I love anything that Sevendust does acoustically. Lajon has a beautiful voice, as does Clint, and their lyrics often fit better with an acoustic accompaniment. Needless to say, Time Travelers & Bonfires is a favorite of mine.
Sevendust
Playlist Challenge, Day 515
Sevendust — “Praise”
Playlist Challenge, Day 514
Sevendust — “Enemy”
5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#13)
This is the Alabama edition! We have a lot of talent in my home state and I wanted to share it with the rest of you!
1. Common Rarity
Self-proclaimed “alternative odd rock.” I discovered these guys when I added bassist JD Smalley on Facebook. (I always check out my FB friends’ bands.) For fans of The Cure, The Clash, The Smashing Pumpkins, etc. Common Rarity is currently working on their second album and booking shows to spread their brand of rock.
Facebook – Instagram – Spotify – Official Site
2. By All Means
Rock/Alternative/Heavy Metal. For fans of Sevendust, Shinedown, Tremonti, etc. By All Means have released the Buried EP, which you can hear on their official site or Soundcloud.
Official Site – Twitter – Facebook
3. Burn the Harlot
Hard Rock/Heavy Metal. For fans of Skindred, Avenged Sevenfold, Alice in Chains, etc. Burn the Harlot’s album Calm Before the Storm is now available!
Facebook — Instagram — Twitter
4. All or Nothing
Alternative/Metal. For fans of Escape the Fate, Black Veil Brides, Rise Against, etc. All or Nothing just released their self-titled EP, available on Spotify and iTunes. Listen to “Napalm” and “Mauled By Jackalopes” here:
5. Who Shot Lizzy?
Southern Rock/Country. I am familiar with Who Shot Lizzy? because of Roger Jones, who is an extremely talented musician that spans multiple genres. For fans of Zac Brown Band, David Allan Coe, Eric Church, etc. Who Shot Lizzy? is playing in Lyons, Georgia, at Kerrigan’s Lounge, July 5th — 7th.
Clutch + Sevendust Announce Book of Bad Decisions Tour
I don’t think I could ask for a better lineup. Clutch and Sevendust, along with Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown, are hitting the road in September on the Book of Bad Decisions Tour.
Dates:
- 9/16 – Chicago, IL – Riotfest **
- 9/18 – St. Paul, MN – Myth Live
- 9/19 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
- 9/21 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
- 9/22 – San Antonio, TX – River City Rock Fest **
- 9/23 – Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey Live
- 9/25 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
- 9/27 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
- 9/28 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
- 9/29 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (no Sevendust)
- 9/30 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life Festival **
- 10/2 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theater
- 10/3 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
- 10/5 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
- 10/6 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
- 10/7 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SODO
- 10/8 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
- 10/9 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
- 10/11 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
- 10/12 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theater
- 10/13 – San Bernardino, CA – Glen Helen Amphitheater w/System Of A Down (no Sevendust)
- 10/14 – San Diego, CA – North Park/Observatory
- 10/15 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee
- 10/17 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
- 10/18 – Sauget, IL – Pop’s Nightclub
- 10/19 – Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe Live
- 10/20 – Detroit, MI – The Filmore
- 10/21 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
- 10/23 – Toronto, ON – Rebel
- 10/25 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
- 10/26 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
- 10/27 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
- 10/28 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
** Festival date. Clutch and festival bill only
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.
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube
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.
Facebook – Instagram – YouTube
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…
Review: Sevendust’s All I See Is War
Band: Sevendust
Album: All I See Is War
Genre: Rock/Metal
Release Date: May 11, 2018
Standout Tracks: “Descend,” “Moments,” “Not Original,” “Life Deceives You,” and “Medicated”
I am not one of the Sevendust faithful, so to speak. I don’t watch the calendar and count the days until the Georgian metal band’s next release. However, when I read Lou Brutus’s praise for All I See Is War, I knew I needed to check it out.
I was not disappointed. Though I found the first two tracks — “Dirty” and “Risen” — to be par for the course, there is something about the album as a whole that really appealed to me. The latter half, in particular, really jumps out.
I have always appreciated Lajon Witherspoon and company’s lack of fear when it comes to showing a softer side to their typically hard-hitting music (“Skeleton Song,” anyone?). Needless to say, the melodic heaviness and gorgeous crooning on tracks such as “Descend,” “Moments,” and “Life Deceives You” were the highlights for me.
All I See Is War has the staples that Sevendust fans have loved for the last two decades. Add in the time-relevant lyrics and the ratio of melancholy, ruthless, and groove-driven, and you get a record that is a must for any music collection.
As a side note, I would like to say that I don’t even have the words to describe “Not Original.” Lajon’s vocal delivery is worthy of chills, and the guitar work from Clint Lowery and John Connolly carry the soulful performance to new heights. It is definitely my favorite song on the album.
Overall, I would give All I See Is War 4/5 stars. A balance of old and new, there are plenty of interesting elements here that make me excited for the future of Sevendust.
May 2018 Album Releases
-5/1-
-Cara Stacey & Camilo Ángeles: Ceder
-CMD094: Ghost Station
-Drew Daniel/John Wiese: Continuous Hole
-5/2-
-Carb on Carb: For Ages
-5/4-
-Iceage: Beyondless
-Shakey Graves: Can’t Wake Up
-DJ Koze: Knock Knock
-Parkway Drive: Reverence
-Louise Goffin: All These Hellos
-Reuben and The Dark: Arms of a Dream
-Plan B: Heaven Before All Hell Breaks Loose
-R.F. Shannon: Trickster Blues
-The Dirty Coal Train: Portuguese Freakshow
-Vive Le Void: Vive Le Void
-Eternal Summers: Every Day It Feels Like I’m Dying
-Ecstatic Vision: Under the Influence
-Leon Bridges: Good Thing
-Cut Worms: Hollow Ground
-Shinedown: Attention Attention
-Skating Polly: The Make It All Show
-MORO: Irrelevant
-High Sunn: Missed Connections
-Daniel Blumberg: Minus
-Middle Kids: Lost Friends
-Frank Turner: Be More Kind
-Hoodrich Pablo Juan: HoodWolf2
-Black Moth Super Rainbow: Panic Blooms
-Royce da 5’9: Book of Ryan
-Jess & Matt: Songs From the Village
-Belly: Dove
-Peace: Kindness is the New Rock and Roll
-The Lacs: Dirt Rock
-5/7-
-Leviathan: Unfailing Fall Into Naught
-5/8-
-Snoopy Mane: Love Is Real
-5/11-
-Beach House: 7
-Jess Williamson: Cosmic Wink
-The Body: I Have Fought Against It, But I Can’t Any Longer
-La Luz: Floating Features
-Soft Kill: Savior
-Arctic Monkeys: Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
-Slow Mass: On Watch
-Gold Connections: Popular Fiction
-Boys: Rest in Peace
-The Death Wheelers: I Tread on Your Grave
-Charlie Puth: Voicenotes
-Bad Wolves: Disobey
-Ry Cooder: The Prodigal Son
-Sevendust: All I See is War
-5/18-
-John Maus: Addendum
-Ryley Walker: Deafman Glance
-Elder Brother: Stay Inside
-Maluma: F.A.M.E.
-Frog Eyes: Violet Psalms
-Pema: Bad Habits
-TT: LoveLaws
-Buck Meek: Buck Meek
-Remember Sports: Slow Buzz
-Amorphis: Queen of Time
-Alkaloid: Liquid Anatomy
-Ash: Islands
-Jon Allen: Blue Flame
-At the Gates: To Drink From the Night Itself
-Five Finger Death Punch: And Justice For None
-The Sidekicks: Happiness Hours
-Echo & the Bunnymen: The Stars, the Oceans, and the Moon
-5/23-
-Mouse on the Keys: tres
-5/25-
-Ryan Roxie: Imagine Your Reality
-Wand: Perfume
-Dyslexic Postcards: The Sweet Science
-CHVRCHES: Love is Dead
-Shawn Mendes: Shawn Mendes
-Chad Valley: Imaginary Music
-Hoobastank: Push Pull
-Bleeding Through: Love Will Kill All
-Graveyard: Peace
-Jonathan Davis: Black Labyrinth
-Snow Patrol: Wildness
-Dear Nora: Skull Example
-Jo Passed: Their Prime
-5/31-
-Chepang/Test: Split
Let’s Talk Covers (Pt. 30)
1. Rage Against the Machine: “Renegades of Funk” (Afrika Bambaataa cover)
2. Sevendust: “Inner City Blues” (Marvin Gaye cover)
3. Nickelback: “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting” (Elton John cover)
Album of the Week: Sevendust’s Seasons
Who doesn’t love “Enemy”? Other highlights on Seasons include the title track and “Skeleton Song.”
Mostly Music 