Epicenter Festival Friday Review & Photo Gallery

Korn

The inaugural Epicenter Festival that was held in Rockingham, North Carolina earlier this month was, to most, a major success. Others will disagree, pointing out flaws in traffic congestion for the first two days and the Day 2 headliners, Tool and Judas Priest, among others being canceled due to severe weather. Which I agree was a little inconvenient, but when you understand anything can happen during a festival, especially a festival’s first year as well as a new venue, you take it as it comes. Although there were a few hiccups throughout the weekend (nothing major that would warrant the degree of dissatisfaction that a lot of individuals have expressed) the majority of the festival-goers got their money’s worth and really enjoyed yet another amazing weekend hosted by the Danny Wimmer Presents crew. Continue reading

DEATH ANGEL, MOTHERSHIP, & BYZANTINE Bring Total Destruction to Huntington, WV’s V Club [REVIEW & PHOTO GALLERY]

Currently on tour supporting their upcoming release ‘Humanicide’, Death Angel are hitting several cities across the country. Last week, the thrash legends stormed through Huntington, WV’s V Club bringing along Dallas, TX intergalactic rock trio Mothership and Charleston, WV’s Byzantine for a night of total destruction and Metal Nexus was there to catch it all! Continue reading

Sonic Temple Spotlight: THE MARK LANEGAN BAND

2019’s festival season is already (in my opinion) the biggest and hardest-hitting festival season to date.  It seems that just about every other lineup announcement is even more unbelievable than those prior and they keep getting better!  Of course, Sonic Temple is among the aforementioned and those who will be in attendance are in for one hell of a show!  The degree of artist diversity is exponentially higher than previous years and artists like the Mark Lanegan Band are guaranteed to bring some nice, dark, soulful vibes to the festivals they will grace this Summer! Continue reading

Sonic Temple Spotlight: WAGE WAR

If you think that you’ve already heard it all when it comes to heavy music, you just haven’t heard Wage War.  The group — which is composed of vocalist Briton Bond, guitarist/vocalist Cody Quistad, guitarist Seth Blake, bassist Chris Gaylord and drummer Stephen Kluesener — formed in Ocala, Florida in 2013.  After playing shows around the area and picking up steam, they were quickly signed to Fearless Records, and did it the old-fashioned way: By sending a song to the label.  From there, the group linked up with the production team of Andrew Wade (Neck Deep, Motionless In White) and A Day To Remember vocalist Jeremy McKinnon who produced their 2015 debut ‘Blueprints’ together and returned to produce the sophomore full-length ‘Deadweight’, and most recently, “Low”, the band’s newest single released earlier this year – check it out!
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Sonic Temple Spotlight: BLACK PISTOL FIRE

Photo Courtesy of Black Pistol Fire Official Website

Sleep on these guys at your own risk, because what they did to BMI on Friday afternoon was unholy… leaving a trail of scorched earth and melted minds.”
– Consequence of Sound, Lollapalooza 2015

Black Pistol Fire is a high-octane rock duo based out of Austin, Texas by way of Toronto, Canada; composed of Kevin McKeown on guitar/lead vocals and Eric Owen on drums.  Drawing inspiration from blues, R&B and rock greats such as Led Zeppelin, Chuck Berry, Nirvana, Buddy Holly and Muddy Waters, BPF’s gritty and dynamic performances are fueled by undeniable musicianship.  Dubbed the “next big thing” by Huffington Post after SXSW 2013, BPF has developed a reputation for their untamed live performances. Continue reading

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN Announces Release of New Album ‘Blue Lightning’ Out March 29!

Photo Courtesy of Yngwie Malmsteen Official Website

Yngwie Malmsteen will release ‘Blue Lightning’ globally on March 29 via Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group. To call Yngwie Malmsteen a ‘maestro’ or ‘virtuoso’ is to state the obvious. But such terms don’t do sufficient justice to either his talent or impact. There are innumerable guitarists who have copied a small part of the vast musical spectrum that defines him, but nobody comes close to achieving what he has over a period of nearly four decades. Continue reading

Sonic Temple Spotlight: AVATAR

Each week we’re bringing you several different spotlight segments from the Summer’s biggest rock festivals including Epicenter Festival, Chicago Open Air, and, of course, Sonic Temple!  This week, we’re showcasing Göthenburg, Sweden’s Avatar – a melodic metal act with demented circus theatrics, making for one hell of a show! Continue reading

KORPIKLAANI Release Lyric Video for Digital Single “Bier Bier” feat. TANKARD’S Gerre!

Finnish Folk Metal Superstars KORPIKLAANI are currently touring Europe alongside Turisas and Trollfest in support of their latest studio album Kulkija’. To celebrate, the band released a special tour edition, which includes the ‘Beer Beer’ CD, featuring 14 different versions of the eponymous track. Taken from this CD is also “Bier Bier,” sung by Tankard‘s Gerre, who even wrote the lyrics for the adaption. Continue reading

Sonic Temple Festival Spotlight: THE JACKS

As the days start getting longer, the outside views gradually morph from gray to a more pleasant green and the world starts to liven up a little, most folks start to anticipate the arrival of Spring. To the rest of us, this time of year isn’t just about nice seasons – it also means FESTIVAL SEASON is right around the corner! As part of our festival spotlight series, we’re bringing you the scoop on the bands that maybe sometimes get overshadowed by the top-of-the-bill bands/artists and introducing you to them so when the show rolls around, there aren’t any strangers! This week we’re checking out The Jacks – SoCal’s British invasion-inspired rock ‘n’ rollers! Continue reading

THE INOCULATED CANARIES Privilege Fans With New Single “Who Are You?”

Following their 2018 release ‘Trying Times’, New York quartet The Inoculated Canaries have released their newest single “Who Are You?”, and as a fan myself, I can say for sure these guys only get better and better. The chemistry within the band is very prominent in the new single and stands alongside previously released fan-favorites like “Count Me Out” and “Jericho”.

The band’s frontman Mike Rubin states:

The [Inoculated] Canaries has felt like 10 different bands throughout its lifespan…We keep adding to our style because there are so many great influences we can learn from. I spend 8-9 hours a day with these jerks and it absolutely contributes to how tight our live shows are. I know what James is going to do before James even knows he’s gonna do it.” Continue reading