Story/Photos David Mondine
As most Pittsburgh natives have heard, one of the best venues in the area was closing down at the end of July, but there was going to be a final farewell that would definitely fit Altar Bar’s ten years of service by having a weeks’ worth of shows to make up for the sudden demise of the beloved venue. Sadly, due to building issues, they could not properly give that goodbye at Altar Bar, but instead the Rex Theater; another venue through Drusky Entertainment. Luckily, the shows went on in celebrating Altar Bar’s years of service with a fantastic lineup of shows including a Pittsburgh favorite in the metal community, August Burns Red.
It was not too long ago that ABR stopped by Pittsburgh with the legendary Between the Buried and Me on a co-headlining tour. Now they are back for not just one, but two nights of head banging, moshing, and singalongs at the Rex Theater on South Side. It was a different change of pace to see them like this, mainly because they pulled out some older songs to play for this two night show for a total of thirty songs in which only five were repeated.
From start to finish, the show was really nonstop for ABR along with the crowd. Between a spectacular performance and this being the last few shows ever to be played at Altar Bar (even though it was not), there was no way that this could not be a great couple of nights for everyone. All of this would sooner or later have to come to an end… but it was nice to have a band that loved Altar Bar so much that they were more than willing to play two nights for one of their favorite venues. With that being said, and with a heavy heart, we say farewell to Altar Bar along with a huge thank you to them and August Burns Red for one of the greatest ways to say goodbye you could ever wish for.
Photos ©2016 Dave Mondine
