This Saturday, March 16th, marks the homecoming of Richmond’s own Municipal Waste, concluding their electrifying Brainsqueeze Tour 2024 at The National. In celebration of the 21st anniversary of their debut album, Wast’Em All, the band has curated a powerhouse lineup featuring Ghoul, Necrot, Dead Heat and Public Acid. With their high-energy performances and recent releases like Ghoul’s EP Noxious Concoctions and Public Acid’s album Deadly Struggle, the night promises to be wickedly fun and unforgettable.
Prisoner, Richmond’s industrial metal punk band, kicks off their East Coast tour with Listless this Wednesday at Fallout. With their LP PUTRID | OBSOLETE release just around the corner, Prisoner continues to push their sonic boundaries. Meanwhile, fresh-faced punk outfit, Molt, make their EP debut with their highly catchy and powerful Collateral Damage.
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UPCOMING SHOWS

MUNICIPAL WASTE, GHOUL, NECROT, DEAD HEAT & PUBLIC ACID
Saturday, March 16th @ The National
Doors: 7pm
Municipal Waste, the prodigal sons of party thrash, are making their triumphant return to their hometown of Richmond this Saturday, marking the conclusion of their 2024 Brainsqueeze Tour. To honor the 21st anniversary of their debut album, Wast’em All, the band has curated a stacked lineup of metal and punk acts including Ghoul, Necrot, Dead Heat and Public Acid.
Known for their wildly entertaining live performances, both Municipal Waste and Ghoul are set to ignite the stage with their blend of crossover thrash and wild theatrics. Ghoul in particular infuses their shows with dark humor bits and visually captivating elements that draw inspiration from the likes of Gwar.
Adding to the excitement of the evening are the recent releases from several of the featured bands. Ghoul unleashed their EP, Noxious Concoctions, offering a potent dose of their trademark horror-infused thrash. Public Acid brings their gritty intensity to the forefront with their new album, Deadly Struggle. Meanwhile, anticipation builds for Necrot’s upcoming album, Lifeless Birth, promising a brutal onslaught of death metal mastery.
As the Brainsqueeze Tour reaches its zenith in Richmond, fans can expect nothing short of a night filled with electrifying performances, infectious energy and unwavering dedication to the spirit of metal. Municipal Waste and their comrades-in-arms are poised to deliver a celebration of music and camaraderie that will leave a lasting impression on all who bear witness.

PRISONER, LISTLESS & PARRICIDE SENTENCE
Wednesday, March 13th @ Fallout
Doors: 9pm
Richmond’s own industrial metal punk band, Prisoner, is embarking on an East Coast tour alongside fellow Richmonders, Listless, and their journey is kicking off right here at Fallout. Leading up to the tour, Prisoner has been teasing fans with glimpses of their forthcoming album, PUTRID | OBSOLETE, which is slated to release later this week on March 15th. The band has already unveiled two singles from the album, “Shroud” and “Leaden Tomb,” an both singles showcase Prisoner’s evolution as artists while retaining the raw intensity and sonic experimentation that have become their trademark. Expect a blend of dark, atmospheric soundscapes and blistering aggression for this one.
Local & Regional Releases
PRISONER – SHROUD (single)
At the core of Prisoner’s music lies a potent combination of electronic beats, chugging guitars, and searing vocals all enveloped in a wall of industrial noise; it’s a real assault on the senses and I mean that in the best way possible. With their eagerly anticipated second LP, PUTRID | OBSOLETE, set to drop on March 15th via Persistent Vision, Prisoner pushes the boundaries of genre conventions and challenges what industrial metal punk can achieve. This is the second single to be released and if you’re hungry for more, be sure to check out their first single “Leaden Tomb”, which the band featured in their newest music video.
MOLT – COLLATERAL DAMAGE (EP)
Despite their newcomer status, Molt has wasted no time in leaving a lasting impression with their debut EP, Collateral Damage. Bursting onto the scene with a fierce intensity reminiscent of modern punk bands like Gel and Spy, Molt injects their sound with a refreshing alternative approach, thanks in part to the diverse backgrounds of their members in various alternative rock bands like Strawberry Moon, Gnawing and Antiphons.
Clocking in at just 5 and a half minutes, Collateral Damage wastes no time in making its mark. Tracks like “Febrile” boast a simple yet infectious melody that worms its way into your brain, while “White Dove” showcases the band’s penchant for angsty vocals and raw emotional delivery. I’m struck by the band’s potential and undeniable talent, and I, for one, am eager to see where their journey takes them.
Top photo courtesy of Municipal Waste.