Alter Bridge — “Coeur D’Alene,” from the album AB III (2010).
hard rock
5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#21)
1. Kempo Slice
Hip hop/alternative from Alabama. For fans of Eminem, Three 6 Mafia, Logic, etc. Kempo recently released Kempin’ Ain’t Easy (download available here), and he has been hinting that new music is on the way! Check out “Gumptown Blues,” which features Mike Bama, and “They Say.”
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube
2. Shallow Side
Rock from Alabama. For fans of Default, Tantric, Theory of a Deadman, etc. Shallow Side released their Origins EP in July and are currently touring; you can visit their Facebook for dates. Since I’ve been a fan for a while, I am going to share two of my favorites from Shallow Side: “My Addiction” and “Out of Reach.”
Instagram – Twitter – YouTube – Official Site
3. Firmament
Progressive/alternative rock from Ohio. For fans of The Mars Volta, Coheed & Cambria, A Perfect Circle, etc. Firmament’s first full-length album, Spirit of Place, is available on such outlets as Spotify, iTunes, and Google Play. Hear “Bilateral” and “As One Watches the Rain” now!
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Official Site
4. YOU!
Alternative rock/”gunk” from London. For fans of Blur, Green Day, Radiohead, etc. YOU! is booking shows and have upcoming dates in Warwickshire and Camden. Visit their official site for a full list and updates from the band. YOU! shared their first official music video for a track entitled “Selfish” back in June. Listen to it and “A Bird’s Prey” below.
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube
5. State of Illusion
Rock music from South Carolina. For fans of Breaking Benjamin, 10 Years, Cold, etc. State of Illusion will be playing the Blue Ridge Rock Festival, which takes place Labor Day weekend. Their album Aphelion is available through the official page and most digital retailers. Check out “Blind” and “Find Yourself.”
Playlist Challenge, Day 470
Poison — “Nothin’ But a Good Time”
Weekly Focus: Alter Bridge, Pt. II, Day Two
Alter Bridge — “Buried Alive,” from the album Blackbird (2007).
Playlist Challenge, Day 469
Poets of the Fall — “Moonlight Kissed”
Weekly Focus: Alter Bridge, Pt. II, Day One
Alter Bridge — “Shed My Skin,” from the album One Day Remains (2004).
Album of the Week: Alter Bridge’s AB III
Is it bad when one of a band’s weaker albums is still stronger than other artists’ best albums? That’s how I feel about AB III. It is not at the top of their catalog, in my opinion, yet Alter Bridge has undoubtedly done something special with this record. Standout tracks such as “Wonderful Life” and “Words Darker Than Their Wings” have this offering in my player more often than not.
Playlist Challenge, Day 468
Poets of the Fall — “Children of the Sun”
Weekly Focus: 3 Doors Down, Day Seven
3 Doors Down — “Living in Your Hell,” from the album Us and Them (2016).
Playlist Challenge, Day 467
Poets of the Fall — “Carnival of Rust”
Mostly Music 