Justin Nuoffer
SCOUR
Milwaukee Metal Fest 5/18/25
©Justin Nuoffer/NuofferMedia.com
Another killer Milwaukee Metal Fest exclusive appearance featured Scour. Scour is considered a supergroup that features some of the genre’s more well-known names. Having released their first full-length album in February, it will mark the first time they have played live in support of Gold. Work on the album began two years before its eventual release date, allowing the material to mature. The Rave was packed to the gills. The floor barely had space for more patrons, and the doors lining the side had people out into the hallways trying to catch a glimpse. Up above on the VIP deck, every possible seat was filled. The section saved for band members and crew was also packed. This was a must-see event. It was special.
A completely blackened stage, with purple lighting from the front and green spotlights from above, sets the mood. The band fronted by the legendary Phillip Anselmo took the stage and jettisoned itself into the first track, “Crooked.” For those unfamiliar with the band, it must’ve come as a shock to them because these were the grittiest and nastiest vocals Anselmo has put out there. Much like his singing position with his other acts, he held the microphone above him, and he unloaded guttural screams.
Every so often, he would peer down to the conductor’s stand next to him to peek at lyric sheets. It made sense. They do not play together all that often. Bassist John Jarvis and drummer Adam Jarvis are the pacekeepers. They moved quickly. Adam Jarvis blasted his way through at lightning speed, and his cymbal work was upper tier. That cymbal work was a critical part of “Blades” and “Infusorium.” Don’t get it twisted either; this was black metal with elements of grindcore.
Mark Kloeppel of Misery Index and Dave Engemann, formerly of Cattle Decapitation, anchor each side of the stage. The guitarists’ riff and layer that dark, brutalizing sound that has become Scour. They delivered haunting screams and backing vocals as the darkened edges of the stage covered their faces. This was a master class on death metal. Scour was unapologetic. They tore through “Piles,” “Propaganda,” “Dispatch,” and “Nails” with relative ease. It’s like they’ve been touring on this material for a while now. Their precision was impressive.
Heading into the final songs, they added a cover from Echo & the Bunnymen, “Killing the Moon.” The reception to it was off the charts. After that they finally came to the end of their time and closed with “Hell” and “Tear Gas.” This may be the heaviest material of the entire festival, and the crowd loved every moment of it.
The mean and gritty performance was part of what makes Milwaukee Metal Fest so great. It allowed fans to see a band that normally doesn’t play together on a bigger stage, which is a rarity. Scour dominated. The reaction of the fans leaving the room was happiness and shock. They turned heads and made fans out of some curious people. So much so that the Housecore Records table outside The Rave’s doors instantly had a line. It was special and will be remembered for a long time. Just another notch in the festival’s belt.
CONCERT PHOTOS: Scour performing on May 18, 2025 at Milwaukee Metal Fest 2025. ©Justin Nuoffer/NuofferMedia.com
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