Show Review: Metal for the Masses

A few weeks ago I was invited to a show in Orlando by my friend and promoter Rhonda Fox with Superfox Promotions. Plate, Mind of Fury, Armor of God and Sacrosent plus I would finally be able to meet Rhonda? Heard Plate, been dying to cover my friend and Chilean guitar god, Ghee Yeh and the rest of Mind of Fury for quite a while now, seen, covered and love Armor of God and have the opportunity to hear Puerto Rican metalists Sacrosent, whom I was formerly unfamiliar with. Sure it is two and half hours away, but I am always down to support Florida Metal when I have the chance, so, hell yeah! I am there! Bought my tickets from Orlando with Armor of God and I was on my way.

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Review: JOLLYMON – ‘Void Walker’ [Album Stream]

Jollymon is comprised of frontman/principal songwriter Carey Rich (vocals, bass), Mark Blackburn (drums), and John Colgate (guitar, vocals) – originally formed in Eugene, Oregon, releasing their debut full-length, ‘Sailing’, in 1995 on Eugene’s Elemental Records. They followed up Sailing with 1997’s ‘Nobody Knows Who You Are’ and 1998’s ‘Stoned Nation Radio’, both on Elemental Records. Then, in 2000 they released their fourth full-length, the self-titled album, on Battle Arena Records, before imploding shortly thereafter, walking away, with no plans to return. Now after 18 years, the Stoner Metal outfit is set to release their fifth full length, ‘Void Walker’ on June 8th, 2018!

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Skye Sweetnam (SUMO CYCO) on Britney Spears “I Felt Kinda Sorry For Her”

 

SUMO CYCO the Hamilton, Ontario four-piece is fronted by former teen sensation, Juno nominee, and Capitol Records artist Skye Sweetnam, but SUMO CYCO have proven they are nothing but uniquely authentic. Reincarnating as her alter ego, “Sever”, Sweetnam left her bubble-gum past behind and embraced her true calling – heavy rock with an electrifying twist. Continue reading

Ep. 160 Skye Sweetnam and Matt Drake (Sumo Cyco) – Talk Toomey: The Metal Nexus Podcast

Skye and Matt from Sumo Cyco call into the show this week. We discuss Vinnie Paul being at their recent show in Las Vegas and their favorite Pantera albums. They talk about their video making process and how they do it totally DIY. I talk with Skye about her pop past and getting to tour with Britney Spears and being the singing voice of Barbie. The band also talks about the pluses of being an independent band and the future of Sumo Cyco.

Why People Criticize Metal Music: A Look

Why People Criticize Metal Music: A Look

Do you feel your head throbbing and heart pumping out of beat when you listen to heavy metal?
Well, you may not be the only one to dislike metal music. But that is fine to the metal fans if you generally dislike the genre. Yet some people criticize metal music and call it nonsense and “just noise!”

Frankly that stems mostly out of ignorance and any criticism on metal genre goes to strengthen that ignorance. Let’s take on some of the common criticisms of metal music and break them down. For instance, the wrong metal music can affect your casino experience, and you surely wouldn’t want that. That being said, not all types of music is going to affect you negatively. Some have been seen to even improve your casino playing experience!

Metal is about Death and Destruction

Most of the metal bands emphasize themes which you are obviously not going to find in any pop music! If you don’t like serious themes like death, destruction, politics, sexual tendencies, depression or dark things then metal may not be your thing.

We can’t relate to music intentionally- it comes from within. So if you don’t like serious subjects and find the world a very happy place to live without any concern then be our guest and listen to Justin Bieber!

Metal is just Noise

This is one of the most common criticisms against metal genre. Of course metal doesn’t follow the same arrangement as you would find in a Beyonce song! Also, calling the whole genre of metal music ‘noise’ is just plain and simple lazy and shows you have taken no effort to make sense of the music.

Humans by nature seem to like all things orderly and you may fall into the same category. But not all of us have the same taste or preference- there’s a huge chunk of population that lives and breathes metal music which brings us to our next criticism…

Metal is for Social Outcasts

Again, if you believe the world is such a wonderful place with bombings going on in Syria and thousands of people dying every day- be our guest and hate metal music but don’t criticize it! The lyrics of metal music deal with serious subjects and meant for people who can see and feel the reality.

If that makes us a bunch of social outcasts- so be it!

Metal is just a New Kid on the Block

Dig a bit into the history of metal and you will find bands trying to get the heavy sound effect as early as 1960s. The bands like Kiss and AC/DC were considered to be heavy metal bands in those days though now you might call them heavy rock. That means metal progressed through a long timeline of over 40 years and influenced many genres to become what it is today!

Metal is as old as rock and roll and if you want you can consult Google for more information.

Famed Artist Manager & Bassist Rob ‘Blasko’ Nicholson Unveils New Podcast, “A New Level”

You may have known Blasko as the renowned current bassist for metal godfather OZZY OSBOURNE (and formerly for ROB ZOMBIE, DANZIG, PRONG and CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER), and also as a successful artist manager. Blasko’s significant experience in both of these distinct roles certifies him with a unique perspective of the inner workings of the music industry itself. With the intention of informing aspiring music industry professionals seeking to expand on their existing potential, Blasko has launched a brand new podcast program – “A New Level“. In addition to his own, the podcast sources the experiences of active executives and notable voices of the industry, ultimately giving them a platform to share advice as it relates to their triumphs, missteps, and beyond.

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State Of The Art: Indiana’s WOLFTOOTH [Album Stream]

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

This month’s state is Indiana!

What do you get when you mix equal parts ‘Master of Reality’-era Black Sabbath with ‘Stained Class’-era Judas Priest, and then add a few generous splashes of ‘Meantime’-era Helmet? Hailing from Richmond, Indiana, Wolftooth are delivering bluesy stoner metal through a fuzzy haze of modern freshness. Continue reading

Johanna of Lucifer to Nicke, “I Want To Make Music Until You Have To Carry Me To The Cemetery”

Lucifer is back after the amicable departure of Gaz Jennings (Cathedral) in 2016. With help from Nicke Andersson (Exhumed), vocalist Johanna Sadonis could put the pieces back together. Writing the album together, these two have paved a new road for Lucifer. The bands new album ‘Lucifer II’ drops on July 6, 2018 via Century Media. You can read our full review of the album here. Continue reading

Review: UFFE LORENZEN – ‘Galmandsvaerk’ [Album Stream]

Galmandsvaerk’ is the senior solo effort from UFFE LORENZEN. Released on November 10, 2017 on Bad Afro Records. He has released 3 other solo albums before ‘Galmandsvaerk’ and its the first time that Lorenzen has used his own name on a release. He’s widely known as Lorenzo Woodrose of the bands, Baby Woodrose (since 2001) and Spids Nogenhat (since 1998). While his band, Baby Woodrose lends more towards garage rock of the 90’s and 00’s and Spids Nogenhat is more of the rock of the late 60’s and 70’s. This album sits comfortably in the middle of these two. The direction of the music on ‘Galmandsvaerk’, it has a singer songwriter element to it but there’s some twists. Along with that element, Lorenzen adds the sounds of acid rock of the 60’s with traditional culture instruments and an orchestra. A huge surprise was the consist use of a flute.

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State of the Art – Indiana: Zephaniah

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

This month’s state is Indiana!

Fort Wayne, IN. Not exactly the first place I think of for killer Metal, I have to admit. Been there a few times when I was going to college in Cincinnati but not exactly the bastion of music as I remember it. Well, I happened to make a detour to it on the Internet while looking for a band to cover for my State of the Art coverage this week. Thank goodness too, because I discovered a very heavy, melodic Power/Thrash band called Zephaniah

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