Reviews

Terrestria World Tour: Pittsburgh Show Review

Published

2 years ago

June 9, 2022

The Crafthouse in Pittsburgh Pa was host to the TerrestriaWorld Tour starring Rivers of Nihil, Fallujah, Alluvial, Warforged and Burial in the Sky on June 5^th. It was another warm sunny day in the burg as the bands loaded into the venue and fans lined up outside this venue that is a restaurant, bar, and bowling alley. Fans of progressive metal were in for a treat as every band on the bill is unique to the genre and had newer materials to share with the crowd this night.

Burial in the Sky kicked things off for the night. The band plays a blend of heavy and melodic while keeping the tech. Vocalist Michael Alverez got the crowd moving with his energetic stage presence as growled through the set. One thing that I found fascinating was when the bassist picked up a saxophone to perform on one of their songs. The bands dynamics really kept the crowd engaged throughout their performance.

Warforged was up next, this Chicago based quintet came out with a down tuned fury mixing progressive metal with a blackened feel. The bassist and vocalist were a one two punch as they kept up the intensity of the show, telling the crowd to mosh along with the bands many breakdowns. Some standouts were when the band played through The Place that Breaks Your Bones and Nightfall Came.

Alluvial was onstage next, this band has gone under a bit of a change from their roots having transitioned from an instrumental project to a full band with vocalist. Vocalist Kevin Muller kept the action moving calling out for a Wall of Death before kicking off Exponent. Founding member and guitarist Wes Hauch was very impressive to watch live, pulling off solo after solo from the band’s newest album Sarcoma. Some of the songs the band performed this night were Ulysses, Sleepers Become Giants and 40 Stories.

Fallujah took the stage after Alluvial to a very warm and inviting crowd, as the headbanging would pair up with the bands syncopated rhythms throughout their set. This tour is the debut of their new vocalist Kyle Schaefer of Archeologist, he is a great fit with the band as he is fully capable of hitting the growls as well as well as the challenge of hitting all the cleans throughout their set. Fallujah also played through their newest single Radiant Ascension, guitarist Scott Carstairs has pushed his playing to a new level, I cannot wait to hear the newest album set to be released later this year. Another standout performance to note was filling in on tour on bass was bassist Killian Duarte whose fingerstyle playing was mesmerizing to watch live. The band was very tight, and their mix was super clean throughout their set which stood out on their closer The Void Alone.

Rivers of Nihil closed out the show, a darkend stage with minimal light was the backdrop for the band to perform their newest release The Work. The Tower Piano intro set the mood before the band kicked things off with MORE? The crowd went wild moshing for the band whose vocalist Jeff Dieffenbach kept motioning for more out of the crowd as the pit continued to grow. For a minimal light approach the band had many strobes and laser lights on stage to break up the green and black light visually. Stand out songs performed during their set included Dreaming Black Clockwork, the Silent Life and an encore of Where The Owls Know My Name.

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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

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

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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.