Red Shed Records - “River City Slam”

Show Review • Held on June 6th & 7th, 2025

Wisconsin-based Turner Hall came alive earlier last month as River City Slam returned for a second year, offering a two-day deep dive into the energy of Midwestern Metal. The all-ages festival was a strong and curated force of heavy metal music, combining creative aggression with local heart, leaving fans feeling every riff.

Friday night sparked the flame with acts like Egödeath, Yotuma and Knifeback, who commanded the hall early on. Each band beautifully carved their own soundscapes that captivated every member of the audience. A sense of anticipation was evident as H1Z1 delivered a set that was exquisite as it was precise. Inverted Visions set the tone with a recognized presence — a hometown band that over the years has built its name, bringing a nostalgic familiarity to the lineup.

Saturday’s sets expanded the experience from the night before with a slow-burn start from Take Back The Sun, that built into a sonic day packed with intensity. Each band added a progressive chapter to the story, Ghidora mindfully fused intricate thrash with chaotic energy, showcasing their quickly growing live presence. Static Affliction and Zeal carried us through the afternoon with their depth and irreplaceable energy. Later, Age of the Fallen and Vapid Soul dived deep into darker emotional waters by peeling back heavier layers and welcoming the chaos. The atmospheric gravitation of Ascend in Misery paired with a bulletproof set from Still Stayer closed out the day with a bang that rang through the hall relentlessly. Merch lines filled up as fans got to meet and connect with the artists showcased in the festival.

The precision in the selection of River City Slam’s lineup allowed for a seamlessly shared pulse that echoed through the weekend. A space where both the music and the message resonate, a collective story was able to be told: loud, emotional, unfiltered. Each band was able to bring its own identity to the stage and it was a real, raw experience that had fans leaving with ringing ears and wide smiles.

What allowed for a true elevation of the experience, past the raw musical talent, was the smoothly run and immaculate production quality. The lighting design was nothing short of the imagination — not overly flashy for the sake of it, but carefully choreographed to match every solo, breakdown and atmospheric buildup. Oh, and the sound…absolutely dialed in! Every gut-wrenching vocal, ambient interlude, and risky riff were heard with power and clarity. You can thank the man behind the board for that, Evan Yoakum — founder and coordinator of River City Slam and Red Shed Records. For fans who are used to overpowering bass or muddied mids, this was a masterclass in how metal is meant to be heard live: raw, loud, passionate but precise. It made every set something to hear and feel.

Expect to see River City Slam return in 2026 with fierce intention, the festival isn’t just growing, it’s being propelled by the community, and it’s not slowing down any time soon.

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