Concert Reviews

BlueRidge Rock Festival 2022: Review

Published

2 years ago

September 22, 2022

Ron

Another year has passed along with another BlueRidge Rock Festival. Most of the media and personal accounts of this festival are going to on how horrible it was and all the missteps of the promoter, management and the festival as a whole. Do some things need to be changed for next year: absolutely yes? Do us Photographers and media need to be treated a little better: once again yes.

Remember we are the eyes and ears of the people who are on the outside looking in and the sounding board for those who were there. We are essentially a part of your staff and your promotional machine. that are not getting paid and control the media world, with our voices we can make or break things very easily)

That’s enough of all the negative vibes, except one last thing: Fuck that Hill (aka Kate Bush). That hill of death put a huge damper on how many bands I was going to cover this year because I myself am not an Olympic walker/hiker/mountain explorer.

Instead of going into all details about each day and every band I saw and all that normal blah blah blahs. I figured I would do something a little different. They say a picture is better than a 1,000 words: I took well over 4,000 photos and covered 44 bands in 4 days and walked about 30 miles in those 4 days. I’m sure you get that picture.

Some of the highlights for me were 100000% the following: Kittie, Shadows Fall, Ice Cube, Tenacious D, Alice Cooper and getting to see Mushroomhead during the daylight, althought it rained on us during their set. There were so many bands from different genres and all kinds of different strokes for all those folks. That is one of the main reasons I love this festival. It offers such diversity with the selection of artists. It did kinda suck not being able to photograph STP or Slipknot (this years Five Finger Death Punch) but “What you gonna do brother?” (sorry a little Hulk Hogan came out of me)

I’ll would like say this now and hold myself to it. I would love to and keep supporting this festival and cover it every time they need me to (with some tweaks, hopefully). Despite the weather change from too much sun, to too much rain, long walks, not enough water/food provided for us, I had an amazing time. I got to see some killer bands and watch a few sets of some old friends, and made some new ones too. That’s one of the most endearing qualities of the metal community. It’s all about taking adversity and making it work for them, however I’m just one guy who’s opinion will most likely ge lost in the echoes of “woke” culture. I’ll end with a poetic quote from a modern day renaissance poet, Mr Corey Taylor.

PEOPLE=SHIT.

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

See author's posts

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Concert Reviews

MARTY FRIEDMAN LIVE DRAMA TOUR 2025: RAMSHEAD ON THE STAGE

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2025

Ron

Marty Friedman is on tour right now with his Live Drama 2025 and he brought Patrick Kennison and Nikki Stringfield on tour with them.

Nikki and Patrick opened up the show with an amazing acoustic set, I’ve got to see both of them many times with their other bands but this was the first time seeing them perform together and it was magical. I loved the way they not only complemented each other vocally with harmonies and more but just the feeling of love on the stage as well. We got to hear some great songs like “Where Demons Lie” and “Numbered” which is about addiction issues and dedicated to Layne Staley. We also got to hear an Iron Maiden cover “Aces High”.

Marty and his band came out on stage and if you’re into high energy and some mind blowing shreds, this is a tour for you. I love that Marty’s band is backed by some amazing Japanese musicians and probably one of my favorite drummers Chargeee, (he’s Insane while playing the drums: he’s like the live action version of Animal from the muppets)

I loved that Marty is from the area and was talking to his band mates about it and the laurel area. There was one time when Marty’s guitar player Naoki played the lead that Marty was supposed to play then they had an argument all in Japanese (the one time I wish subtitles was a real thing) the other band mates gave him the finger then Marty started to shred.

I just the energy that’s on the stage it doesn’t stop and it’s so infectious. The crowd at rams head on the stage were in full capacity for the show and ready to rock and roll with Marty.

We got to hear some of the softer more romantic side of Marty and the band when they played a few songs off the “Drama” album which was fun as well.

It’s insane to watch someone like Marty shred in a small intimate venue, you really get to see how amazing he really is and the passion he has for his craft.

About Author

Ron

See author's posts

Concert Reviews

APOCALYPTICA PLAYS METALLICA VOL 2: DC SHOW REVIEW

Published

2 weeks ago

February 9, 2025

Ron

Apocalyptica is on tour now with Nita Strauss on their PLAYS METALLICA VOL 2.

Nita opened the show and as always put on an amazing show, it’s fun to see Nita on these solo tour when she’s not touring with Alice Cooper. You get to see her shine even more and just put a clinic on with shredding on the guitar. I’ve seen Nita a few times but this night was a little extra special, she brought out Kasey Karlsen of the band Deadlands out to sing a few songs which was great cause normally there’s no vocals at her shows.

This was my first time being able to not only see Apocalyptica but also photograph them. I’ve always been a huge fan of their music and loved the 2 Metallica albums as well. I figured this was more than likely the only way I’ll get to hear Metallica play is with Apocalyptica playing them.

We got to hear an amazing mix of songs throughout Metallica’s career. Opening up with “Ride the Lightning” and “Enter Sandman” you knew you were gonna rock out.

The band is amazing, such awesome and jaw dropping skills on those Cellos. There’s something magical about musicians that come from Helsinki and the Finland area. Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lotjonen and Perttu Kivilaakso are insanely talented but also demand the stage so well and bring in that comedy as well.

We also got to hear songs like “Creeping Death”, “The Call of Ktulu” “St Anger”, “Blackened” “Master of Puppets”, “Nothing else Matters” and ending the night with “Seek and Destroy” and “One”. This was such a great night in a cool setting at Warner Theater in DC. I loved the atmosphere and the blending of not only music with classical and metal but also the crowd was as diverse as well.

If you get a chance to go out and see this tour, you must you won’t be disappointed.

About Author

Ron

See author's posts

Concert Reviews

NIGHTMARE AFTER XMAS 9

Published

3 weeks ago

January 31, 2025

Ron

ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN WHEN THE POWERS TO BE GATHER FOR THE MOST BAD ASS OF TIME. YES ITS THAT TIME FOR ANOTHER NIGHTMARE AFTER XMAS.

OF COURSE YOU HAVE SPELLBOOK AND WRATH OF TYPHON ON THE BILL, AND HEADLINING PRINCE DIAMOND (This year doing an all Mercyful Fate set) WE ALSO GOT SABBATH WARLOCK AND ZAUBEREI AS WELL.