Reviews

Chaos and Carnage 2023: Cleveland Show Review

Published

1 year ago

April 21, 2023

This year’s cast of bands for the Chaos and Carnage Tour saw a rounded out group from newer acts to seasoned veterans taking the stage. The Agora Theatre was the setting for fans of all subgenres of metal to converge this night. Chaos and Carnage tour has been a showcase for many subgenres of metal over the years, and try to reflect that diversity with the bands they have performing.

The show opened up with Slay Squad, self proclaimed Ghetto Metal. The music mixed beatdown with rap and deathcore. Crown Magnetar took the stage next. This band takes deathcoreand pushes its limits throwing in elements of blast beats and slam riffs. Following Crown Magnetar is a band I first heard of while listening to Sirius Xm, Sanguisugabogg. Cleveland natives, this band has its own take on death metal. To push the action of the crowd, the band offered free merch to any crowd member who can hang onto a football placed in the pit at the end of their next song. This aggression only went into a fury as Aborted took the stage. Vocalist Sven de Caluwe, frantically paced the stage during the set, amping up the crowd. Waves of crowdsurfers were coming over the barricade as their own blend of cosmic death metal played on. A change of pace saw progressive metalcore band, Born of Osiris take the stage. The band kicked off playing crowd favorites as Bow Down, White Nile, and Angel of Alien. The riffing of Lee Mckinney and Nick Rossi were standout throughout the set which seen the two trading off throughout Machine.

Suicide Silence picked the pace back up from the start kicking off with Unanswered. During the set Vocalist Eddie Hermidaasked for a wall of death to form before the beginning ofDisengage, which saw bodies colliding into one and other. The energy was building as the band ripped through their set.

One of the OGs on the bill, Death Metal juggernauts Dying Fetus closed out the show. Under a cloak of red and fog, the band emerged performing Justifiable Homicide. Fetus played from throughout their catalogue this night including One Shot, One Kill, Compulsion for Cruelty, and Wrong One to Fuck With.

Chaos and Carnage 2023, felt balanced to me. These types of tours are always scrutinized in some way, from the bands on the bill, to the types of music being played. This year seamed to at least have something for everyone while also showcasing bands from all periods of a career. Make sure to catch the Chaos and Carnage Tour going on now.

About Author

George Archibald

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Related Topics:Aborted born of osiris Crown Magnetar Dying Fetus Empire Extreme featured Sanguisugabogg Slay squad Suicide Silence

Reviews

Collective Soul “7EVEN YEAR ITCH” Greatest Hits 1994-2001 Vinyl

Published

4 months ago

January 4, 2024

Ron

I’ve always been a big fan of Collective Soul and have been lucky to have seen them a few times. This band has always been in my music mixes since the 1990s.

The vinyl release is exactly what you would want for a greatest-hits album. All the best songs that collective soul had from 1994–2001 If you were a teenager or an adult in the 90s, you can’t tell me that you didn’t jam out to songs like “Shine,” “Gel,” and “December.”

With other great songs like “Heavy,” “Run,” “The World I Know,” and “Forgiveness,” This greatest hit album sounds amazing on vinyl as well. Craft Recordings has done a really great job of keeping the magic and sound of these amazing songs.

The sleeve cover has some cool photos of the band throughout the years. This vinyl just came out in Collective Soul fashion in December, and is ready to be part of your vinyl collection, and just brings you back to a great time in life.

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.

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Reviews

Otep – Hydra 10th Anniversary Vinyl

Published

5 months ago

December 15, 2023

Ron

I received a copy of the album, and when I first opened it, the artwork struck me first. Otep has always been a great visual artist, with her amazing drawings and characters. I even have one of them tattooed on myself. When you see the artwork on this vinyl release, you will really be drawn in and appreciate the artistry.

The sound of this vinyl is amazing. It’s been years since I’ve listened to anything on vinyl and forgot how much I loved the sound of the medium compared to CDs and digital releases. I love the songs on this album because, as with all Otep albums, it has such raw power and emotions, mixed with the anger and beauty of Otep’s poetry. Otep is one of the greats.

The album starts off with the track “Rising,” and this initial song sets the tone for what you’re about to hear from the balance of the album. The standout tracks on this album have to be “Necromantic,” “Apex Predator,” “Voyeur,” and “Feral Game.” Over all, the album as a complete piece of art is amazing. I would encourage you, if you’re a fan of Otep or a collector of vinyl, to add this vinyl to your collection.

About Author

Ron

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Reviews

WEDNESDAY 13: Performs Muderdolls Lititz PA Show Review

Published

5 months ago

November 24, 2023

Ron

Wednesday 13 came into Lititz, PA, on November 18th, bringing the music, or The MurderDolls, with him. Continuing the legacy of Joey Jordison and Ben Graves.

Wednesday 13 is on a tour now; that’s all MurderDolls. 21 years have passed since Beyond the Valley of the MurderDolls came out, and 13 years have passed since Women and Children Last was released. Wednesday and his bandmates are sharing the stage with Infected Rain and Gemini Syndrome on this tour.

The show was amazing; this was our first time covering a show at Mickey’s Black Box. The venue, the staff, and our media contact were so hospitable. The venue was amazing, with a cool balcony on the second floor to watch the show as well.

We got to hear a full set of 20 MurderDolls songs, which was pretty much every song on both albums. There were some songs I haven’t gotten to hear in a long time, like “Grave Robbing USA”, “Drug Me To Hell”, and “Summertime Suicide”. Of course, it wouldn’t be a MurderDolls show if they didn’t play “I Love to Say Fuck” and finish the night with “Dead in Hollywood.”

It’s always a blast to see Wednesday 13 in concert, and I was so excited for the band that a lot of these shows were sold out. It was also a special night because it was my GF’s “50th” birthday and my buddy’s GF’s birthday the next day. We got the MC of the show, Don Jamieson, to give them a little birthday shout-out.

Although it’s sad that Joey and Ben are no longer with us, I’m sure Joey is loving that Murderdolls is still kicking ass after all those years, and I know that Wednesday 13 is so appreciative of what MurderDolls has done for his career.