metal-loving hearts. And let's not forget the upcoming Four Winds Music and Art Festival, where many of these incredible acts will grace the stage once again. Metalheads, prepare yourselves for an unforgettable experience.
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Ny I’m pretty sure. I hate these fucking things
I don’t know metal all that well being 68, and learning every zeppelin and Floyd song there was, but not really metal. But I want to share a song with you just to hear your opinion. One song in particular, where I actually hear the drummer talk. Or talk through his drums. There’s an album called “humble pie performance” rockin the Fillmore. There is a song on it ( whole side) called I walk on gilded splinters. It’s an old dr John cover. It’s like 23 minutes of some of the greatest hard blues rock I’ve ever heard. But once that song gets going, pay attention to what the drummer does. He actually seems to do a talk and answer with the vocal cadence that actually is no longer being done. Hard to explain, but you might appreciate it, especially being that it was recorded like 53 years ago. It needs to be appreciated by younger people. I chose you. Btw, that’s Peter frampton and Steve Marriott on guitar. Steve’s long dead, but I think you’d probably recognize the frampton name from some of the most cringeworthy pop crap from the seventies.