Mayfest, May 21, 2016 (and more…): Meka Nism!

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If you are a Metal fan out of Central Florida and don’t live under a rock you have surely heard of my next Mayfest feature band. Bar none, they are one of my favorite bands and not just because they are relatively local to me. Their music is incredible and all of the band members are beyond being just nice people. They are a true testament to a band that loves their fans as much as their fans love them. As stated by the band: “Our fans are what drive us. We want to create music that people love and connect with. The reaction from our fans at shows is priceless”. That’s right folks, I am talking about the mighty Meka Nism out of Orlando, FL.

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The Acacia Strain Announce Dates for the “Common Vision Tour”

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The Acacia Strain will celebrate ten years since the release of the band’s third studio album ‘The Dead Walk,’ with the summer headline ‘Common Vision Tour’ that kicks off July 7th in Massachusetts. Supporting bands are Oceano, Knocked Loose, Culture Killer and To The Wind. The band will be throwing in some older songs into the mix in regards to their set list and they will also have some throwback merch that may only be available on this tour. VIP tickets are available here and general admission tickets go on sale this coming Friday  5/6.  Continue reading →

State of the Art: SwitchbacH

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 *This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured State*

This month’s State is Arkansas!

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Hard to believe we are already in the month of May as we move onto the state of Arkansas for this month’s State of the Art series. As is the case with the other states that we have covered, it is always fun to search for new music where I would not normally look. A few of my current go-to bands have stemmed from my searches and have a definite feeling this is going to be another such case. The band is SwitchbacH.

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Trapt, Super Bob, Source and Dark Summer: A show to remember…

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After doing my first Colorado State of the Art article on Source for the month of April, singer/songwriter/guitarist Ben Gleason and band manager Brent Boutte contacted me, inviting me to a show on their tour with Trapt and Super Bob. After some back and forth, a move of venue and a three and half hour drive (seven hours of driving was well worth the trip), I was finally able to see the band that has grabbed so much of my attention this past month. The more I have listened to Source’s music, the more I am sucked into their musical poetry. They are not even close to getting old (probably begin to fade just in time for a new album).

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Flaw Announce Release Date of New Album ‘Divided We Fall’

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Flaw has been back together for a few years now and touring all over the country. Three of the bands core member remain in the band. Vocalist Chris Volz, Guitarist Jay Daunt, and Ryan Jurhs have an amazing chemistry together that is seen and heard in their music. Drummer Corey Sturgill was a great addition to the band and he has helped add another dimension to the band, and he is an entertaining drummer to watch. The band has released one new single in the past year titled “Bleed Red” which dominated air play on Sirius XM Octane when it was released to them exclusively. This song shows the band can still put out emotionally driven heavy music that touches a nerve with any listener. The band last release major release was “Endangered Species” back in 2006. Flaw has a loyal fan base that has been craving new music for quite sometime and they just got the news they have been waiting for. We spoke to the band back in October at the Louder Than Life festival about the new album and their timeline to release it. The band signed a deal with Pavement Entertainment and have no announced a date for the release of their new album Divided We Fall. Continue reading →

International Guitar Month: Jason Becker

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So, this being my final International Guitar Month spotlight, I toiled about who I wanted to cover. I wanted something special so I stopped and let my mind wander a bit. Who do I love? Who has moved me? Who has had my attention for years? Man, there are so many to choose from that are so deserving. Once Jason Becker’s name flashed across my mind, my breathing slowed and I comfortably knew who I needed to write about. Not a “want,” a “need”.  This man holds a very dear place in my heart and I can only pray that my words even come close to giving this man’s story justice with my utmost respect…

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Johnson City, Tennessee: EyeHateGod, Fight Amp, Navajo Witch!

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It’s not everyday you get to witness NOLA royalty. New Orleans sludge masters EyeHateGod recently unleashed their greatness on a crowd of fans at The Hideaway in Johnson City, Tennessee. The band is touring in support of their 2014 self titled release. The tour entitled ‘The Road to Psychotic Disorder is Not Elsewhere Classified’ also includes direct support from Philly based band Fight Amp. Also on this particular date is East Tennessee’s premiere doomsters Navajo Witch. Continue reading →

VALIENT THORR Announces “15 Years on Earth Tour”

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Valient Thorr are the baddest band on the planet (from another planet). In support of the new album Valient Thorr will be hitting the road in North American on the “15 Years on Earth Tour”. Joining them on the road will be Pears, Black Wizard and label-mates Hammer Fight. The tour kicks off May 25th in Asheville, NC and runs through July 13th in Baltimore, MD. Lead vocalist Valient Himself even has a few words for you: Continue reading →

Mayfest, May 21, 2016: Best Supporting Actor

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Here is another killer band out of Melbourne, FL that will be playing at Mayfest: Best Supporting Actor. This band’s sound is a formative mix of Punk (“less angry though” as Steve Keller so aptly points out), Alternative and Hard Rock/Metal guitar riffs with melodic vocals and a great old-school flavor I am really digging. Started in July of 2007 by drummer/vocalist Steve Keller and guitarist Wade Vargo after having “some song ideas [he] wanted to flush out”, they decided to form a band after the third time writing and recording their original tunes.

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Three Monsters, One show: The Contortionist, Entheos and sleepmakeswaves

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After a horrible day, I was definitely looking forward to hit my weekly show at 1904 here in Jacksonville, FL and blow off some steam. Hell, even the weather sucked. Cool, pouring down rain. Sucks. Nothing like some good music for a few hours to escape the frustration, angst and exhaustion of days (weeks) like that. I find Metal a good outlet for these “bad” emotions that all too often are left to fester and become destructive in so many ways. I find music to be productive release for all of it. Head bang, fists in the air, screaming my head off. Leave it all with the music and depart in a better mood, pleasantly tired and relaxed, maybe even with a couple more friends. Ask me why I love music. This night was sure to be the catharsis of my day, my week.

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