Danny Wimmer Presents Premieres Driven: An Exclusive Interview With Korn [Video]

Korn at Chicago Open Air 2016

Via Danny Wimmer Presents, nu metal band Korn talks about what drives them in why they love playing music. Vocalist Jonathan Davis and guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer discuss some of their inspirations and how much the crowd means to them at shows. You can view the video below. Korn will be performing at Carolina Rebellion on May 6th, Rock on the Range on May 20th, and Chicago Open Air on July 15th. It was also just announced today that Korn will be opening for Rammstein alongside Stone Sour in Las Vegas on July 1st at the T-Mobile Arena. The show is also being presented by DWP and tickets go on sale Friday, March 31st. Be sure to follow the band on Facebook for tour updates and Danny Wimmer Presents for more exclusive content.

What Drives You?

Chicago Open Air Spotlight: WHORES.

*Every Thursday from now until Chicago Open Air gets here we will be releasing an article about a band playing the festival to get you familiar with them.*

This week’s artist is Whores.

On Sunday July 16th, noise rock band Whores will be bringing their raw, massive sound to Chicago Open Air at Toyota Park. The trio formed in 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia and released their first EP, ‘Ruiner’ in 2011 via Brutal Panda Records. Following this, Whores released their second EP in 2013 titled ‘Clean’. It was produced by Ryan Boesch, who has worked with various bands like Helmet, The Foo Fighters, and Norma Jean (who is also playing Chicago Open Air). Last year, the band switched labels to eOne Music and released their first full length album, ‘Gold’. The record received a enormous amount of recognition from different websites and magazines like Rolling Stone, Invisible Oranges, and Metal Insider. The band delivers a loud, garage heavy sound that has caught the eye of several people. Continue reading

Chicago Open Air Spotlight: DED

*Every Thursday from now until Chicago Open Air gets here we will be releasing an article about a band playing the festival to get you familiar with them.*

This week’s artist is DED!

We have a nu metal/hardcore revival on our hands! DED will be performing at Chicago Open Air on Sunday, July 16th along with legendary acts like Ozzy Osbourne and Slayer. The band formed in Phoenix, AZ two years ago with the goal of putting listeners on edge. In the last few months they have taken the music scene by storm with their two recently released songs. Their live performances and EP led to a quick amount of success including shows with Beartooth, Atreyu, Every Time I Die, and more. This summer they will be hitting the road with Korn on several different tours, playing alongside acts like Stone Sour, Skillet, and Animals as Leaders. Continue reading

Chicago Open Air Spotlight: AVATAR

*Every Thursday from now until Chicago Open Air gets here we will be releasing an article about a band playing the festival to get you familiar with them.*

This week’s artist is Avatar!

Swedish metal band Avatar will be making their debut at Chicago Open Air to “steal the show” on July 15th. Forming in 2001, the band went through several lineup changes before releasing their first full length album, ‘Thoughts of No Tomorrow’ in 2006. ‘Schlact’ followed that in 2007 and then their self titled album was released in 2010. This was the start of the band’s rise to fame having been signed by Sony Music and releasing their biggest song yet “Queen of Blades”. The song received recognition from Blizzard Entertainment as it was about a character from the game Starcraft. Throughout these years they hit the road with many experienced bands like In Flames, Obituary, Helloween, and Dark Tranquility. Continue reading

Chicago Open Air Spotlight/Album Review: BLACK MAP – ‘In Droves’

*Every Thursday from now until Chicago Open Air gets here we will be releasing an article about a band playing the festival to get you familiar with them.*

Our first artist is Black Map!

Black Map will be taking the Chicago Open Air stage on July 15th this year at Toyota Park and we couldn’t be more excited. This will be the first Danny Wimmer Presents festival that Black Map will be a part of . We are kicking off the artist spotlight in a special way as we also include an album review of their new release: ‘In Droves’. The alt metal trio unleashed their first songs in 2014. First, their 4-song EP titled ‘Driver’ was released in February and all 4 songs were included later on that year on their first full length album ‘…And We Explode’.  They put off a heavy 90s rock vibe with huge, blasting riffs and raw emotion all packed into one punch. Last year the band made a large breakthrough with the premiere of a new song “Run Rabbit Run”.  This song took the airwaves by storm and told us to get ready for 2017 because Black Map is quickly on their way to the top. ‘In Droves’ will drop across the US on March 10th via eOne Music. The album was produced by Aaron Hellam at Hellman Sound. You can pre-order ‘In Droves’ here on the band’s website. Continue reading

AMON AMARTH Are Bringing The Viking Ship To Chicago Open Air!

Photo Credit: Gary Wolstenholme @ ThrashHits

Amon Amarth is about to make Chicago Open Air even more special. They our bringing The Viking Ship to Chicago. When Swedish metal band Amon Amarth take the stage at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois on Sunday, July 16 in support of their current album, ‘Jomsviking’, attendees will be treated to a visual spectacle. The band’s full production plans include the infamous life size replica of a Viking ship hull and live Viking fighting! The impressive setup pays homage to the band’s Swedish roots and the Jomsvikings, a shadowy and legendary sect of Viking mercenaries. This will be a rare chance to catch the band with the most extraordinary stage prop live in the U.S..

Continue reading

Chicago Open Air 2017- Preview

The second annual Chicago Open Air will bring together an all-star lineup of rock’s top artists on Friday, July 14, Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL, just outside Chicago. The three-day music, craft beer and Gourmet Man Food festival will feature over 40 performances, including legendary rock artists Ozzy Osbourne, KISS, and Korn, along with Rob Zombie, Slayer, Godsmack, Stone Sour, Megadeth, Lamb Of God, Seether, Meshuggah, Anthrax, Clutch, Body Count, and many more. Continue reading

Chicago Open Air: Day 1 Review

Butcher Babies!

Butcher Babies!

Chicago Open Air was by far the most exciting lineup of bands I had seen in a long time. Danny Wimmer Presents always has a great list of bands at all their festivals like Rock On The Range, Carolina Rebellion, Rocklahoma, Louder Than Life and more. However, this lineup put all the others to shame. All it really took to get me excited was Rammstein. At first that was the only band announced, and it would be their only U.S. date in 2016. They had long been at the top of my must see bucket list. Once the remainder of bands was added I was more than excited. Continue reading

A Brief Interview With Periphery’s Misha Mansoor!

Photo Credit: Alex "Pressplay" Wohleber

Photo Credit: Alex “Pressplay” Wohleber

We were lucky enough to catch up with Periphery guitarist Misha Manoor prior to their set at Chicago Open Air this past weekend. Rain started to fall as the band took the stage, but that wouldn’t keep their dedicated fans away. Swarms of fans stood in the pouring rain as Periphery brought their personal brand of metal to the first annual Chicago Open Air. Their set was unfortunately cut short due to weather, but fans at Chicago Open Air did get a special treat that the rest of the world had to wait on. Misha talks about the festival, their new album ‘Select Difficulty due out 07/22, an upcoming tour, and their new video. Continue reading

CHICAGO OPEN AIR Brings Amazing Metal Lineup to Windy City!

Chicago-IG-2.15

So I’ll admit that I was totally on board for Chicago Open Air when the only band they had announced was German power house Rammestein. But….. Once they revealed the rest of the lineup it sent chills down my spine. I think this is likely the heaviest festival that DWP has put on EVER. The rest of the bands added are over the top and make this inagural year for the festival one that you will not want to miss. It will be the go to event for metal heads that like their metal just a little on the heavy side. Overall, Chicago Open Air will feature performances by more than 40 bands, including Rammstein (did I mention it’s the group’s only 2016 U.S. performance and first Chicago show since 2012), Chicago’s own Disturbed (who recently returned from a 4-year hiatus with their #1 album Immortalized), global rock juggernauts Slipknot, Chevelle, Korn, Five Finger Death Punch, Ministry, Breaking Benjamin, Marilyn Manson, Gojira, Meshuggah, COC, Carcass, Hatebreed, and many more. The festival will also include Gourmet Man Food featuring local and regional cuisine, a craft beer village highlighting top brews from the region, other entertainment and fan experiences, and will be hosted by the metal ambassador himself Jose Mangin from SiriusXM.

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Are you sitting down? Because things just got better! There is now an official pre-party for Chicago Open Air as well that includes more amazingly talented bands. The Chicago Open Air Pre-Party: The official Chicago Open Air Pre-Party presented by 95 WIIL Rock and 100.7 QRock will be held at Concord Music Hall on Thursday, July 14. Otep headlines the show with Shaman’s Harvest, Islander and Through Fire supporting. Chicago Open Air ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets in advance for $10. Regular tickets are $17. Go here for tickets. If you haven’t seen Islander they are one of the best up and coming live acts.

We wouldn’t miss this weekend of shows for anything. If we are still breathing we will be there, and if you call yourself a metal head you better be there too!

Website: www.ChicagoOpenAir.com

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