Escape The Fate is kicking off their Out of the Shadows Tour on August 31st in Salt Lake City. With them will be D.R.U.G.S., Point North, Stitched Up Heart, and Garzi. You can get your tickets and VIP at escapethefate.com. (VIP is also available for Stitched Up Heart.)
8/31 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
9/1 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall
9/2 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
9/3 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave/Eagles Club
9/5 – Chicago, IL – Concord Music Hall
9/7 – Alton, VA – Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2023 (Escape The Fate and Stitched Up Heart only)
9/8 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
9/9 – Providence, RI – The Strand Ballroom & Theatre
9/10 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl
9/12 – Warrendale, PA – Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
9/13 – Columbus, OH – The KING of CLUBS
9/15 – Pontiac, MI – The Crofoot Ballroom
9/16 – Covington, KY – Madison Theater
9/17 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
9/19 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Heaven)
9/20 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City
9/22 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
9/23 – Dallas, TX – The Factory in Deep Ellum
9/24 – San Antonio, TX – Vibes Event Center
9/26 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
9/27 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco Theater
9/29 – Riverside, CA – Riverside Municipal Auditorium
9/30 – Las Vegas, NV – Brooklyn Bowl
10/1 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge
10/3 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
10/5 – Portland, OR – Bossanova Ballroom
10/7 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival 2023 (Escape The Fate only)
Seethe is a solo metal artist that hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A blend of different styles of metal, alternative and trap prominent among them, Seethe has been quite busy over the past few years, having released an album a year since 2020, and an album and EP thus far in 2023.
Never one to slow down, Seethe has now shared a new single, “Can’t Breathe,” taken from the upcoming album, entitled Delenda: A Black Rose on the Epitaph. While discussing this latest track, I asked for a little background, such as the story behind the song, the writing/recording process, and anything else of note that Seethe wanted to include. This is what he told me:
“‘Can’t Breathe’ is the first single from my upcoming album, Delenda: A Black Rose On The Epitaph. When I got the beat originally, it was in a different key. I hung on to it for a couple of weeks with a bout of writer’s block. One day, I was messing with my DAW and figured out I could pitch shift the key of the instrumental. After some playing around on the computer, I bumped it up a half step from the original key, and within minutes, it all came flooding in lyrically. It was a fun song to pen down and record. The album, in general, was fun and challenging. While very heavy and glitchy musically (as my style usually is), I managed to write the songs with more choruses and melodic vocals.
The song lyrically (as is the whole album) is about mental health and signing myself into the psych ward earlier this year. “Can’t Breathe,” specifically, deals with my bipolar disorder and manic depression. That feeling that grips you where you are extremely overwhelmed and claustrophobic (ya know, happy stuff).
While lyrically it’s dark, I hope what people take from it is that there is nothing wrong or weak about reaching out for help. It’s not tough or heroic to hold that in and face it alone. If you want to be a hero and be strong……get the help you need to power through and live life for yourself and the ones you love another day.”
Check out “Can’t Breathe” here, and keep up with everything going on in Seethe’s world by subscribing to and following his various socials!
In This Moment and Motionless In White are bringing The Dark Horizon Tour to a city near you, with special guests Fit For A King and From Ashes To New.
Avenged Sevenfold is back!!!!! With the release of their new album, Life is But a Dream, happening on June 2nd, it only makes sense for them to tour over the summer. Tickets are available now via avengedsevenfold.com.
7/18 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
7/19 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
7/21 – Quebec City, QC – Centre Vidéotron
7/22 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
7/24 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre
7/26 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
7/28 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Falling In Reverse and Ice Nine Kills are touring together this fall, and they are bringing along some friends! Depending on the date, fans will get Underoath, Our Last Night, Slaughter To Prevail, Crown The Empire, and/or Catch Your Breath. Tickets are going fast, so snag yours at fallinginreverse.com or get tickets and VIP for Ice Nine Kills.
6/26 – Charleston, WV – Charleston Civic Center Coliseum*
6/27 – Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union LIVE!*
6/29 – Hershey, PA – Giant Center*
6/30 – Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview**
7/2 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion**
After kicking off The Revolutions Live Tour last spring in North America, Shinedown decided we needed another run, this time with From Ashes To New and Three Days Grace along for the ride. I was fortunate enough to catch Shinedown twice in 2022, and when they announced a Huntsville date for early 2023, I bought tickets so fast it would have made your head spin! This concert was extra special as it was my mom’s first time seeing Shinedown.
Unfortunately, we missed openers From Ashes To New, but I have been to one of their shows and can say that I’m sure their set was spectacular. The VBC was positively buzzing when we got there, so FATN definitely pumped up the energy in the building.
Three Days Grace then came out swinging, opening with “So-Called Life” and ripping through several of their well-known tracks in succession. They utilized the extended portion of the stage, leaving only drummer Neil Sanderson and his kit to fill the main stage. (I had always referred to the extension as a catwalk, but I recently learned the appropriate term is “the thrust”.) As the band launched into the song that started it all – “I Hate Everything About You” – the audience erupted, shouting the words back at vocalist Matt Walst with gusto.
I assumed that would be the highlight of their set; however, I was wrong. Before the fans had finished cheering, Matt announced a special guest: “An OG member of Three Days Grace, Adam Gontier!” The noise level was roughly equivalent to that of an explosion as Three Days Grace founding member/singer/rhythm guitarist Adam Gontier strode into the spotlight. His huge grin was visible even from our seats in the balcony. After waving to the ecstatic crowd, he moved to the center of the thrust and the band began “Never Too Late.” Adam stayed on the stage for the final number, “Riot,” and he and the current members converged to take a bow and a few photos.
Anticipation crackled in the air as we anxiously awaited the headliner. It seemed ages, and yet no time at all, when the room went dark and the familiar intro of Outkast’s “Bombs Over Baghdad” filled the air. The early 2000s hit neared its end and faded, and the two giant split screens that shielded the main stage from view came to life. Video clips of past Shinedown performances, off day outings, and backstage shenanigans played, earning laughter and cheers. Gradually, the images distorted, crackling with static, and were ultimately interrupted by a broadcast from a female AI welcoming the audience to Planet Zero.
“We hope that you enjoy your stay. And as always, remember to start your day with outrage.”
The screens flashed bright white then parted, revealing the silhouettes of four men surrounded by fog: frontman Brent Smith, guitarist Zach Myers, bassist/pianist/guitarist Eric Bass, and drummer Barry Kerch. Screams and applause echoed through the expansive space, and the foursome made their way to the end of the thrust to wave and bask in the excitement, if only for a moment. Barry soon jogged back to his kit while Zach, encouraging the fans to get louder, grabbed his guitar and Eric slung the strap of his bass over his shoulders. Without further ado, Shinedown tore into “Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)” and we were off!
📸 Me
I won’t focus on the set list, just in case you’re going to attend a show and want to be surprised. Instead, I want to tell you about the energy, the non-stop high octane exuberance that Shinedown deliver in every performance. Choosing where to look is next to impossible. Between Brent’s strong, otherworldly vocals and overall charming demeanor, Zach’s interaction with the crowd and continuous rock star poses, Eric bouncing all over the place like a madman, and Barry attacking the drums with a fierce grin and flying dreadlocks, there is a feast for the eyes everywhere – and that’s without mentioning the pyro!
While there were several highlights, including Eric and Zach and their cover of “Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis, I have to take a second to write about Brent’s speech. If you’ve seen Shinedown, this is nothing new. If you haven’t, I’ll prepare you.
Brent gives the most heartfelt, encouraging speeches each tour, mostly in regard to mental health and everyone belonging when it comes to the music family. On this run, he is addressing mental health and suicide. Shinedown has partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, donating $1 from every ticket sold for The Revolutions Live Tour directly to them. “And you have already raised over $150,000,” he announced. He went on to say that life is a journey, that we are all a work-in-progress, and he requested that the crowd light up every cell phone, just for the next song, then the band flowed into “A Symptom of Being Human.”
Shinedown carried us on a journey of emotions, bringing us up with bangers such as “Sound of Madness” and “Planet Zero,” only to tug the heartstrings with “45,” “Second Chance,” and “Monsters.” Their cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” was met with resounding enthusiasm, and they wrapped the evening with an anthemic high note in “Cut the Cord.”
📸 Me
Shinedown is a band that never disappoints, and this show was no exception. My mom and I left the venue in high spirits, and they only climbed higher when we joined my friend and his daughter near the buses. Within half an hour, Zach had emerged to say hello and take pictures before heading to the airport.
It was a night to remember, and I’ll end this with Mr. Brent Smith’s catchphrase.
Godsmack is hitting the road this May with I Prevail. They will have special guests on certain dates, including Bullet For My Valentine, Bad Wolves, and Austin Meade. They are also playing several festivals. Get your tickets at godsmack.com.
5/4 – Denver, CO – 107.9 KBPI Birthday Bash (w/Bad Omens, Fame on Fire, I Prevail)
5/6 – Phoenix, AZ – 98 KUPD U Fest 2023 (w/Fozzy, Nothing More, The Warning, Grey Daze, The Black Moods, I Prevail)
Disturbed is touring this spring and summer with an alternating cast of other bands, which includes Breaking Benjamin, Theory of a Deadman, Jinjer, and even a couple of festivals with Falling in Reverse, Beartooth, and Dorothy! Tickets and VIP experiences are on sale now at disturbed1.com.
4/27 – Montreal, QC – Centre Bell^
4/29 – Quebec City, QC – Videotron Centre^
5/1 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena^
5/4 – Milwaukee, WI – FiServ Forum (Hog Fest)+
5/6 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center (93X Twin City Takeover)+
5/8 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre^
5/10 – Edmonton, AB – Roger’s Place^
5/12 – Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford Centre^
7/11 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena*
7/13 – West Valley City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre*
7/15 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater*
7/16 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre*
7/18 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre*
7/20 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre*
7/22 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre*
Mostly Music 