By Beert
Man, getting a year-end list done in a timely manner is always a challenge for me. At the beginning of the year, I thought I would be proactive and start a list of things. And I did, for a few months. Today, I sat down with a cup of cheap coffee and tried to wade through the cobwebs of my memory to see what I could recall, as far as who I saw this past year and what my favorite records were.
Starting with live shows (that I can recall):
In April 2025, I brought Sorcia and Mother Root, from Seattle, to town. Both were touring the upper west of the United States, culminating at the annual April event, Rocky Mountain Riff Fest in Kalispell. They made it a point to jog a little farther east and hit Rapid City. And Rapid City was so glad they did. The show was phenomenal. Both Mother Root and Sorcia really brought some solid heaviness to the area. You could tell the bands liked the crowd we had that night. And, really, you couldn’t find a nicer group of people. While the show was great, my favorite part of any booking is hosting the bands at our home, cooking some food, and getting to know the people. I certainly was not let down. Their time in town was even better for me with good conversation and sharing meals. I believe I was hugged more by Mother Root than any other band in my history. As a lover of hugs, I was thriving in it and sharing love with good folks. Plus, Jessica from Sorcia brought beers from Black Raven Brewing, where she works. Stoked on sharing beers as well!
Sorcia: https://sorcia.bandcamp.com/
Here is terrible quality video of their set in Rapid City: https://youtu.be/uROzK3OOkco
Mother Root: https://motheroot.bandcamp.com
Here is poor quality video of their set in Rapid City: https://youtu.be/orUdh4ZD9I0
Earlier in the year, my favorite Black Hills brewery, Lost Cabin Beer Company, reached out and wanted to chat about an idea they had. To my joyous surprise, they wanted to start doing a monthly music event called Lost Cabin After Dark, where they would have “heavier” bands play (they usually had bluegrass artists at the tap room). They figured I’d be the guy to ask. I was excited to join this venture. I mean, I get to bring bands in, and the brewery won’t let me pay for beer during the shows (dangerous for me).
In May, we kicked of the first Lost Cabin After Dark with Living In (local solo acoustic artist who is just amazing), Howling Embers (heavy, psyche-y, instrumentalism created by true musicians), and local Enviro-Black Metal legends, Woman Is The Earth, who rarely play out.
The turnout was incredible, the vibe was fantastic, and all three acts were superb. It was a really great night.
Living In: https://livinginrcsd.bandcamp.com
Living In video: https://youtu.be/GlfB9OElmJs
Howling Embers: https://howlingembers.bancamp.com
Howling Embers performance: https://youtu.be/x2zEsPhCOpk
Woman Is The Earth: https://womanistheearth.bandcamp.com
Woman Is The Earth performance: https://youtu.be/MfSJT6HhNZs
In July, we were thrilled to host the heavy acid rock duo known as Burning Sister. They played with a new local band, Chongo, made up of long-time musicians. An ominous (and omenous?) night, indeed, as storms raged around the area. It may have been foreshadowing by non-existent gods, as the show was amazing. Chongo was just fun and heavy; they definitely had a groove. I’m down to see those fellas anytime. Denver’s Burning Sister was just an aural experience. Relentless volume and layers, in a good way. It gave the sensation of being crushed like an aluminum can, that appreciates the crushing. Everyone in attendance was blown away. Burning Sister was just as stoked on playing our little burgh.
Burning Sister: https://burningsister.bandcamp.com
Burning Sister performance: https://youtu.be/rbXXF8lHGRw
August 9, another local brewery, Cohort, which recently purchased a former brewery’s taproom in the Black Hills (Hill City to be precise), wanted to start doing shows, outside, under the full moon. My band was asked to play this show, along with locals Mildred and the ever-amazing Zeis. Both were great, as they always tend to be. Us, not too much.
Cohort Full Moon Series Volume 1 video:
Mildred: https://youtu.be/FyaWAargsNo
In mid-August, Denver’s pop-power-punk trio, Tuff Bluff played. I was very excited to have them in town, as I was a fan after seeing them play in Denver, opening for Off With Their Heads, a few years back. I loved their set then, and I couldn’t wait to hear some of the songs from their self-titled LP, which was vying for album of the year for me in 2024. The show was one for the ages with two amazing Rapid City local bands playing, Friends of Cesar Romero opened the show and Dead Marthas closed it down. The crowd was huge and engaged, and it was just a fun night all around. Again, hanging out after the show was just a bonus.
Tuff Bluff: https://tuffbluff.bandcamp.com/album/tuff-bluff
Friends of Cesar Romero: https://friendsofcesarromero.bandcamp.com/
Dead Marthas: www.deadmarthas.com
Show videos:
Friends of Cesar Romero: https://youtu.be/1YoR77v5NIM
Tuff Bluff: https://youtu.be/fTepRl3q2pY
Dead Marthas: https://youtu.be/lVGuO0RbnwI
In October, we brought in M.A.N. (Mass Annihilation Now) to give some grindcore action to people of Rapid City. I can honestly say, that it was one of the funniest and most amazing shows I have seen in recent memory. Luckily, it was captured for posterity.
M.A.N.: https://mantheband.bandcamp.com
M.A.N. Performance: https://youtu.be/Z7TnVe1sMQw
For the last live music in 2025, I took a short trip to Kalispell, Montana, in early November to see Wizzerd play their last U.S. show of the year (and on home turf to boot!), before they headed to Sweden to play a set at Fuzz Fest. Surf Bat opened, and they were phenomenal. I was told that they were playing a heavier selection of their songs, since they were opening for Wizzerd—they alter sets depending on the night. I’m really hoping to be able to bring them in to Rapid City at some point in the future. Of course, as always, Wizzerd was just a great time. They are a great group of very talented humans, and they know how to put on a show, whether it be on stage at a huge Swedish festival, or on the floor at the Kalispell VFW. If you don’t have a good time, it’s your own fault.
Wizzerd: https://wizzerd.bandcamp.com
Surf Bat: https://surfbat.bandcamp.com
As for notable music for 2025, in chronological order (and totally incomplete, I’m sure), here’s what stood out:
February 2025
Year of the Cobra, Year of the Cobra.
*Album of the year contender.
Autogramm, Randy EP.
If you write a song from a cat’s perspective, I’m in.
June 2025
Public Enemy, Black Sky Over the Projects: Apartment 2025.
New Public Enemy. And it’s really, really good!
July 2025
The Long Hunt, Natural Order.
Fantastic, heavy instrumental music.
August 2025
Ladrones, Combustión.
Get in to this, if you like some attitude driven punk.
September 2025
Sprints, All That Is Over.
I mean, it’s Sprints. You can’t go wrong.
October 2025
Monkeys On Mars, Monkeys On Mars.
It is a joint venture, merging Mars Red Sky and Monkey3. This two-song album puts you on another world. I was looking forward to this one since I heard about it happening. *Album of the Year contender.
Howling Giant, Crucible & Ruin.
Howling Giant continues to get better and better. This album is the current pinnacle of their power, in my opinion. You’d be hard pressed to find a better band, recorded or live, right now. *Album of the Year contender.
Year of October, I’ve Given You Everything.
Another Tennessee band that just continues to grow and grow. If you imagine heavy music with soul, you get Year of October. I’ve been harassing them for years to come to Rapid City, and my wish will come true this coming summer. This album may be their best recorded effort yet, and that’s saying quite a bit, as I’ve really enjoyed everything they’ve released. *Album of the Year contender.
Nervous Twitch, The Day Job Gets In The Way.
Great pop/wave punk out of Leeds, United Kingdom. I was hoping to write up a review for this album, but time never seems to be on my side. Definitely worth checking out!
November 2025
Burning Sister, Ghosts.
The first album released as a duo, after their guitarist moved away. Just solid and heavy and brooding and heavy and heavy. Did I mention heavy? Not plodding, but solid and planted for sure. *Album of the Year contender.
Eight Foot Manchild, Who Hash.
Doom, mixed with brass instruments, doing holiday(ish) songs, with proceeds benefiting families in Gaza. What is not to love about this? I’ve dug Eight Foot Manchild ever since I was introduced to them by my son. Just the idea of doom and brass combined intrigued me. And, after following them on social media and seeing them call out nazis, homophobes, and transphobes, and just being of a common mindset, I seem to love them more and more on the daily. Plus, with this EP, there are some brilliant surprises you should enjoy. *Funnest release of 2025.
There you have it. Indecipherable ramblings about what I could remember about 2025. Will I do better in 2026? Probably not. But who can tell! Go check out these bands and support your local scenes!
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