For Your Ears

The Black Dahlia Murder with Nile, Skeletonwitch and Hour of Penance

Sunshine Theater
Saturday, April 7
7:30 p.m.
All ages
$16

Leaving a trail of heavy guitar riffs and thunderous percussion, The Black Dahlia Murder stands as one of the front-runners of today’s death metal scene — and for good reason. After releasing a slew of solid albums, The Black Dahlia Murder’s simplistic yet somehow catchy approach to the genre continues to gather new fans.

For Your Consideration: Listening to “Moonlight Equilibrium” is the equivalent of taking Head Banging 101. It features high-pitched screams, blistering drums and a wailing guitar solo, all great hallmarks of the death metal genre.

Mustard Plug with Left Alone, Stabbed in Back and Martial Law
The Launchpad
Sunday, April 15
7:30 p.m.
All ages
$10

Ska-punk veteran band Mustard Plug has danced the years away since 1992. Accompanied by upbeat guitars and a bouncing horn section, Mustard Plug’s tunes brighten even the most jaded ska listener’s day.

For Your Consideration: It’s easy to dance to the roaring horns and catchy chorus of “On and On.”

Cahalen Morrison and Eli West with Russell James Pyle
Low Spirits Bar and Stage
Wednesday, April 18
9 p.m.
21
$8

The banjo- and guitar-playing duo Cahalen Morrison and Eli West perform bluegrass for bluegrass haters. They fluctuate between breakneck speeds and slowing things down to a crawl. Morrison and West’s strings dance around the duo’s soulful croons.

For Your Consideration: With its fluttering banjo and soulful chorus, “Hop High” is about as catchy as bluegrass gets.

Joe Pug with Bailiff
Low Spirits Bar and Stage
Tuesday, April 24
9 p.m.
21
$12

Folk musician Joe Pug is a storyteller first and a singer/songwriter second. Whether he’s backed up by a small live band or on his lonesome with a guitar and a harmonica, Pug’s tales of love and loss carry a hefty weight of emotion akin to artists such as Bob Dylan and The Tallest Man on Earth.

For Your Consideration: “Hymn #101” tracks a spiritual journey, trickled with guitar picks and anecdotes of self-awakenings.

Iwrestledabearonce with Molotov Solution, GlassCloud
and The Greenery
The Launchpad
Monday, April 30
6:30 p.m.
All ages
$13

Iwrestledabearonce is a female-fronted heavy metal band that performs everything from thrash metal to Bjork-influenced pop songs. The band, which hails from Louisiana, plays first and stirs up the mosh pit second, with its everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach to song writing.

For Your Consideration: “Tastes Like Kevin Bacon” throws a mess of thrashing guitars, incomprehensible screaming, techno beats, a well-strung harp and a massive breakdown marked by guttural vocals all together for maximum effect.

The Flatliners with Second Thought
and The Ill Motion
Amped Performance Center
Monday, April 30
7 p.m.  
All ages
$10

Canadian punk-rockers The Flatliners hit all the right notes with a punchy brand of skate-punk music. Lead singer Chris Cresswell’s raspy shouts and declarations are well-punctuated by the band’s slick guitar riffs and driving percussion.

For Your Consideration: The chorus and steady buildup of the band’s “Monumental” will have your toes tapping for days.