Milwaukee Metal Fest Day 2 - The Eagles Club - Milwaukee WI - May 17th 2025

Milwaukee Metal Fest Day 2 – The Eagles Club – Milwaukee WI – May 17th 2025

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

Venue: The Rave/Eagles Club, Milwaukee, WI
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025

Atmosphere:

The atmosphere at Milwaukee Metal Fest is always electric. Fans from all over the world gather for the weekend, and you can feel the community vibe as soon as you walk in. The mix of old-school metalheads and younger fans gives the event an exciting, diverse crowd.

The venue, The Rave/Eagles Club, provides the perfect setting, with its classic architecture and multiple stages that make it easy to jump between acts. The crowd is lively, but the sheer intensity of the bands gives the day a constant level of anticipation.

Highlights from Day 2:

Black Label Society:

Zakk Wylde and crew absolutely crushed it. Known for their heavy riffs and southern-fried metal vibe, Black Label Society brought down the house. Wylde’s signature guitar work, mixed with the crowd’s enthusiasm, made it one of the most memorable sets of the day. A few classic tracks like “Stillborn” and “Suicide Messiah” were well-received, but the band’s new material also stood out.

Devin Townsend:

Devin Townsend’s performance was a masterclass in metal and experimental soundscapes. The crowd was mesmerized as Townsend blended humor with deeply atmospheric music. His vocal range and the complexity of his band’s performance kept everyone at the edge of their seats. Songs like “Kingdom” and “Addicted” proved he’s still at the top of his game.

Exodus:

Exodus delivered an unrelenting thrash attack. With their precision and speed, they got the mosh pits going full force. Tracks like “Toxic Waltz” had the crowd going wild, proving once again why they are thrash legends. Their tight-knit performance made it clear they’ve been playing together for decades, and their energy was contagious.

Between The Buried and Me:

The progressive metal giants took the stage and showed their mastery of time signatures and experimental melodies. Their set felt like a journey, with long, dynamic tracks like “The Coma Machine” and “Selkies: The Endless Obsession” making the audience feel like they were part of a larger sonic story. It was a perfect blend of technical musicianship and emotional intensity.

TesseracT:

The crowd was in awe during TesseracT’s set. Their progressive metal style combined with a perfect sound mix made for a set that felt almost like a dreamscape. The band’s ability to create tension and release through their atmospheric tones and crushing breakdowns kept everyone hooked.

Crowd & Vibe:

As expected, the crowd was hardcore. From the old-school fans of Exodus to the younger crowd jamming out to TesseracT, there was a shared excitement across the entire venue. The energy was high, and even though it’s packed, it’s a welcoming community.

Sound & Production:

The production was top-notch. The Rave’s multiple stages allowed fans to catch some of the bigger bands while still checking out the smaller acts. Sound was clear, with each band’s performance coming through loud and crisp. The lighting was particularly impressive for Devin Townsend and Between The Buried and Me, with psychedelic effects and projections adding to the overall experience.

Overall Review:

Milwaukee Metal Fest Day 2 was a slam dunk. The balance of classic heavy hitters and progressive, experimental acts made the day’s lineup one to remember. Each band brought their own energy, but there was an underlying vibe that connected everyone — this is the place where metal fans unite.

Whether you’re there to bang your head to thrash classics or to witness next-level progressive metal, the Milwaukee Metal Fest delivers. With such a diverse lineup, Day 2 lived up to the hype and left everyone excited to see what Day 3 would bring.

Daylight Riot