Delain with Xandria and Edge of Paradise Live at Gramercy Theater, NYC 3/23/25

After a long hiatus, this website is back covering metal and hard rock concerts! What a better show to start with than with all the great symphonic metal bands headlined by the awesome Delain that went on at Gramercy Theater on March 23, 2025! 

The first band to play were American hard rock/ meta/ symphonic metal band Edge of Paradise. While, I had heard some of their music before, this was my first time seeing them live, as well as getting a full feel for their music. They were great onstage, delivering music that added an almost industrial like driving sound to their take on symphonic metal. The result is unique, exciting, and really makes them standout. They have incredible musicianship and are fronted by signer Margarita Monet and her beautiful, soaring, and powerful vocals. When, it came to playing their single "Give to Me (Mind Assassin)", they were joined by Ludovico Technique, in full make-up costume. By the end of the their setlist, my fandom in them was definitely solidified. 

Edge of Paradise: Setlist

  Prophecy Unknown

The Other Side of Fear

Hologram

Death Note

Falling Light

Give it to Me (Mind Assassin)

(with Ludovico Technique)

The Unknown

German symphonic metal band Xandria were next. This was my first time hearing any of their music, but holy shit was I ever blown away! Their music is powerful and sweeping headed by their amazing vocalist with an operatic voice, Ambre Vourvahis, can really hit those high notes! The musicianship is amazing, and they have such an amazing presence onstage! Extra points for mentioning that their absolutely awesome song and single "Universal" stands for the rights of everyone, and they proudly fight for that. They held up the rainbow flag, and well, they definitely won a new fan in me!

Xandria: Setlist

  You Will Never Be Our God

Reborn

Universal

Two Worlds

200 Years

Live the Tale

Nightfall

It was then time for the headliners: Dutch symphonic metal band Delain! I've been a fan of theirs for a couple of years now, but had never seen them live. Now, that I have am an even bigger fan! They were so fun live, the musicianship on display from them is amazing! Their current signer Diana Leah has a gorgeous and powerful voice. She is incredible to experience live, giving a lively, enigmatic, and powerful performance. But, above all the name of the game is fun, as I had an absolute blast watching them perform!

Delain: Setlist

Cold

Suckerpunch

The Reaping

       Dance With the Devil

      Burning Bridges

        Creatures    

         Queen of Shadow

             The Gathering

             Lucidity Medley

          Not Enough

            We Are the Others

After the show, I got to meet Margarita Monet of Edge of Paradise. I told her that this was my first time seeing them live, and how much I loved their performance. She was very sweet and humble, and this the perfect way to end a great night of kick ass music.

Were any of you guys at this show or some other from this tour? Are you a fan of any these bands? Let me know in the comments section below.

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G.I. Joe Classifieds from Toy Fair Are Up for Pre-Orders!

I have probably mentioned this before here (I know I have mentioned it on my social media): I am a HUGE G.I. Joe fan. And, I have been loving and been obsessed with G.I. Joe Classified figures. Being low on cash has made it harder for me to keep with the more recent releases. But, maybe that will change soon? I certainly hope. Anyways, Toy Fair showed a bunch of upcoming Joe figures, at the Hasbro booth. And, those figures are finally up for pre-order! Rejoice!

First up is the Cobra HISS Tank Fire Squad. This trio includes a repainted Range Viper, a HISS Tank Officer, and HISS Trooper. Obviously, this set is meant to go with the HasLab HISS tank. I don't have said tank, cuz it was really expensive and out of my budget. But, did any of you guys get it? If so what did you think about it? Let me know in the comments section below.

Anywho, I love the color scheme and the weapons/ accessories that comes with these figures. The multiple blast effects and said color scheme, really fit the name of this set. You can pre-order it here.

Speaking of Cobra soliders, up next is this badass take on the Cobra Frag Viper. I absolutely love the way the helmet looks and his waepons are cool!

The original Frag Viper came out around the time I was beginning to stop buying toys/ G.I. Joe figures, so I never got him. I hope to get this one though. You can pre-order him here. 

But, it's not just Cobra members that we are getting. We're getting some Joe team members, too, of course! Among them are the duo of Law & Order! And, if this is anything like the earlier Joe guy with a doggy, Mutt and Junkyard, then this one will also be one of the best Classified figures ever!

The original Law & Order was one of my favorite Joes ever! This looks like the perfect update/ upgrade of it, As such, they are THE must have of this batch for me. You can have them by going here.

We also get additions to one of my favorite groups in G.I. Joe, Destro's Iron Grenadiers in the form of Darklon!

Holy crap does this figure ever look awesome! I love his accessories! The Gatling gun and sword are as badass as hell! It's a great update of the original figure. Now, I was a huge fan of this group, but they came out late in the line. And, this guy, who is actually Destro's cousin, came packaged with his own vehicle, the rather not so great looking Evader. He obvioulsy doesn't come with that anymore, and that's fine by me. Cuz, I definitely need him, and if you feel the same way, you can get him here. 

This next figure is my second most wanted from this batch. It's Blowtorch!

Blowtorch is one of those figure, that I never had as a kid but always wanted. I mean he has a freaking flamethrower! This Classified version clearly looks cool, and the fire FX are fucking awesome!

We get another Joe team member in infantry trooper Footloose!

I love the weapons that he comes with! That LAW rocket launcher is especially kick ass! You can get him here. 

By the way, if you just want the figures from Wave 13 (that would be Blowtorch, Footloose, Frag Viper, and Darklon) you can get them together here. And, considering you get free shipping on orders of $79, that sounds perfect to me!

Speaking of sets you can get using free shipping over at Entertainment Earth, check out the Crimson Strike Team consisting of fan (and mine!) favorites: the Baroness, Tomax, and Xamot! 

I have the Classified Tomax and Xamot, as well as a retro cardback, Baroness Classified, but these repaints are cool! I love all the Crimson Guard stuff. Also, the attaché case they come in rules! You can get them here,

The last figure from this massive preorder batch is British Special Air Service member Big Ben!

The original Bug Ben is an early 90s figure, so I was long done buying at that point in time. As such, I definitely didn't have him. But, damn does this figure ever look cool! I love his guns, and that gas mask is kick ass! You can get him here. 

So, fellow G.I. Joe fans, which of these will you be getting? Let me know in the comments section below. Also, please use the above links cuz I get commission, when you make any order. Anything helps these days. Thank you and Yo Joe! Or Cobra! if you prefer. 

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