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Concert Review: The Melvins; The Savage Imperial Death March Tour: A Glorious Onslaught of Sound and Soul

Updated: May 19

The Savage Imperial Death March Tour is exactly what it sounds like—ferocious, unforgettable, and steeped in sonic reverence. A double dose of heavy-hitting experimentalism came to The Mercury Ballroom in Louisville, KY courtesy of the genre-defying Melvins and the hypnotic force that is Titans to Tachyons.


The Melvins, never content to simply show up and play, hit the stage with two drummers—Coady Willis and Dale Crover—creating a rhythmic juggernaut that defied physics and set the tone for the entire night. Their signature sound—already raw, weird, and wonderful—was elevated to something transcendent, and you could feel it in your chest with every beat.


The Melvins


Bassist Steve McDonald, ever the wizard behind the wall of sound, recently confessed via Instagram that he was “catching up” to the band’s monstrous energy. His secret weapon this time? A set of custom-made amp cabinets and not one, but two amps—because when you’re sharing a stage with dual drum kits, you need extra wattage, trust me, we heard it, and loved it!


King Buzzo—undeniably one of the most enigmatic and consistent frontmen in modern rock—was in rare form. He tore through fan favorites like “It’s Shoved,” “Billy Fish,” “Honey Bucket,” “Revolve,” and “History of Bad Men” with such ease and fury, it felt like we were watching a masterclass. The set also included deep cuts from the Melvins & Lustmord collaboration, including “The Bloated Pope” and “Working the Ditch,” giving longtime fans a treat they didn’t see coming.


When you thought your brain couldn’t take any more blissful distortion, along came Titans to Tachyons. Founded in New York City, this jazz-metal fusion trio is a trip down a rabbit hole of psychedelic, instrumental intensity. Led by guitarist Sally Gates, with Kenny Grohowski on drums, and a revolving bass section that on this night featured both Trevor Dunn and Matt Hollenberg, the band pulled the crowd into an ambient dream state, without uttering a single word.


Titans to Tachyons


Trevor Dunn—who you might know from Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk, or Trio Convulsant—added an otherworldly depth to their sound. Titans to Tachyons may not yet fill venues, but that’s not the point. They’re not here to scream for your attention, they’re here to lure you into a different dimension.


What makes this tour even more unforgettable is the community surrounding it. From Buzz to Steve, Coady, Dale, Trevor, and JD Pinkus—every one of these musicians is the real deal: approachable, humble, and relentlessly creative. These guys don’t just play rock, they live it. And they're not slowing down anytime soon. As soon as this tour wraps, Dale and Steve head straight into the Stop Your Whining Tour with their band Redd Kross—and yes, I’ll be there too, camera in hand, earplugs in, and one fist in the air. Because this is more than music, it’s a movement. And I’m proud to be part of it.



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