Left To Suffer × Distant: The Feral Heritage North America Tour 2023

Left To Suffer and Distant are touring North America this summer with special guests Justice For The Damned and Cabal. Snag your tickets on Left To Suffer’s Bandsintown.

  • 8/18 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Hell)
  • 8/19 – Orlando, FL – Conduit
  • 8/20 – West Palm Beach, FL – Respectables
  • 8/22 – Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
  • 8/23 – Richmond, VA – Canal Club
  • 8/24 – Philadelphia, PA – Warehouse on Watts
  • 8/25 – Brooklyn, NY – The Meadows
  • 8/26 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
  • 8/27 – Hartford, CT – Webster Underground
  • 8/28 – Bangor, ME – Queen City Cinema Club
  • 8/29 – Montreal, QC – Fairmount Theatre
  • 8/30 – Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground
  • 8/31 – Pittsburgh, PA – Preserving Underground
  • 9/1 – Lakewood, OH – The Foundry
  • 9/2 – Detroit, MI – The Sanctuary
  • 9/3 – Chicago, IL – Cobra Lounge
  • 9/5 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
  • 9/6 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
  • 9/8 – Portland, OR – Dante’s
  • 9/9 – Vancouver, BC – The Cobalt
  • 9/10 – Seattle, WA – Funhouse at El Corazon
  • 9/12 – Sacramento, CA – Old Ironsides
  • 9/13 – Fresno, CA – Strummer’s
  • 9/14 – Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction
  • 9/15 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Underground
  • 9/16 – El Paso, TX – Rockhouse Bar & Grill
  • 9/18 – San Antonio, TX – Vibes Underground
  • 9/19 – Ft. Worth, TX – Tulips
  • 9/20 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar
  • 9/21 – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th Street
  • 9/22 – Kansas City, MO – Bottleneck
  • 9/23 – St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House
  • 9/24 – Nashville, TN – The End

Movie Review: M3GAN (2023)

M3GAN hit theaters back in January (in the U.S. at least), and despite my love of all things horror, I opted not to go see it. Nothing about the previews made this film a must-see for me. It was a story that has been told before, only in a current setting: humans mess with artificial intelligence, are eventually outsmarted by their own creation(s), and are finally forced to destroy said creation(s). Been there, done that, right?

However, not long after its release, I read a review of M3GAN posted by a user on Instagram. She offered what was very solid advice – go into this movie with the understanding that it’s fun and entertaining; do not expect to be scared and don’t hope for a bloodbath. The rating is PG-13, after all.

The plot is simple. After her parents die in an accident, Cady (Violet McGraw) is taken in by her aunt Gemma (Allison Williams). Gemma has no children of her own and struggles to relate to her niece. As a brilliant roboticist, Gemma works for a multi-million dollar toy company, and she uses her talents, and her employer’s funds, to create M3GAN. The doll is designed to be a child’s best friend, to be a companion, to learn and teach and play and protect. But M3GAN’s self-awareness advances faster than expected and she soon surpasses her inventors and takes the command to “protect Cady” too far.

This is nothing the previews didn’t give away, and honestly, that’s it. There is no big twist. You know everything going in. For me, though, that didn’t rob me of any enjoyment.

M3GAN is wholly watchable. I personally felt the final showdown was dragged out a bit too long, and I struggled with Cady’s behavior about halfway in (which was done purposely, I know), but the film was good. There were a few points about parenting made throughout, yet mostly M3GAN was something to get drawn into and escape from reality for a while. I even appreciated the lack of gore: way too many movies try to cover a poor storyline with an exceptional amount of blood and gruesomely violent deaths. M3GAN didn’t need that. There was only one really aggressive, slasher-esque kill, and I loved it more for it being the sole bloody murder.

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who wants to be entertained. From a horror perspective, no, M3GAN does not stand up to the classics, or other recent releases. I wouldn’t even describe it as creepy, let alone scary…except that having a life-sized “living” doll in my bedroom while I slept would weird me out. Haha. However, for a movie night with a significant other or a group of friends, this should definitely be on your watch-list.

M3GAN is available to stream on certain carriers, and the unrated version has been released on Blu-ray and DVD.

Album Review: Breathing Theory’s Artificial

Breathing Theory is a band that toes the line between heavy and melodic with an unrivaled precision (think Starset meets Gemini Syndrome meets Breaking Benjamin), and they have proven this yet again with the release of their new album. Artificial hit all streaming services on May 26th. The album is made up of ten songs that run the gamut from provoking thought to tugging the heartstrings, and all are unforgiving in their extremes.

Artificial opens with the electro-metal-symphonic “Replicas,” an introduction to the theme set by the album’s title: a dystopian future run by artificial intelligence. The very first song begs the questions “Can we define what it is that makes us human? Are we alive, or are we just replicas?”

“Replicas” is succeeded by “Beautiful Disaster,” which showcases Breathing Theory’s hard-hitting riffs paired with heartfelt lyrics and frontman Cory Britt’s strong singing voice. The band sends listeners into audio whiplash by diving straight into the relentless “Collapse.” Here is a prime example of Cory’s harsh growls and screams, echoing the anger and frustration of the lyrics – “They’re starting fires so the smoke and hate won’t clear/Misdirection keeps you trapped in fear” – and juxtaposed by the pure cleans of the chorus.

The next track – “Your Frequency” – is another switch, not exactly a ballad but certainly on the more melodic end of things. This is one of my favorites on the record. The words are gorgeous, and I have the utmost respect for Breathing Theory’s refusal to shy away from that side of their genre.

“The Cure” is crafted into solid verses and an extremely catchy chorus. It is followed by “Transcend,” the heaviest song on the album, and “My Cancer,” the softest. “Tethers” feels like something you would hear on the radio (in the best possible way). It makes the head bob and is easily imaginable as one of the sing-along moments during a Breathing Theory show.

And then, the band drops in their rendition of Journey’s “Separate Ways.” I’ll admit, I didn’t see that one coming, but I cannot stress enough how much it absolutely works! Breathing Theory manages to maintain the integrity of the original while also making it their own, a truly impressive feat.

Artificial wraps with “Blackout,” and I am going to call this a ballad. Slow and steady, with sad lyrics, Cory’s haunting vocals, and a moody guitar solo (can guitar solos be moody?), I think it fits the bill. 

There is not a single track on this record that I don’t like. A mix of alternative rock and metal with a metalcore edge and a trace of the grunge element, Breathing Theory definitely knows how to keep listeners intrigued and on their toes. Give Artificial a listen, or several, and follow Breathing Theory on their socials to see what’s next!

“Collapse” was the first single from Artificial. I knew I was going to love this album solely because of this song.

Song of the Day — Sleep Token: “Are You Really Okay?”

Alesana: The Trilogy Tour, Part II – A Place Where the Sun is Silent (2023)

Alesana has announced The Trilogy Tour, Part II. They will be playing the second installment of The Annabel Trilogy, A Place Where the Sun is Silent, from front to back! Joining them on this tour will be Limbs, Vampires Everywhere!, and Across the White Water Tower. Tickets are available at bandsintown.com/alesana, and you can purchase Alesana VIP packages at meetandscream.com.

  • 6/15 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East
  • 6/16 – Birmingham, AL – TrimTab Brewing Company
  • 6/17 – Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall
  • 6/19 – Corpus Christi, TX – House of Rock
  • 6/21 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar
  • 6/22 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger
  • 6/23 – Austin, TX – Empire Control Room & Garage
  • 6/24 – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th Street
  • 6/25 – Dallas, TX – So What? Music Festival 2023
  • 6/27 – Kansas City, MO – recordBar
  • 6/29 – Madison, WI – The Annex at The Red Zone
  • 6/30 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
  • 7/1 – St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House
  • 8/10 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
  • 8/11 – Jacksonville, NC – Hooligans Music Hall
  • 8/12 – Spartanburg, SC – Ground Zero
  • 8/13 – Orlando, FL – Level 13 Event Center
  • 8/14 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
  • 8/15 – Richmond, VA – The Canal Club
  • 8/16 – Pittsburgh, PA – Crafthouse Stage & Grill
  • 8/17 – Horseheads, NY – The L
  • 8/18 – Brooklyn, NY – The Brooklyn Monarch
  • 8/19 – Frenchtown, NJ – Artie’s Bar & Grill
  • 8/20 – Harrisburg, PA – HMAC
  • 11/9 – Mesa, AZ – The Nile Theater
  • 11/10 – Las Vegas, NV – The Space
  • 11/11 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
  • 11/13 – West Hollywood, CA – Whiskey a Go Go
  • 11/14 – Fresno, CA – Full Circle Brewing Co.
  • 11/15 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield
  • 11/16 – Reno, NV – Virginia Street Brewhouse
  • 11/17 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
  • 11/18 – Colorado Springs, CO – The Black Sheep
  • 11/19 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater

Song of the Day — Avenged Sevenfold: “G”

My favorite track from Life is But a Dream…, which is available everywhere now!

The Struts Announce Summer Dates With Mac Saturn

Tickets: thestruts.com

  • 6/16 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore
  • 6/17 – Burlington, ON – Sound of Music Festival 2023*
  • 6/18 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe
  • 6/20 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
  • 6/22 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
  • 6/23 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
  • 6/24 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
  • 6/25 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
  • 6/27 – New Orleans, LA – The Civic Theatre
  • 6/28 – Austin, TX – Emo’s Austin
  • 6/29 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
  • 7/1 – Atlanta, GA – The Eastern
  • 7/2 – Orlando, FL – The Beacham
  • 7/3 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live
  • 7/5 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall
  • 7/7 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore
  • 7/8 – Kirtland, OH – Wonderstruck 2023*
  • 7/9 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
  • 7/11 – Columbus, OH – The Bluestone
  • 7/12 – McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre
  • 7/14 – Harrisburg, PA – XL Live
  • 7/15 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17
  • 7/16 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
  • 7/18 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
  • 7/19 – Portland, ME – Aura
  • 7/21 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
  • 7/22 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
  • 7/23 – Washington, DC – The Atlantis*

* No Mac Saturn