Priest + Vampires Everywhere! w/ Julien-K
January 18th, 2025
Gray’s Keg, Lincoln, Nebraska

Never before has a tour been so appropriately named. It was a frigid 5 degrees in Lincoln, but the Colder Than Hell tour was about to turn up the heat.
Gray’s Keg served as the perfect intimate venue for a night of dark, synth-heavy energy and high-octane performances. Julien-K, Priest, and Vampires Everywhere! delivered a dynamic show that kept the crowd engaged from start to finish.

The evening kicked off with several local bands before Julien-K delivered a powerful set, blending dark industrial rock with electronic energy. Ryan Shuck’s stage presence continues to be electrifying, and Amir Derakh’s instrumental mastery added an edge to tracks like “Futura” and “Your Tears Mean Nothing.” Fans erupted when they closed their set with a cover of New Order’s “Blue Monday,” the song that introduced us to Shuck and Derakh in the late 90’s with their previous band, ORGY. Julien-K’s set showcased their continued mastery of combining gritty rock with futuristic soundscapes.

Next up, Sweden’s Priest brought their hypnotic mix of retro synthwave and futuristic vibes. Cloaked in mystery and electronic ambiance, their performance felt like a journey through a neon-lit cyberpunk world. Tracks like “Blacklisted” and “Demon’s Call” stood out, with pulsating beats and ethereal vocals creating an almost trance-like atmosphere. I haven’t seen that much leather since the time I accidentally stumbled into an IML convention. The crowd swayed and danced as the band blurred the lines between darkwave and electronic pop. I was intrigued with Priest as their set started, and a full blown fan by the time they walked off the stage. Hopefully my first time seeing them won’t be my last.

Closing out the night, Vampires Everywhere! slithered onto a stage enveloped with by thick fog, and bathed in crimson stage lights. The children of the night took no prisoners with their theatrical presence and anthemic goth-rock sound . Michael Vampire’s haunting vocals and stage charisma had the audience captivated, especially during tracks like “Immortal Love” and their infectious covers of “Teenage Dream,” and “Cry Little Sister.” Their set was a thrilling throwback to the emo-metal days of the early 2000s, drawing cheers from longtime fans.
The energy in Gray’s Keg was palpable throughout the evening, and the sound quality was impressive for such an intimate venue. Fans left exhilarated, buzzing with excitement from the seamless blend of nostalgia and innovation that each band brought to the stage.
This concert was a testament to the enduring allure of dark, synth-infused music and its ability to unite fans in a shared love for the genre. If you have the chance to catch any of these bands live, don’t miss it—they know how to put on a show that resonates long after the final note.
















































