Critically-acclaimed power-trio KEN MODE will release their long-awaited new album ‘Loved‘ on August 31. The new album represents yet another high-caliber step forward in the group’s caustic sound, delving deeper, and darker than ever before. This vicious full-length may be the group’s quintessential statement of violence and despair made sonic. Pre-orders for ‘Loved‘ are available across multiple formats here.
Metal guitarist, Ralph Santolla has just passed away yesterday, Wednesday, June 6th, 2018 at age 48. After entering a coma following a heart attack last week, it was confirmed on Tuesday that he would be taken off life support the following day. Santolla’s mother, Sue Santolla-Rocha made this statement yesterday on her Facebook page: Continue reading
First show in a while, and ohhhh, what a doozy! Gotta love supporting such a huge variety of incredible bands ranging from Rap to some of the heaviest Metal has to offer and everything in between! Some of the best music available today remains in the underground and, invariably, right around the corner, no matter where you live. Well, June 1st at 1904 Music Hall served as the launch point for SuckerPunch’s release of Underground Anthem reviewed here. Not only was I stoked to hear some bands that I have heard and loved again, but also for the bands I have not heard of. Not only are they beyond talented, but I made some new friends and hope that you will give them a shot once you read my review of the CD release party. Enough chatter. Let’s get down to it!
If you were at a rock festival recently and saw a fan on stage or walking around with a striking hand-painted guitar with the festival’s logo blazoned on the body, you more than likely witnessed a RONZWORLD GUITARS axe in all its one-of-a-kind glory!
Although RONZWORLD GUITARS have been featured and awarded to fans at festivals across the country for years, RONZWORLD founder and artist Ron Williams is now pleased to announce his next venture. This summer – in partnership with The Music Experience, a traveling consumer exhibit present at live events – RONZWORLD has launched the Official Festival Guitars Experience for a rock, alternative, and country music portfolio of festivals produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, ASK4 Entertainment, AEG, Live Nation and Ledge Entertainment. Continue reading
Two years ago in 2016 we welcomed Death Will Tremble’s debut album ‘Mona’, the album was a burning torch of artistry in comparison to the dumpster fires of genre chasing bands we often encounter. The Austin, Texas based group makes music that feels like it is fresh off their fingertips and unadulterated by over production and over editing. In a world of music where genres and sub-genres have run rampant, Death Will Tremble has stood their ground with the sound they have crafted, and it’s beauty shouldn’t be labeled. They are a band that melds together a handful of elements from various genres. Though you will hear subtle influences within their music from time to time it’s impossible really to wrangle them into one specific category or two for that matter. I simply like to refer to their style as creative. The band has taken some time and have now cultivated their newest release. ‘Depature’ is an EP which contains one single 14 minute long track. As they did with ‘Mona’, Death Will Tremble utilized longtime producer Tim Gerron (Deadhorse/MOD) to record ‘Departures’. The EP will release on June 29th. Continue reading
Welsh rockers and world famous metalcore band, every teenage’s first crush on heavy music, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE is back with an all new music video, “Letting You Go” from their upcoming studio full length, ‘Gravity‘. This is the third track from the album, ‘Gravity‘, which is the latest offering after 2015’s ‘Venom‘.
“‘Letting You Go‘ was a very challenging song to write in so many ways,” said vocalist and guitarist Matt Tuck. “It’s by far the most experimental track I’ve ever written – musically and lyrically. I really wanted to make a track that stood out from the crowd and separated us from any other band in our genre, and that’s exactly what ‘Letting You Go’ does.“
The 5th annual Louder Than Life festival announces massive music lineup for 2018 including Nine Inch Nails, Avenged Sevenfold, Godsmack, and Deftones. The World’s Largest Rock n’ Roll Whiskey Festival has expanded to three days – Friday, September 28th; Saturday, September 29th; and Sunday, September 30th – at Champions Park in Louisville, Kentucky. Continue reading
*This is a part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state.*
This month’s state is Alabama!
Hailing from Mobile, Alabama, Oracle offers extreme metal with intention. Ranging from melodic to outright bludgeoning brutality, it’s the elaborately well-conceived song structures that bring together all of the interesting musical elements for a truly exciting listening experience. Like an intricately crafted movie plot with multiple twists and turns, Oracle takes the same approach with their music. Tracks transition through multiple moods, tones, and tempos not simply because they can, but because they need to in order to achieve such monumental levels of depths and dynamics this band delivers. Continue reading
*This is a part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state.*
This month’s state is Alabama!
Battling Delirium are a progressive metal band that blends classic rock and other genres together to create a heavy psychedelic sound. Hailing from Daphne, Alabama, Battling Delirium are sure to make the world know why Alabama is a metal state! The members consist of Andrew Overstreet (Vocals), Marshall Mears (Guitars), Jae Ross (Guitars), Bassy Mcbassface (Bass), (what a cool ass name!), Jason Baldwin (Drums). If you like powerful guitar riffs, thunderous drums, thumping bass and very compelling vocals, Battling Delirium is for you! Continue reading
Crazytown
The Cobblestones venue is located in Bridgwater in the heart of Somerset, UK. It is owned and ran by Graham Hodgson who has his finger on the pulse and is a music fan himself as I regularly bump into him at other venues. His place has some class acts going through, recently DOYLE from Misfits, Hed p.e. and Black Orchid Empire have all rocked the stage. Later in the year Our Hollow Our Home and Holding Absence and many others are due to play, so check it out. I’ve started this review like this to hopefully encourage fans to get out to shows and make people aware that even a few big venues in Bristol are under threat of closing due to corporate ideas and renovations. We need to stand up and show our support so just get out there and enjoy yourselves.
Black Map
My timing tonight could not have been more perfect getting there just before Black Map hit the stage, I’ve been aware of their name as they have recently taken Black Orchid Empire on tour in Europe. This California based band kicked straight in with “Let Me Out” and damn immediately I noticed the drummer Chris Robyn formerly of the band Far, he doesn’t mess around behind the kit. This guy has stamina and power for days and he maintained it through the whole set. Vocalist and bassist Ben Flanagan was on point, I can’t stress enough how perfect of a vocal delivery he unleashed. Mark Engles supplied the driving riffs with a guitar tone which pulled you in. If you are a fan of A Perfect Circle then these guys have a similar feel but are in no way a copycat. Thanks to drummer Chris he could tell I wanted to go and shoot some close ups and waved me up between songs so I nestled in a corner of the stage and shot. They played many other bombshells such as “Gold”, “Ruin” and finishing with one of their more popular singles “Run Rabit Run”. Black Map are one of my favorite bands to watch live after experiencing this full performance so lets get behind these fellas and help them make history.
Crazytown
Ahh the nostalgia that Crazytown brings. I got a promo copy of ‘The Gift of Game’ album back in 1999. This was when nu-metal was huge and it was well received by droves of fans, including me personally. All the people talked about was “Butterfly” but I have especially enjoyed songs like “Toxic” and “Only When I’m Drunk”.
As soon as these guys got on stage the energy was phenomenal. Bass player Hasma Angeleno was going off with loads of style, holding the bass upside down and bending backwards in limbo poses and yoga style moves. This rock hard non-stop touring band gave 100% and showed no signs of slowing down through the whole set. Shifty on vocals was on form tonight and you could tell he was enjoying every second, grinning from ear to ear whilst fans in the audience were showing their appreciation from the get go. Punching straight in with “Battlecry” from the album ‘Dark Horse’, then throwing in classics like “Toxic” and “Only when I’m drunk”. “Darkside” from debut album ‘The Gift of Game’. The guitarist was a breath of fresh air and musicians that move around like this guy did make a great night greater. Half way through the drummer and bass player did their own little collaboration whilst Shifty and the guitarist retreated to the back of the stage. This was not the cringe type of a solo thing, they played a solid drum and bass piece for a couple minutes to the highest caliber and the crowd appreciated the talented rhythm duo, which holds this great band together. Shifty and the guitarist joined back in to play 6 more tracks and yes, as if there was any question they closed their set with “Butterfly” and why wouldn’t they as this track is what really stamped their authority on the nu-metal scene back in the day.
Well anyone in the UK or visiting the UK have another chance to catch Crazy Town. They are playing the iconic Fat Lip Festival in the city of Bristol on July 28th 2018. Make sure you catch them live because in my opinion that is where Crazy Town come “alive” you don’t get the full energy on by hearing the music digitally or on disc, it’s best heard and seen live and in the flesh.
