5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#7)

This installment could get rather lengthy. I saw three of the featured bands a few weeks ago, so I have a lot to say.

1. Locust Grove

A hard rock band from Oklahoma. These guys put on a kick ass live show, and they mean it when they say they’re bringing heavy guitar riffs back to rock. Lots of hair, gritty yet melodic vocals, and riffs reminiscent of Five Finger Death Punch, Sevendust, etc., Locust Grove could easily be your new favorite band. Check out the tracks “Monster” and “Menace of Society” below.

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2. Joyous Wolf

A rock band from California. These guys have been setting the world on fire this spring, being signed to a major label and playing such festivals as Carolina Rebellion and Rocklahoma. Joyous Wolf puts on one of the most energetic performances I’ve ever seen, in addition to their raw talent. I will not compare them to anyone else, but I will tell you they blend rock-n-roll, blues, and southern rock masterfully. The guys have currently left the road to record their first album. Here’s a taste of what you can expect.

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3. Blacktop Mojo

A hard rock/Southern rock band from Texas. You may have heard their cover of Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” thanks to Sirius XM Octane. Blacktop Mojo employs all the best elements of classic rock, rock-n-roll, and Southern rock to bring fans a sound that is pure joy to the ears. They put on a fantastic show, doing whatever it takes and giving 110% every time. It’s no wonder they have already cultivated quite the following. You can look at their tour dates on Facebook…and if you’re going to Louder Than Life in September, you will see them there!

4. Icon For Hire

A pop/rock/alternative band from Tennessee. For fans of Paramore, Pink, PVRIS, etc. Icon For Hire just finished a spring tour. Listen to them below and keep your eyes open for updates/announcements!

5. Dead Like Juliet

A hard rock/metal band from Italy. For fans of Bring Me the Horizon, The Amity Affliction, early Asking Alexandria, etc. You can get Dead Like Juliet’s latest album, Stranger Shores, now! Here is the most recent single, “Unwanted.”

And just because I like it…

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Download Festival 2018

Download Festival is happening next weekend, June 8th — June 10th. In case you haven’t already seen the lineup, here it is!

There are a lot of good bands playing, you lucky peeps! Lol. If you’re going, have fun! ❤

Playlist Challenge, Day 388

Pinkly Smooth — “Mezmer”

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#6)

1. Midnight Blackout

A post hardcore/math rock band from France. For fans of Every Time I Die, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, etc. You can listen to their debut EP, Hangover, on Spotify or YouTube. For a taste of what you can expect, check out “Lorenzo.”

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2. Amerakin Overdose

AOD is a mix of industrial, hard rock, metal, and even a bit of pop. They hail from Oregon. For fans of Nine Inch Nails, Mushroomhead, Static-X, etc. Amerakin Overdose will be hitting the road for a summer tour, kicking off June 29th. Here is my favorite song from them, “Letting Go.”

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3. Advocates

A hard rock/metal/post hardcore band from Australia. For fans of early Atreyu, Memphis May Fire, Blessthefall, etc. Check out “Destructive Tendencies” from 2016’s The Complex Truth.

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4. Values

A melodic metal/hardcore band from the UK. For fans of early Asking Alexandria, Mastodon, Beartooth, etc. Listen to the latest single, “Hopeless,” below!

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5. Marquis of Vaudeville

A truly unique band from Dallas. Best described as alternative/carnivalesque rock/psychedelic punk cabaret. I don’t know how to do a “for fans of,” but perhaps I can say if you liked the music from The Devil’s Carnival, or just Emilie Autumn, you’ll like Marquis of Vaudeville. I’m sharing the first song I listened to, and I highly encourage you to check out more.

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Let’s Talk Covers (Asking Alexandria Edition)

I know I’ve been posting about Asking Alexandria a lot lately — and here’s another one!

But seriously. I stumbled across the video of them covering Ed Sheeran and it made me wonder what other covers they had done. So here we are.

1. “Perfect” (Ed Sheeran cover)

2. “What I’ve Done” (Linkin Park cover)

3. “Right Now” (Akon cover)

4. “Closer” (Nine Inch Nails cover)

5. “Duality” (Slipknot cover)

There are several more. Hop on over to YouTube and check them out. You won’t regret it.

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#5)

1. Fortunate Me

A hardcore/metalcore band from Idaho. For fans of Asking Alexandria, Of Mice and Men, Every Time I Die, etc. Check out their latest video below.

And the song that turned me on to them:

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2. Copper Bones

A hard rock/metal two-piece band from Florida. For fans of good rock music! I literally don’t know who to compare them to; there’s a hint of Brother Cane with a touch of an almost classic rock sound. Don’t take my word for it. Listen to “The Vulture.”

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3. January Jane

A pop/rock band from NYC. Slightly reminiscent of Fun and Maroon 5, with catchy sing-along moments, strong vocals, and music you can dance to. January Jane is currently working on new music. In the meantime, listen to “Take the Lions On.”

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4. Echo Black

A dance rock band from New York. For fans of Blaqk Audio, Blutengel, Kill Hannah, etc. I would highly suggest listening to multiple songs before forming an opinion, because these guys bring something different to the table every time. Here’s the title track from their debut album, Dawn.

And also, “Perfect,” which I just love.

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5. October Ends

A melodic metal band from the UK. For fans of All That Remains, Bullet For My Valentine, Lamb of God, etc. Check out the latest video for the track “Dismissal.”

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New Music (5/21 — 5/27)

Repentance: “Born to Choose”

Inglorious: “I Got a Feeling”

Primal Fear: “Hounds of Justice”

Harm’s Way: “Last Man”

Gruesome: “Fatal Illusions”

Dirty Machine: “Further From You”

Retox: “The Nature of Failure”

Motionless in White: “Voices”

Avatar: “The King Welcomes You to Avatar Country”

Black Tusk: “Agali”

Enter Shikari: “Undercover Agents”

The Armed: “Nowhere To Be Found”

Mike Shinoda ft. grandson: “Running From My Shadow”

Vein: “Demise Automation”

ASG: “Execution Thirst”

Polyphia: “G.O.A.T.”

State Champs: “Mine is Gold”

Bleeding Through: “End Us”

Lipz: “Get It On”

Dance Gavin Dance: “Care”

Powerwolf: “Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend”

Khemmis: “Bloodletting”

Bad Wolves: “Zombie” (acoustic)

Asking Alexandria: “Alone in a Room”

Roses Unread: “After All”

Too Pure To Die: “Only the True Remain”

Butcher Babies: “Look What We’ve Done”

Will Burton: “Run Out of Road”

Band Crush Monday: Avenged Sevenfold

With Metal Hammer‘s announcement of a tribute to Avenged Sevenfold, entitled Hail to the Kings, and the fact that front man M. Shadows is in the new Ghost video, I decided to post a blog about the band that stole my heart in 2005.

My introduction to Avenged Sevenfold came during a difficult time in my life. At seventeen, I lost my boyfriend. I had some really great people helping me get through it, and one of those individuals played me Waking the Fallen. I was immediately in love. Over the years, I have met some of my best friends through a shared love of these guys.

So, in honor of my forever band crush, here are some photos of and my favorite videos from Avenged Sevenfold.

“Bat Country”

“Afterlife”

“Unholy Confessions”

“Hail to the King”

“Save Me”

“Exist”

“Acid Rain”