concert review

Review: Azrael, From Ashes to New, Offbeat Hooligans, & Almost Kings @ Wild Bill’s

May 6, 2014 — Leave a comment

On Saturday, May 3rd, Atlanta natives Almost Kings played their hometown for the first time in roughly nine months. In celebration of this hometown event/Cinco de Mayo bash, the band gave away free tickets to all who requested them prior to the show. Three opening acts–Azrael, From Ashes to New, and Offbeat Hooligans–were booked, and anticipation built by the day.

Doors opened at 7:30 that night. Rockers Azrael were the first to hit the stage, going on around 8:30. The best way to describe them is a mix of Creed and Seether. Their originals were great, and their versions of Bush’s “Come Down” and Alex Clare’s “Too Close” really sparked the crowd’s enthusiasm. It was the perfect way to kick off the night. Before the energy could fade even one iota, it was time for From Ashes to New.

Hailing from Lancaster, PA, From Ashes to New is reminiscent of Hollywood Undead, only much heavier. They had Wild Bill’s jumping by the end of their first song. They were energetic and interactive, vocalist Matt Brandyberry hopped down into the cluster of people gathered in front of the stage more than once, singing and shaking hands and creating more of a sense of camaraderie between fans and band. The atmosphere was electric at the end of their set and it remained that way throughout the entirety of Offbeat Hooligans‘ performance.

The best way to describe Offbeat Hooligans is “funky.” The members are extremely talented. Bassist Ben Rickard, in particular, tore it up. Akin to 311 and Authority Zero, they left the room with a positive vibe. Finally, right after 11, it was the moment we’d all been waiting for–Almost Kings. Drummer Kevin Compton, guitarist Ryan Yunker, bassist Danny Helms, and front man Bryan Bozeman walked out to a packed house. A roar rose from the audience as the band ripped straight into “Shakin’ ‘Em Up.”

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I can’t even find the words to explain their performance. It was non-stop enthusiasm, the guys bouncing all over the expansive stage and Bozeman repeatedly encouraging the audience to help him out, something that every person in that building was more than willing to do. AK played all of their most popular tracks, including “Bounce,” “Five Foot Hurricane,” “Shadows,” and “Hold On Me,” while also breaking out a few songs that aren’t usual on their set lists, such as “Lose Control” and “Never Quite the Same.” A few covers were slipped in: the medley that includes a portion of Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back,” Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby,” and House of Pain’s “Jump Around,” as well as their always popular version of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” Throughout their set, Almost Kings was joined onstage by multiple guests, other musicians who they have collaborated with over the years.

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The night was truly an unforgettable one. Without a doubt, Almost Kings gave their all and made their hometown incredibly proud.

Review: Adrenaline Mob, HellYeah, & Avenged Sevenfold @ the VBC

April 29, 2014 — Leave a comment

On Wednesday, April 23rd, I went to see Avenged Sevenfold at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Their opening acts were Adrenaline Mob and HellYeah. Doors opened at roughly 6:30 p.m. and the show began at 7:22 p.m., according to the usher we befriended. Ha!

I wasn’t very familiar with Adrenaline Mob. I had done a little research prior to the show, but all I really found out was that they are a super group and that their bassist is John Moyer, who used to be with Disturbed (a fact that excited me, since I love Disturbed). The band totally rocked it. They were a great way to kick things off, closing their set with their first single, “Come On, Get Up.”

Then came HellYeah. Vocalist Chad Gray knew exactly how to work a crowd and by the time they finished, the room was positively buzzing. Highlights from their set included “Drink, Drank, Drunk” and the title track from their upcoming release, “Blood for Blood.”

Finally, it was time for the main act. Avenged Sevenfold took the stage to the familiar sounds of “Shepherd of Fire” and the audience went insane. I can’t even begin to describe how I felt at that moment, and the feeling didn’t leave me for the entire set. The guys were a little more lackluster than I remembered, yet their performance still held a magic that only Avenged Sevenfold can create for me. The set list was spectacular and hit every high point of their fifteen year career. Each song filled me with joy and made me think “I can’t believe I’m here.” However, the crowning moments for me were “Hail to the King” and “Fiction,” for I had never before seen them do either song live.

I have now been to six Avenged Sevenfold concerts and though this was not the best, the California natives did not disappoint. I look forward to seeing them again, hopefully in the very near future.

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[Photo credit goes to my brother Rick, who was closer than I was.]

Oh, and after the show, we ran into Adrenaline Mob at a Waffle House. They were extremely nice!

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Review: Monster Truck & Alter Bridge @ The Tabernacle

April 22, 2014 — Leave a comment

This past Saturday–April 19th–I was in Atlanta, Georgia, for the Alter Bridge show. I was accompanied by two of my favorite people, my brother Rick and my friend Jesse. I was fortunate enough to make my way through the mob to the front. Two very kind Alter Bridge fans let me squeeze in beside them, right on the barrier. Needless to say, I refused to move for the rest of the evening.

The opening act, a band that hailed from Canada called Monster Truck, was really good. They were a mix of rock and blues. All I could think was “If Led Zeppelin and all the Southern rock bands had a baby, this would be it.” Ha! Seriously, though, their guitarist was super enthusiastic and the band was a lot of fun. They set the tone for the evening–high energy rock & roll–and the fans showed them a ton of respect as they filed off the stage.

When Alter Bridge came out roughly thirty minutes later, the noise was tremendous! They tore straight into “Addicted to Pain” and from that moment, it was a case of nonstop greatness. My favorite thing about it was the fact that the crowd was made up mostly of hardcore Alter Bridge fans, the kind that sing every single word. There is nothing more magical than hearing a crowd of 2000+ belting out “Broken Wings,” “Open Your Eyes,” and “Rise Today.” It was obvious that vocalist/guitarist Myles Kennedy, guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips were feeding off the audience’s energy and adoration. It is also apparent that the four of them truly love what they do, and that always adds to the experience for the fans. Alter Bridge put on one hell of a show, and Myles stopped to give the fans a heartfelt thanks more than once, saying that if it wasn’t for us, the band wouldn’t be celebrating its ten-year anniversary.

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From L to R: bassist Brian Marshall, vocalist/guitarist Myles Kennedy, and guitarist Mark Tremonti

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Myles Kennedy grinning at me during “Rise Today.”

Highlights from the show were “Blackbird,” Myles instructing the audience to sing “Happy Birthday” to Tremonti, who had turned 40 the previous day, and the guitar dual between Myles and Tremonti, which led straight into the final song of the evening, “Rise Today.” A personal highlight was receiving a pick from Myles…that pretty much made my night.

Alter Bridge is easily one of the best bands I’ve ever seen in concert. If you haven’t made it out for a show yet, you should seriously remedy that immediately. I guarantee that you will have the time of your life.