Reviews

Two Decades of Destruction Tour: Pittsburgh Show Review

Published

2 years ago

June 30, 2022

Monday June 27^th The Roxian Theater in Pittsburgh Pa was host to the Two Decades of Destruction Tour starring As I Lay Dying, Whitechapel, Shadow of Intent, and Brand of Sacrifice. The nearly sold-out show seen the venue packed to the gills with fans awaiting to see their favorite bands. This show had a lot to offer as the acts spanned different subgenres of metal, from metalcore to deathcore to even melodic death metal.

Up first hot off touring with Thy Art is Murder was Brand of Sacrifice. These heavy hitters have become seasoned road dogs having continued to tour off their last album 2021’s Lifeblood and having dropped 2 singles this year. The crowd was just getting started for the night as soon as vocalist Kyle Anderson took to the stage. Tonight’s set was bathed in blue and red lighting throughout the set as the band churned out song after song.

Shadow of Intent was up next, this band hails from Connecticut and mixes death metal with melodic and symphonic elements to create unique and monstrous soundscapes. Vocalist Ben Duerr is seen as a standout performer as he has many different vocal techniques in his repertoire and he utilizes everyone of them throughout the set, ranging from low growls, to gutterals, to high screams. The band played through several songs off 2022’s release Elegy. To keep up with the blackened theme the stage show was very dark, with the occasional flashes of green and red lighting through the set.

Deathcore veterans Whitechapel took the stage next. This band has been in the scene for over 15 years now and has seen quite an evolution of their music over the years having leaned away from straight deathcore and diving into the melodic. Their set consisted of songs from across their vast catalogue of albums, some of the stand outs were Brimstone, and the classics This is Exile, and The Saw is the Law. Vocalist Phil Bozeman is a standout vocalist having evolved his techniques to now include cleans, which really shined on Lost Boy.

As the show was winding down to the last band, the crowd was ramping up with excitement as As I Lay Dying took to the stage. Many have pondered if this tour was going to continue as there has been some turmoil with the band over the last few months with member changes. In a fury all doubts were ceased as Vocalist Tim Lambesis took the stage to kick the set off with Blinded. I was quite excited to see that Ken Suzi of Unearth was playing guitar on this run for the band. His high energetic antics fit right in with the sporadic stage show. Some of the standout songs were Forsaken, My Own Grave and 94 Hours before closing out with Nothing Left and Confined.

About Author

George Archibald

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Related Topics:As I Lay Dying brand of sacrifice Empire Extreme featured shadow of intent Whitechapel

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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.