Reviews

Gojira/Mastodon/Lorna Shore: Pittsburgh Review

Published

9 months ago

August 12, 2023

Metal would be the soundtrack for the night on the North Shore, as many gathered around General Robinson St. for the festivities. The smell of beer and tailgate BBQ filled the air this evening at Stage AE as the crowd packed in for the Mega Monsters Tour featuring Mastodon, Gojira, and Lorna Shore. Sharing the Allegheny River shore, the Pittsburgh Pirates were also home at PNC Park.

Lorna Shore took the stage first in front of a packed crowd. The surfers started early as the band kicked off with “Sun//Eater” and followed along with “Into the Earth” and the “Pain Remains” trilogy. Will Ramos ramped the crowd up with his vicious growls and screams, paired with the solo stylings of Adam Demicco on guitars, the band sounded full and monstrous while Acrisure Stadium glistened in the setting sunlight.

The stage started to emit heavy fog before Gojira took the stage,starting off with “Ocean Planet”. Following up such an energetic entrance, the band immediately went into “Backbone” and “Flying Whales”. Inflatable whales of all shapes and sizes joined the crowd surfers coming over the front rail as frontman Joe Duplantier and bassist Michel Labadie ran across the stage and jumped on the front stage monitors to get a little closer to the action. Circle pits erupted for “The Art of Dying” and “Silveria” before closing out with “The Gift of Guilt”.

Before the rain could wash out the crowd, Mastodon took to the stage. A psychedelic light show shone on as the band started with “The Wolf is Loose”. The stage was dark and dreary for the beginning of the set. Playing through “Megalodon” and Divinations,” the band really amped off of the crowd’s energy as lightning flashes could be seen in the distance slowly closing in. Mastodon performed several other hits, including “Mother Puncher”, “Iron Tusk”, and “Crusher Destroyer”, before playing their esteemed “Blood and Thunder” before the skies broke and the rain came forth to finish out the night.

About Author

George Archibald

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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.