Reviews

M3 Rock Festival 2023: Full Show Review

Published

12 months ago

May 11, 2023

Ron

It’s another M3 in the books. Of course it wouldn’t be M3 if we didn’t have great hair metal bands, fans dressed up and Maryland weather (Hot and Rain).

This years lineup was a great one for the 14th year of M3. Saturday started up early with count 77 and Baltimore’s own Child’s Play. Highlights for me on the opening night were Quiet Riot ( This Was Rudy Sarzos first M3… watch out for an interview with Rudy coming soon). I loved watching Quiet Riot play songs off the 40yr anniversary of Metal Health album. Lita Ford( watch out for an interview with Patrick and Marten). Lita always kills it and still sounds and looks amazing, damn can she shred. And the almighty Styx( who were the best band hands down this year). We got to hear MR ROBOTO. We also got a last minute replacement for Extreme with the band Voyage which is a Journey Tribute band. I thought they were really good the singer Hugo not only looks like Steve Perry he sounds like him as well. Britny Fox, Slaughter and Winger all had great sets as well.

Sunday opened up with a prom of sorts with some rock school kids playing on stage. The Backstage Rock Academy Band. Then back to the 80s with Heavens Edge, then the gorgeous ladies of Vixen. It’s always nice to have a few ladies of rock, bring down the house at M3, Vixen is no exception. Singer Lorraine is a powerhouse and so fun to watch and you can tell that they all really enjoy playing on stage together. The highlights of Sunday was deff not the rain, but Steven Adler and Ari always kill it and bring that GNR swagger. Riley’s LA Guns, Firehouse and Great White all had amazing sets as well. Warrant put on a hell of a show too, Singer Robert Mason is a madman with that microphone stand. The ending of M3 was a little amazing and a little sad at the same time. Amazing because we ended M3 this year with Baltimore favorite band Kix, who always put on a show that’s not only fun to watch, it’s just a great great rock n roll show. The sad part was that Kix made an announcement that this year would be the last time Kix will play and tour ending a 45+ career and ending it all off at Merriweather on Sept 17th.

Overall this years M3 was a great one. A lot of people like to whine and cry about certain stuff but what can you do. I’m looking forward to what’s gonna happen on the 15th anniversary of M3 and what’s gonna happen with Kix not being there since they have played every year.

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

Related Topics:Empire Extreme featured M3 Festival

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

See author's posts

Reviews

Otep – Hydra 10th Anniversary Vinyl

Published

4 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

See author's posts

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.