Metal music

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#9)

June 17, 2018 — Leave a comment

I decided to do a post honoring female-fronted bands. Most of those listed probably don’t need my help, but maybe this will help them gain a few new fans.

1. City of the Weak

A rock/alternative band from Minnesota. For fans of Paramore, The Distillers, Fit For Rivals, etc. City of the Weak is releasing their debut album, Pulling Teeth, on June 22nd. Check out their cover of Incubus’s “Pardon Me” and 2017’s “Ungrateful.”

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2. Hail Sagan

An electronic rock band from California. For fans of Bring Me the Horizon, Flyleaf, The Relentless, etc. Hail Sagan is currently on The Beauty and the Beast Tour, alongside American Grim.

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3. New Years Day

A hard rock band from California. For fans of Evanescence, The Pretty Reckless, etc. New Years Day will be on the road with In This Moment and Halestorm later this summer!

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4. Stitched Up Heart

A rock band from California. Of a similar vibe to New Years Day, so if you like Evanescence, Halestorm, etc., give Stitched Up Heart a chance. The band has begun writing new stuff.

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5. Butcher Babies

A metal band from California. For fans of Arch Enemy, Cradle of Filth, In This Moment, etc. Butcher Babies are playing the Gathering of the Juggalos, which is taking place July 18th – 21st in Ohio. They also just released their album Lilith. Check out the title track below.

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Ghost Will Tour North America Again, Fall 2018

June 12, 2018 — Leave a comment

Ghost has announced another North American tour, taking place this fall. You can read more details and get info about the Blabbermouth.net presale here.

Dates:

  • Oct. 26 – Tulsa, OK – Cox Business Center Ballroom
  • Oct. 27 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
  • Oct. 29 – Louisville, KY – Palace Theatre
  • Oct. 30 – Indianapolis, IN – The Murat Theatre
  • Nov. 1 – Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom
  • Nov. 2 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center (Theatre)
  • Nov. 3 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
  • Nov. 4 – Ames, IA – Stephens Auditorium
  • Nov. 6 – Omaha, NE – Orpheum Theater
  • Nov. 8 – Albuquerque, NM – Kiva Auditorium
  • Nov. 9 – El Paso, TX – Abraham Chavez Theatre
  • Nov. 10 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre
  • Nov. 12 – San Diego, CA – Spreckels Theatre
  • Nov. 13 – Sacramento, CA – Sacramento Community Center Theater
  • Nov. 15 – San Jose, CA – City National Civic Center
  • Nov. 16 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
  • Nov. 17 – Las Vegas, NV – The Joint
  • Nov. 19 – Midland, TX – Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center
  • Nov. 20 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall
  • Nov. 21 – New Orleans, LA – Orpheum Theatre
  • Nov. 23 – Orlando, FL – Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (Walt Disney Theater)
  • Nov. 24 – Miami Beach, FL – The Fillmore at Jackie Gleason Theater
  • Nov. 25 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall
  • Nov. 27 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center
  • Nov. 29 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre
  • Nov. 30 – Atlanta, GA – Roxy Theatre
  • Dec. 1 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
  • Dec. 2 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
  • Dec. 4 – Richmond, VA – Dominion Energy Center
  • Dec. 5 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – FM Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
  • Dec. 7 – Laval, QC – Place Bell
  • Dec. 8 – Toronto, ON – Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
  • Dec. 10 – Baltimore, MD – The Hippodrome
  • Dec. 11 – Upper Darby, PA – Tower Theater
  • Dec. 13 – Albany, NY – Palace Theatre
  • Dec. 14 – Boston, MA – Wang Theatre
  • Dec. 15 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center

Gemini Syndrome Announce Summer Headlining Tour

June 10, 2018 — Leave a comment

Gemini Syndrome has announced the Summer Synner Conversion with Code Red Riot. Tickets are on sale now, along with a VIP Acoustic Experience.

Summer Conversion dates w/ Code Red Riot

† Festival date
†† w/ Stonesour

  • July 08 // Oklahoma City, OK // The Diamond Ballroom
  • July 11 // Joliet, IL // The Forge
  • † July 12 // Oshkosh, WI // Rock USA
  • July 13 // Sturgis, MI // Nikki’s
  • July 14 // Flint, MI // The Machine Shop
  • July 15 // Akron, OH // Empire Concert Club
  • July 18 // Aftershock // Merriam, KS
  • July 19 // Co. Springs, CO // Sunshine Studios Live
  • July 20 // Denver, CO // Herman’s Hideaway
  • July 22 // Mesa, AZ // Club Red
  • †† Aug 25 // Council Bluffs, IA // WestFair Amphitheatre

* More dates TBD

Album Review: Tremonti’s A Dying Machine

June 9, 2018 — Leave a comment

Band: Tremonti

Album: A Dying Machine

Genre: Rock/Metal

Release Date: June 8, 2018

Standout Tracks: “Desolation,” “Traipse,” “A Dying Machine,” “Trust,” “The First The Last,” “As the Silence Becomes Me,” and “A Lot Like Sin”

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I have labeled half of the album as “standout,” if that is any indication of my love for Tremonti’s A Dying Machine. I had a pretty good idea from the moment the title track, which is the core of this rock opera, was released that I was going to adore this record, but nothing could have prepared me for the perfection that would soon be gracing my ears. A Dying Machine kicks off with the hard-hitting “Bringer of War” and carries the listener on an intriguing musical journey, concluding with the instrumental “Found.” In the middle is some of the best work I have heard from Tremonti.

While staying true to their metal influences with such songs as “From the Sky” and the blistering “The Day When Legions Burned,” Tremonti also takes a left turn into the unexpected (“Take You With Me”) and the emotional (“Desolation”). They have used everything in their creative arsenal to tell us this story.

A Dying Machine is the perfect lovechild of its predecessors, yet it surpasses all of them. With each album, the band — consisting of Mark Tremonti, Eric Friedman, and Garrett Whitlock — has evolved. Their musical prowess has reached new levels, enabling them to take chances that certainly have paid off. Mark has grown as a lyricist, and his vocals on this latest effort are magnificent. His performance on the title track from Dust, as well as “Unable to See,” heralded what was to come; however, he pushes himself further on A Dying Machine, using his voice to evoke emotion more than he ever has before.

I can’t praise Tremonti enough for their unwavering dedication to this new wave of metal, heavy and melodic, unafraid to include a softer, more vulnerable side, or to bring in elements that supposedly have no place in the genre (something Mark has been doing with Alter Bridge for years). These unique inclusions are what make Tremonti stand out. In fact, they make the band rise above many of its contemporaries.

Offering a breath of fresh air to the hard rock/metal scene, A Dying Machine is my pick for Album of the Year. I’m sure it’s no surprise that I rate this record 5/5 stars.

And keep your eyes open: there will be a book based on A Dying Machine.