Review Of The “Winter Warriors Tour” With Battlecross, Allegaeon And Necromancing the Stone

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Sunday, December 4th, 2016. Jack Rabbits, Jacksonville, FL. Metal Blade Records’ artists Necromancing the Stone, Allegaeon and Battlecross take the stage for an evening hammering down some of the most engaging and hard hitting Metal around. This is the third such outing for headlining act, Battlecross, on their annual Winter Warriors Tour where veterans are allowed free admission to the shows and a portion of all proceeds land in the coffers of local veteran charities. The Metal community has no heart and is just a bunch of Satan loving hooligans wearing black t-shirts and leather jackets. Psh! No matter where I go, you people are the biggest hearted group, supporting our military vets, children charities and each other at every opportunity. Hell, there was a Metal show down the street from Jack Rabbits set up by local promoters and bands in support of a wonderful family that recently lost a child. I am truly honored to call each one of you brothers and sisters, even if we have never met! Thank you! In addition to the music, when it comes down to brass tacks, our solidarity is what grows the genre.

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Review Of Flotsam And Jetsam, Helstar, And Hatchet Show At Jack Rabbits In Jacksonville, FL

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Man! When we first got wind that Flotsam and Jetsam, Helstar and Hatchet were hitting the road together, all of us here at MN (particularly Dragon and me) were praying this would stop somewhere within striking distance. Not just to see this collection of top shelf bands but also to get this match made in heaven available to our loyal readers. Who wouldn’t want to see this? Love Hatchet. Been listening to them for since around 2013 when Dawn of Evil hit. Helstar. Hell, I have listened to them on and off for the better part of thirty years. Don’t even get me started on Flotsam and Jetsam. They have ranked among my favorite bands consistently since Doomsday for the Deceiver way back in 1986. Saw them on their tours supporting No Place for Disgrace and Cuatro at Bogarts in Cincinnnati and one other time in Indianapolis in the late nineties. I have relentlessly listened to them even with my long hiatus seeing them live. While I like some of their releases better than others, Flotz is one of those bands that apparently cannot put out a bad album. I can only think of a couple of other bands that I hold in equal regards. To say the least, this was a dream show for me and was elated to find that it was coming to Jack Rabbits in Jacksonville, FL; just minutes from my house! So, you ask: “How was the show?”…

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Flaw on Tour w/ Freaks Like Me!

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Flaw is just a few days away from kicking off their latest tour. The B.O.L.O. 2016 Tour will begin on January 14th in Sanford, Florida and end on February 1st in Springfield, Missouri. The band will be dominating venues all over the South. The band has been in the studio putting the finishing touches on their highly anticipated upcoming album due out in March. The band also recently signed to Pavement Entertainment. The band has been back at it and active for the past couple years but the album will be the first album released from the band since 2004’s ‘Endangered Species’. The band has unveiled one new song which made it’s rounds in Sirius satellite radio. The song “Bleed Red” shows the band has only got better with age. Fans went crazy for the new track requesting it consistently. If this song is any indication to what to expect from the upcoming album it is going to kick major ass. The band has had several lineup changes in the past but the core of the band has always been Chris Volz, Ryan Jurhs, and Jay Daunt. These 3 musicians are the blood that pumps through the veins of Flaw. Along with them is newly added drummer Corey Sturgill who is a great addition to the band. I also have to add that he was deathly sick at this past years Louder Than Life festival and he still took the stage and played a flawless set.

The band has added label mates Freaks Like Me as direct support on the tour. The group has a great throwback rock sound that will just add to this already amazing tour. They are just the right amount of heavy and melodic to fit in perfectly with Flaw. Of course Flaw is known for their emotional lyrics that reach out and mend your soul. If you are within driving range of one of these dates get out there and support these bands. We will be reviewing the Jacksonville stop on this tour at Jack Rabbits which includes the killer hometown band Immune. Also on the bill that night is The Knowing Within and The Things They Carried. It’s just another addition to an already killer show. So stay tuned as we will have a review for this show and some killer pictures.

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Follow the bands below to keep up with everything through the tour, and make sure to pick up Flaw’s upcoming release.

Flaw

Freaks Like Me

Immune