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Boston's Best Fall Rock Concerts

The summer blues: that time of the year when cooling temperatures and a scarcity of beach days causes depression amongst those who aren't looking forward to the winter months. The cure? A nice, loud fall concert. Plenty of package tours and club shows hit up the Boston area every autumn; here are some of the best and brightest, guaranteed to blow away the blues.
ozzie
(Photo credit: Live Nation )

Black Sabbath
Comcast Center
885 S. Main St.
Mansfield, MA 02048
(508) 339-2333
www.livenation.com

Date: Aug. 12, 2013

The almighty Black Sabbath return after years of inactivity with a brand new album, "13," and a world tour, hitting the Comcast Center in Mansfield on Monday, August 12th. Although original drummer Bill Ward has been replaced with Rage Against the Machine skinsman Brad Wilk, original Sabbath members, including guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and the inimitable Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, are hitting the Boston area with some of the heaviest metal this side of the dark. This one is a no brainer for fans.

Related: Best Doughnut Shops South of Boston

slaughter
(Photo credit: the palladium)

Summer Slaughter
Worcester Palladium
261 Main St.
Worcester, MA 01608

(508) 797-9696

www.thepalladium.net

Date: Aug. 3, 2013

Looking for something heavier than even Sabbath? The Summer Slaughter tour brings the craziest and most extreme death metal madness to the Worcester Palladium every year, drawing hundreds of young music fans searching for their latest buzz. Summer Slaughter definitely caters to the young and hip, rather than the old rock dogs, although some of the bands on the bill, such as Revocation and The Dillinger Escape Plan, have a history that goes back to the late 90s. Periphery, The Ocean and Animals As Leaders also join the lineup, promising a loud and raucous weekend.

flag
(Photo credit: Ticketmaster )

Flag
The Paradise Rock Club
969 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215

(617) 254-2979

www.ticketmaster.com

Date: Sept. 20, 2013

Black Flag is one of the most influential and iconic bands that emerged from the American punk rock movement, a band whose abrasive and hyper-energetic sound would inspire legions of bands from all walks of life, from underground and indie punk to mainstream radio acts like Rise Against. Currently, Black Flag is split into two groups making the touring circuit, playing the band's backlog of classics. Flag features former Black Flag and Circle Jerks frontman Keith Morris, alongside ex-Flag bassist Chuck Dukowski, the Descendents' Bill Stephenson and Dez Cadena of California's Adolescents, promising to play all of the band's early, classic jams with no filler. Expect nothing but high energy at this show.

Related: Boston Area's Best Tiki Bars

cpd
(Photo credit: Facebook )

Cherry Poppin' Daddies
The Middle East
472 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 864-3278
www.mideastclub.com

Date: Aug. 18, 2013

The Cherry Poppin' Daddies should certainly ring a bell for anyone who was a teen or young adult in the 90s and who was around to witness the swing trend in full effect. What many might not know, however, is that the Cherry Poppin' Daddies possess a wealth of musical influences beyond swing -- including ska and punk rock -- which have contributed to the longevity of the band's career thus far. A tour stop at the Middle East in Cambridge on August 18th promises to jog more than a few memories, particularly when the band launches into its biggest hit, "Zoot Suit Riot!"

overkill
(Photo credit: the palladium)

Overkill & Kreator
Worcester Palladium
261 Main St.
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 797-9696
www.thepalladium.net

Date: Nov. 1, 2013

The 80s will be back in full effect this November at the Worcester Palladium, as New Jersey's Overkill and Germany's Kreator create a trans-continental union in the name of speed metal madness. Denim, leather and thrash metal will be the name of the game on this night, as two certifiable legends hit the Palladium stage to deliver some of the fastest beats, gnarliest riffs and loudest vocals this side of a Headbanger's Ball. So break out the spikes and represent those patches, because 80s metal is alive and well.

George Pacheco has been writing professionally about arts and entertainment for over a decade. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, George currently resides in a humble New England home with his wife, cat and massive music and film collection. His work can be found at Examiner.com.

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