ROCKTROPOLIS 2024: ACE FREHLEY & SEBASTIAN BACH Take Tennessee

Nestled amidst the rolling hills of East Tennessee, Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City has played host to some of the biggest names in rock and roll. Since 1974, nearly everyone from Elvis to Ozzy has plied their wares there, with several generations of fans coming of musical age within its walls. Rocktropolis 2024, featuring a headlining performance from Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer Ace Frehley, proved to be a more than worthy celebration and continuation of this history, Scotty Austin of Saving Abel kickstarted the evening’s festivities with a rollicking, high-octane set.

Guided by freewheeling adrenaline, Austin was in fine voice and schtick, working the crowd like the seasoned pro he is and leading his group through songs by Trash The Brand as well as covers of works by Pink Floyd and Billy Idol. Recent Vinnie VincentInvasion recruit and local hero Faysal Scott Smile commandeered the band for a run through KISS’ “All Hell’s Breakin’ Loose,” and Austin wrapped his raucous performance with a crowd-pleasing version of “Rebel Yell.” It wasn’t perfect, but it was damn sure close enough for rock and roll and it was a whole load of fun.

Josey Scott’s set was as tight as Austin’s was loose, with his road-hardened band ripping through a chunk of the Saliva catalogue with a well-honed energy and precision. On hits like “Ladies and Gentlemen,” “Always,” and the singalong “Hero,” Scott reminded why he was regarded one of the era’s most compelling performers, mixing hip-hop swagger with pure rock power into a potent, pungent potion. I had forgotten just how many of those songs I knew; by the time the one-two punch of “Click Click Boom” and “Your Disease” brought the show to a close, I was thinking that maybe Scott/Saliva is the rap-metal Collective Soul; one of those bands that manages to remain unsung while having a literal ton of hits.

So many glam metal frontmen tried to walk the diamond path laid by David Lee Roth, perhaps none more purely and successfully than Sebastian Bach. Rock n’ roll lifer Bach, who for the past thirty-five years has somehow stayed in his early-to-mid 20s, is an eternal showman and a perpetual dervish; from the moment he stomped on stage to the strains of his most recent single “What Do I Got To Lose?,” the hard rock icon owned the crowd, many of whom over the next hour or so seemed to have been transported back a few decades themselves. With a few exceptions from his fantastic new album Child Within The Man, the setlist was dominated by tunes from Skid Row’s first two albums, from the bawdy “Big Guns” to the epic “18 & Life,” the sultry sleaze of “Monkey Business” to the near-thrash of “Slave To The Grind.” The three-piece backing unit (which includes Bach’s son Paris on drums) ably provided a rock-solid platform for the strutting, sparkling, mic-whipping Bach to perform his magic act, the audience remaining enthralled all the way through the set-ending “Youth Gone Wild.” As a kid, I remember reading (probably in RIP magazine) that Sebastian Bach had been genetically engineered to be a rock star; judging from what I saw at Rocktropolis, the experiment continues to be a rousing success.

Greasepaint and pyro budgets aside, for a full five decades now, Ace Frehley‘s calling cards have remained largely unchanged: a Les Paul slung low and cranked high and an insouciant, staggering swagger that places him squarely in the House of Keith alongside his contemporaries Perry and Thunders. Both were on full display as Frehley and his band, introduced by VIP meet & greet guest Bobbie Brown, roared through a set of KISS classics, with a few chestnuts from his solo career sprinkled in for good measure. With the opening salvo of “Shock Me” into “Deuce” the Rock Soldiers were called to attention, and for the next hour or so the guitar legend led them delightedly through their paces, bridging the 70s (“Parasite,” “Shout It Out Loud”) and the 80s (“Rock Soldiers”) all the way to today (both “Cherry Medicine” and the title cut from his most recent album 10,000 Volts). Ace has assembled an absolutely stellar group of players, with Ryan Cook (bass), Jeremy Asbrock (guitar), and Scot Coogan (drums) each contributing spot-on vocals and elite musicianship while still putting on one hell of a rock show; their version of “New York Groove” was the best I’ve ever heard.. Of course there was the smoking guitar solo during “Cold Gin” (featuring snippets of “Communication Breakdown,” “Smoke On The Water,” and the James Bond theme, among others), and the evening ended exactly the way you’d hope it would: a spirited romp through “Rock And Roll All Nite,” with Sebastian Bach and Josey Scott joining in on backing vocals. No tapes, no tracks, no tricks, at 73 years old Ace Frehley delivered an unadulterated blast of solid rock that left the throngs fully satisfied, which is more than I can say for some acts a third his age.

ICE NINE KILLS, IN THIS MOMENT & AVATAR Bring The Kiss Of Death Pt 2 Tour to Iowa.

Ice Nine Kills and In This Moment have teamed up once again for a tour, dubbed the ‘Kiss Of Death Tour Part 2.’ They made a stop at the beautiful Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee, Iowa, with support from Avatar and TX2.

Due to travel, I missed TX2’s performance, but I hope to catch them at another show. I did manage to see Avatar, who I believe are one of the best live bands out there. A man in a black mask carried a box to the stairs leading up to the drums. After removing the lid, a red balloon popped out, followed by vocalist Johannes Eckerstrom. The court jester took his spot center stage, and when drummer John Alfredsson hit the first beat, the balloon popped, and the onslaught began as the band launched into “Dance Devil Dance.” Guitarists Johas Jarisby and Tim Ohrstrom, along with bassist Henrik Sandelin, spun their hair in unison while laying down a wall of sound. Avatar, riding the waves of their 2023 release ‘Dance Devil Dance,’ played “The Dirt I’m Buried In” and “Valley of Disease,” along with the title track from the newest release. This band packs such a punch both sonically and visually that you can’t take your eyes off the stage. They have the perfect frontman who played to the crowd perfectly. He has infectious personality but also commands attention his incredible voice and catalog of songs they have to play is a deep one. The only downside was the set was too short. Despite the limited time, they captivated the crowd with “Smells Like a Freakshow” and the closer “Hail the Apocalypse.” It was a short but fantastic set in front of a crowd that included many first-time viewers.

AVATAR

Unfortunately there are no pictures in the gallery as In This Moment does not allow photographers to cover their show. They took to an extremely smoke-filled stage with vocalist Maria Brink perched high on her altar, where she spent much of the show. They opened with “The Purge” and then moved into “The In-Between.” The show was highly choreographed, with Brink changing costumes throughout the set and usually flanked by two dancers. The visual imagery was central to the performance, but the sound was also impressive. However, the heavy smoke made it difficult to see Brink and the band members at times, leaving the crowd to view their shadows through the smoke. Highlights for me included “Blood” and “Big Bad Wolf,” where the energy on stage really picked up and flowed into the crowd. The set ended with “Whore.” I would love to see them reach further back in their catalog and pull out some of those gems as there are so many that have not been played live in years. I understand that the material they are playing fits in perfectly with the theatrical theme and it does work beautfully. With Brink so far away for most of the set , it doesn’t allow for much interaction with the crowd but despite this, the many In This Moment fans in the crowd made their presence known throughout the set.

Ice Nine Kills closed the night, and having seen them before, I knew we were in for a horror show masquerading as a musical killing spree. They opened with the blistering “Rainy Day,” and the show was off. Vocalist Spencer Charnas led the band’s horror-themed set, inviting the crowd into their world. “Meat & Greet” was next, with Hannibal Lector wheeled onto the stage. By the end of the song, Lector had escaped, lost the mask, and killed the security guard. Welcome to an Ice Nine Kills show. Charnas constantly changed props throughout the night, with each song having its own story and executions of characters on stage. Amidst the madness, the band sounded musically tight. Guitarists Ricky Armellino and Miles Dimitri Baker shredded when needed, while bassist Joe Occhiuti and drummer Patrick Galante provided the backbone to the sound. The band’s vocal performance stood out, with Charnas sounding fantastic and the other members contributing vocally, added extra layers to the songs. The band ripped through numbers including their new single “Walking On Sunshine,” “The American Nightmare,” “IT is the End,” and closed with “Welcome to Horrorwood.” I always enjoy the chaos this band creates on stage and appreciate how they play the material and engage the crowd. They are a band not to be missed when they come to your town.

PANTERA Takes Minneapolis To A New Level [Review & Photo Gallery]

Minneapolis, Minnesota transformed into “Metalapolis” as Metallica took over the city for two nights at USBank Stadium. However, the hottest ticket in town wasn’t at the stadium but at the iconic venue First Avenue, where Pantera surprised fans with a show the night before their support act for Metallica. Unsurprisingly, the venue sold out in minutes.

The revival of Pantera has sparked much debate. Without the Abbott brothers, Vinnie and Dimebag, can Pantera still exist? Should it? Fans at First Avenue answered with a resounding yes, eager to hear the music any way they can.

With vocalist Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown, they have two members who propelled Pantera to fame in the 1990s, the band remains one of the most influential groups of all time, having sold over 20 million records worldwide. Joining them are Zakk Wylde, known for his work with Ozzy and Black Label Society, on guitar, and Charlie Benante from Anthrax on drums.

From the first note of “A New Level,” the crowd’s energy was electric, with fists in the air and everyone singing along with Phil. The band played classics like “Becoming,” “This Love,” and “Mouth of War.” Anselmo sounded great, and the band was tight, delivering the groove Pantera is known for. While no one can replace the unique talents of the Abbott brothers, Zakk and Charlie bring their own incredible skills, honoring Pantera’s sound.

When the iconic riff of “Walk” began, the roof of First Avenue seemed to lift. Metallica’s Kirk Hammett and Rob Trujillo joined on stage to add backing vocals, adding to the night’s many great moments. It was announced that this show would be recorded for an upcoming live album which would really cap how special this night was.

Pantera sounded fantastic, and the fans were fully engaged. This music is meant to be played live and loud. While this isn’t a Pantera reunion, it’s the closest we can get, and hearing these songs live was a fantastic experience. It brought together fans together to celebrate the music, which is what it’s all about. Long live the “Cowboys From Hell.”

JUDAS PRIEST & SABATON Bring Metal To Minnesota [Review & Photo Gallery]

The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota welcomed the heavy metal iconic band Judas Priest. Fans packed the venue to see a band with more than five decades of history that laid the foundation for a genre that refuses to die. The metal brigade from Sweden, Sabaton, once again opened up the show for the metal legends. 

Sabaton has been touring with Priest across the United States on the past few tours. The band is working hard to break through on American soil and based on the number of Sabaton shirts and people singing along to every song, that hard work has paid off. Lead vocalist Joakim Broden took control of the stage the moment he held the mic as he led a barrage of metal music that fans soaked up. Guitarists Thobbe Englund, who just returned to the band after leaving the in 2016, and Chris Rorland worked off each either in perfect unison while the rhythm section of bassist Par Sundstrom and drummer Hannes Van Dahl, who was once again perched on top of a tank, provided the thunder that is required for their music. Opening with “Ghost Division” the band ripped through an impressive twelve-song set that also included “The Last Stand,” “Stormtroopers,” “Resist and Bite” and “The Red Baron.” The lyrical themes are all based on historical battles and stories of heroism. The band dressed is in fatigues with microphone stands that have rifles and infantry helmets on them. I’ve seen these guys numerous times and they deliver a great show every time.  

The one and only Judas Priest took to the stage with the song ‘Panic Attack.’ It comes off the bands 19th album ‘Invincible Shield’ which was released a few months ago.  Rob Halford is the definition of a heavy metal singer and it is always an honor to see him on stage performing. It’s hard to believe he is 72 years old based on how strong his vocals were. He crushed though an eighteen-song set that stuck to the metal trademarks that they have encompassed for decades. His voice was great and he continued to hit the notes that have made him one of best singers in metal. The most obvious thing about a Judas Priest concert is the devotion the fans have towards them and the bond the band has created with the metal community. The second song of the set, the all-time great metal anthem, “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” showcased that intensity of that connection as band and fans became one. That vibe, with every person at that venue singing every single word and the music pouring off the stage, was a moment in time where the genre of heavy metal is defined. The same could be said during “Breaking the Law” and “Living After Midnight.”

I became a massive fan of the band with the release of ‘Screaming for Vengeance’ back in 1982 and then the follow-up ‘Defenders of the Faith’ in 1984. Along with Halfords vocals, it was the guitar duo of Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing that harnessed that metal power that got my attention. Sadly, neither one was on stage but just because the faces have changed, it doesn’t mean the music has. Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap handled the guitar duties and both kept the sound true to form. Ian Hill on bass is the sole continuous member of the band and has appeared on every studio album. He is unassuming as he stands behind the guitarists but always lays down that low end so those dueling guitars can shine. Drummer Scott Travis has been a member of the band since 1989. He debuted on the album ‘Painkiller’ in 1990 and continues to be the powerhouse that keeps the band tight. Highlights for me included “Love Bites” and “Devil’s Child” while “Electric Eye” remains my all-time favorite Judas Priest song. I couldn’t ask for much more from another great show from Judas Priest. They played the classics, hit on some deeper cuts and then some of the newer material that shines right along side the vintage songs. Another great night of music and hopefully they come back in the very near future.

Tesla Keeps It Real In Ashland, Kentucky

Some things are made to last. Lovingly labored over by skilled and dedicated artisans, constructed from the sturdiest materials via techniques passed down through the generations, designed to function for lifetimes. In an ever-increasingly inauthentic and disposable world, it’s a sad truth that these monuments get rarer by the day. Fortunately some still stand and shine brightly, and people come from miles around to bask in the familiar, perpetual glow, the warmth of a known and trusted tradition.

This was doubly the case on March 1, as a crowd of over 1,400 filled the seats of Ashland, Kentucky’s historic Paramount Arts Center to veteran road warriors Tesla. For nearly forty years,  the Sacramento outfit have offered a distinctly heartier, more classic flavor of hard rock than many of their more elaborately coiffed and attired peers to the south on Sunset. No hiding behind gimmicks or controversy, no media-manufactured image or backstage backing tape sorcery. Just five hard working musicians, locked in tight and cranking out their brand of heavy-duty, zero-bullshit rock and roll for a legion of loyal fans and true believers.

Cincinnati native/self-professed “crazy motherfucker” Kurt Deimer handled opening duties, bringing the room to its collective feet with his radio-ready brand of bombast. The horror actor and his crisp, whip-tight backing band tore through songs like the anthemic “Hero” and “Dance” (which sounded like a nu metal run through an imaginary outtake from KISS‘s Revenge), throwing in a cover of the Pink Floyd classic “Have A Cigar” for good measure. Deimer and his four-man unit did an admirable job winning over the audience; when his forthcoming debut double album is released, a return trip to the area may be in order.

As “Crazy Train” faded from the speakers and the house lights dimmed, Tesla bounded onto the boards with a vengeance, kicking off with “Lady Luck” and then landing the one-two punch of “Modern Day Cowboy” and “Hang Tough.” The fifteen-song setlist progressed through fan favorites like “Love Me,” “Changes,” and “Gettin’ Better,” newer works “Miles Away” and “Time To Rock,” and the majority of their biggest hits, era classics like “Edison’s Medicine,” “Call It What You Want,” “Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out),” and the inevitable roof raising sing-along “Love Song.” By the time the evening ended and the crowd was sent home happy with “Signs” (what else?), most everyone appeared well and truly spent, their throats a little sorer but their hearts a little fuller.

Vocalist Jeff Keith positively beams the whole night, an unending smile underlying the fact that he remains one of the genre’s singular voices. That sandpapered rasp remains intact, a bit weathered by the years but no less potent. Frank Hannon is every bit the old school guitar god, stalking the stage and throwing shapes in the spotlight. Between the theremin and the talk box (seriously, more bands should use the talk box) and the endless array of vintage guitars, he came off like a more casual Jimmy Page, with cargo pants and sensible shoes instead of a black silk Dragon Suit. His co-shredder Dave Rude was a solid, heavy presence, and their dual lead work brought to mind the finest of Thin Lizzy and Judas Priest. And the only person in the venue with a smile bigger than Keith’s may be the newest member of the Tesla family, drummer Steve Brown. Brown and his rhythm section cohort, bassist/co-founder Brian Wheat, provided a firm foundation and a mile-thick backbeat all night long, well-trained craftsmen masterfully plying their trade for a rapt and adoring public.

Tesla has always been and very much remains a band out of time. In a day and age where some of the biggest acts in music are simply and sadly incapable of performing without varying forms of technological assistance, for a band to boldly emblazon NO MACHINES across their merch is damn near a revolutionary statement. This tour is called “Keeping It Real;” Tesla has been doing just that since 1986, and they show no signs of stopping anytime soon.

JUDAS PRIEST Announce 2024 US Tour With SABATON – On Sale & Presale Info

Metal Gods and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers JUDAS PRIEST have announced the initial run of U.S. tour dates in support of their forthcoming nineteenth studio album, Invincible Shield (available worldwide March 8). Structured around the band’s previously announced appearance at the WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE Festival in Tampa, Florida, the dates span from an April 18th show at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut, to a May 22nd gig at Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheatre in Syracuse, New York. Returning as direct support will be Swedish metal warriors SABATON.Tickets will go on sale to the general public Friday, November 17, at 10 AM local time, but per the band’s Instagram, an artist presale will take place Wednesday, November 15, at 10 AM local time with the password METALGODS.

JUDAS PRIEST: INVINCIBLE SHIELD U.S. TOUR DATES

Thu Apr 18 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre

Fri Apr 19 – Newark, NJ – Prudential CenterSun Apr 21 – Reading, PA – Santander Arena

Wed Apr 24 – Bangor, ME – Cross Insurance Center

Thu Apr 25 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway

Sat Apr 27 – Youngstown, OH – Covelli Center*

Sun Apr 28 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River

Wed May 01 – Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre

Thu May 02 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory

Sat May 4 – Kalamazoo, MI – Wings Event Center*

Sun May 05 – Maryland Heights, MO – St Louis Music Park

Tue May 07 – Huntsville, AL – VBC Propst Arena*

Thu May 09 – Daytona, FL – Welcome to Rockville^

Sat May 11 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

Sun May 12 – Mobile, AL – Mobile Civic Center Arena*

Tue May 14 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion

Fri May 17 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center*

Sun May 19 – Washington, DC –The Theater at MGM National Harbor

Tue May 21 – Albany, NY – MVP Arena

Wed May 22 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview

*Not a Live Nation Date

^Festival Performance

FOZZY ANNOUNCES FALL 2023 US TOUR DATES

FOR TICKETS + VIP VISIT WWW.FOZZYROCK.COM Follow FOZZY for more information and announcements HERE

JULY 19, 2023: Today hard rock mainstays FOZZY announces their plans to dominate America’s rock n roll scene with their upcoming Fall 2023 tour dates. The beloved band will be accompanied by an all-star tour lineup featuring Seventh Day Slumber, The Nocturnal Affair (featured in the top 20 rock SMR charts for three consecutive weeks), and Magdalene Rose (currently #1 on the Christian rock charts). Fozzy is returning with a new song, a new setlist, and the familiar high-octane energy that keeps fans coming back for more. Tickets and VIP packages are available now.

“We are beyond excited to put the Fozzy Spotlight back in the USA this fall! After headlining our biggest UK show ever in August, we are ready to keep the party machine rolling throughout America in Oct & Nov! With a brand new song, a brand new setlist, and the same Fozzy energy & attitude that you know & love, we fully expect this to be the perfect way to ring out your rock n roll year…with the most exciting show and tour of 2023! So get ready to share the spotlight with Fozzy!” -Chris Jericho, FOZZY

FOZZY Fall 2023 Tour Dates w/ Seventh Day Slumber, The Nocturnal Affair, and Magdalene Rose:

October 19 – Chattanooga, TN – Barrelhouse Ballroom

October 20 – Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall

October 21 – Angola, IN – The Eclectic Room

October 22 – Mchenry, IL – The Vixen

October 23 – Joliet, IL – The Forge

October 26 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s

October 27 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theater

October 28 – Sioux Falls, SD – Icon Event Hall

October 29 – Minneapolis, MN – Lyric Theater

October 30 – Fargo, ND – Sanctuary Events Center

November 2 – Lansing, MI – Gewal Hall

November 3 – Madison, WI – The Annex

November 4 – Wyandotte, MI – District 142

November 5 – St Louis, MO – Hawthorn Theater

November 6 – Memphis, TN – Lafayette’s

More on Fozzy: After touring the world and building a loyal fanbase for the better part of twenty years, Fozzy is the epitome of what a killer rock n roll band should be: catchy, groovy, hooky, sweaty, and most importantly, a GREAT EFFEN TIME!

With six consecutive TOP 20 singles, Fozzy is steadily becoming one of the most successful bands on Modern Rock Radio, with their breakthrough massive smash song “Judas” achieving Gold Record status of 500,000 units sold in February of 2022!

Rich Ward is one of the most versatile, talented riff machines & songwriters in rock n roll today. Chris Jericho’s skills as a frontman are second to none and his vocal style & range are both powerful and instantly recognizable. The spirited drumming of Grant Brooks compliments the blazing solos of Billy Grey and the rock star energy of bassist PJ Farley. These are five seasoned pros, whose electricity and charisma light up every stage they play on and every crowd they perform for. As a result, it’s no surprise that Fozzy has skyrocketed into one of the hottest rock acts in the world today.

The band inched up the ladder after releasing four progressively popular studio albums in the 2000’s. However, it was 2012’s “Sin And Bones”, which featured the hit single “Sandpaper” (over 4.6 MILLION views on YouTube) that found the band reaching a level of legitimacy that drew a mass audience to drink in their trademark heavy melodic groove. The album eventually reached #143 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, but it was their next album, “Do You Wanna Start A War” (produced by Ward), released in the summer of 2014, that really blew the door open, debuting at #54 on Billboard and giving the band their first top 30 single in “Lights Go Out” which was blared in sports arenas nationwide.

But as much success as the band had enjoyed, nothing compared to the juggernaut of 2017’s “Judas” album. Released in May 2017, the aforementioned title track spent 5 weeks at NUMBER ONE on the highly influential ‘Big Uns Countdown’ on Sirius/XM’s Octane channel, amassed over 62 MILLION views for its video on YouTube, cracked the TOP 5 on the US Rock Radio Charts and is still heard by millions of fans worldwide weekly on TBS Network’s hugely popular “AEW Dynamite” program. The follow-up singles “Painless” hit Number 9 on the charts (11 MILLION views on YouTube), “Burn Me Out” peaked at Number 18. The current record “Boombox” features “Nowhere To Run” which cracked the Top Ten, “Sane”, (with its roller coaster themed video – one of the most thrilling & heart stopping ever made) landing at Number 8 followed by “I Still Burn” which peaked at #7, scoring a trifecta of singles for “Boombox” released May 6, 2022.

Now, with those massive songs in their arsenal, Fozzy has returned to the road with tours in the US, UK, and Australia. After sharing the stage in recent years with Metallica, Kiss, Iron Maiden, Avenged Sevenfold, Shinedown, Slash, Three Days Grace, Nickelback, Steel Panther & Buckcherry, Fozzy is stoked to continue to bring good times and kick ass tunes to their fans around the world… and elsewhere!

So get ready to experience the majesty and power of Fozzy LIVE once again and for Judas’ sake…please wear a helmet!

Fozzy is:
Chris Jericho – vocals
Rich Ward – guitars, vocals Grant Brooks – drums Billy Grey – guitars
PJ Farley – bass

More on Seventh Day Slumber: As a consistent force in the music industry for nearly 20 years, Seventh Day Slumber still performs over 150 dates per year. The band has brought a fresh new feel to their signature sound, creating the heaviest and most powerful music of their career. The title track of their 2022 album “Death By Admiration” was co-written with Telle Smith and features The Word Alive. Produced by Memphis May Fire’s Kellen McGregor, “Death By Admiration” debuted at #69 on the Billboard Top 200 and landed a top 25 position on Billboards Mainstream Rock Chart. The energy and momentum of their latest release led to several nationwide tours, including direct support for Fozzy on their upcoming “Save The World Tour” and Saliva’s recent winter tour. The band is currently back in the studio with Kellen McGregor working on their follow-up album, “Feasting On Vultures,” slated to drop on September 22nd. Check out www.seventhdayslumber.com for tour dates.

More on The Nocturnal Affair: The Nocturnal Affair is an alternative/dark rock project headed by singer/songwriter Brendan Shane, from Las Vegas. The band’s crushing and melancholic musical style is an ode to darker alternative music torchbearers like Type O Negative, HIM, David Bowie, Gary Numan, and Nine Inch Nails. They capture a uniquely haunting sound steeped in downtrodden melodies enveloped in the darkness.

The band released their debut single, “Down”, on Earache Records in November of 2021, from their first album, (META)MORPHOSIS, which was produced by Grammy-nominated Disturbed bassist, John Moyer. To coincide with the release of the album in April of 2022, the band embarked on their first national tour opening for rock veterans, Fozzy. In the fall of 2022 The Nocturnal Affair hit the road again for shows with Beartooth, Gemini Syndrome, and Earshot. The group has performed alongside a wide array of artists from heavy metal heavyweights like HELLYEAH, Asking Alexandria, and Pop Evil, as well as Industrial rockers My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult. They have toured with the vampiric act The 69 Eyes while also being accessible enough to share the stage with notable mainstream acts like 3 Doors Down and Black Stone Cherry.

Their latest single “It’s No Good” is their take on Depeche Mode’s chart-topping hit from ‘97. An homage to some of the music that made Nocturnal who they are. To coincide with this release, The Nocturnal Affair embarked on Spring and Summer tours with both Fozzy and Smile Empty Soul, respectively. “It’s No Good” has been climbing the SMR charts, breaking the Top 20 in only a few weeks. A follow-up single and further national touring is projected for this Fall.

More on Magdalene Rose: Magdalene Rose is a powerhouse of raw talent and passion, known for her energetic vocals and powerful and catchy metal music. After starting out in the all-female rock band GFM, Magdalene has since gone on to make a name for herself with her solo project, backed by a group of insanely talented musicians.

Magdalene Rose is a master of metal, with an infectious energy and a fiercely devoted fan base. Her highly successful single, Shark Spray, is out now.

GOJIRA, MASTODON & LORNA SHORE Bring The Mega-Monsters Tour To Minnesota [Review & Gallery]

It was just a matter time before I would make the drive, about seventy miles from Minneapolis, to one of newest outdoor venues to take in a show. The Ledge Amphitheater in Waite Park, Minnesota opened in 2021 and is nestled between two quarries which was a perfect environment to host one of the heaviest tours pounding North America. The Ledge was sold out for The Mega-Monsters Tour 2023 featuring Gojira and Mastodon as co-headliners with Lorna Shore opening.

I had only heard the name Lorna Shore but had never heard the music. Experience told me that if I couldn’t decipher the name by looking at the band logo, it would be a set of knock-out blows that left little confusion of what the band was about. When vocalist Will Ramos hit the stage and the band launched into their deathcore sound, it was on. The five-piece unit blitzed through a thirty-five-minute set and never wavered on their intense onslaught. The band released an album in 2022 called ‘Pain Remains’ and played “Sun/Eater,” “Cursed to Die,” “Into Earth” and three-part series of the title track. 

Mastodon was born twenty-three years ago in Atlanta Georgia. The bands line-up has been unchanged since 2001 with Troy Sanders on bass and lead and backing vocals, Brent Hinds on lead guitar, lead and backing vocals, Bill Kelliher on rhythm guitar and backing vocals and behind the kit sat Brann Dailor who also provided lead and backing vocals. They are band that does not adhere to the saying “one size fits all’ musical genre. They encompass multiple styles that include progressive, alternative, stoner and sludge metal. Opening up with “The Wolf is Loose” and then into “Crystal Skull” got people on their feet and it was very clear how much of following Mastodon has. Behind the band, the screen behind them helped bring the music alive with trippy images in various colors that seemed to carry the music into the crowd. They have released eight studio albums along with various other compilation and live releases so there was plenty of music to choose from. Some of my favorites were “Andromeda,” “Sultan’s Curse,” “Fallen Torches,” “Mother Puncher” and the unforgettable closing crusher “Blood and Thunder.” They sounded fantastic through the entire seventeen song set. This was my first time catching these guys, hard to believe, but the wait was worth it as they surpassed my expectations and really showcased why they have been so successful for so long. I won’t wait another twenty-three years to see them again.

Godzilla was formed in Ondres, France in 1996 but in 2001 the name Gojira was adopted and has now become one of the biggest names in the metal genre. The line-up, the same since 1998, consists of Joe Duplantier on vocals and rhythm guitar, Mario Duplantier on drums, lead guitarist Christian Andreu and bassist Jean-Michel Labadie.  Opening with “Ocean Planet” there was no denying the amount of musical muscle they can unleash. Like the band that played before them, Gojira cannot be stuck into one box. Technical death metal, progressive, groove and heavy metal all can be heard in their sound that they uniquely blend into a sound that is truly all their own. Songs like “Backbone,” “Flying Whales,” “Silvera” served-up a thunderous sound that the crowd that packed The Ledge was waiting to hear. The lights from the screens danced and weaved through the extreme thickness of the smoke and created a dark and ominous setting that gave the perfect visual effect to play off the music. The smoke cannons at the front of stage along with the confetti canons on the floor in front of the stage offered some really striking visual moments throughout the night.  

The band released ‘Fortitude’ in 2021 and it became a bit of a breakthrough record. Still maintaining the traditional approach of past works, this album also contained more classic rock elements and hooks that caught the ear of people that had not listened to the band before. The album was well represented in the set as they hit on “Another Word,” “Grind,” “The Chant” and one my highlights of the night “Amazonia.”  The band itself was as crisp and on-point as ever and continues to evolve as a must-see band. The catalog they have amassed is fantastic but to truly understand this band, to fully absorb the music and the emotion and strength embodied within the lyrics and guitar chords, it must be heard live. That is where this band and their music truly takes on its Godzilla persona as it is unleashed on you. No matter what genre of metal you want to be in, it’s the live setting where you earn your keep and build equity among metal fans and Gojira has proven to be one of the best. This show at The Ledge was further proof that this upward trend they have been on will keep on building with every show.

EXTREME & LIVING COLOUR Shred Minnesota [Review & Photo Gallery]

The “Thicker Than Blood” tour rolled into Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Skyway Theatre was treated to an unforgettable night of music. Headliners Extreme were in high spirts off the success of their latest release ‘Six.’ It’s their first offering in fifteen years and has earned high praise amongst longtime fans of the band. Opening the night was Living Colour. Like Extreme, they broke into the scene in the 80’s and offered much more than the template of music that was being mass produced by record labels at the time. It was a perfect pairing and people packed the venue to rock out with these bands.

Living Colour broke through with their album ‘Vivid’ which was released in 1988. Led by the powerful vocal strength of Corey Glover and guitar shedder Vernon Reid, they created their own special niche of music that cut through radio and MTV. Decades later the duo is still delivering the goods on stage and celebrating a brilliant catalog of music. Drummer Will Calhoun and bassist Doug Wimbish complete an equation of the band that plays with a skill and technique few bands could ever reach. Opening up with “Leave It Alone” it was clear how excited the crowed was to see them. Glover was right on point as he nailed each song with his power, songs like “Middle Man,” “Ignorance Is Bliss,” and “Type” sounded brilliant. It’s hard to ignore the tremendous crunch coming from Reid’s guitar. Whether entrenched in an addictive riff or ripping through a solo, it was difficult to take your eyes of him. There are so many guitar hero’s that have graced successful hard rock and metal bands and Reid should be in every conversation about who the best players are. The rhythm section laid down such a foundation that you couldn’t help but feel the groove go through your body. It was a really good set which wound down with the song that broke them, “Cult of Personality,” with Glover standing on the barricade between the stage and crowd singing the song together. Before saying good-bye, they covered “Rock and Roll” by Led Zeppelin and “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash

From the minute Extreme kicked into the new cut “#Rebel,” they had the crowd completely locked into the show. The Band hailing from Boston, Massachusetts struck gold back in 1990 with the album ‘Pornograffitti’ and by accounts, has done it again with their latest album ‘Six.’ The catalyst has always been the brilliance of their guitar shredding genius, Nuno Bettencourt. He was as exciting to watch as he was decades ago and there were so many moments where I was almost frozen in time watching some of his solos. Ripping through hard chargers like “Decadence Dance,” “It (‘s a Monster),” and “Banshee” kept the Skyway Theatre rocking. Despite Nuno being the face of the band, he is far from the only driving aspect of the unit. Vocalist Gary Cherone has always provided a strong voice to play off the soaring guitar. He was once again in fine form vocally while enticing the crowd to continue to give everything they had back to the band. The unsung hero may be bassist Pat Badger as he brings so much to the band. Not only does he provide that bottom end of the sound, he also provides a brilliant vocal ability and it’s such a part of the bands signature sound. It is truly magical when Nuno, Gary and Pat come together vocally and let loose those three-part harmonies. It has always been a critical element of Extreme and one of the factors that ties the band back to Queen. Kevin Figueiredo took over drum duties from Paul Geary back in 2007 and brings a sense of intensity behind the kit. The band has not skipped a beat since his arrival and the quartet sounded as good as they ever have as they blasted through a twenty-song set. 

You can’t have a set without the massive hits “More Than Words” and “Hole Hearted” and as usual they were some of the biggest sing-along songs of the set. My highlights included the medley of the first record with “Teachers Pet,” “Flesh ‘n’ Blood,” “Wind Me Up” and “Kid Ego” being touched on and then the full song of “Play with Me” with that unbelievable solo. The song I was most excited to hear and see was “Am I Ever Gonna Change,” that song contains everything Extreme is about, heavy, melodic, delicate and aggressive. Everything is thrown into that song and it was amazing to hear. When Nuno kicked out “Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee” the crowd went nuts and then things went to another level with “Get the Funk Out.” The first track off the new album brought the house down. “Rise” is straight-up rocker that hits with even a bigger force live. You would have thought the song was another classic tune from thirty years ago by the way the crowd reacted to it. The solo is spectacular and was a moment so many people were waiting to see. It was a testament to how loyal the fanbase is and how well the new album has been received. Extreme really pulled out all the stops on the show and this tour and we can only hope it’s not another fifteen years before the next album and tour.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ALEXISONFIRE & KIM DRACULA Play Minnesota

It has been a while since we have seen Avenged Sevenfold. The band finally dropped the follow-up to 2016’s ‘The Stage’ with the album ‘Life Is But a Dream…’ It’s a record that has been debated and dissected among fans since its release and now the band has embarked on a North American tour to support it. The Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota got its turn to host the tour and fans filled the venue with great anticipation. Along with the headliner, Alexisonfire and Kim Dracula were also on the bill.

I had never heard of Kim Dracula before the band took the stage. The guitarist, bassist and drummer wore purple masks while Kim looked like something from the My Chemical Romance “Black Parade” video with his attire and deep purple hair. Trying to pigeon hole what they were musically is difficult, throw in just about everything from metal, rap, hardcore, nu-metal and alternative and that’s a great beginning to describe the sound. It was chaotic and strange set with Kim wielding a chainsaw and also playing chess against himself on a board set up next to the drums. Kim Dracula released their debut album ‘A Gradual Decline in Morale” this year and some of the songs they hit on were “Superhero,” “Killdozer,” and “Make Me Famous.” They also did a Lady Gaga cover of “Paparazzi.” It was quick and relentless set that brought a lot of energy to the crowd. 

The next band on was Alexisonfire and they were absolute fire. Someway, somehow, I have never listened to this band or encountered them live despite the band forming back in 2001. From the opening number called ‘Sweet Dreams of Otherness” I was hooked. The energy they were giving off was infectious and it swept through the crowd quickly. I was so impressed by the band having three distinct voices with George Petit providing the aggressive vocals and Dallas Green supplying the clean voice along with playing rhythm guitar. Wade MacNeil also supplied sublime vocals with a rasp while handling lead guitar duties. The three of them together really gave the band a unique flavor and the ability to pull off so many different approaches to songs. The bass player, Chris Steele, was the most entertaining aspect of the band with his movements and facial expressions help ignite the excitement of the unit while drummer Jordan Hastings held the beat. Some of the songs they played included “Young Cardinals,” “Boiled Frogs” and “Sans Soleil” but the caveat of the set was the cover of “When Doves Cry” by hometown legend Prince. I will be checking out the bands catalog as they dropped their fifth studio album ‘Otherness’ last year which was the first full length album in thirteen years.

The lights dropped and Avenged Sevenfold took to the stage. A lone chair sat in the middle of stage and vocalist M. Shadows, wearing a black ski-mask, sat down in it. The show kicked-off with “Game Over” and then into “Mattel.” The new album ‘Life Is But a Dream…’ is a stylistic change that tied their traditional metal DNA to a progressive soundscape of musical elements that have no boundaries. It is clear proof of the bands musical tastes and ideas had moved forward and the new album is a representation of where the band stands today. Not only has the sound shifted but so has the live show. The stage was stripped down with video panels on three sides of it. Days of the big pyro and elaborate stage set-ups seem to be gone along with massive lighting. The band spent much of the time in the dark under minimal lighting which further proved that the concert was truly about the songs. That being said, each song did have some elaborate images on the video panels which made for a cool experience as they played each song. It was bold statement to open with two new tracks but even a bigger one was made by closing with “G,” “(O)rdinary,” and “(D)eath” and walking off stage without a big goodbye or encore. 

The set ran slightly under two hours and despite the focus being on the new album, there was plenty of time to throw in some of the classic songs that are staples of the bands catalog. Song’s like “Buried Alive,” “Nightmare,” “Bat Country,” “Afterlife” and my highlight “Unholy Confessions” still sounded thunderous after all these years. Guitarist Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance played off each other perfectly, especially during the harmonized guitar solos. The rhythm section was handled by Johnny Christ and drummer Brooks Wackerman. Although he isn’t flashy behind the kit, I was really floored by the skill of Wackerman. The drums sounded amazing in the mix of the sound and it really allowed me to fully hear just how good he is and how much it drives the bands sound. M. Shadows sounded as good as I’ve ever heard him sing. He controlled the stage and after all the issues with his voice, it appeared that all is good now. I really enjoyed the Avenged Sevenfold set. Sometimes you get caught up with all the keyboard warriors who hate on the album and then blast the tour for the direction they have taken with the live show so I wasn’t sure what I was walking into. For me, and I can only speak for me, this showed me why Avenged Sevenfold is still relevant and still headlining arenas two-decades after forming. That crowd that packed the Target Center sang every word, of every song no matter if it was old or new which was proof they are still a beloved band and that people are ready to take a musical journey with no matter what direction they choose to go. That’s all I need to see.